William faked a laugh, but Anne could see the resentment
in his eyes. “Always so superior, aren’t you, Teach? And yet I am to be a duke and you are simply a merchant. When will you learn to relax a little?”
“When I am sure you mean Anne no harm, Lord Lorimar,”
Teach said coldly.
Anne was surprised at the animosity between the two
friends. She and Teach were William’s guests, after all, and yet Teach had just insulted his host.
He led her away and joined a small group of people with
varying titles. They were courteous, and she didn’t notice any censure in their expressions as Teach introduced her. It was
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obvious he felt at ease among them, and Anne felt herself relax somewhat.
It didn’t take long for Teach to be caught up in a conversation about the end of the Nine Years War and the treaty between France and the grand alliance of England, Spain, and the Holy
Roman Empire. The treaty had brought no real resolution to
the deeper issue of the balance of power between the warring
nations, but at least the fighting had stopped.
Anne listened as they debated what kind of an impact such
an event would have on the shipping industry. Of the individuals present, Teach appeared to be the most knowledgeable on
the topic. “I cannot predict the future,” he said tersely.
Anne hid a smile, for she had said the same thing to him.
“But I foresee some troubling times ahead,” he continued.
“Why is that?” one man asked.
“With the war over, think of the soldiers and sailors who
will no longer be employed. What will they do now that they
are no longer fighting for a united cause? You cannot tell me
they will be content to return to the fields or attempt to learn a new trade.”
“What do you think they will do, Edward?”
“They will take to the seas, doing what they do best,”
Teach said.
“Do you mean they’ll become privateers?”
Teach looked at each man carefully. “Either that—or
pirates.”
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“Are you concerned about your father’s new ship? Once the Deliverance sets sail, every pirate on the seas will be after it.”
Anne broke away from the group as their discussion continued, keeping to the side of the room so as to avoid the dance floor. A manservant walked by, and she accepted the goblet he offered, savoring her first taste of champagne as she observed the small clusters of landed gentry and wealthy merchants, each intent on their own conversations.
A few men attempted to approach her, but Anne quickly
learned that if she turned away, pretending interest in a nearby group, they lost their nerve and left her in peace. Her father had taught her many things, but how to dance was not one of them.
The last thing she wanted was to embarrass the Drummonds.
One set of French doors was opened to the balcony, allowing
the brisk October air to blow through the crowded hall. Anne
slid outside and found an unoccupied bench hidden behind a
potted plant. Closing her eyes, she ignored the muted voices
coming from the interior of the house, wondering if it was too early in the evening to return to the Drummond household.
The moon overhead was full, giving light to the manicured
gardens and casting long shadows across the lawn.
Anne watched the graceful figures dancing inside, their
movements smooth and flowing. She wished she could join in
the festivities, but knew she would stand out like the interloper she was.
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“Your Majesty,” a familiar voice muttered into her ear.
Anne jumped up, nearly dropping the goblet in her hand,
and glanced over her shoulder. Teach stood beside her, a sly grin on his face.
“Why do you insist on frightening me?” she demanded,
irritated at his smirk.
“Why do you insist on being alone?” he countered, folding
his arms across his chest. “Do you not know a solitary woman
wandering through the garden unaccompanied will quickly
develop a reputation?”
Anne blushed at her own ignorance. “No one was concerned for my welfare when I was a maid and walked to the
market alone.”
Her words found their mark, and Teach winced.
“Besides, it was too crowded in there,” she said.
He glanced behind them before raising his eyebrows at her.
“What did you expect at a ball?”
Anne smoothed her gown, her fingers reaching automat—
ically for the gold watch in her pocket. She’d had a pocket
sewn into every dress. “I certainly would never have agreed
to come if I’d known it would be like this,” she said. “I don’t belong here.”
“Of course you do. There are visitors inside from around
the world.”
“You don’t understand. You grew up this way. I did not.”
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“You forget, I’m just the son of a merchant.”
“Yes, who is invited to balls hosted by a duke.”
Teach made an impatient sound in his throat. “I would
much rather spend my time with you than with any of them.
Come back inside with me.”
“I don’t know how to dance,” she said.