The Pirate's Willing Captive (12 page)

‘No.’ Maribel met his narrowed gaze. ‘I do not wish
to return to my home ever. There was a time when I was happy. When my stepmother lived she made things better. I do not know if my father was always the cruel man you claim, but I remember that Juanita loved me. She was kind to me and I was happy then. I was happy when I married…’

‘You loved your husband very much?’ Justin’s voice was sharp suddenly.

‘He was my friend. He loved me. Yes, I loved him very much.’ Maribel hesitated, then, ‘You told me that you once loved someone?’

Justin was silent for a moment, then, ‘There was once a lady I would have married. She was young and beautiful. I loved her and I would have married her, but a fever took her before our wedding day.’

‘That must have hurt you terribly.’ Maribel looked into his face, witnessing the pain he could not quite hide.

‘Yes, it hurt me…’ His voice grated, as if he found it difficult to speak of his lost love. ‘It was a long time ago. I have learned to live again. A man cannot spend all his life in regret.’

‘No, that is true.’

Justin moved towards her. She stood absolutely still, waiting. For a moment his eyes held hers, then he reached out and drew her to him. He lowered his head and took her mouth, kissing her softly at first and then hungrily. Maribel melted into his body, realising that this was what she had been longing for…this was what she needed. She was so alone and she needed to be loved.

‘You are lovely. The moonlight becomes you, Maribel, but why are you out here alone?’

‘I was restless and could not sleep.’

‘Nor I,’ he murmured, his hand moving to the small of her back. ‘I was thinking of you. You haunt my dreams, waking and sleeping.’

‘Justin…’ she whispered, lifting her face for his kiss.

‘Maribel…’ Justin said hoarsely. He ran his thumb over her lower lip and she trapped it with her teeth. A shudder went through him and he pressed her closer so that she felt the hardness of his arousal and a thrill of desire shot through her. ‘I vowed I would not.’

‘I absolve you of your vow,’ she said. ‘Justin, I…’

What she might have said then was lost as they heard something and then a man came towards them through the gloom. Justin stood back from her, staring into the darkness for a moment, then he recognised the newcomer.

‘Hendry,’ he said, cursed beneath his breath and left Maribel to greet the newcomer. ‘You are back. I thank God for it. I was beginning to wonder where you had got to and to fear that things might have gone wrong—that Sabatini had reneged on the truce.’

‘All went well,’ Hendry said and took the hand he was offered. ‘The exchange was made and I have the packet for you.’

‘Thank you,’ Justin said. ‘Come and have a drink with me. The ship is yours, as I promised. You may sail with us or go your own way.’

‘I shall drink with you—unless you have unfinished
business?’ Hendry glanced at Maribel, who was watching them.

‘I was merely telling Maribel that she should not wander outside alone at night,’ Justin said. ‘Go in, Madonna. I shall see you in the morning.’

Maribel inclined her head, turning reluctantly towards the house. She shivered, feeling suddenly cool despite the heat. Captain Hendry had looked at her so oddly. She wished that he had not returned. He had brought the information Justin needed to find her mother’s family but something in the way he looked at her had made her uneasy.

She had a feeling that something special might have happened with Justin had Hendry not arrived at just that moment. The barriers had come down between them and she had been on the verge of confessing that she was ready to be what everyone on the island already thought her—Sylvester’s woman.

* * *

‘Captain Sylvester asks that you forgive him,’ Anna said the next morning. ‘He has had to postpone the trip to the other side of the island, because he has business with Captain Hendry.’

‘Oh…’ Maribel’s disappointment swathed through her. She had been looking forward to the pleasure trip and for a moment the day seemed long and empty, then an idea occurred to her and she smiled. ‘I am going to clear some of the undergrowth behind the house. Captain Sylvester told me that he wants to create a fruit garden there, but has not yet found the time.’

Anna looked at her doubtfully. ‘Do you know how hard that will be,
señora?
Your hands have never done hard work like that and they will blister.’

‘I shall wear gloves,’ Maribel said, determined not to give up her idea. ‘Captain Sylvester has done much for me. I want to do this to thank him for his care of us, Anna.’

‘If you must…’ Anna sighed. ‘I suppose I must help you.’

Maribel smiled at her. ‘We can work together as friends, but I am not ordering you to help me, Anna. We shall clear more ground if we work together, but if you have something else to do I can manage alone.’

Anna gave her a look of grudging admiration. ‘I would never have thought you could change so much,
señora.
You would not have dreamed of getting your hands dirty once.’

‘I was another person then,’ Maribel told her. ‘I have been changing little by little, though at first I fought it—now I want to discover for myself what it is like to work hard.’

‘We must begin by chopping down the grass and weeds, then we can make a start on the digging…’

* * *

Maribel’s back ached and she was soaked in sweat when they decided that they had done enough for one day. A patch large enough to plant vegetables and soft fruits had been cleared at the back of the house and they had begun to dig a small part of it. The work had been even harder than Anna had warned, but Maribel was filled with a sense of pride as she looked at the results of their labour.

‘I think we have made a good start,’ she said to Anna as they walked back towards the house. ‘I am thirsty and dirty. I must wash away the sweat and change my gown before we begin to make a meal for this evening.’

‘You have done enough for one day. Let me bring water for you. You must be weary.’

‘No, I am not tired,’ Maribel said and smiled. ‘My back does ache and I think I may be stiff tomorrow, but I feel so alive. I have enjoyed working with you in the sunshine. I feel as if I have done something useful for perhaps the first time in my life.’

‘You used to have such soft hands and your needlework was so fine,’ Anna said. ‘Even Donna Juanita said how lovely your work was—do you not remember?’

‘Yes…’ Maribel sighed. ‘The girl who sewed pretty cushions was a different person, Anna. That world seems so far away. I have become someone different—a woman with a heart and mind of her own.’

Anna looked at her and nodded. ‘Why do you not tell him how you feel? I have seen a look in your eyes.’

‘I am not sure that he would care. I know that he desires me, but I cannot speak first.’

‘You must forget your pride,’ Anna told her. ‘You must decide if you want to stay here with us.’

‘I am not sure.’ Maribel’s throat caught with emotion. ‘I would stay, but only if…’

She would stay if Justin loved her, but she knew that he still loved the woman he had once wished to marry, despite what he had said about moving on. She could
have him for a while, but in the end he would tire of her and then she would be alone.

* * *

Maribel enjoyed the feel of the cool water on her skin. She had been so very sweaty and her hair had collected bits of twig and dirt. Anna had helped her to wash it in the yard, and now she was stripped of her clothes in her room, the shutters closed for privacy. She washed in the water she had brought into the house herself, drying her skin and pulling on a shift to cover her body. Her hair was still wet and she sat down on the edge of the bed to rub it dry on a towel, singing a little song that Juanita had sung to her when she was small. She looked up as the door opened, expecting to see Anna, but was shocked to see Justin standing on the threshold. For a moment he stared at her without saying anything, but she saw the pulse at his throat and the way his eyes fastened on her and became aware that her body was clearly outlined through the thin shift. Her nipples had peaked with the instant response of her body to his presence, aching with the need to be touched and caressed.

‘Forgive me. I heard voices and thought Anna was with you.’

‘I was singing.’ Maribel reached for a silken wrap and drew it on over her shift. His eyes seemed to burn into her, making her breath catch in her throat. ‘Did you want something?’

‘The garden behind the house…who did all that work?’ he asked, but his breathing was ragged, his voice
hoarse. He looked at her like a man dying of thirst when he sees the oasis for the first time, his need writ plain on his face. ‘Anna? Or Higgins?’

‘Anna and I did it together. You said you had not had time and I wanted to thank you for—’

‘Foolish woman!’ Justin strode towards her. ‘Show me your hands.’ Maribel held them out and heard his indrawn breath as he saw the red welts across the palms. ‘You should not have done such heavy work. Your hands will be sore in the morning.’

‘I enjoyed it,’ she replied. ‘I shall rub some salve into them. Anna always packs some into my trunks…’ She gasped as he caught her hand and carried it to his lips, licking at the redness in a way that made desire shoot through her. ‘Justin…’

‘Sometimes saliva will help,’ he said huskily, but as her eyes met his he groaned and reached out, drawing her close. ‘You were made for love, not hard physical work…’

For a moment she melted into his body, wanting his kiss to go on and on, wanting so much more that she could not name. Yet even as his hands held her closer so that she could feel the heat of his manhood pressing against her through the thin robe, she felt tears rise up to choke her. He said that she was made for love, but he did not love her—he only wanted her. As he gathered her up in his arms, her mind refused to work properly. She wanted him to kiss and touch her, to make love to her, but she knew that she might lose everything.

Justin placed her carefully amongst the sheets, bending over her to kiss her throat at the little hollow
at the base. His hand moved aside her robe, exposing the open neck of her shift. He bent to kiss her, slipping his hand inside her shift to caress her breasts. His thumb caressed her nipple, making her gasp and tremble, her body arching towards his despite her fears.

‘You are very beautiful, Maribel, and I have wanted this for a long time. Deny me now if you will, for I can no longer deny myself.’ He raised his head to look down at her and then reached out to brush away the tear on her cheek. ‘Crying? Have I mistaken the case? Last night in the moonlight I thought…but I see I was wrong. You do not want this, do you?’

Maribel could not answer, nor could she control the tears. She felt them slide helplessly down her face, staring up at him wordlessly. How could she tell him that she loved him, wanted to be his woman, when she knew he did not love her?

‘Forgive me. I came to tell you we shall take our trip tomorrow and seeing you…I forgot myself.’

He turned and walked to the door. Maribel tried to speak, but could not make the words come.

‘Do not leave me. Stay and make me yours,’ she whispered, but the door had closed behind him.

T
hat morning was as warm as the one before it. Maribel rose early, dressed in one of her simpler gowns and went out to draw water from the well. She had carried both buckets to the house when Anna came sleepily into the kitchen. Hair was straggling down her back and it was obvious that she found it difficult to rouse herself.

‘I stayed out drinking with Higgins after you retired last night,’ she told Maribel, her cheeks flushed. ‘I did not expect you to wake so early.’

‘I was excited by the thought of the visit to the other side of the island.’ Maribel smiled. ‘It was no trouble to me to fetch the water.’

‘I am still your maid—until you dismiss me.’

‘I would never dismiss you, but I should like us to be friends, Anna. Now, I must change into one of the gowns Captain Sylvester bought for me.’

‘I shall help you,’ Anna did not meet her eyes.

Maribel sighed. She knew that Anna could not think of her as a friend, perhaps she never would. They had been mistress and servant and they would be parted when Maribel travelled to her mother’s home.

Maribel was trying not to think of the moment when Justin had kissed her the previous night, the moment when her foolish tears had sent him away. What would have happened if she had not allowed herself to think of love? Would he have made love to her? Would he have accepted her as his woman? Did he care for her at all or was it just the sight of her in her shift that had made him take her in his arms?

When Maribel came from her room dressed in one of her best gowns, Justin was waiting for her. He greeted her with a nod, but gave no sign that anything had happened the previous night. She smiled at him shyly, her eyes going over him. He was so handsome clothed in black hose and long leather boots that reached to his thighs, his thin linen shirt open at the neck, revealing a sprinkling of dark hair on his tanned chest. His long hair had been caught back by a ribbon at his nape; he was wearing his sword and a leather belt across his body into which was thrust a long-barrelled pistol and a heavy knife.

‘You look prepared for trouble,’ she said, because she needed to say something or the silence between them would be unbearable.

‘It is always best to be prepared,’ he told her coolly. ‘Higgins will help to row us to the shore, but he will remain with the boat while we explore.’

‘Is Anna to come with us?’

‘Would you like her to?’

‘She would be company for Higgins while he waits for us.’

‘Very well, she may come.’ Justin’s eyes were on her face. ‘You are certain you wish for this outing?’

‘Yes, of course. I am looking forward to seeing what Paradise looks like.’ She did not add that the best part for her would be that she would be alone with him for a while, that perhaps she might find the courage to tell him what was in her heart.

‘We should leave at once,’ Justin told her, leading the way outside. ‘The day looks fair, but the air is heavy. It is possible that there may be a storm before nightfall.’

‘Surely not?’ Maribel looked up at the cloudless blue sky and then out to sea. Several ships were anchored in the bay, though she could see no sign of the
Defiance.
It looked as if the
Maria
and Captain Hendry had already sailed, though Justin’s third ship, the
Siren Eater,
which had joined them a few days before the feast, was still in port. ‘Did you finish your business with Captain Hendry yesterday? I do not see his ship in port?’

‘He told me that he had decided to become a merchant adventurer. I wished him well and we parted on good terms. I shall tell you more later, but the news he brought is good, Maribel. Your father seems to have accepted your decision not to return, though he has doubled his offer for the map. He sent you a letter. I intended to give it to you last night, but—’ He broke off abruptly. ‘You shall have it later.’

‘Do not talk about it now,’ she begged, suddenly wanting to delay talking of the future. ‘It is a beautiful day and I see no sign of a storm.’

‘They come suddenly at times. I would not be at sea in a small boat if a storm should strike. If that happens, we may have to stay at the other side of the island until the morning.’

Maribel’s stomach caught. If they were stranded alone with no house or walls to separate them, who knew what might happen…?

‘I do not think there will be a storm,’ she said and smiled at him. ‘But if there is we must make the best of it.’

* * *

Maribel watched as the two men pulled on the oars. It was a small boat and the blades cut through the water effortlessly as they rounded the point coming at last to a large, deserted cove. Here the beach was entirely fringed with trees that seemed to be thick for some distance inland; the sand was soft, unsullied by human habitation and beautiful as a glistening sea lapped against it. A few strokes more and the boat was beached. Higgins and Justin jumped out and hauled it into shallow water so that the hull scraped against the bottom.

Justin came to take Maribel’s hand, then swept her up in his arms, carrying her through the water to where the sand was dry and silvery-soft beneath her feet. Her heart raced as she inhaled the spicy scent of him and felt her stomach spasm with desire. He was more to her than all the world and she must find the courage to tell him.

She looked about her. The sea was a deep turquoise, white crested with foam where the waves broke against the shore, sparkling in the sunshine like precious jewels. To each side of her was a wide expanse of sand, and behind her the dense woods that looked as if they might be difficult to penetrate.

‘Why is this part of the island uninhabited?’

‘There are dangerous rocks beneath the water and the ships would have to anchor further out. Until a harbour and a pier are built the only way to approach is in small boats, as we came today. In time I dare say the trees may be cut back and the harbour built—but the other side of the island was easier to settle—the water is deeper and the ships can unload much nearer to the beach if need be. As you know, we have built a harbour of sorts, though as yet it is primitive.’

Maribel nodded. She looked towards the trees, hearing the call of a bird and catching sight of its bright colours as it flitted between branches.

‘It will be a pity if the woods are cut down to build houses.’

‘Yes, perhaps, but men must have somewhere to shelter. If the island is to become a permanent settlement and not just somewhere for pirates to replenish their ships and enjoy some leisure on shore there must be some clearance in time.’

‘Yes, I suppose it must happen. I think it would be pleasant to live where there is plenty of land and you could ride for a day and not find another settlement.’

‘Would you not miss the company of others?’

‘Yes, perhaps,’ Maribel said and laughed. ‘I am foolish. As you say, land must be settled and trees cut for wood if people are to live here—but I am glad that this place is unspoiled for the moment.’

Justin hesitated, then offered his hand. ‘Come, I shall show you a place I discovered some months ago when I first visited this side of the island. I think you will like it. You may find the walk a little arduous but it will be worthwhile when we get there.’

Maribel took his hand. He did not look at her and she knew he was keeping a barrier between them, but her heart beat very fast. She had thought he might be angry after the previous night, but he seemed to have put it from his mind. Glancing back at Anna and Higgins, she saw they appeared engrossed in each other and envied them the uncomplicated nature of their relationship.

* * *

It was darker in the trees, but very warm despite the shade. The heat made the sweat run between Maribel’s breasts, and her gown felt as if it were sticking to her. She had worn one of her best gowns for Justin’s approval, but wished that she had a simple shift and skirt, as Anna was wearing. Long branches brushed against her face and hair. There were insects on the greenery and in the air, some of them settling on her arms and face. She brushed them away, feeling that the density of the trees was overpowering and unpleasant, and wishing they were still on the beautiful beach. Feeling hot and sticky, Maribel was on the point of asking if they could turn back when she heard the sound of water and
her curiosity was aroused. In another moment the trees thinned out and then they were in a clearing.

The sound of water came from a little waterfall. It cascaded down over rocks, making a rushing noise. Clear and cool, it looked inviting and Maribel ran towards it, bending down to scoop water from the tiny pool at the base of the fall and splashing it on her face and neck. A stream wound away from the falls, and without thinking what she did, she sat on the bank, slipped off her shoes and dipped her feet into the stream, relishing the coolness on her flesh.

‘This feels so good…’ she said, arching back so that the sun was on her face while her feet dabbled in the water. ‘This is a beautiful place, Justin. What are those flowers over there? They look like hibiscus but, I am not sure.’

‘They are probably a different variety to those you have at home,’ he said from just behind her. He sat down on the ground and hunched his knees in front of him. ‘Was it worth the walk?’

‘Oh, yes…’ She looked round at him, her eyes alight, mouth slightly parted, an expression of such delight in her eyes that he caught his breath. ‘Thank you so much for bringing me here. I think it is Paradise, though while we were in the trees I almost asked to go back. I was so hot and sticky.’ She bent down to scoop water from the pool and splashed it once more over her face and neck. It trickled down her throat and disappeared under her bodice. The thin material clung to her, caressing the softness of her breasts where the water had soaked
through. ‘I did not think anywhere could be this beautiful…’ Her eyes followed one of the birds that called from branches high above her. In the distance she could hear a faint booming sound, which she took to be the sound of the sea crashing against the rocky coasts further round the island. She turned her head to look at him and saw that he watched her.

‘Last night…’ Maribel sought and found the courage to say what must be said. ‘I wept because I am a foolish woman, but after you had gone I wanted you to stay. I know you cannot love me, for you told me, but I…’ The words caught in her throat as she saw the heat in his eyes.

‘You are beautiful,’ Justin said huskily. He reached out, taking her hand, pulling her to her feet. For a moment he hesitated, then his arms went round her, crushing her hard against him. His mouth sought hers, hungry and demanding, yet tender. ‘You inflame my senses, Maribel. I vowed I would not do this, but you tempt me beyond bearing. Last night you wept and I thought—’

‘Do not talk, kiss me,’ she whispered and placed her finger against his lips. ‘I want you to kiss me.’

‘You know what it means if I kiss you?’ His gaze was dark, intense as his eyes drank her in. ‘I want more than a few kisses. I want…everything…you, your body, your mind, your heart.’

Maribel swayed towards him, her body melting into him as he kissed her, her mouth opening to his inquiring tongue, giving of her sweetness as she felt the desire race through her. This was what she had longed for.
What she wanted more than anything else in the world. His hand found and cupped her breast, his thumb caressing her through the thin material. She whimpered with need and pressed against him, feeling the hot desire curl inside her. As he bent his head and kissed her, sliding her bodice down over her shoulder, his tongue caressing the dark rose nipple, she moaned with need.

‘Justin, I want…’

‘What do you want, my darling? Say it is everything…say it is me you want, as I want you.’

‘Take me, make me yours. Justin, I…’

Her words were lost as they heard the shot. She looked up at him, eyes wide and startled. Higgins had arranged that he would fire one shot if he needed them to return.

‘Damn!’ Justin let her go immediately. He looked back towards the shore, a pulse throbbing at his temple. ‘Higgins would not summon me unless it was important. I am sorry, Maribel. We must go back.’

Maribel inclined her head. She wished that they could stay longer in this beautiful place, but Higgins would not have given the signal had it not been urgent. Taking Justin’s hand, she let him hurry her back through the path they had cleared on their way here.

What could possibly be happening? Why had Higgins given the signal? As they heard a second shot, her heart started to pound. Something must be terribly wrong…

* * *

As they neared the beach Justin was ahead of her. He glanced back, signalling to her to slow down.

‘Wait in the trees until I call you,’ he warned. ‘Just in case there is trouble.’

Maribel would have argued, but she could not catch up to him as he ran out on to the beach. She hovered at the edge of the trees, watching as Justin spoke to Higgins. The sailor appeared to be pointing agitatedly towards the other side of the island. Maribel turned her head and saw the smoke rising into what had been a cloudless sky. A cry from Justin alerted her and she left the shelter of the trees to join him.

‘What is it?’ she asked. ‘What is happening?’

‘Something is on fire in the port. We think there has been an attack of some kind.’ Justin frowned. ‘We must get back to the settlement, but you and Anna should stay here until someone comes to tell you that it is safe to return.’

‘No!’ Anna and Maribel spoke together.

‘I would rather be with you whatever happens,’ Maribel insisted. ‘If we stayed here and you did not return, we might never reach the other side of the island. No matter what is happening, I shall come with you.’

‘I’m not staying here without Higgins.’ Anna said, her mouth set stubbornly.

Justin inclined his head. ‘Very well. I have no time to argue. Into the boat with you.’

He was frowning as he assisted Higgins to push the boat into deeper water and then helped Maribel to climb in. She sensed that he was anxious for the crew and friends he had left behind. There were no words of comfort to offer for the smoke did not lie. Something
terrible must have happened and she could sense the urgency and frustration in the two men as they pulled on the oars. They must be wondering what they were doing on a pleasure trip when their comrades were in trouble.