Читать книгу In the Tudor Court Collection - Amanda McCabe - Страница 26

‘We shall drop anchor in the bay this evening,’ Justin commented as he came to stand by Maribel that afternoon. She nodded, but did not turn her head to look at him.

Her gaze was intent on the island, a feeling of doubt mixed with anticipation in her heart. It had been just a dark smudge for some time, but now she could see the crowded waterfront with its untidy huddle of buildings. Few of them were substantial, most built of wood, and to her eyes of poor quality. Further back there were houses and taverns of a better standard, larger and more what she might have expected in a port anywhere, but it was clear that the community was small.

‘It is not what I expected.’

‘The accommodation here is not what you are used to, Maribel. I have a friend whose house is further inland. I shall take you there. Peg will look after you while we stay here.’

‘Who is he? I do not know the name? Is Peg an English name?’

‘It is a nickname, a woman’s name. I dare say she was once called Margaret.’ Justin frowned. ‘Peg was sentenced to hang for murder. She killed a man who tried to rape her. Someone rescued her from the noose; then she found a lover and went to sea with him, dressed as a man. She served before the mast for some months and was involved in a mutiny. Eventually, the crew landed here. She and her man ran the largest tavern on the waterfront. He died of a fever last winter, but she carries on. Everyone respects Peg and they know she would as soon stick a knife in a man as allow him to take liberties. If she takes you under her wing, you will be safe.’

‘Thank you.’ Maribel hesitated, then, ‘Where will you stay?’

‘I shall lodge at one of the taverns. I am building a house. I commissioned it when we were last here with what gold I had, not stolen but my own, which I had hidden about me when I was shanghaied aboard my first ship. It is expensive to bring in stone, though we have an abundance of timber, which is why so many buildings are made of it. Once the house is finished, I shall stay there when we visit the island.’

‘You were shanghaied—does that mean you were taken on board against your will?’

‘Yes. Why do you ask?’

‘I know so little of you, where you come from—and how you became a pirate. I do not think that you were always the man you are now?’

‘No, I was not always a pirate,’ Justin agreed. ‘It was never my intention to become one, but sometimes we have little choice in life. Had I not become a pirate, I and others might have died.’

‘You are a powerful man. Others obey you. Could you now not go where you wish?’

‘Perhaps this is what I wish for.’

Maribel turned to look at him, her eyes wide and intent. ‘Is this what you intend for the rest of your life? To roam the seas in search of prey and then come back to this place?’

Justin’s expression hardened. ‘I know that it must seem a wretched place after your homeland. The cities in Spain are beautiful and your home was no doubt solid and well built, the house of a wealthy man, but you were not happy there. Even a palace may be a prison if it is not a place of freedom. This island has been a refuge for men such as I for a relatively short time. In years to come it will grow larger. As more settlers arrive the town will begin to look more prosperous.’

‘It will always be a haven for pirates,’ Maribel said and then realised that her words sounded harsh—harsher than she intended.

‘Yes, I dare say it will—until someone decides to blow us all from the face of the earth.’ Justin’s face was expressionless, his thoughts hidden. ‘Yet not all the men and women here are scum. Some like Peg were forced to the life by the unjust laws that would have hung her for defending herself against an evil man. Would you condemn her too? Your own father has done many evil things. He is wealthy, but more to blame than some here for they never had a choice.’

Maribel’s eyes fell before his anger. ‘Yes, I know. I did not mean to insult Peg—or you. I understand that something terrible must have driven you to this life. I suspect that you were once a gentleman.…’

‘You suspect that I was once a gentleman…’ A gleam of humour showed in his face for a moment, then it faded. He made her a mocking bow. ‘Thank you, my lady. What makes a gentleman in your eyes—fine clothes and wealth or a large house?’

‘No, of course I did not mean…’ Maribel’s cheeks were on fire. ‘I beg you will not mock me, sir. I did not intend to insult you. I believe you would not describe your present position as that of a gentleman?’

‘Oh, no, believe me, I should not,’ Justin said, his mouth grim. ‘I am well aware that I forfeited all right to call myself by that title long ago. Yet still I have some honour. My word is my bond and you may rely on it.’

‘I know and I do trust your word.’ She lay a hand on his arm, feeling the hardness and strength of muscle and bone through the thin shirt he wore. He was a powerful man, and could, if he wished, break her with his hands. Yet she sensed that somewhere deep inside there was a different man, a man who knew how to be gentle and generous. It was that man she longed to see, that man she caught glimpses of now and then. ‘Forgive me if I have offended you, sir. It was an idle question and not my business.’

‘No, it was not your business—yet I shall tell you. I led a mutiny against a man of such brutality that he drove his crew beyond all limits. After that, there was nothing for us but to make a living from piracy. For myself, I intend to pursue the career only until I can make a new life elsewhere.’

‘Shall you return to England and your home one day?’

‘I think not.’ Justin’s eyes were shadowed, giving no indication of his feelings. ‘Enough questions, lady.’ Tis time to go ashore. Higgins will look after you and Anna. He will find transport and take you to Peg’s, where you will stay until I come. Under no circumstances are you to venture on to the waterfront unless I am with you. Do I make myself clear?’

‘Yes, sir.’ Maribel was silenced. Why did he think it necessary to give her orders? Was he punishing her for what she had said? It was not necessary, she was not a child nor would she dream of straying to the port alone. ‘I shall obey you, for I have no wish to mix with pirates or their whores!’

Justin gave her a searing look. ‘Have a care, lady! Such language will earn you no friends on shore. Pride is all very well, but for the moment you are a guest in company that you may despise but should fear. I can command my own crew, but there are men on shore who would rape and hurt you if they found you wandering alone. You have been warned, so take care! I cannot always be there to protect you.’

‘Then why have you brought me to such a place?’ Maribel demanded, provoked by his attitude into retaliation.

Justin looked at her, seeing the pride but underneath the vulnerability. She was trying to hold on to her dignity but she was out of her depth and afraid of things she did not understand. She might no longer have her hair dressed in ringlets and she had left off her heavy panniers, but the pride of a high-born Spanish lady remained. ‘You are asking a question I have asked myself a thousand times on the journey, lady. I should have sent most of the crew here and taken the Defiance to England—you are a burden we could do without and the sooner we are rid of you the better!’

Maribel felt the cut of his words like the lash of a whip. He was angry with her and it was her own fault. Captain Sylvester had proved himself a man of his word and yet she had done nothing but provoke him—and she did not know why.

Tears stung behind her eyes as she was assisted into the boat taking her and Anna ashore. What a fool she was to quarrel with the only man who could help her. She knew that he had been forced to keep his promise to his crew and sail them here. She was stupid to make so much fuss about being brought to this place. Captain Sylvester had done his best for her and she must endure whatever discomfort there was until he took her to England. She could only hope that she had not pushed him too far, for she shuddered to think what life would be like for her here if he abandoned her.

‘So Sylvester sent you to me, did he?’ Peg stood with her hands on her hips and looked Maribel over. ‘Yer a lady, ain’t yer? What are yer doin’ in a place like this?’

‘It is a long story. Captain Sylvester has agreed to take me to my family in England when we leave here.’

‘Well, if he gave yer his word he will.’ Peg laughed. She was a buxom woman, but still attractive though past her best years. ‘He is a good man. I owe me life to him, but that is another story—and one yer won’t hear from me. Yer can stay here if yer like. It may not be ter yer ladyship’s liking, but it is sanctuary on this island. All the scum of the earth frequents that waterfront, believe me. There are a few honest men forced to the trade what retain a sense of fair play, but most would slit yer throat for a handful of silver.’

Maribel shivered. ‘I have heard that the waterfront can be a terrible place.’

‘Aye, it is that and more—but the brethren live by a code and most won’t break it. They know what will happen if they do—either a trial and a hanging or cast off on one of the tiny deserted islands in these seas. We’ve trees, water and food enough here, but some of the islands are little more than bare rock. There’s many a sailor been left to die on an island without a drop of water save the sea. It drives’ em mad in the end. Given the choice, most would rather hang than die that way.’

‘I suppose it is a kind of justice?’

‘’Tis the only law we have. If there were none there would be no living at all—and ’tis as fair as many of the laws in England, and Spain, I dare say. I wouldn’t like to be a prisoner of the Inquisition.’

‘No, nor should I,’ Maribel agreed and smiled. She had begun to like Peg even though the woman was coarse spoken and had killed a man in self-defence. ‘Shall I be a trouble to you?’

‘Lord’ ave mercy!’ Peg shouted with laughter. ‘Not the least, though yer’ll have to give a’ and now and then. Share the chores we all do, for there are no servants here. Yer woman is free to come and go as she pleases. If it suits her to help yer she may, but she can’t be forced to it. We are all equal here—though some of them think they can lord it over the rest of us…’ Peg scowled. ‘I don’t mean you, dearie. That black-hearted scum Captain Pike is in port. He is a murdering devil and would split a man in two as soon as spit. My advice is to stay out of his way. If he sees your pretty face, he’ll want yer. You may be under the protection of Captain Sylvester, but Pike is no respecter of property. If he wants yer, he’ll come for yer and take the consequences after. He has fought and won more duels than any other man I know.’

Maribel felt sick. She shivered despite the heat of the day. It had been bad enough knowing she must marry against her will to an evil man who laid claim to the name of gentleman—but a ruthless pirate who cared for no man would be far worse! If he had taken her captive she would no doubt already be dead, for she would have taken her own life rather than let a man like that touch her.

Peg’s words made her reflect on the treatment she had received from Captain Sylvester. He had given her his protection and shown her respect and what had she offered him in return? She regretted her quarrel with him more than ever. Supposing he decided to leave her to her fate? She would be a prisoner in Peg’s house, for she would not dare to go anywhere alone while Captain Pike was in port.

Justin frowned. He knew that he had provoked Maribel to a sharp retort, but he had been annoyed with himself for bringing her to this place. He should have known that it was too rough and ready for a woman like her. She could never live happily on the island. He must see to his business here and leave for England as quickly as possible.

‘So you’re Sylvester…’ The bulky pirate placed himself square in Justin’s path, his narrow set eyes glinting with malice. Some of his teeth were black and rotten, and his breath foul. He wore a red scarf beneath a battered black hat and an overcoat with several pockets over his shirt; his breeches were salt-stained, his boots had never been polished and his hair hung on his shoulders in greasy rattails. ‘I’ve heard you took a few prizes this trip—bagged yerself a mighty fortune, by all accounts.’

‘We have done well enough,’ Justin replied, keeping his tone civil though he disliked the man instantly. They had never met, but Pike’s reputation had gone before him and Higgins had pointed him out earlier. ‘My men are happy with the fruits of their labour. I trust you had similar fortune?’

‘Trust, do you?’ Pike spat on the ground, snarling in disgust. ‘We took nothing but a poxy merchantman with a cargo of wheat and barley. It will fetch a few guineas here for flour is always needed, but we had no rich pickings. Seems that you had all the luck, Sylvester. Tell me, what be your secret?’

‘We have no secret, just good fortune,’ Justin said. ‘Next time we may not fare as well.’

‘I heard tell you took at least two of that devil Don Sabatini’s ships?’

‘We may have done. Excuse me, sir. I have business.’

The pirate made no attempt to move. His hand rested suggestively on his sword hilt. ‘I took one of his ships last year…’

‘I dare say you will again.’ Justin’s eyes glittered. His hand moved to the hilt of his sword. ‘I believe there are plenty of merchant ships to go round. Perhaps you should try hunting in a different place—in the West Indies, mayhap?’

For a moment Captain Pike’s hand hovered above his sword hilt, a snarl on his lips, and then, as Higgins and one or two others came to stand at Justin’s back, it dropped to his side.

‘As you say, there is plenty for all. It would be better if we do not tread on each other’s toes in future, Sylvester.’

‘I wish you luck wherever you choose to go.’ Justin bared his white teeth in a smile. The other man glared at him, then pushed by and walked off.

‘Take care with him,’ Higgins warned in a low voice. ‘He has a foul temper and picks a quarrel too often. More men have died duelling with him than we lost in a year at sea!’

‘Captain Pike does not bother me.’ Justin did not smile. ‘He may not lay claim to the seas—they are for everyone to roam as they see fit.’

‘I agree with you there and, if we meet at sea, we are more than a match for him. He has but the one ship while we have two…’

‘Three—I intend to purchase another ship. We shall be strong enough to stand against anything Sabatini or any other man sends against us when we sail again.’

‘The men expect to share the spoils of the last voyage. I am not sure they wish to purchase another ship.’

‘They will have their share. I have enough put by from other prizes to buy her. My house takes little of what I earn and I need nothing more. The new ship will earn its price many times.’

‘I thought you meant to gather what you could and start a new life elsewhere?’

‘In time, perhaps.’

Justin dismissed the question. Once he had thought to make a quick profit and start elsewhere, but he could see no real future for himself. He had forfeited his right to the life of a gentleman. His father would rightly disown him if he returned with the profits gained as a pirate in his pocket—and he was not sure that his cousins would welcome him in France.

Maribel’s scorn for his trade was proof if he had needed it that no decent woman would want him as her husband. He had made his choice when he threw in his lot with the mutineers and assumed command of the Defiance. There was no point in trying to be something that he could no longer claim to be.

His mouth twisted wryly as he recalled her scathing words when she was first taken captive. Even recently she had told him that she suspected that he had once been a gentleman. Well, she was right. He had been once, the son of a respected landowner and cousin to men who stood well at court. Those days were over. He was a pirate and must live and die as one—though he would not compare himself to the scum he had come in conflict with a moment earlier.

Pike was the lowest creature to crawl on this earth. Justin understood that he had made an enemy of the man. He had not provoked the quarrel, but it had happened and he would have to take great care while the pirate remained in port.

He grimaced and put the incident from his mind. They would split the profits from their successful hunting trip once he had sold what he could for gold. Justin already knew what he meant to purchase with some of his share. He was smiling as he went inside the tavern to meet the man with whom he had arranged to do business. There was something he had it in mind to purchase…

Maribel had finished unpacking her trunk. Anna had offered to do it for her, but under Peg’s sceptical eye she had refused, asking only that Anna would show her how to wash her undergarments and how to take the creases from her silk petticoats.

‘’Tis not fitting that you should do such work,’ Anna scolded. ‘Some of the linens will need to be held over a steaming pot and then spread flat with a heated smoothing iron. I am not sure that such a thing is to be found on this island, my lady. Leave your linens to me and I shall see what I can do.’

‘I must learn to do these things for myself, Anna. Peg told me that there are no servants here.’

‘She may say what she pleases.’ Anna’s eyes glinted. ‘I know my duty to you, my lady, though it is so hot here that you may care to do as other women do and leave off some of your petticoats.’

‘Leave off my petticoats?’ Maribel was shocked. It was true that she was feeling the excessive heat, sweat trickling down her back and legs beneath the heavy layers she wore. She had already left off her heavy padded panniers, but she could not dispense with her petticoats! ‘No respectable lady would appear in public without her petticoats.’

‘You are not in Spain nor yet England,’ Anna reminded her. ‘I took off my petticoats days ago. Higgins advised me to go without them for comfort and I have felt much better for it.’

‘But you—’ Maribel stopped, ashamed that she had almost said the word servant. Anna had been a good friend to her, supporting her through the ordeal they had both suffered. She looked down at the stiff skirts that felt so wrong for her present situation. ‘You are right, Anna. I have been very uncomfortable. Perhaps I should leave off two of the heavier ones and just wear a thin shift and one silk petticoat.’

‘I am sure you will feel more comfortable, Donna Sanchez.’

‘You should call me Maribel. It is best not to use my titles here, Anna.’

Anna looked dubious. ‘I am not sure I could do that, my…señorita.’

‘Yes, call me señorita if you will not use my name.’ Maribel sighed with relief as she shed some of her layers of petticoats, then, feeling how much better it was, she took off the last of them and stood in just a simple shift and the gown she had chosen. ‘This is my simplest gown, but still it is too costly for life here. Do you think you could purchase something simpler for me to wear, Anna? I am not permitted to visit the waterfront, but there must be merchants of a sort, I think.’

‘I am certain there are, though they do not have shops to trade from, merely a stall or the window of their house. I shall ask Higgins where suitable clothes can be purchased, D—señorita.’

‘Thank you. I will give you some gold pieces. I do not know how much you will need.’

‘One gold piece should buy you at least two gowns of the kind you require,’ Anna said. ‘Do not give me more, for I might be robbed.’

‘Is it too dangerous for you to visit the merchants?’

‘I shall not go alone. Higgins will take me if I ask him.’

Maribel looked at her thoughtfully. ‘Has he spoken to you—asked you to wed him?’

‘We shall not marry in church, but it is agreed between us that we shall live together once he has built us a house.’

‘And when the ship leaves? Shall you come with me to England?’

‘We’ve talked about that,’ Anna said. ‘I shall look after you on the journey, but once you are in England I shall leave you and return with Higgins to the island. He says that when he retires from the sea, we shall set up a little trading station of our own. More people are beginning to settle here and we can buy from the ships that drop anchor and sell to those who live here.’

Maribel felt a pang of regret. ‘I shall miss you, Anna. You have been a good friend to me.’

‘You were always a fair and generous mistress. In England you will find others to serve you, perhaps better than I ever could.’

‘They will not be better than you, Anna.’

‘Well, it will be some weeks before we must part,’ Anna said. ‘I am to stay with you until Higgins has his house built—and there will be the voyage to England. He says we can buy goods there and bring them back to the island. When you leave to join your family, it will be time enough to say our goodbyes.’

‘Yes…’ Maribel turned away to tidy some of her things. She had set out her own brush, silver combs, perfume flasks, and a small hand mirror on the top of an oak hutch that served her as a dressing chest. Tears stung behind her eyes. She felt very alone. When Anna left her she would have no one in the world that cared for her. Her mother’s relatives would be strangers and she was not even sure they would welcome her to their house. Especially if they knew that she had been living with pirates for some weeks.

Maribel spread the wet clothes on bushes to dry in the heat of the scorching sun. The steam immediately began to rise and she knew she must be careful not to let them dry too much or the creases would never come out. She had washed a few of her things while Anna was out buying things they needed from the traders on the waterfront. Her back was trickling with sweat and her hair felt sticky on her neck, falling into her eyes despite all the combs she had used to keep it out of the way. Anna had offered to help her, but Maribel felt that she must learn to manage these things for herself, and she had merely brushed her hair back and fastened it with combs.

‘Well, well, what have we here…?’

The man’s voice made her swing round. She stared at the tall man in dismay for he was a fearful sight. His clothes were salt-stained and looked as if he had never washed them, his hair long and greasy beneath the red scarf he wore beneath his hat—and when he grinned at her she saw a row of blackened teeth.

‘Excuse me, sir? Were you looking for someone? I believe Peg is in the house. Your business must be with her.’

‘My business with Peg can wait, sweet doxy. You will suit me for the moment.’

Maribel gasped and stepped back in horror as she read the look in his eyes. ‘No, sir, you mistake things. I am not a whore. You have no business with me.’

‘She thinks herself a fine lady!’ The man laughed, clearly finding it amusing. ‘Well, my lady, when Pike says he has business with you, you would do best to heed him.’

‘Stay away from me!’ Maribel gave a scream of fear as he lunged at her. ‘Keep your distance, sir. I will have none of you!’

‘You’ll do as I bid you and keep your mouth shut…’

Maribel screamed again as he grabbed her arm. ‘Let me go! Take your filthy hands off me, you pig!’

‘I’ll teach you some manners, whore…’

‘I suggest you take your hands off my woman,’ another man’s voice said. ‘Otherwise I shall slit your throat, Pike. The choice is yours.’

Pike swung round, his face shocked as he found himself at the wrong end of a wicked-looking sword. ‘Sylvester…’ he croaked, sweat beading on his brow. ‘I didn’t realise she was your woman.’

‘Well, you do now.’ Justin’s eyes glittered with fury. ‘Lay one finger on her and you are a dead man, Pike. No man touches my woman and lives.’

‘I was just having a bit of fun…’ Pike held his hands up, moving away from Maribel. ‘Why didn’t she say she belonged to you? I wouldn’t have gone near her if I’d known.’

‘She is a lady, unused to the ways of scum like you.’ Justin’s voice was like the lash of a whip. ‘Stay away from her—and from this house until we leave. Do you hear? If you attempt to touch her again, I’ll kill you.’

‘I hear you. I’m on my way.’

Maribel watched the man slink away. She was trembling and she felt sick, but she managed to hold back the tears.

‘Thank you. I do not know what I should have done had you not come.’

‘In future tell any man who tries anything on with you that you belong to me. They won’t molest my woman.’ Justin’s eyes went over her. The thin gown she was wearing was sticking to her, revealing the intimate contours of her body. Desire flared and he was tempted to crush her to him, his need intensified by the temptation she offered in such flimsy clothing. His voice was harsh as he rasped, ‘I am not surprised he thought you were available in that gown. Where are your petticoats?’

‘I took them off. It was so hot. Anna took hers off and I thought…’ Maribel flushed as she saw the expression in his eyes. ‘I didn’t expect to see anyone.’

Justin was angry, because he wanted to do much the same things as Pike had, and he was disgusted with himself. She had given him her trust and he had no right to feel such hunger just because her air of vulnerability tempted him past bearing. So he deliberately chose words to hurt her.

‘No lady would come out of the house without her petticoats. I am surprised you let a servant tell you what to do, Donna Maribel. I am aware the heat is almost unbearable, but you need to keep a certain standard or you will not be given the respect that is your due. Especially amongst men like Pike.’

‘I…’ A dark flush stained her cheeks. She crossed her arms over her breasts defensively. ‘You are right. It will not occur again. I shall wear petticoats if I come outside.’

‘I shall not always be around to protect you.’ Justin frowned at her. He knew that his words had hurt her and he was already regretting having spoken so harshly. She was not to blame, because he could not control his hunger for her. ‘I know how uncomfortable you must feel, but you need to be careful on this island.’

‘You are right.’ Maribel hung her head. She saw that he was correctly dressed despite the heat and felt untidy and ashamed of her appearance. ‘I was careless. Thank you for helping me.’

‘I do not mean to be heartless, Madonna. I know this kind of heat can be suffocating. I speak only for your own good.’

‘Thank you. You will not need to reprimand me again, sir.’

‘Is Peg treating you well? You are comfortable here?’

‘Yes, thank you. She has been kind.’

‘My own house is almost ready. I am having it furnished. I had thought you safe here, but perhaps you should move in with me.’

Maribel was shocked, her heart hammering against her ribcage as she stared at him. What could he mean? He had told her he would not marry—was he now suggesting that she should be his mistress? A part of her longed to say yes, but a tiny part of her mind still retained its sanity.

‘Captain Sylvester! You may have told that vile man that I am your woman to protect me, but it is not so. I cannot live under your roof, sir.’

‘I shall provide a chaperon. Anna will live with us and there will be a woman to keep the place tidy.’

‘Peg said there were no servants here.’

‘I pay well for service and find willing hands. I think Peg was trying to put you in your place, my lady. There are always those willing to work for good wages—but I treat them decently. They are not servants, as you have known them in your father’s house. I pay for their service, but I treat them as equals.’

‘Then they are not at all like the servants in my father’s house. My father’s servants feared him. I do not think anyone would fear to work for a man like you.’

An odd smile touched his mouth. ‘Thank you, Maribel. I believe you just paid me a compliment. As to the matter of the house, I have arranged for the furniture to be moved in today. I came to bring you a gift, but now I am asking if you will live under my roof—as my guest, no more and no less.’

‘Everyone will think I am your woman…’

‘And they will leave you alone as a consequence. You will be able to move freely on the island. If you stay here, other men may have the same notion as Pike. It is the only way I can be certain you will be safe.’

Maribel shuddered. ‘I should never have come to this terrible place. I do not belong here. I see resentment in the eyes of those I meet. They hate me because of who I was.’

A nerve flicked in his throat. ‘It is my fault that you are here, lady. I have put my mark on you for your protection—it is all I could do to protect you. However, when we leave here you will be as you are now. I shall not abuse the situation. I have apologised, but I cannot change what is done. You must accept it and wait patiently until I can take you to your family.’

Maribel hesitated, then inclined her head. ‘Yes, I shall trust you to keep your word, sir. Thank you. I shall be happy to live under your protection.’

Justin smiled and moved closer. ‘I will make your stay here as pleasant as I can, Madonna. I wish that it had been possible to take you to your family immediately. I was wrong to bring you here, but I thought it best.’ A wry smile touched his mouth. ‘Your family will never know anything of your stay here. I promise you that when I take you to them they will accept my story that I have merely been your escort.’ He arched one eyebrow. ‘You suspected that I was once a gentleman. I know how to play the part and will not let you down, Maribel.’

The way he said her name then made Maribel’s insides curl with a feeling she knew was desire. His mouth was curving in a mocking smile. She longed to be in his arms and to feel that mouth take possession of hers, as it had once before. It was all she could do to stop herself swaying towards him. She wanted to give herself to him, to tell him that she would be his woman in truth, but pride held her back.

The expression in his eyes told her that he desired her but she knew that he did not love her. He had made it clear that a man such as he had no time for softness or love. Maribel was certain that to give herself to this man would mean loving him—the kind of love that would become a consuming flame. If she gave him her heart, he would crush it beneath his boots.

‘You speak my name,’ she said. ‘But I know you only as Captain Sylvester. I do not think it is your true name.’

‘I may not give you my family name—it would shame them.’ His eyes were flinty, distant. ‘They do not know that I have become a pirate and it would hurt them. However, my Christian name is Justin…’

‘Justin…’ she breathed. ‘Justin…’ A smile touched her mouth. ‘Yes, I like it very well. It suits you, sir—for you are a just man.’

‘Am I?’ He moved in closer, gazing down at her. ‘I retain some honour, Maribel, but a man may only be tempted so far. Be careful how far you tempt me—and wear your petticoats or I may not be responsible for my action.’

‘Justin…’ Her stomach clenched as his hot eyes scorched her. ‘Forgive me. I did not mean to tempt you or any man. My gowns were so hot…but I shall be more sensible in future.’

‘Be careful when out walking,’ he said. ‘I have purchased some lighter gowns for you with fine petticoats that will not be so heavy. I should have sent them immediately, but I was caught up with other things. I shall have them taken to my house. They will await you in your room—and now I shall take my leave of you before I lose all sense of honour.’

He turned and walked away from her. Maribel watched. She longed with all her heart to call him back, but her pride held. He spoke of honour and yet he mocked her. If he cared for her, he would surely have asked her to be his wife, but he did not want a wife—only a mistress.

She knew that she had only to say the word and she could become his woman in truth, for she had seen desire in his eyes and felt an answering need in herself. Yet if she were so lost to all pride and sense of what was fitting that she gave herself to him it could only bring unhappiness in the end.

A little voice in her head told her that it would be worth the risk to know the sweetness of lying with him, of being safe in his arms—but he did not love her. He had told her that he had once loved a woman and would not give his heart again. She could be his mistress if she chose, but not his wife.