What would he have done?
It didn’t affect the way he felt about her. He was disappointed, yes. And frightened for her. If only she’d confided in him. He could have returned everything himself, and his father would never have found out.
Drummond placed his hand on his son’s shoulder. “I
know this must come as quite a shock to you, Edward, and
I’m sorry for that. I’ve seen how you look at her. I know that you care for her. There is no denying she’s attractive. Not as attractive as Miss Patience, in my opinion . . . But the fact
remains that Anne is nothing more than a common crook.”
He shook his head ruefully, turning back to the damning
chest and closing the lid with a loud bang. “And to think
I offered her shelter. To think I somehow felt obligated to
watch out for her.”
Teach jumped to his feet. “You’re wrong. Anne deserves our
protection. And our love. If it hadn’t been for her, you would have made me marry Patience. You said so yourself.”
“When it comes to Anne, I am often—mistaken,” Drummond said gruffly. He made a face, as if the word left a bitter taste in his mouth.
“What are you going to do?”
“I should contact the constable.”
“You can’t,” Teach said. “She’s Andrew Barrett’s daughter.
You promised him you would take care of her.”
3 3 9
“I did, but that was before I knew she would behave like this. She should be hanged, but I won’t have her blood on my hands. She’s gone now.” His father’s voice wrapped Teach in its destructive web. “She used you, Edward. I hope you see that
now. She doesn’t care for you.”
“What have you done?”
Drummond retreated a step, his hands raised in a defensive
gesture at the look on Teach’s face. “If you don’t believe me, see for yourself. She left you a note.”
A cold fist clenched around Teach’s heart as he grabbed the
paper Drummond pulled from his pocket.
Dear Edward,
By the time you receive this, I will be gone. I’m sorry I did not get the opportunity to say good-bye, but it’s for the best.
We’re not right for each other, and it was wrong of me to allow you to believe otherwise. I regret my actions, for I never had any intention of staying. We both know what my greatest desire in life was, and now I am achieving it. You deserve a queen, Edward. Go and find her.
Always,
Anne
Teach shook his head, hoping to clear his thoughts. He
reread the note, stumbling over the clumsy phrasing, trying to piece it together with the girl he knew in his mind. We’re not 3 4 0
right for each other. Teach knew she didn’t believe that.
You deserve a queen, Edward. Go and find her.
Something wasn’t right. She’d never called him Edward.
Why would she suddenly— His breath hitched in his throat.
The clever, beautiful girl. She loved him. She was his queen, and she wanted him to find her.
Her goal had always been to search for her family. And
she’d always planned to leave England by ship. On the Deliverance. That meant he had to get to the docks. John would help him.
Aware that his father watched him, Teach forced the muscles
in his shoulders to relax, resisting the temptation to race from the room. He would have to be careful. Drummond must never suspect that Teach intended to go after her.
“She was not for you. In time you will see that.”
“Just like Miss Patience,” Teach said in a low voice.
“Yes, just like Miss Patience.”
Except Anne was nothing like Miss Patience. Knowing that
she was out there somewhere, alone, filled him with ice-cold
fear.
And knowing that his father had done this, filled him with
a burning hate.
After an uncomfortable silence, Drummond cleared his
throat. “As difficult as it may be, I need you to do something, Edward. Something very important.”
“What?” Teach asked tersely.
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“I need you to go to London for me.”
“When?”
“Tomorrow morning. I’ll need you to stay there for at least
a week, if not more.”
Teach turned and faced him. “If I do that, I’ll miss the
launch.”
Drummond hesitated. “I know that. And while it is an
important event, I would like you to visit with my solicitor in London.”
“Why?”
“You’ve always shown an active interest in my business deal—
ings. I was wrong not to let you pursue your dreams.”
“My dream was to be captain of the Deliverance.”
“That’s impossible. But perhaps, in time, you might take
command of a different ship.”
By offering Teach this olive branch, his father clearly hoped
to take his mind off Anne. But once again his father’s plan backfired.
Teach knew exactly when and how Anne was leaving the
country. “I can’t give you my answer now. I’d like to be alone.”
“You mustn’t wait long. My solicitor in London is expecting you.”
“Of course,” Teach said, and strode to the door.
“Will you be joining me for supper this evening?” Was it
Teach’s imagination, or did his father sound uncertain?
Teach paused with his hand on the door handle. “Not