“I’ll teach you.”
She glared at him. “Do you wish to make a fool of me?”
“No, I simply wish to dance with you. Nothing more.
Nothing less. Just a simple dance.”
Looking down, she nodded slowly. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “It’s just . . . I . . .” Her voice trailed off, finding it difficult to put her feelings into words. No matter where she went, she felt out of sorts.
She was unable to prevent the tears shimmering in her blue
eyes, and Teach muttered something under his breath. “Why
are you always so sad?” he asked.
Noting the tenderness in his features, it was difficult to
speak around the lump in her throat. “I’m not.”
“Yes, you are. When we are married, I shall make you smile,
every day for the rest of your life.”
She pulled away, wiping her damp cheeks. “Do not speak
of such things.”
“Why not? I only speak the truth.”
“Yes, but I asked you not to.”
He gazed at her from head to toe. “No, you asked me not
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to kiss you. Can I help it if I want to tell the world how I feel about you? You’re my queen.”
“Beneath these trappings I’m still just a simple girl,” she
said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Something in Teach’s expression changed, and his eyes
flicked to her lips.
Anne’s breath hitched in her throat. “You promised—”
“I lied.” Lifting a strand of her hair from her collarbone,
Teach leaned in close.
“Edward, your father has arrived and is looking for you!”
A sharp voice cut through the night air, splitting the two apart as effectively as a knife. The potted plant provided just enough shelter that whoever it was did not see the look of frustration crossing Teach’s face, nor Anne’s look of chagrin.
Teach stepped out, hoping to shield Anne from the curious
onlooker. “Tell him I’ll be there shortly.”
Footsteps headed in the other direction.
“I don’t want to leave you,” he said, adjusting a curl at her
temple.
“I’ll be fine.”
“At least come back inside where it’s warm—”
“Go, Teach. Come and find me after.” In truth, Anne could
not bear the thought of hearing Drummond say that the mar—
riage would still take place, for there was no way she would be able to hide her feelings then.
She slid toward the end of the balcony and escaped down
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into the gardens. Even though the air was brisk, she preferred it to the stuffy interior. She knew it was too cold for anyone else to venture outside as well.
Walking along a path, she followed Teach’s progress through
the window as he returned inside, and watched as he was led to what appeared to be a library beside the ballroom. Drummond
waited for him there, and the two sat down. Teach listened
intently as his father began to speak.
Leaning against a short wall, Anne continued to observe the
conversation, knowing she should return inside, but loath to do so. Her stomach was in knots, and her hands clenched the cold
stone balustrade.
The sound of approaching footsteps along the gravel path
startled her. Instinctively she ducked behind a tree, unwilling to have anyone find her pining after Teach.
Moments later she was glad she had, for William came into
view, illuminated by the full moon. His arms were wrapped
around a figure dressed in an elegant cloak. The pair stopped
beneath the shadow of a nearby tree and embraced. Anne’s
insides protested as she listened to them kiss, quietly professing their love for each other. As usual, William was effusive in his admiration.
The girl’s face was obscured in the shadows, but she
appeared to enjoy William attention.
“Darling,” he said, his thick lips making slurping sounds
against his companion’s unfortunate neck. “How long must I
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endure your continued courtship with that fool? You know we are destined to be together. Please do not torture me and let him raise my child as his own. Call off the wedding.”
“Yes, well, my father didn’t care enough to break off the
engagement. The next time you accuse someone of something,
make sure the charges stand.” It was Miss Patience!
Anne gasped, and immediately placed her hands over her
mouth to prevent another sound from escaping. She froze,
afraid to move.
Patience was pregnant with William’s child! And William
was the one who’d accused Teach of piracy! It hadn’t been Henry after all.
The two lovers were quiet. Had they heard her? Anne’s
pulse raced, wanting to confront them, but an inner voice held her back. She would not do it alone, for she did not trust them.
They were both as crooked as the day was long. She needed to
find Teach first and tell him what she had discovered.
Her heart soared. Surely now Teach would not be forced to
marry Patience. And Anne and Teach would not have to leave
immediately. If at all.