CHAPTER 12
Anne
When Anne got up the next morning, the sky was a light gray, the sun hidden just below the horizon. She discovered a note addressed to Margery on the small sideboard in the hallway near the kitchen. She would have read it if it hadn’t been sealed. The handwriting was bold and strong, and Anne wondered when Teach had returned, for there was no question it was from him.
Was it a reprimand for Margery’s behavior the previous night? A part of Anne hoped it was, even though she knew that would create more problems than it would solve.
Anne had not heard Teach return last night. Or perhaps it had been in the morning. She couldn’t help wondering where he’d been.
When Margery saw the note, she ripped it open, clearly uneasy, and scanned the contents. With a sigh of relief she stuffed it into her pocket and turned to the three girls, who stood nearby awaiting their assignments for the day. “It appears the young master has an errand for me in the city. You will continue with your chores until I return.”
Anne exchanged looks with Sara and Mary, but the three remained silent. Margery turned on her heel and started up the stairs.
In a matter of minutes the sound of the carriage could be heard as it drove away, taking Margery with it.
The girls collected their cleaning supplies, and Mary and Sara started whispering. “She forgot to tell us what to do,” Sara said.
“Aye, she was off in quite a rush.”
“What do you suppose the note said?”
“Don’t know. Just be glad to have her out of the house,” Mary muttered, her plump face flushed from the exertion of washing the hall floor.
Anne shook her head and left the two girls to their duties. She usually polished the furniture in Master Drummond’s room but hadn’t been able to get to it that week because of the time she’d spent tending Teach. She hoped to finish before he awakened.
The upstairs was silent as Anne began her labor. Starting at one end of the room, she worked as quickly and efficiently as possible. She’d been at it for some time when the sound of footsteps approached, but they were too light to belong to Teach.
Sara poked her head in the doorway as Anne knelt beside Master Drummond’s armchair.
“Have ye seen Mary?” Sara asked.
Anne shook her head. “No, I thought she was with you.”
“Aye, she was, but she said she left a candle burning in her room and ran to put it out. That was a while ago, and I haven’t seen her since.”
Anne was not surprised. With Margery gone, Mary would take any opportunity to shirk her responsibilities. “Have you checked in the pantry? Or perhaps the stable?”
Sara made a face. “Of course. I suppose I’ll have to go and get her away from Tom again.”
Shaking her head, Anne listened to the footsteps fade down the hallway. She didn’t want to think about what would happen if Master Drummond ever found out about Mary and Tom. Somehow Mary had managed to keep her liaisons a secret even from Margery.
As Anne bent over to smooth one corner of the rug, her foot connected with the bottom of the bedside table, and something dropped with a solid clank. Turning, she discovered a turtle-shell spyglass, inlaid with silver and gold, wedged between the table leg and the wall. It was covered in dust. Picking it up, Anne felt her pulse accelerate at the find. From the looks of it, it was quite old, and the metal was tarnished, but Anne still recognized a valuable item when she saw one.
It appeared to have been there for quite some time. When she bumped the table, it must have dislodged it. She hesitated, weighing the object in her hands. It obviously meant something to Master Drummond. Otherwise it would not have been beside his bed. He kept only his most valued treasures closest to him, which was why the room was practically barren.
But the condition of the spyglass showed that the master hadn’t thought about it for quite a while. It could have been hidden there for years without his knowledge.
For Anne, it could very well be the final piece she needed in order to afford a new life somewhere else. With a quick look behind her, she slid it into the pocket of her dress, her fingers slick with perspiration as she told herself he wouldn’t miss it.
Wiping her hands on her apron, she stood, prepared to resume her work. Instead she froze when she noticed the large portrait hanging above the fireplace. It was of the lady of the house, Teach’s mother, Mrs. Catherine Drummond. Anne had dusted it countless times before, admiring the burgundy dress and serene face, but she’d never felt those eyes staring back at her, accusing, as they appeared to be now.
Anne had heard stories from the gardener about Catherine Drummond. He was the only servant left who had known her, and he’d said that Mrs. Drummond had always gone out of her way to help someone in need, showing kindness even when there’d been no benefit for herself.
If Mrs. Drummond could see Anne now, what would she say? Would she encourage Anne, and give her money to help her escape?
Fingering the spyglass in her pocket, Anne pulled it out once more.
Or would Mrs. Drummond—
“What are you doing?”
Startled, Anne whirled, automatically hiding her hands behind her back. Mary stood in the doorway, glaring at her.
“I’m working. Which is what you should be doing,” Anne said, her heart threatening to beat out of her chest.
Mary’s eyes narrowed. “What are you hiding?”
Anne cursed the guilty flush that rose in her cheeks. “Nothing.”
Mary raised an eyebrow at her. “Nothing? I don’t believe you. Show me what you have behind your back.”
“It’s nothing. I was simply cleaning. You startled me.”
“I cleaned this room yesterday,” Mary said, looking unconvinced.
“I didn’t know. No one told me it had been done.” Anne glanced nervously toward the door, unsure how long the girl had been standing there.
Mary folded her arms over her ample chest. “What would Margery say if she knew you were polishing things when they didn’t need it? There’s enough work to go around without doing everything twice, don’t you think?”
“What would Master Drummond say if he knew you were dallying with the groom?” Anne shot back, feeling more than a little defensive. “That is where Sara just found you, wasn’t it?”
Mary’s face flushed a deep red. “No, I was in the pantry.”
“Alone? Or was Tom with you?”
“That’s none of your business, now, is it?”
“No, but it is Master Drummond’s business.”
There was fear in Mary’s eyes. “You have no proof.”
Anne could not bring herself to feel any pity for the girl. “Mr. Edward said he caught you with Tom. I believe that’s proof enough.”
“Did he tell you that? Well, you better watch yourself,” Mary sneered. “I don’t think Master Drummond would take too kindly to you spending so much time with his son.”
“Mr. Edward was ill, and both Margery and Master Drummond know it. I was simply doing my job.”
“What makes you think I wasn’t doing my job?”
“Because I’ve never heard of a maid working side by side with a groom before. And I’m quite sure Master Drummond hasn’t either,” Anne said.
With a toss of her head, Mary stomped off, muttering under her breath.
Exhaling, Anne slipped the spyglass once more into her pocket, her knees shaking. She would have to watch herself where Mary was concerned. The girl was trouble.
Until now Anne had done her best to choose less obvious objects, of lesser value, and she’d always made sure she was quite alone before she took anything.
The incident just now had been close.
Too close.
But Anne wasn’t willing to give up the spyglass. Not if she wanted to reach her goal.
Drummond was notorious for his stinginess, and Anne was actually surprised that more people hadn’t stolen from him. Or perhaps others had taken from him, but they’d been too smart to get caught.
With less than three weeks left to plan her escape on the Deliverance, Anne would have to be extra careful. If anyone was to be caught, it would definitely not be her.