The Pirate's Willing Captive (4 page)

‘So be it…but still you are free to take the air every day for an hour or so. If you stay here in your cabin you may become ill and we have no time to spare for nursing a sick woman. I shall not force you to come up, but if you are not sensible I may have to persuade you.’

‘What do you mean?’ Maribel’s heart raced and she caught her breath as her senses whirled and she imagined what he might do. ‘You wouldn’t dare…’

Justin moved in closer, towering over her. ‘I dare anything, lady—but I mean you no harm. We shall soon reach a secluded cove on the island of Mallorca, where I mean to go ashore and replenish our water supplies before we set sail for Cyprus.’

His words banished the foolish thoughts, making her angry once more. ‘Cyprus? No, I shall not go with you, sir. You promised you would ransom me to my family! How dare you take me to Cyprus? I demand to be returned to Spain!’

‘I believe I made no promises.’ Justin’s gaze narrowed. ‘I have learned that you know nothing of your affianced husband—or his cousin. You would not go so gladly to your wedding if you knew what manner of men they were, believe me.’

‘I do not go gladly, but I must obey my father. He controls the fortune my husband left to me and I have no choice…’ Her throat closed and the tears stood on her lashes. She looked at him with an unconscious appeal in her eyes. Could she trust him? If he spoke the truth, it seemed her father had betrayed her. She had never felt more alone in her life. ‘Is Lord Roberts truly the monster you told me?’

‘When I knew of him he was steeped in vice and, I believe, riddled with the pox. I would not have expected him to live long enough to take a bride. If you lie with him, he will infect you with some foul disease—a disease that will cause you great suffering, perhaps even your death.’

Maribel’s face was ashen. ‘My father could not have
known he was so evil…’ Her voice broke on a sob. ‘My first husband loved me. He loved me…’ The tears slid down her cheeks, her pride forgotten for the moment. ‘I would rather die than become the wife of such a monster.’

Justin moved in closer. ‘Do not weep, lady. I would not see you break your heart. Perhaps the future holds more than you might think.’ His hand moved out to touch her, but fell without doing so. ‘For your own sake, come on deck for some air—or I may have to fetch you!’

Maribel looked up at him. Something about him then made her long to trust him. For some foolish reason she wanted to go to his arms, lay her head against his shoulder and weep, but pride made her raise her head once more. She was so alone and he seemed to offer comfort, yet how could she trust a pirate?

‘You swore none of your men would lay a hand on me,’ she said and even as she spoke saw his frown and regretted that her words broke the tiny thread that had held them.

‘Aye, I did—but I said nothing of myself.’ Justin glared at her. ‘’Pon my soul, lady, you could do with a lesson in manners—and I’ve a mind to give it! Think yourself fortunate that I have much to do on deck.’

He went out, letting the cabin door close behind him with a bang. Maribel caught her breath—she knew that she had pushed him hard. If he lost patience with her, he could make her very sorry for daring to challenge him. She sat down on the edge of the bed, her thoughts whirling in confusion. Her upbringing had taught her
that men of his kind were not to be trusted, and yet her instincts told her that he was a man she could turn to in times of trouble. There was no reason why he should help her, and yet a little voice in her head told her that if she asked for help he might give it.

* * *

Maribel knew that the ship was no longer moving. She could see the coast of an island a short distance away and understood that they had anchored in the bay. Although she had never been there, she believed they were close to the island of Mallorca. Don Sabatini had estates here, brought to him by his second wife Juanita, who had come from the island. Maribel wondered if there might be cousins or relatives of her stepmother living here. Would they know her if she managed to get ashore? Would they help her to escape from the pirates who had captured her?

Yet if she did escape, what would happen to her? Would her father still force her to marry Lord Roberts? She doubted that he would believe her if she told him that the man was a disease-ridden monster. He would never take the word of a pirate captain, and perhaps she should ignore it—and yet why should Captain Sylvester lie about such a thing? How could it benefit him?

Maribel jumped as the cabin door opened. She swung round, half-expecting another visit from the captain since she had ignored his advice to go on deck, but it was only Anna.

‘We are to go ashore this evening,’ Anna told her. ‘The pirates will provision the ship ready for the voyage
to Cyprus and it is the last chance for us to go ashore before we reach our destination.’

‘We must try to escape,’ Maribel said. ‘Juanita came from Mallorca. My father has estates here. If we could reach them…’

‘I have given my promise not to try to escape in return for being allowed ashore, and you must do the same. It is the only way, my lady.’

‘A promise to a pirate? Would you put that above your duty to me?’ Maribel asked, feeling piqued that her maid had seemingly given her allegiance to the enemy.

Anna looked uncomfortable. ‘Please do not ask me to break my word. I swore that you would not try to run off, my lady. I think they would punish us both if you did—I might be beaten…’

‘No! I should not allow that,’ Maribel said. ‘If we were caught, I should take the blame.’

‘We have not been treated ill, my lady. Why do you not simply wait for the ransom? It might be dangerous to escape. We could fare worse at the hands of others. Remember we have no money to buy a passage home.’

‘I am not sure I wish my father to ransom me.’ Maribel frowned. ‘If my stepmother’s relatives would take me in, I might recover control of my fortune—and then I should not have to obey my father. I could marry when I chose.’

‘Do you think Don Sabatini would allow that? Do you not know why he is sending you to England?’

‘What do you mean?’ Maribel’s gaze narrowed.

‘Your father covets Don Pablo’s estates. It was the
reason he allowed you to marry him. I have heard it whispered that it is the reason your husband was killed.’

‘That was bandits…’ Maribel felt sick and shaken. She moved her head negatively. ‘No! You cannot believe that my father…would have had Pablo killed.’

‘I do not know, my lady. I have heard these whispers. But why would he send you to such a man if it were not so? Perhaps he anticipates your death…’

Maribel turned away from her, unable to look into her servant’s face. She thought of her sweet young husband. She had always believed he was killed by bandits, but if her father…No, she could not believe that of him, even though he had disregarded her wishes in the matter of her marriage. Yet if the servants were talking of these things, there must be some truth in them. Her determination to escape hardened. If she could reach Juanita’s family, they would surely take her in and help her…

* * *

‘I am pleased that you have decided to be sensible,’ Justin said, a wry smile playing about his mouth as she came on deck later that day. ‘We shall sleep under the stars this night, lady, but a bed shall be prepared for you so that you may lie comfortably.’

‘How long do you intend to remain here?’

‘A day or two to replenish the supplies of fresh fruit and wine, also meat and water. We have taken on supplies here before and the people are friendly. They do not condemn us, as your people do, as heretics and pirates, but trade with us for gold and silver.’

‘When will you send word to my father that you wish to ransom me?’

‘Captain Hynes will have carried the tale to him. I said that he might arrange a meeting through an agent in Cyprus. We shall do the exchange there…if one is made…’

‘What do you mean—if?’ Maribel studied his face, trying to read what was in his mind. She was not sure why his nearness made her feel so odd, as if her chest was constricted and she could scarcely breathe. She drew away, suppressing her feelings. She must not begin to like him. If she once let down her guard…Impossible thoughts filled her mind but she banished them.

‘I thought you might prefer your freedom?’

‘You would let me go without ransom?’

‘I might take the ransom and still keep you.’ Justin’s teeth flashed white as he smiled in the moonlight.

‘You do not mean it?’ She was not sure if he was teasing her.

‘Would you prefer me to hand you over to a man who would sell you to the devil?’

‘I should prefer it if—’ Maribel stopped. She had been about to tell him of her stepmother’s family and beg him to let her go to them, but something held her tongue. He was persuasive, but she must not trust him. She had only his word that Lord Roberts was diseased and evil, though she could see no reason why he should lie to her.

‘What would you prefer, lady? Tell me. Perhaps I might grant your wish.’

Maribel hesitated. His voice was soft; it seemed to promise much and a part of her longed to confide in him. He was so strong and she wanted someone to help and protect her from the things she feared, but he was a pirate. How could she believe the man who had abducted her? Her mind told her it would be foolish and yet her instincts were telling her something very different. Despite herself she was beginning to like him.

‘No…’ She shook her head, because she could not be sure he would help her. ‘I should prefer it if you had never taken me captive.’

‘Would you, Madonna?’ He smiled at her and her heart missed a beat. ‘I am not sure that I believe you. Come…’ He held out his hand. ‘You must climb down to the boat and be rowed ashore.’ She gave him her hand and his fingers closed about it, strong, cool and somehow comforting. ‘I have your word that you will not try to run away?’

‘I believe Anna already gave you surety?’

‘Yes, she did, but I would have it from you.’

‘Very well, you have it.’ Maribel glowered at him. She looked down at the rope ladder. ‘I am not sure I can manage that.’

‘Fear not. I shall go before you. I shall steady your feet so that you do not miss a rung—and if you fall I shall catch you.’

‘I shall not fall!’

Maribel did not miss the gleam in his eyes. She watched as he went on to the ladder. Tom came forwards to help her place one foot on the ladder and
then she was over the side and seeking the next. A strong hand caught her ankle and placed her foot on the next rung, sending a shock running through her that made her gasp and almost lose her balance. How dare he touch her in such an intimate manner? She had almost begun to trust him, but this was too much! She would have liked to vent her fury on him, but it would be undignified to rage at him in this position. She glanced down indignantly and saw the gleam of mischief in his eyes.

‘Thank you, but I need no help of that kind.’

‘I would not have you fall on me, lady.’

Maribel caught the mockery in his voice and fumed inside. Oh, what a rogue he was! How dare he laugh at her? She would have liked to reprimand him, but all her concentration was on negotiating the ladder without treading on her skirts or lifting them high enough to give him a view of her thighs.

As she reached the bottom he helped her to step down into the boat, steadying her as she found a seat and sat down. She sent him a look of scorn, but refused to speak, because the expression on his face told her that he had enjoyed her predicament.

Maribel watched Anna descend nimbly into the boat and scowled. Her maid had managed easily alone and she might too if that oaf had not grabbed her ankles every time she took a step. How he must have enjoyed that!

She would not look at either of them, sitting stonyfaced and staring at the shore as they were rowed closer.
When she realised that she would have to wade through water to get to the beach, she was dismayed. She must either lift her skirts high enough to avoid getting them wet and thus reveal her legs in front of the pirates or suffer a wet gown for hours.

She stood hesitating, unsure of how best to go about it, but then became aware that Captain Sylvester was in the water beside the boat.

‘Come, lady, let me carry you.’ He held out his hand.

‘I can manage…’

‘You will get your gown wet and it will not be pleasant.’

‘I can manage.’ Maribel tried to put one leg over the side of the boat, but he grabbed her waist, swinging her up and over his shoulder. She gave a scream of anger, beating at his back.

‘Put me down, you brute! Put me down at once.’

‘You tempt me, lady. You sorely tempt me to dump you in the water,’ Justin said but carried her up the beach and then set her on her feet. Maribel immediately took a swing at him, but he caught her wrist in an iron vice, his expression stern and forbidding. ‘Be careful, Madonna. Try my patience too often and you will regret it.’

‘You are arrogant and I hate you!’

‘Arrogant? Yes, perhaps I am,’ Justin said. ‘But I do not believe that you hate me. Tell me you are sorry.’

‘No. I shall—’ Maribel caught her breath as he suddenly crushed her against him. She lifted her gaze and something in his face made her gasp. He was so powerful and strong and she was playing with fire. ‘I take it back. You are arrogant, but I do not hate you.’
The strong feeling he aroused in her was not hate, but a mixture of annoyance and frustration, because he seemed to enjoy provoking her. She was used to politeness and respect and this man—this man had cut through the layers, stripping away all that she had known and accepted as her due.

‘That is better.’ Justin laughed and let her go. ‘Forgive me, lady, but you tempt me almost past bearing. I have seldom seen such delicious ankles and beautiful legs. I could not help myself. You are a siren sent to lure me to my death, I dare say.’

Maribel tossed her head, protecting herself in the only way she knew. ‘You are impossible. Would that I were a man! I would run you through with my sword.’

‘You might try.’ His eyes seemed to flash blue fire, making her hold her breath. ‘Tantrums will avail you nothing. We of the brethren are equals. You will be required to work, as is everyone else. You may help Tom fill the barrels with water from the well at the hacienda. It is a job for boys and women.’