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‘Why would an English ship fly the pennant of a Spanish Don?’ Justin’s gaze narrowed. Since discovering what kind of a man Don Sabatini was, he had determined to single his ships out whenever possible. ‘There is something odd here. Mayhap Sabatini thinks to fool us into believing it is an English ship. Put a shot across their bows and run up the skull and crossbones. I would discover what kind of trick the Spaniard plays here.’

Justin was thoughtful as his men sprang into action. He knew they were restless and eager to return to their island to turn some of the booty they had taken into gold so they could spend it in the taverns and with the whores that plied their trade on the waterfront. His instincts had been to let the ship pass, but seeing Sabatini’s pennant had changed his mind. The Spaniard was obviously trying to sneak one of his ships through under an English flag, and was possibly carrying a rich prize.

The men he commanded were loyal to a point, but wild and reckless. If he denied them such a prize, they might turn against him as easily as they had Smythe. Justin did not intend to continue as a pirate for longer than necessary. Once he had amassed enough gold, he could buy his own ship and become a merchant adventurer, which would suit him better than his present trade. Perhaps one day he might be able to return to England. He was not certain of his welcome, for his father would feel that he had disgraced the family by becoming a pirate, but his mother would always welcome him with open arms.

Justin had sent no word to his home. Better that his family think him lost than that his gentle mother should know what trade her son followed. Before he could return he must redeem himself in some way.

The Mistress Susanna was lowering her flag in surrender. She had given in without a fight—why? What cargo was so precious that the master was willing to surrender rather than risk being sunk?

Maribel rushed to the porthole as she heard the first shots fired. She could see that another ship was closing in on them fast—and it was flying the skull and crossbones. They were going to be boarded by pirates!

‘Donna Maribel, you must hurry…’ Anna came bustling into the cabin. ‘The captain bid me tell you to hide somewhere. He says he did not dare to fire back lest the ship was badly damaged and harm came to you—but he would have you hide for he says these men are scum and they will kill us or worse.’

Maribel’s face drained of colour. Her knees felt weak and she was frightened by all the shouting and noise on deck. The ship’s captain had surrendered, but it seemed that not all the crew were willing to obey him. Some were putting up a fight and there were screams as men were injured.

‘I shall not hide,’ she said. ‘There would be no point for they will search the cabins and I will not be dragged from beneath the bed. It would not be dignified. I am the wife of Don Pablo Sanchez!’

‘You could hide in your trunk, lady.’

‘Do you think that would stop them?’ Maribel’s head went up proudly. ‘These men only want money. If I tell them who I am, they will hold me for a ransom. My father is in charge of my fortune and he will pay if my life is in danger.’

Maribel’s face was white, but she was proud and stubborn. She was the widow of Don Pablo Sanchez and a rich heiress. Her father would surely pay to have her returned to him safely. He had forced her to take this voyage, but he would not allow her to die at the hands of pirates for what could that gain him?

He had arranged the marriage because he wanted an alliance with Lord Roberts. Nothing had changed. He would pay the price these rogues demanded.

Maribel resisted her maidservant’s attempt to make her hide and stood proudly in the centre of the cabin. When the door was suddenly thrown open, she looked at the man who stood on the threshold, facing him angrily.

‘Who are you, sir? How dare you enter a lady’s cabin without permission?’

The man stared at her for a moment. He was tall, handsome, with long pale hair that looked windblown; his was a strong face, arrogant and bold. His blue eyes seemed to burn her flesh as he stared at her in a way that challenged her. His gaze made her flush and tremble inside, but she did not allow her fear to show. She was a proud Spanish lady and would not show fear in front of a pirate dog!

‘A thousand pardons, my lady,’ the pirate said and swept her a bow to rival any courtier. A smile played about a mouth that looked sensuous, one eyebrow arched in inquiry. ‘And who might you be, Madonna?’

‘I am Donna Maribel Sanchez, widow of Don Pablo and daughter of Don Sabatini—and soon to be the wife of Lord Roberts of Helbourne.’

‘That old roué? He was on his last legs before I left England,’ the pirate said and grinned. His smile made her heart leap in her breast and insensibly some of her fear evaporated. ‘Nay, lady, you are wasted on such a husband. I believe we have rescued you from a fate worse than death—the man is riddled with pox and steeped in vice. We shall take you with us to save you from this evil.’

‘No!’ Maribel stepped back as he approached her. She raised her head, her ringlets tossing as she trembled with indignation. ‘My father will pay a ransom. I am wealthy in my own right…’ A little gasp escaped her as she saw the gleam of mockery in his eyes.

‘Indeed? Then Fate was with us this day, for we have a richer prize than we thought. A cargo of wine is one thing—but the widow of a rich man and daughter of Sabatini is another. Your father hath much to atone for, Madonna—and now we have the means to make him pay.’

‘What do you mean? My father is a good man…’ Maribel caught her breath as she saw his stern look. ‘What is it? Why do you look at me that way?’

‘I shall not offend you, lady, for I believe you may be innocent.’

‘Tell me! I command it!’

‘You command?’ The pirate’s teeth were white against the tan of his skin as he smiled and then bowed to her. ‘Very well, I shall obey you, lady. Your father is a thief and a murderer. He allows his captains to mistreat the crews that sail for him—and he forces the natives of the New World to mine their silver for him and then has them murdered so that they cannot reveal the whereabouts of the silver to anyone else.’

‘No! I do not believe you! You are lying!’

Maribel flew at him as he tried to take her arm to drag her from the cabin. She raised her hand to hit him, but he pulled her arm behind her back, catching her against his body, and holding her pressed hard to him. Maribel stared up at him fearfully, sucking in her breath as he lowered his head and took possession of her mouth. His lips demanded where Pablo’s had softly whispered; his arms were strong, his body like iron and the heat of his manhood burned her. She felt the press of his desire through the silk of her simple gown and her heart raced. No man had ever treated her thus, and she did not understand why her heart was beating so fast. She should despise him, yet her body felt as if it were drowning in pleasure and a part of her wanted to stay in his arms. It took all her control not to moan and press herself against him for she had never felt such sweet sensation.

What was she thinking? He was a pirate, a barbaric rogue! She placed her hands against his chest and pushed; his strength was such that he could have taken full advantage, but to her surprise he let her go.

As he drew back, she saw the hot glow fade from his eyes and a cold disdain replace the lust that had for a moment seemed to have him in its grip.

‘You are proud lady and lashed out in temper. Perhaps that will show you the error of your ways. Attempt to strike me again and I shall not stop at a kiss.’

‘You are a pirate and an ignorant barbarian.’ Maribel had recovered her senses. Perhaps because she felt ashamed of her weakness in not fighting him sooner, her voice was laced with scorn and she was every inch the haughty lady.

‘The barbarians were not as ignorant as you might imagine, Madonna. In some ways their culture outstrips our own.’ Justin grinned, more amused than angry. ‘Think yourself fortunate that I am not what you think me. Had I been the ruthless devil you would have me, you would this night be warming my bed before I gave you to my men for their sport.’

Maribel drew back in shock, her eyes wide with horror.

A smile touched his mouth. ‘Nay, I shall not treat you so ill. You may be a shrew, but you are a lady and I shall treat you as such. You will not be harmed while we hold you for ransom.’

‘How can I trust your word?’ She would be a fool to believe him for an instant, but something inside her responded despite herself.

‘Because I give it. Behave yourself, lady, and I shall restrain my hand—but cause me trouble and I may just put you across my knee and teach you a lesson.’

‘You would not dare!’ Maribel stared at him. She saw that he was laughing and realised that he was mocking her. Her cheeks flushed; she knew that he might have done exactly as he wished with her, yet she could not accept her fate so easily. Her tone was more moderate, but still cool as she said, ‘You are a rogue and a thief and—and no gentleman, sir.’

‘I believe you are right. I was once a gentleman of sorts, but life has taught me that I must take what I can from it.’

‘Do you give me your word that I shall not be…ravished and despoiled if I come with you?’

‘If any man lays a finger on you I shall hang him. You have my word on it.’

‘And my servants? My maid and groom?’

‘Your maid may attend you and she is also safe from my men—but your groom returns to Spain with the ship, unless he cares to join us and become one of the brethren.’

‘You do not intend to keep the ship? Surely it is your prize?’

‘We have the cargo and you. The captain will deliver my message to your father. If he sends the gold we demand, you will be returned to him.’

‘And if he does not?’

‘Then he will never see you again.’

Chapter Two

Could this pirate truly mean his threat? Maribel’s heart was beating wildly. She hardly knew how to breathe as he took her arm and steered her from the cabin. Yet firm as his grip was, he was not hurting her and he seemed to mean her no harm, at least for the moment. As they went on deck she saw that his men had surrounded and disarmed the crew. Some of the men were bringing up wine from the hold and transferring it to the pirate ship, which she saw was called the Defiance. As far as she could tell only a few men had resisted, but there had been some fighting and one or two men had been wounded, but it appeared that none had been killed. She saw Samuel Hynes on his knees, a knife being held at his throat; it was obvious that he had not surrendered immediately.

‘What do you intend to do with Captain Hynes?’

‘My men are of a mind to hang him, but I think we may send him back to Spain this time.’

Maribel did not like Captain Hynes but she hated brutality. ‘You should not treat him so disgracefully.’

‘Why, pray, should we not?’

‘He deserves your respect.’

‘Indeed? You have known the man a long time, perhaps?’

She flinched beneath the pirate’s dark mockery. ‘I know little of him—but I believe that all men should be treated with dignity.’

‘Then perhaps you should know that Captain Hynes has men flogged for being in the wrong place at the wrong moment and sometimes just because it amuses him.’

Maribel gasped and lowered her eyes, because against her will she believed him. She had always felt something was not right when Samuel Hynes smiled and bowed to her, sensing that he was hiding his true nature.

‘He may be a cruel man—but if you allow your men to ill treat him you are his equal.’

‘You think so?’ Justin arched his brow, his manner icy cold. ‘I shall remember your words, lady. Now you must go aboard with your woman and those of the crew that have chosen to serve with us.’

‘Are there many?’

‘A cabin boy and a few others…’

Maribel turned to Anna as she joined her. The pirate captain had moved away. He was talking to the pirate who had a knife at Samuel Hynes’s throat. Another man, older, with a scar on his cheek and a red band around his brow, had come to help them cross the plank that had been placed between the two ships to make it easier for the women to cross from one to the other.

‘Give me your hand, lady,’ Higgins said gruffly. ‘You, lad, help the lady down there.’

Maribel felt a hand on her arm steadying her. She looked round to thank whoever it was and saw the cabin boy who had spoken to her when she first came aboard the Mistress Susanna.

‘They have taken you too?’

‘I came willingly, lady,’ he said and smiled at her. ‘It can’t be worse than my last berth.’ Sides, I’ve never had more than a few silver coins in wages, and if I do my work well for the brethren I shall be rich.’

Maribel looked at him doubtfully. ‘Do you not know what could happen to you if the ship is taken? You might be hung as a pirate.’

‘I’d as soon hang as starve on the streets of London, lady—and the life at sea is hard for every man jack of us. I could die of the typhoid or the pox any day.’

Was life so harsh for a young lad? Reared to the privileges of birth and wealth, she had not realised what others suffered. She felt humbled and a little ashamed.

‘What is your name?’

‘I’m called Tom, lady.’ Tis as good a name as any for I know not my own. I was born in prison. Me ma died and I was brought up by the parish until I ran away to sea.’

‘Why did you run away?’

‘Because they made me work for nothing and gave me scraps to eat. I was better off at sea, and if I’d stayed with my last berth I shouldn’t have left the captain—but this one is a monster.’

Maribel reached out to touch his hand, her heart moved to pity by his plight. She had not realised there was so much suffering, for as unhappy as she had been after her stepmother’s death, she had never known what it was like to go hungry or go in fear of a cruel master.

‘If I am ransomed, I shall ask to take you with me. As my servant you would be fed and paid a wage—and I should not beat you.’

‘I thank you, lady,’ Tom said and lifted his head with a touch of pride. ‘Here on this ship all men are equal. We sail by the laws of the brethren and share in the spoils. I reckon I’ll be a servant to no man or woman in future—though if I were I could not want a better mistress.’

Maribel inclined her head, uncertain whether she had been rebuffed. Did servants dislike working for their masters? She had never considered it before. For the first time, Maribel was aware of the sheltered life she had led, protected, kept apart—but not loved, at least by her father.

The older man with the scar on his face was ushering her below deck. She obeyed, moving towards the hatch, but lingered for a moment looking about her. Tom seemed to think he had made a change for the better and somehow her fear had evaporated.

Of course their captain was a wicked, arrogant rogue and she disliked him, even though she had felt something very odd when he kissed her. She would do her best to avoid his company, but it would appear that for the moment she had little to fear from the pirates. They were not as wild as she had feared, and, as she looked back and saw that the captain was coming aboard, she understood that he was in complete command of his ship. The men jumped to obey his orders as he indicated they should disengage with the other ship, but they did so willingly. She had seen no sign of fear or resentment in their faces.

Her gaze went beyond him to the deck of the Mistress Susanna. She saw that Samuel Hynes was tied to a mast and that his men were beginning to cut the ropes that bound him…but they were taking their time. She had seen both fear and resentment on board that ship—as she had seen it in some of the men who served her father. Why was it different here?

‘You should not linger on deck, lady.’

Maribel jumped guiltily as she heard the pirate captain’s voice.

‘I see that you have allowed Captain Hynes to live.’

‘Against the will of some of my men.’ Justin’s gaze narrowed. ‘Have you some affection for this man?’

‘None, sir. I merely regret any bloodshed.’

‘It is necessary at times, but we are not monsters. We kill only when we must.’

‘Then why are you pirates? Could you not find an honest trade?’

‘You ask too many questions, Donna Maribel.’

‘You know my name—may I not at least know yours, sir?’

‘Captain Sylvester, at your service.’

‘Do not mock me. If you were at my service, you would not have kidnapped me.’

‘I saw no force used, lady. You walked aboard my ship willingly.’

‘Because I was given no choice! What would you have done had I refused?’

‘Ah…’ His eyes gleamed with mockery. ‘I should then have had to carry you on board myself, for I would have no other lay their hands on you. As Captain I have first choice of the spoils—and you are my share, lady.’

‘You promised to ransom me…’ Maribel’s heart raced as she looked into his eyes. They were so blue that she thought of a summer sky and for a moment she was drawn to him, but there was ice at their centre and she shivered, sensing his anger.

‘Perhaps I shall…’ Justin did not smile. ‘Yet there is something about you that I think might be worth more than mere gold. So perhaps you should not tarry; I have work to do and you will be safe in your cabin.’

What did he mean? Her heart jerked with fright and yet her body tingled, making her feel more alive than she had for a long, long time. He might be a pirate and a rogue, but there was something compelling about Captain Sylvester—something that made her heart beat faster.

She turned and hastened towards the open hatch. Her pulses were racing as she climbed down the ladder taking her to the cabins below. She squashed the feeling that she might like him if she allowed herself to judge him fairly. No, she would not give in to weakness. The pirate captain was a devil! An arrogant, wicked, mocking devil and she hated him! Yet at the back of her mind a little voice was telling her that he had saved her from a fate that might have been far worse than her present situation.

Maribel stared out of the porthole at the calm sea. They had been at sea for two days and she had not left her cabin. She turned her head as her maid entered. Anna brought her food and wine each day and already knew her way about the ship.

‘The captain says you may come on deck for some air, my lady—but that you should keep your head covered for the sun is hot and he would not have you take harm.’

‘You may tell Captain Sylvester that I have no wish to come on deck or to mix with rogues.’

Anna looked at her oddly. ‘Do you think it wise to send such a message, my lady?’

‘How would you have me address him—as a friend?’ Maribel knew that her maid’s counsel was wise, but something inside her would not allow her to give in so easily.

‘We have not been treated ill…’

‘Indeed?’ Maribel’s dark eyes flashed. ‘If you do not think it ill to be abducted and forced aboard a pirate ship, I do. Sylvester had no right to take us captive.’

‘He had the right—’ tis the law of the sea. He might have sunk the vessel and all with it, but only those that resisted were harmed, and I think none killed. It is not always the case with pirates. Had we been taken by corsairs we should be dead or on our way to a slave market, where we should be sold to the highest bidder.’

Maribel wrinkled her brow. She knew that her maid spoke the truth; they could have fared worse. However, she had no intention of relenting towards the pirate.

‘You will please give my message to the captain, as I bid you.’

‘Yes, my lady—but should you not like to go on deck for some air?’

‘Not with rogues!’

Maribel turned back to her view of the sea. She was longing for some fresh air, tired of being cooped up in her cabin, and yet her pride would not let her give in.

After Anna had left her, Maribel ate a piece of bread and a mouthful of cheese. The bread was coarse and harder than she was used to, but the cheese tasted good. She sipped her wine, then put it down and began to pace the cabin. How long would it be before they made land? Where was the pirate taking her—and what would happen next?

‘Forgive me, sir. My mistress is proud and bid me answer you in her own words. She is angry because she was forced to come aboard your ship.’

‘Do not look anxious, Anna,’ Justin said, a wry smile on his mouth. ‘I shall not blame you for your mistress’s words. I shall leave her to her own devices for a few days and then we shall see.’

‘She needs to come up for some air or she will be ill.’

‘Is she unwell? Does she suffer from sickness?’

‘She is well enough, but I know she is fretting.’

Justin inclined his head. ‘I shall speak to the foolish woman myself.’

He spoke to his first officer and then left the bridge. The Spanish woman was proud and ill tempered. When he first saw her she had taken his breath with her exotic beauty. Her hair was dressed across her forehead and caught in ringlets at either side of her face in the Spanish style, her clothes heavy and ugly compared with the gowns his mother had worn, for Lady Devere’s gowns had come from France. Donna Maribel Sanchez was proud, cold and disdainful, as were most of her kind. Clearly she considered no one but herself and was furious at finding herself a captive. Her maid was concerned for her and would bear the brunt of her sickness if she fell ill. She deserved to be taught a lesson and yet he had seen spirit in her, something fine and lovely. He would not have her become sickly from lack of fresh air.

Outside her cabin door, he paused and then knocked. There was a moment’s hesitation and then the word ‘enter’ spoken in a way that made him smile inwardly.

‘Donna Maribel,’ he said as he entered the cabin, ‘I understand you are frightened to come on deck because you think us rogues and murderers.’

‘I am not afraid, sir!’ Maribel’s head came up with a flash of pride. ‘I simply do not wish to consort with murdering rogues…pirates.’

‘I shall not deny that we are pirates, for’ tis clearly our trade. However, my men are not wicked rogues. They were driven to mutiny by a cruel master and must now earn their living by roaming the seas in search of rich merchant ships to plunder.’

‘You do not consider that makes you rogues?’ She looked at him scornfully.

‘Did you see anyone murdered aboard Captain Hynes’s ship?’

‘No…’ She looked at him uncertainly. ‘You said your men wished to hang him.’

‘Yet I did not allow it. Some men in my position would have taken the ship as well as the cargo and hung or marooned those who would not join us.’

She was forced to acknowledge that he spoke the truth. When he spoke softly to her, she found herself drawn to him against her will, but she was not ready to admit defeat.

‘Very well, not murderers, but still thieves, for you took what was not yours.’

‘We are adventurers. We take what we need, but we do not harm innocent women and children; men are given the chance to surrender and join us or go on their way. Your maidservant has not been harmed and you may walk safely on our decks. I give you my word that not one member of my crew will lay a finger on you.’

‘The word of a pirate?’

‘My word is as good as any man’s.’ Justin moved towards her. She gasped and stepped back, her eyes widening as if she thought he would repeat the punishing kiss he had given her before. ‘You are quite safe, as long as you behave yourself, lady. I have never yet taken an unwilling woman…’ He laughed mockingly. ‘Most come willingly enough to my bed.’ His voice had a deep, sensual timbre that sent shivers down her spine. ‘I shall not deny that I think you desirable, but I shall never force you to lie with me. You must come to me of your own free will…as you may one day.’

‘If you imagine that I would lie with you willingly…’ Maribel’s manner was one of disdain, but underneath her heart was hammering wildly in her breast; the picture his words conjured up was disturbing. She suddenly saw him bending over her as she lay in silken sheets, his mouth soft and loose with desire, his breath warm on her face, and her throat closed as she was pierced with desire. She gripped her hands at her sides, controlling her feelings, as she had been taught from childhood. A high-born lady did not allow herself to be seduced by a pirate, despite his undoubted charm. It was a picture too shocking to be contemplated. Turning away, she used anger to hide her confusion. This was madness! She was beginning to like him and she must not. ‘You are a mocking rogue, Captain Sylvester. I shall never come to you in that way.’

‘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.’