by Anne Herries
Pike was the lowest creature to crawl on this earth. Justin understood that he had made an enemy of the man. He had not provoked the quarrel, but it had happened and he would have to take great care while the pirate remained in port.
He grimaced and put the incident from his mind. They would split the profits from their successful hunting trip once he had sold what he could for gold. Justin already knew what he meant to purchase with some of his share. He was smiling as he went inside the tavern to meet the man with whom he had arranged to do business. There was something he had it in mind to purchase…
* * *
Maribel had finished unpacking her trunk. Anna had offered to do it for her, but under Peg’s sceptical eye she had refused, asking only that Anna would show her how to wash her undergarments and how to take the creases from her silk petticoats.
‘’Tis not fitting that you should do such work,’ Anna scolded. ‘Some of the linens will need to be held over a steaming pot and then spread flat with a heated smoothing iron. I am not sure that such a thing is to be found on this island, my lady. Leave your linens to me and I shall see what I can do.’
‘I must learn to do these things for myself, Anna. Peg told me that there are no servants here.’
‘She may say what she pleases.’ Anna’s eyes glinted. ‘I know my duty to you, my lady, though it is so hot here that you may care to do as other women do and leave off some of your petticoats.’
‘Leave off my petticoats?’ Maribel was shocked. It was true that she was feeling the excessive heat, sweat trickling down her back and legs beneath the heavy layers she wore. She had already left off her heavy padded panniers, but she could not dispense with her petticoats! ‘No respectable lady would appear in public without her petticoats.’
‘You are not in Spain nor yet England,’ Anna reminded her. ‘I took off my petticoats days ago. Higgins advised me to go without them for comfort and I have felt much better for it.’
‘But you—’ Maribel stopped, ashamed that she had almost said the word servant. Anna had been a good friend to her, supporting her through the ordeal they had both suffered. She looked down at the stiff skirts that felt so wrong for her present situation. ‘You are right, Anna. I have been very uncomfortable. Perhaps I should leave off two of the heavier ones and just wear a thin shift and one silk petticoat.’
‘I am sure you will feel more comfortable, Donna Sanchez.’
‘You should call me Maribel. It is best not to use my titles here, Anna.’
Anna looked dubious. ‘I am not sure I could do that, my…señorita.’
‘Yes, call me señorita if you will not use my name.’ Maribel sighed with relief as she shed some of her layers of petticoats, then, feeling how much better it was, she took off the last of them and stood in just a simple shift and the gown she had chosen. ‘This is my simplest gown, but still it is too costly for life here. Do you think you could purchase something simpler for me to wear, Anna? I am not permitted to visit the waterfront, but there must be merchants of a sort, I think.’
‘I am certain there are, though they do not have shops to trade from, merely a stall or the window of their house. I shall ask Higgins where suitable clothes can be purchased, D—señorita.’
‘Thank you. I will give you some gold pieces. I do not know how much you will need.’
‘One gold piece should buy you at least two gowns of the kind you require,’ Anna said. ‘Do not give me more, for I might be robbed.’
‘Is it too dangerous for you to visit the merchants?’
‘I shall not go alone. Higgins will take me if I ask him.’
Maribel looked at her thoughtfully. ‘Has he spoken to you—asked you to wed him?’
‘We shall not marry in church, but it is agreed between us that we shall live together once he has built us a house.’
‘And when the ship leaves? Shall you come with me to England?’
‘We’ve talked about that,’ Anna said. ‘I shall look after you on the journey, but once you are in England I shall leave you and return with Higgins to the island. He says that when he retires from the sea, we shall set up a little trading station of our own. More people are beginning to settle here and we can buy from the ships that drop anchor and sell to those who live here.’
Maribel felt a pang of regret. ‘I shall miss you, Anna. You have been a good friend to me.’
‘You were always a fair and generous mistress. In England you will find others to serve you, perhaps better than I ever could.’
‘They will not be better than you, Anna.’
‘Well, it will be some weeks before we must part,’ Anna said. ‘I am to stay with you until Higgins has his house built—and there will be the voyage to England. He says we can buy goods there and bring them back to the island. When you leave to join your family, it will be time enough to say our goodbyes.’
‘Yes…’ Maribel turned away to tidy some of her things. She had set out her own brush, silver combs, perfume flasks, and a small hand mirror on the top of an oak hutch that served her as a dressing chest. Tears stung behind her eyes. She felt very alone. When Anna left her she would have no one in the world that cared for her. Her mother’s relatives would be strangers and she was not even sure they would welcome her to their house. Especially if they knew that she had been living with pirates for some weeks.
* * *
Maribel spread the wet clothes on bushes to dry in the heat of the scorching sun. The steam immediately began to rise and she knew she must be careful not to let them dry too much or the creases would never come out. She had washed a few of her things while Anna was out buying things they needed from the traders on the waterfront. Her back was trickling with sweat and her hair felt sticky on her neck, falling into her eyes despite all the combs she had used to keep it out of the way. Anna had offered to help her, but Maribel felt that she must learn to manage these things for herself, and she had merely brushed her hair back and fastened it with combs.
‘Well, well, what have we here…?’
The man’s voice made her swing round. She stared at the tall man in dismay for he was a fearful sight. His clothes were salt-stained and looked as if he had never washed them, his hair long and greasy beneath the red scarf he wore beneath his hat—and when he grinned at her she saw a row of blackened teeth.
‘Excuse me, sir? Were you looking for someone? I believe Peg is in the house. Your business must be with her.’
‘My business with Peg can wait, sweet doxy. You will suit me for the moment.’
Maribel gasped and stepped back in horror as she read the look in his eyes. ‘No, sir, you mistake things. I am not a whore. You have no business with me.’
‘She thinks herself a fine lady!’ The man laughed, clearly finding it amusing. ‘Well, my lady, when Pike says he has business with you, you would do best to heed him.’
‘Stay away from me!’ Maribel gave a scream of fear as he lunged at her. ‘Keep your distance, sir. I will have none of you!’
‘You’ll do as I bid you and keep your mouth shut…’
Maribel screamed again as he grabbed her arm. ‘Let me go! Take your filthy hands off me, you pig!’
‘I’ll teach you some manners, whore…’
‘I suggest you take your hands off my woman,’ another man’s voice said. ‘Otherwise I shall slit your throat, Pike. The choice is yours.’
Pike swung round, his face shocked as he found himself at the wrong end of a wicked-looking sword. ‘Sylvester…’ he croaked, sweat beading on his brow. ‘I didn’t realise she was your woman.’
‘Well, you do now.’ Justin’s eyes glittered with fury. ‘Lay one finger on her and you are a dead man, Pike. No man touches my woman and lives.’
‘I was just having a bit of fun…’ Pike held his hands up, moving away from Maribel. ‘Why didn’t she say she belonged to you? I wouldn’t have gone near her if I’d known.’
‘She is a lady, unused to the ways of scum like you.’ Justin’s voice was
like the lash of a whip. ‘Stay away from her—and from this house until we leave. Do you hear? If you attempt to touch her again, I’ll kill you.’
‘I hear you. I’m on my way.’
Maribel watched the man slink away. She was trembling and she felt sick, but she managed to hold back the tears.
‘Thank you. I do not know what I should have done had you not come.’
‘In future tell any man who tries anything on with you that you belong to me. They won’t molest my woman.’ Justin’s eyes went over her. The thin gown she was wearing was sticking to her, revealing the intimate contours of her body. Desire flared and he was tempted to crush her to him, his need intensified by the temptation she offered in such flimsy clothing. His voice was harsh as he rasped, ‘I am not surprised he thought you were available in that gown. Where are your petticoats?’
‘I took them off. It was so hot. Anna took hers off and I thought…’ Maribel flushed as she saw the expression in his eyes. ‘I didn’t expect to see anyone.’
Justin was angry, because he wanted to do much the same things as Pike had, and he was disgusted with himself. She had given him her trust and he had no right to feel such hunger just because her air of vulnerability tempted him past bearing. So he deliberately chose words to hurt her.
‘No lady would come out of the house without her petticoats. I am surprised you let a servant tell you what to do, Donna Maribel. I am aware the heat is almost unbearable, but you need to keep a certain standard or you will not be given the respect that is your due. Especially amongst men like Pike.’
‘I…’ A dark flush stained her cheeks. She crossed her arms over her breasts defensively. ‘You are right. It will not occur again. I shall wear petticoats if I come outside.’
‘I shall not always be around to protect you.’ Justin frowned at her. He knew that his words had hurt her and he was already regretting having spoken so harshly. She was not to blame, because he could not control his hunger for her. ‘I know how uncomfortable you must feel, but you need to be careful on this island.’
‘You are right.’ Maribel hung her head. She saw that he was correctly dressed despite the heat and felt untidy and ashamed of her appearance. ‘I was careless. Thank you for helping me.’
‘I do not mean to be heartless, Madonna. I know this kind of heat can be suffocating. I speak only for your own good.’
‘Thank you. You will not need to reprimand me again, sir.’
‘Is Peg treating you well? You are comfortable here?’
‘Yes, thank you. She has been kind.’
‘My own house is almost ready. I am having it furnished. I had thought you safe here, but perhaps you should move in with me.’
Maribel was shocked, her heart hammering against her ribcage as she stared at him. What could he mean? He had told her he would not marry—was he now suggesting that she should be his mistress? A part of her longed to say yes, but a tiny part of her mind still retained its sanity.
‘Captain Sylvester! You may have told that vile man that I am your woman to protect me, but it is not so. I cannot live under your roof, sir.’
‘I shall provide a chaperon. Anna will live with us and there will be a woman to keep the place tidy.’
‘Peg said there were no servants here.’
‘I pay well for service and find willing hands. I think Peg was trying to put you in your place, my lady. There are always those willing to work for good wages—but I treat them decently. They are not servants, as you have known them in your father’s house. I pay for their service, but I treat them as equals.’
‘Then they are not at all like the servants in my father’s house. My father’s servants feared him. I do not think anyone would fear to work for a man like you.’
An odd smile touched his mouth. ‘Thank you, Maribel. I believe you just paid me a compliment. As to the matter of the house, I have arranged for the furniture to be moved in today. I came to bring you a gift, but now I am asking if you will live under my roof—as my guest, no more and no less.’
‘Everyone will think I am your woman…’
‘And they will leave you alone as a consequence. You will be able to move freely on the island. If you stay here, other men may have the same notion as Pike. It is the only way I can be certain you will be safe.’
Maribel shuddered. ‘I should never have come to this terrible place. I do not belong here. I see resentment in the eyes of those I meet. They hate me because of who I was.’
A nerve flicked in his throat. ‘It is my fault that you are here, lady. I have put my mark on you for your protection—it is all I could do to protect you. However, when we leave here you will be as you are now. I shall not abuse the situation. I have apologised, but I cannot change what is done. You must accept it and wait patiently until I can take you to your family.’
Maribel hesitated, then inclined her head. ‘Yes, I shall trust you to keep your word, sir. Thank you. I shall be happy to live under your protection.’
Justin smiled and moved closer. ‘I will make your stay here as pleasant as I can, Madonna. I wish that it had been possible to take you to your family immediately. I was wrong to bring you here, but I thought it best.’ A wry smile touched his mouth. ‘Your family will never know anything of your stay here. I promise you that when I take you to them they will accept my story that I have merely been your escort.’ He arched one eyebrow. ‘You suspected that I was once a gentleman. I know how to play the part and will not let you down, Maribel.’
The way he said her name then made Maribel’s insides curl with a feeling she knew was desire. His mouth was curving in a mocking smile. She longed to be in his arms and to feel that mouth take possession of hers, as it had once before. It was all she could do to stop herself swaying towards him. She wanted to give herself to him, to tell him that she would be his woman in truth, but pride held her back.
The expression in his eyes told her that he desired her but she knew that he did not love her. He had made it clear that a man such as he had no time for softness or love. Maribel was certain that to give herself to this man would mean loving him—the kind of love that would become a consuming flame. If she gave him her heart, he would crush it beneath his boots.
‘You speak my name,’ she said. ‘But I know you only as Captain Sylvester. I do not think it is your true name.’
‘I may not give you my family name—it would shame them.’ His eyes were flinty, distant. ‘They do not know that I have become a pirate and it would hurt them. However, my Christian name is Justin…’
‘Justin…’ she breathed. ‘Justin…’ A smile touched her mouth. ‘Yes, I like it very well. It suits you, sir—for you are a just man.’
‘Am I?’ He moved in closer, gazing down at her. ‘I retain some honour, Maribel, but a man may only be tempted so far. Be careful how far you tempt me—and wear your petticoats or I may not be responsible for my action.’
‘Justin…’ Her stomach clenched as his hot eyes scorched her. ‘Forgive me. I did not mean to tempt you or any man. My gowns were so hot…but I shall be more sensible in future.’
‘Be careful when out walking,’ he said. ‘I have purchased some lighter gowns for you with fine petticoats that will not be so heavy. I should have sent them immediately, but I was caught up with other things. I shall have them taken to my house. They will await you in your room—and now I shall take my leave of you before I lose all sense of honour.’
He turned and walked away from her. Maribel watched. She longed with all her heart to call him back, but her pride held. He spoke of honour and yet he mocked her. If he cared for her, he would surely have asked her to be his wife, but he did not want a wife—only a mistress.
She knew that she had only to say the word and she could become his woman in truth, for she had seen desire in his eyes and felt an answering need in herself. Yet if she were so lost to all pride and sense of what was fitting that she gave herself to him it could only bring unhappiness in the end.
A little voice in her head told her that it would be worth the risk to know the sweetness of lying with him, of being safe in his arms—but he did not love her. He had told her that he had once loved a woman and would not give his heart again. She could be his mistress if she chose, but not his wife.
Chapter Five
‘Why didn’t you tell me that you were Sylvester’s woman?’ Peg said when Maribel mentioned that he was sending someone to take her to his house and to fetch her trunk later that day. ‘You would not have needed to help with the chores if I’d known you were special to him.’
‘I did not mind helping,’ Maribel said and blushed. ‘It is good to understand what other people have to do.’
‘Show me your hands.’ Maribel held them out and Peg frowned as she saw the red marks on the palms. ‘You should have told me that you had never done hard work. I should not have asked you to carry water from the well if I had known. I’ll give you some salve for your hands.’ Her eyes narrowed. ‘It’s the first time I’ve known Sylvester to take a woman under his protection. You must have made an impression on him! There will be some jealous females once‘ tis known you’ve done what none other could.’ Peg grinned suddenly. ‘What is he like as a lover? I’ve thought many a time I would be happy to lie with such a man!’ She threw back her head and laughed as Maribel flushed. ‘I thought not! You have not lain in his bed, have you? He is protecting you from scum like Pike.’
‘Why do you say that?’ Maribel looked at her.
‘You are innocent, child. Anyone with sense can see it in your eyes. Besides, I know his heart is in the grave of the woman he loved.’
‘He has told you this?’ Maribel felt as if a knife had entered her breast, because to hear it from Peg seemed to make the woman real instead of the shadowy person Justin had mentioned in passing. ‘He has spoken to you of this woman—you know who she was?’
‘That I cannot reveal without telling his secret,’ Peg said. ‘Before I came here I was a servant in a big house. When I killed the rat that raped me I should have hanged had it not been for Sylvester. He took me from the hellhole I was locked in and set me free. I escaped to sea with a man I cared for. I know that Sylvester’s heart was broken when the woman he was to marry died of a fever a few days before their wedding…and if you tell him that I revealed so much I’ll slit your throat myself!’