Free Blackhearts by Nicole Castroman

father
    taught me.”
    “Was he a groom?”
    Too late, Anne realized her mistake. It was rare indeed for a
    maid to know how to ride a horse.
    She was saved from answering when William opened a door
    farther down the row of stalls. “Teach, there you are, old chap.
    I’ve been looking all over for you. When is breakfast—” He
    broke off when he saw Anne standing there, a sly grin lighting
    his face. “Ah. I’m sorry. Was I interrupting something?”
    Teach did a poor job of masking his displeasure. “Forgive
    me, William. I needed some exercise and was about to take an
    early ride. Would you care to join me?”
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    William dragged his eyes away from Anne. “Before breakfast? You know how I feel about my tea and crumpets in the
    morning.”
    Teach snorted. “How could I forget? Though, instead of
    reaching for a cheesecake, I suggest you get out and enjoy the
    morning air.”
    William reached defensively for his waist and attempted a
    laugh. It sounded forced. “You always were an early riser. Now
    I understand the appeal.”
    “You would have earned better marks in school if you’d
    decided to give it a try.”
    “Well, I’d like to try now,” William said, casting a meaningful
    look in Anne’s direction. “You always beat me to the punch, don’t you, Teach?” There was a hint of bitterness behind his words.
    “You may leave us, Anne,” Teach said.
    Shuddering, Anne slipped through the door closest to her.
    William was a most disagreeable fellow.
    And he was Teach’s closest friend. Her mother had often
    told her that good clothes did not make an evil man more kind,
    and in William’s case it was true.
    She needed to remember to keep her thoughts to herself.
    Ever since Teach had arrived, she’d been far more outspoken
    than her position allowed. Her father had enjoyed her outspo-
    kenness and had even encouraged her to express herself openly,
    but Anne doubted anyone in this household appreciated it.
    Teach and his guests would be gone soon. Only two more
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    days here at the Drummond estate, and then they would journey to the countryside, to the Herveys’, where Teach could con-
    tinue to woo his future bride and his old school chum could
    annoy their maids for the next fortnight.
    Until they left, she planned to keep a civil tongue, avoid
    Miss Patience’s feet, and make sure she was never left alone in
    Teach’s company.
    Anne had no talent for planning. If she had, she would have
    stayed behind in the kitchen later that afternoon instead of
    venturing outside the garden walls. The master and his guests
    had just returned from a picnic and had gone upstairs to prepare for supper.
    She took that moment to steal away, knowing that every-
    thing was ready and waiting for the evening meal. Beneath the
    shelter of the branches of her favorite tree, she rested against the trunk and closed her eyes. It felt good to get away from the flurry and commotion of the house, if only for a few moments.
    She was so exhausted, she could hardly think straight. Despite
    having lived here for more than five months, she still considered it a strange house and was constantly stressed and tense. These
    short breaks of solitude were what helped keep her going, and
    she relished every second she could find.
    Her rest was short-lived, for she heard the sound of a horse
    and approaching voices.
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    “You should not have waited for me, Miss Patience,” a familiar voice called out. “I told you I would return momentarily.”
    “But I wanted to have a word with you, Edward. In pri-
    vate.” Miss Patience’s voice was breathless.
    Anne was not surprised Miss Patience used his Christian
    name. It was obvious to all that they admired each other. As
    Miss Patience neared, Anne could make out her shape through
    the leaves. She was dressed in a handsome gown of deep blue.
    The young master sat astride his stallion, still dressed in
    his riding clothes. Anne had been under the impression that all
    of the occupants of the