Blackhearts

by Nicole Castroman

  Teach tried to picture Henry Barrett setting off to sea, performing menial jobs such as swabbing the deck and raising a sail, but not even he had that good an imagination. Henry was quite content to have things done for him. He was soft and compliant.

  Not unlike William, Teach thought. Before, Teach had often found William’s inactivity amusing, for William used any excuse not to exert himself. After seeing Henry Barrett, Teach was uncomfortable with William’s and Henry’s similarities.

  “Does Henry Barrett still do business with your father?” Anne asked.

  Teach’s voice was gruff. “Not that I am aware of. This is the first time I’ve seen him since I left school. As I said, if I give him back his money, it should keep him away for a bit.”

  “How did you steal it?” Anne asked.

  There was a strange look in her eyes that he couldn’t quite decipher. “It wasn’t as if it were his money. I’m quite sure he cheated every hand he played last night. What’s the harm in taking something that never really belonged to him in the first place?”

  Anne hesitated before answering. “Did you fight with him?”

  “I simply took what wasn’t his.”

  “Someone could have gotten hurt,” she protested.

  “What’s this? Do I detect concern in your voice? Can it be that, despite your protests, Queen Anne has feelings for one of her subjects?”

  Anne rolled her eyes but refused to be baited. “I hardly think this is a laughing matter. What if he’d drawn a sword? Or worse, a pistol?”

  “He was in no position to draw anything,” he said, remembering the shocked look on Henry’s face.

  “How can you be so sure? What if he’d had some hidden weapon?”

  Teach shrugged. “He would not have bested me. I wouldn’t have allowed it.”

  “You take far too many chances,” she murmured.

  “And you don’t take nearly enough. I propose to change that.”

  Before she could inquire what he meant by his statement, Sara and Mary entered the house, covered in dust and carrying the floor rugs between the two of them. They stopped short when they saw Teach leaning against the table and Anne standing near him.

  “Ah, I’m glad you decided to come inside. I would like to give you the day off,” Teach said.

  Sara’s mouth dropped open, mirroring the look on Anne’s face. Mary stared at him, as if he’d just grown horns. Or perhaps a halo.

  It was Sara who found her voice first. “Have we done something wrong, sir?”

  Teach shook his head. “No, quite the contrary. I was just telling Anne I think you’ve all worked very hard. I’m quite sure the house has never looked better.”

  The two girls preened beneath his praise. Anne’s eyes narrowed, no doubt wondering what he was playing at.

  Teach reached into his pocket, produced several gold coins, and handed some to each of them. It was Barrett’s money, and he wouldn’t miss a few schillings. “Here. I want you to take these and go into town to buy yourselves something new. Or useful. Or whatever it is you feel you can’t live without.”

  Teach would have been hard pressed to determine who out of the three of them was more surprised by his actions. “I’ve never had this much money to spend on myself before,” Mary said, a wary look on her face.

  Sara gazed at Teach with adoring eyes. “Thank you, sir. Thank you ever so much.”

  Embarrassed, he brushed aside the praise, for he’d done it for only selfish reasons. He still thought Mary was a harlot, and Teach had decided to tell John the truth before it was too late.

  “Think nothing of it. You just make sure you go and enjoy yourselves for the rest of the day.”

  “The whole day, sir?” Sara asked.

  Teach nodded. “The whole day. But I don’t want you resting upstairs. I want you to treat yourselves to something in town.” He took a slice of bread and broke it with his hands. “But you can’t mention this to my father. This is to remain between the four of us, do you understand?”

  “Oh, don’t worry about us, sir. We won’t tell a soul,” Sara assured him. “Will we, Mary?”

  Mary shot a glance between Anne and Teach, her head tilted to the side, a shrewd look in her eyes.

  “I’m sure John wouldn’t mind a visit from you, Mary. He’s eager to see you,” Teach said.

  Mary’s lips moved, but Teach wouldn’t have called it a smile. “Oh, yes, well . . . perhaps.”

  It was left to Anne to be the voice of reason. “What about Margery? She’ll be back before long and wonder where we all have gotten to.”

  Sara’s face fell, but Teach was unaffected.

  “Margery won’t say a thing. Where do you think she’s been this whole time? She’s in town as well. If you see her, tell her I sent you on an errand.” Polishing off the piece of bread, he wiped his hands together, before reaching for the rugs. He’d told Margery to make a thorough search for the stolen items at the market and to take her time getting back. He’d done it only to get her away from Anne, but things were turning out nicely. Teach gave the girls a slight nudge. “Now go. Hurry. Put on a fresh dress and make yourselves scarce.”

  If their departure hadn’t been so comical, scurrying up the back stairs, Teach might have felt sorry for Anne, for they did not think to ask if she wished to join them.

  Nevertheless, he had ulterior motives and was glad they hadn’t. Leaving Anne to tidy the kitchen, he replaced the rugs in their proper rooms.

  In less than twenty minutes Sara and Mary were gone.

  Anne had just swept the floor when Teach reappeared, a swath of wine-red velvet in his hands. She returned the broom to the pantry and cleaned her hands before drying them with a rag.

  “Here,” he said.

  “What is it, sir?” Anne asked, fingering the smooth material. “Does it need mending?”

  “Not that I’m aware of. Put it on,” he said.

  Her eyes flew to his face. “Why?”

  “Because you can’t go out riding in that dress of yours.”

  Anne took a step back and looked toward the door, as if to determine how far Sara and Mary were.

  Teach’s eyebrows drew together. This was not the reaction he’d been hoping for. “Well, don’t just stand there. Go upstairs and put it on.”

  She stood rooted to the spot. “I’m not going riding, sir.”

  “Yes, you are. You’re coming with me.”

  She swallowed. “Where?”

  Impatiently he gestured toward the courtyard. “Out there. In the country. You’re going to get on a horse and ride.” He’d thought Anne was different. Could it be that she disliked the outdoors as much as Patience?

  “And if I choose not to?”

  Teach gave her an incredulous look. “Why would you do that?”

  “Because you’ve just given everyone the day off.”

  Teach ran his fingers through his hair. “Yes, I know I did. I did it for you.”

  Anne placed the dress on the back of a chair. “I would prefer to spend my day off alone.”

  Frustration flared in his chest. “Well, you don’t have much of a choice. They’ve left you. I’m the only one here now.”

  She looked toward the door. “I could catch up to them. They can’t be far.”

  He shook his head, his chin jutting forward. “No.”

  “You cannot make me stay.”

  “I have no desire to make you do anything. I was hoping you would choose for yourself.” She opened her mouth, no doubt to protest, but once again he read her mind. “And don’t tell me you can’t ride. You said your father taught you.” He folded his arms across his chest, blocking her only escape.

  Anne laughed, the sound shrill with nerves. “You’re mad.”

  “Not yet. But I’m getting there. What will it take to get you to spend the day w
ith me?”

  “I just spent the past several days with you,” she reminded him.

  “Ah, but that doesn’t count. I was ill.”

  “You were not.”

  Being around Anne kept him on his toes. “Technically, I was for four of those days. But we spent only a few hours in each other’s company. Today I wish to change that.”

  Anne was speechless. He was well aware he’d given her no way out of his trap. He lifted the dress from the back of the chair and placed it gently in her arms. “I promise to behave myself,” he said, reading the tension in her face.

  “You’ve confessed to being a liar and a thief. Why should I believe you, sir?” She stared at him, as if trying to understand why it was so important that they spend the day together.

  The problem was, he couldn’t explain it himself. He just knew he wanted to. “Because I’m telling you the truth.”

  “It wouldn’t be proper. Your father has his rules—”

  “Bugger the rules. I don’t care if it’s proper or not,” he growled, determined to get his way. “And my father isn’t home to find out. I would like to do something for you. Think of this as a reward for nursing me back to health.”

  “You gave Mary and Sara the opportunity to do what they wanted. Why can’t you afford me the same courtesy?”

  “Tell me the truth, Anne. Would you rather go into the city alone to buy yourself something new, or would you rather spend some time away from here, riding horses and seeing a bit of the countryside?”

  “I would prefer to go to the city.”

  “Fine! I’ll give you more coins after we return from our ride.”

  Anne paused for so long that Teach wondered if she had paid attention.

  “If I do this, will you leave me in peace?” she asked.

  He hesitated. Ever since he’d set eyes on her, he’d had no peace. Why should he grant her something that eluded him? “If after today you find my company so abhorrent, I shall leave you in peace for the remainder of my days in this house.”

  Something in her expression changed. “You give me your word?”

  Teach held his hand up to his chest and bowed slightly at the waist. “I give you my word.”

  Anne nodded and took the red riding habit in her hands.

  He had purposefully omitted the words “as a gentleman,” for he knew she was not foolish enough to believe that.

  CHAPTER 14

  Anne

  The person in the looking glass was a stranger, although the cap on Anne’s head was recognizable. The bruise from Margery was not as terrible as she’d first thought, although the discoloration was obvious.

  Anne could have counted on two hands the number of times she’d checked her appearance in the past year. During that time, she’d come to resemble her mother more than ever before. Gone were the rounded apples of her cheeks. Instead her face was now framed by high cheekbones, her neck long and graceful. And the dark circles beneath her eyes were not as pronounced today as they had been a month ago.

  The riding habit was a little longer than she was used to, the close-fitting jacket made of superior velvet. Anne marveled at the color. Most of the ones she’d worn when she was younger had been either blue or green. Teach had told her this had been his mother’s riding habit, and Anne admired Mrs. Drummond’s confidence to wear such a vibrant shade of red, like wine fresh from a cask.

  Anne told herself she dreaded the upcoming day she was being forced to spend with Teach, but in reality there was a light in her eyes and a flush on her face. Carrying the hat in her hands, she went out to the barn, excitement fluttering in her breast at the thought of the excursion.

  While the coins were a most welcome addition to her funds, a ride through the countryside was irreplaceable. She liked to think Teach had forced her hand. In a way he had. She could have refused him, but then it would have just been the two of them alone at the house.

  On horseback Anne would have the ability to get away from him, should he try anything inappropriate.

  Anne met Teach as he led his black stallion out of its stall, Margery’s three-legged cat following behind. What Anne assumed to be her horse was already tethered to the post.

  Teach looked up as she approached. For a moment he froze, his mouth half-open as if he’d been about to say something.

  In an attempt to hide her nervousness, she held out the hat to him. “Here,” she said.

  He cleared his throat and busied himself with the bridle, but not before she saw a spark of something in his eyes. “You’ll need the hat.”

  “I cannot wear it.”

  He stopped what he was doing. “Why not? You can’t ride in your cap. If somebody sees you, they’ll wonder what a maid is doing out riding with her master.”

  Irritation flashed through her at his words, even though she knew he spoke the truth. “Whether I wear the hat or not, I will still be just a maid. Changing my appearance will not alter that fact.”

  “I don’t understand your reluctance. The outfit becomes you. Simply put on the hat so we can ride.”

  She ignored the surge of pleasure at his compliment, knowing he said it only to achieve his end. “It won’t work.”

  He ran his fingers through his black hair. “By Jupiter, you could drive a man to drink. Why? Why do you take every opportunity to argue with me? If I were to say that the heavens are blue, I daresay you’d contend that they were green. Do you take pleasure in provoking me?”

  Admittedly, there was a small part of her that did just that. If she hadn’t worked in his father’s household, she would not have had to curb her tongue as much as she did. It was a constant struggle to control her feelings, thoughts, and actions. If she said what she was truly thinking, she would no doubt be whipped to within an inch of her life. “You asked me to speak honestly with you. I am simply telling you the truth. I cannot wear it, because it won’t fit.”

  He looked about to explode from his irritation. “Why, in the bloody name of all that’s holy—”

  Before he could finish his outburst, she removed her cap. Her thick black hair fell around her shoulders, and she placed the hat on top of her head. It balanced there for a moment, before toppling to the ground. Picking it up once more, Anne tried again, this time jamming it down over her forehead. It was no use. The hat was too small, and she had too much hair.

  “Now do you understand why I said I cannot wear it? It wasn’t out of vanity or pride. I have no quarrel with you. It is simply not possible.” After placing the hat on a hook near the barn door, she moved to gather her hair and restore the cap, but Teach stopped her.

  “No, don’t,” he said, his voice gruff. “Let it hang loose.”

  She paused, noting the glint in his eyes.

  He took the cap from her hands and then held out her horse’s bridle instead. Not waiting for a response, he led his own stallion from the barn into the courtyard.

  Drawing in a deep breath, she followed him. With the reins clenched in one hand, she walked toward the mounting block. The heavy skirts hampered her first attempt to mount, for she was out of practice.

  “Allow me,” Teach murmured, stepping up behind her.

  “Where is the groom?” Anne asked, looking around.

  Teach hoisted her into the sidesaddle. “I gave him the day off as well.”

  Of course he had. Anne had never met anyone like Teach. He was arrogant and driven, as was his father, but at the same time Teach was not above gestures of kindness or consideration, traits he had no doubt inherited from his mother.

  Anne could still feel the imprints of his fingers long after he withdrew his hands. Her heart hammered in her chest, and she patted the horse’s neck, pretending to calm her down as she stepped sideways. “What’s her name?” Anne asked, waiting for Teach to mount.

  Shooting her a mischievous grin, he said, “Queen Anne.�
�

  “You mock me,” she said.

  He raised his hands. “What? No, I tell the truth. My father bought her shortly before I returned.”

  “Your father doesn’t believe in naming animals.” Upon her arrival in the household, she had asked the others the names of the different horses in the stables. No one had answered, for no one had known.

  “Precisely, which is why I have decided to name her Queen Anne.”

  “And your stallion’s name? Is it something equally ridiculous? King Edward, perhaps?”

  Teach’s grin deepened. “Don’t be silly. It’s Kaiser. Now, are you ready?”

  Kaiser, the German word for “emperor.” “Yes, Your Excellency.”

  “Good. Then follow me,” he called out, slapping his reins. The stallion leapt ahead, and they took off. “If you can!”

  Smiling, Anne did as he’d commanded, catching up to him as he neared her favorite trees outside the property. That was the farthest she’d ventured in this direction since arriving in the household. Today would be different.

  As the house faded in the distance, Anne leaned forward, her breath catching in her throat. It was as if she were flying. With the wind rushing through her hair, her skirts trailing beneath her, Anne was free once more.

  Teach reined his horse and rode beside her, the look on his face matching hers. He could have outpaced her, for he rode astride, but he adjusted his speed to hers.

  Both of them knew the impropriety of their actions. If anyone were to find out they’d left together, the consequences would be dire.

  But for the moment neither of them thought about the cost.

  For several minutes the only sound that could be heard was the horses’ hooves as they ate up the ground beneath them, churning small clumps of earth.

  On and on they rode, through fertile fields, toward the surrounding woodlands. Every once in a while they passed a farmhand, laboring in the crops, but the riders were too far away and too fast for the laborers to give them more than a passing glance.