The Pirate's Willing Captive (23 page)

‘I shall come with you.’ Sir Henry said. He looked at his wife as Justin set off at a run. ‘Rouse the household, madam. We must put a stop to this rascal’s mischief once and for all. I should have seen to it before, but I thought her safe in the house.’

‘I tried to warn her…’ Lady Fildene shook her head at the folly of love and picked up a large brass bell, shaking it hard. As it reverberated through the house, servants came hurrying to answer her call. ‘To the beach…to the beach…’ she cried. ‘My niece is in danger…’

* * *

Maribel followed the sloping path to the beach. The sun was bright but there was still a cool breeze from the water. Stopping for a moment to gaze out to sea, she saw the sails of a ship she thought might be the
Defiance.
Had Justin decided to bring his ship here? She had thought it left behind at Dover, but if he had managed to obtain the pardon he hoped might be his, he could have decided to bring his ship here. She was not entirely sure what he intended once he had settled his affairs. Were they to live here in England or perhaps in Italy or France?

Although her visit with her aunt and uncle had been pleasant, Maribel did not think she would care to live
as they did for the rest of her life. Their way of life was not so very different from that she had known before she left for England the first time—but sailing with Justin on his ship and her stay on the island had opened her eyes, making her see that there was more to life than sitting in a drawing room in a pretty gown embroidering cushions.

Was she foolish to long for something different? She knew that she might have been more sensible to sit in her room at home and wait for Justin to come to her—but perhaps he had been testing her?

She could not see anyone on the beach, but she caught sight of movement near a rocky point at the far end and thought that perhaps a boat had been beached just out of sight. Her heart quickened. The true reason she had come to meet Justin was that after leaving her aunt and failing to find her uncle, she had wondered if Justin’s reason for asking her to meet him was that he had been unable to secure a pardon. Perhaps he was a fugitive in hiding from those who wished to capture and hang him?

Maribel’s mouth ran dry with fear, her pulses racing. It was surely the only reason Justin would ask her to meet him in such a clandestine way. She must be prepared to leave with him immediately because his life might be in danger every moment he stayed here!

Reaching the beach, Maribel glanced up at the cliff top once and then began to walk towards the point. Justin must be waiting for her, keeping out of sight until he was certain she was alone.

‘Justin…I am here, my love—’

Maribel stopped as several men suddenly burst out from behind rocks that jutted into the sea and had hidden them from her gaze until this moment. She hesitated, her heart catching as she saw their faces and realised that these men were not Justin’s. Immediately, she knew that her aunt had been right and she had foolishly walked into a trap.

Turning, she began to run back the way she had come. Her heart was thumping madly because here on this beach she was vulnerable. The ship anchored in the bay must be Samuel Hynes’s ship and these men had come to take her captive. How foolish she had been! She ought to have known that Justin would not ask her to meet him alone.

She was breathing hard as she reached the bottom of the path leading back to the top of the cliff. Glancing up, she saw that a man was scrambling down to her as swiftly as he could manage. She knew him at once and her heart gave a little skip. Gathering her courage, she turned as the first of Samuel Hynes’s men caught up to her. She whipped out her knife, brandishing it in front of her, sweeping it back and forth as she moved away from the cliff face to the open sand.

‘Stay away from me or it will be the worse for you,’ she cried. ‘I know how to use this and I shall…’ Maribel gave a little cry as one of the men lunged at her with his sword. She backed away, because a knife was no match for such a weapon. ‘Stay back…’

Four of the men had surrounded her. One tried to
grab her from the back, but she whirled about and slashed his hand, making him yell in pain and retreat. Another man threatened her with his sword, the tip of his blade hovering near her throat.

‘Have a care, Davy,’ his companion warned. ‘He wants her alive and all in one piece. It will be you he flogs if she is harmed.’ He glanced over his shoulder, and, following his gaze, Maribel saw that Captain Hynes was near the boat that had brought them ashore.

‘Damn the wench!’ The first man spat on the sand. ‘He swore she would be easy to abduct once he got her here.’

A shout from Justin warned them that he was nearly at the foot of the cliffs. The men swung round to look and all of a sudden a crowd of faces appeared at the top of the cliffs, men and women, all carrying weapons of some kind, had followed and were about to pour down the steep path. Someone pointed an arquebus at the would-be abductors and fired. The shot went wide, for at this distance it could never have hit its mark, but the sound was enough to startle the men.

‘Leave her! We shall all be killed…’ one of them cried.

The one pointing his sword at Maribel’s throat hesitated, then, seeing his friends fleeing, turned and followed as fast as he could in their wake.

Justin reached Maribel before the scoundrel could regain the safety of the jutting rocks. He fired after them and his ball struck home, winging one man in the arm. The man’s screams echoed, as he yelled for his friends to help him and was ignored. He fell to his
knees, struggled to his feet once more and set off towards the boat, which had already been pushed out into water deep enough to float it. His pleas for help were disregarded as the others began to row frantically for open water.

Sir Henry’s household had reached the beach and several shots were fired as the wounded sailor ran into the water, floundering after the boat and eventually falling face down into the sea as another shot struck his back.

Maribel gazed up at Justin as he stood before her, his eyes intent on her face. ‘I was so foolish,’ she said, catching her breath. ‘I should have known that you would never tell me to meet you here. I thought that you might be in danger of your life.’

‘And so you risked yours…’ He smiled and shook his head. ‘If you insist on taking such foolish risks, I must teach you to use a sword or, better still a pistol, my love. Peg’s knife served you well—without it they might have had you in the boat before I could reach you—but’ tis no match for a cutlass.’ He shuddered. ‘It would have served only to delay them, Maribel. Had your aunt not seen you leaving the house I might still have been talking with your uncle and it might have been too late.’

‘Justin…’ Tears welled in her eyes. ‘Forgive me. I have missed you so much. When the letter came I suspected a trap, but I longed to see you and I was afraid if I did not meet you, you might go away and I should never see you again.’

‘My sweet, lovely, foolish darling,’ Justin said and trailed his fingers down her cheek, wiping away the tears. ‘I would never have gone without giving you the chance to come with me. Had I been a fugitive and risked death to come to you I would still have done it—but I am a free man. The Queen has pardoned me and there is nothing to stop us marrying.’

‘Justin…’ She breathed and moved closer to him. She was longing for him to sweep her into his arms, but at that moment her uncle arrived, sword in hand. ‘Uncle…I fear my foolish behaviour has caused you some trouble.’

‘Foolish it was, child, for you should have consulted me,’ Sir Henry said, but looked pleased with himself. ‘I believe we showed those villains that we are not to be messed with, Sir Justin. If Hynes has the sense he was born with, he will sail away and not bother us again.’

Justin inclined his head, but when Maribel looked at him she saw there was a grim set to his mouth.

‘Is it true?’ she asked. ‘Are you now Sir Justin?’

His gaze came back to her and he smiled, putting his arm about her waist. ‘Shall you enjoy being Lady Devere?’

‘I do not mind what I am called if I am with you,’ she declared passionately. ‘I will be your lady, your wife or your mistress…just as long as you never leave me again!’

‘Y
ou must know that I would not,’ Justin said. He gazed down at her, his expression serious. ‘If I seem distant or reserved it is because I have something on my mind, Maribel. I love you with all my heart. I wrote to your uncle and told him of my coming, but he was out when the letter arrived and I was with him when your aunt told us she had seen you heading towards the beach.’ Justin caressed her cheek with his fingertips. ‘You uncle has seen fit to allow the wedding. If you will have me, my darling, we shall be wed as soon as it can be arranged. Then I shall take you to meet my mother. After that…’

‘You are anxious for my safety,’ she said, looking into his eyes. ‘Surely I must be safe once we are wed?’

‘Yes, of course.’ Justin promised. He took her hand and held it firmly. ‘Yet still you must take care not to walk alone.’

‘You fear that Hynes may try again? Surely he must
know that he has lost? I would kill myself rather than wed him—and it is my fortune he wants.’

‘Perhaps.’ Justin’s brow furrowed. ‘We have had news that your father may have died of a seizure.’

‘My father may be dead?’ Maribel was shocked by the news, but could not grieve for a man she had never truly known. ‘God rest his soul. He did not love me, but I would not have wished him dead.’

‘Of course you could not.’ Justin took her hand. ‘He did not deserve a daughter like you—indeed, I have wondered if he believed you were not his child.’

‘He believed my mother had betrayed him?’ Her eyes opened wide. ‘Was that why he hated me?’

‘It may have been or he may simply have been driven by greed. But his death has consequences. Even if he has left you nothing of what he owned, your husband’s fortune will be at your disposal. I do not think you know the extent of the fortune your husband left you, but I imagine it may be considerable. Until we are wed, Hynes may not be the only man to covet what is yours.’

‘Yes, I see. I knew Pablo was wealthy, but I do not care for riches. I was far happier when we lived simply on the island—at least I would have been had it not been for Captain Pike.’

Justin smiled wryly. ‘You are too beautiful, my love. Men will always find you attractive, but once we are married no decent man would try to take advantage.’

‘Let it be as soon as possible,’ Maribel said and saw the gleam in his eyes. ‘I want only to be your wife.
Nothing else matters. I do not care about the money. I never did.’

‘I promise I shall keep you safe.’ Justin bent his head, touching his mouth to hers in a soft kiss that held the promise of much more. ‘I cannot wait for the moment you are truly mine.’

‘I have been yours since the moment you took me captive.’ Maribel smiled at him with love in her eyes. ‘My uncle waits. We should go back to the house so that the arrangements for the wedding may be made.’

* * *

‘You make a beautiful bride, my love,’ Lady Fildene said as she gave Maribel a blue lace ribbon for her posy. Maribel was dressed in a gown of pale grey with trimmings of silver, a lace veil over her hair caught with jewelled combs in the Spanish way. ‘I wish you every happiness, Maribel. Perhaps you will visit us sometimes?’

Maribel kissed her cheek. ‘If I cannot visit I will certainly write to you, dearest Aunt. You have been kindness itself and I wish that I had known you years ago.’

‘It has given us great happiness to have you here for this time.’ Lady Fildene pressed a gift into her hands. ‘This locket will remind you of your mother—it has her likeness inside. It was painted when she was very young and your uncle treasured it, but he says that it should be yours.’

Maribel opened it and saw a young girl who looked much as she did when a year or so younger. ‘I shall treasure it always, Aunt—but are you sure my uncle can bear to part with it?’

‘I believe he has other keepsakes. He wishes you to have this, Maribel.’

‘I must thank him.’ She fastened the locket about her neck with a ribbon. ‘But he will be waiting downstairs, for it must be time to leave.’

‘Yes, we must not keep the gentlemen waiting. Sir Justin will be anxious to see you, Maribel.’

‘He loves me. I am so lucky, Aunt. There was a time when I believed my destiny would bring me little happiness, but now I know that I am the most fortunate of women.’

‘Yes, my dear, I believe you are.’ Lady Fildene smiled at her. ‘Sir Justin will take good care of you, I have no doubt.’

‘I am certain it is uppermost in his mind.’ Maribel picked up her posy of pink roses. ‘I am ready.’

Seeing her uncle waiting for her, she went up to him. He smiled and kissed her on the cheek, then took her hand.

‘I believe you have found yourself a true man, Niece. He is the proper custodian for your person and your wealth.’

‘I know that Justin has no desire to benefit from anything that was mine before I wed him. If my father is truly dead, he will sell my property in Spain and put it to good use elsewhere. I have friends I would like to help—and there are people who recently lost much of what they own. Justin will use some of my money to help them. We have talked of what I wish and he has agreed to do what I ask.’

‘It is rare that a man is so uninterested in the marriage portion, but in this case you are right. Sir Justin is heir to a large fortune and has no need of anything you might have owned.’

‘I am very fortunate in my husband-to-be.’

‘Then I shall write to Spain and confirm what we have been told.’ Her uncle smiled at her. ‘The groom is waiting. Go to him with an easy heart, Maribel. You will no longer be the target for greedy men who want your fortune.’

‘Thank you.’ She smiled, kissed him again and went to meet her soon-to-be husband.

* * *

‘As soon as the wedding is over, you will go aboard the ship at Dover and wait for my instructions, ’ Justin told Higgins as they stood outside the church for a few moments. ‘You need not fear reprisals for yourself or the crew.’

‘I have told you that we have a mind to sail for the New World, sir.’

‘Aye. I am still thinking of your proposals and will send word once I have spoken with my mother.’

‘You have not made up your mind about becoming a privateer? The letters of marque from the Queen would grant us safe passage.’

‘I am not certain of my plans yet, but you shall know—as soon as I have spoken to my mother and my wife.’ Justin heard the sound of approaching carriages. ‘As soon as you can, take Anna and go to the ship. Tell the men that they are free to leave or stay, but I would ask one more service of them.’

Higgins looked at him in silence for a moment, then inclined his head. ‘We all of us owe you that, Cap’n. My plans can wait for a while.’

‘Thank you,’ Justin said and smiled. ‘And now if you will excuse me, I have an appointment to keep inside the church.’

* * *

Maribel saw Justin standing before the altar waiting for her. He turned his head to look at her and the expression in his eyes made her heart leap. She walked towards him proudly, feelings of joy and anticipation surging through her. She had been his willing captive, but now she would be his wife! They would live together for the rest of their lives!

Maribel glanced about her as they left the church. Bells were pealing and the villagers had gathered to throw rose petals, but she noticed several heavily armed men amongst the crowd.

‘Who are those men?’ she whispered to Justin.

‘Just some men I have engaged to serve us, my love. Nothing for you to worry about.’

Maribel noticed a nerve flicking in his throat and the way his eyes scanned the faces of the villagers and a shiver went down her spine. She knew without being told that he and her uncle had been prepared in case another attempt should be made on her life outside the church. Yet surely Captain Hynes must know that he had lost, for he could not hope to benefit once she was married.

However, she was determined that she would not allow the worrying thought to spoil her wedding day.
She raised her head, smiling at her husband as he led her towards their carriage. Her uncle was giving a reception for them and they would stay under his roof for this one night. In the morning they would travel to the home of Justin’s parents.

Maribel was eager to meet his family and yet she sensed that something was not right…that something more than the threat of another attack was playing on Justin’s mind.

* * *

‘I thought that we should never be alone.’ Justin said, a rueful look on his face as he gazed down at her. ‘Your uncle has too many friends, my love. I wished to be alone with you before this, because we have a long journey before us on the morrow.’

Maribel reached up to kiss him on the lips, her eyes questioning. ‘Something troubles you, my love. Something more than Samuel Hynes, I think—will you not tell me what plays on your mind?’

‘I said nothing to your uncle, Maribel.’ Justin’s expression was serious. ‘My mother forgave me, as mothers will, without asking my story—but my father feels that I have shamed him. He walked from the room when I told him where I had been and I fear he will not wish to receive us.’

‘Justin…’ Maribel’s heart caught because she knew how much the breach with his father must pain him. ‘I am sorry. Surely he will find it in his heart to forgive what you did now that the Queen has given you a royal pardon?’

‘My father is a proud man. I think perhaps too proud for his own good. It was he who told me I must leave England rather than shame the family when I was unjustly accused of being a traitor. I am not sure that he will forgive or acknowledge me.’

‘I see that it hurts you,’ Maribel touched his face with her fingertips. ‘What will you do if he refuses to see us?’

‘My mother may wish to say farewell to us. After that we shall leave.’

‘Where shall we go? I thought you hoped to buy an estate close by your father’s?’

‘If I did that, my mother would visit us and that might cause an estrangement between them. I could not be responsible for that—so I think we shall leave England.’ Justin’s gaze was intent as it searched her face. ‘Would you mind if we did not live in England?’

‘I shall be happy wherever we live. I want only to be with you, Justin.’ She held his hand to her cheek and then kissed the palm. ‘For your sake I pray that your father can find it in his heart to receive you, but if he cannot we shall leave England and make our home elsewhere. ’

‘I thought Italy or France. It would be warmer for you as you have been used to the climate of Spain.’

‘Perhaps,’ Maribel said, ‘but I have been thinking. There is somewhere else we might go.’

‘Where? Tell me and—’

Maribel put her fingers to his lips. ‘This is our wedding night, Justin. Make love to me. You have not
loved me since that last time on the ship and I was but half-alive without you. I long for you to make me whole again. I missed you so when you were away.’

‘My beloved…’ Justin moaned softly as he buried his lips against her soft white throat. ‘You are right. These things can wait. I burn for you. I love and want you so much.’

He bent down and swept her off her feet, carrying her to their bed. Removing the delicate lace nightgown, he gazed down at her body and then bent to kiss her. Maribel gasped as his tongue stroked and caressed the rosy peaks of her breasts, making her arch towards him, inviting him to take her to the heights of pleasure once more.

‘I want you so much.’

‘I adore you, my darling.’

‘Oh, Justin.’

Maribel clung to him as she felt the burn of his flesh, opening to his thrusting manhood and giving a scream of pleasure as he entered her. She had longed for this, for the touch and taste of him, and it was all that she had remembered and more. Their bodies moved together in perfect harmony, reaching a swift and exquisite climax.

She lay gazing up at him, eyes soft and dark with desire. Justin stroked her side, her thigh, her cheek, as they looked into each other’s eyes. She sighed and melted with love, her hands seeking the smooth hardness of his back. Her hands caressed him, smoothing over his shoulders and down his back. He bent his
head, his tongue seeking out the secret places of her flesh, his touch making her arch and whimper with need until they came together in a slow, sensual loving that ended in a blaze of overwhelming sensation that left both satiated, at peace and soon to sleep.

* * *

In the night Maribel woke and turned to Justin. She was sure she had heard him cry out and she leaned over to see what ailed him. As she did so, he woke and looked at her.

‘You are here,’ he said and reached out to take her in his arms. ‘I dreamed that I had lost you…but it was foolish, for you are not as she was, my darling.’

‘What do you mean?’ Maribel reached out to touch his cheek with her fingertips. ‘Not as who was—do you mean the woman you once loved?’

‘Yes. Loved, but learned to hate,’ he told her. ‘She was to have been my wife, but then she died—and before she died she told me that she loved another. He was poor and her family wanted her to marry for wealth and so she took me, but she loved him.’

‘Oh, Justin…’ Maribel’s heart caught with love, understanding how he must have suffered. ‘That is why you read that poem so often…’ She bent over him to kiss him on the mouth. ‘I shall never betray you. No other man could make my heart race as you do. I love you and you alone.’

‘I know.’ Justin smiled, pulling her closer and rolling her beneath him in the bed. ‘Yet the dream was real and hurt me, for I could not bear to lose you, my only love.’

‘You will not lose me until death us do part,’ she promised and gave herself up to his kiss.

* * *

It was nearly dusk the next day when they reached Justin’s home. He came to help her dismount, holding her in his arms and looking down into her lovely face for a moment while the men about them took the horses away to feed and stable them.

‘I pray that your father will receive you,’ she whispered. ‘But if he does not, remember that together we are strong enough to face anything.’

‘Yes, I know.’

Justin took her hand and they went into the front hall. A woman gave a cry of pleasure and came hurrying to meet them, her gentle face wreathed in smiles. Maribel looked at her. She guessed that this must be Lady Devere, but Justin’s looks did not much favour her. He must get his size and colouring from the father…who was nowhere to be seen.