by Anne Herries
‘I wish I could have done it all.’ He reached up to trail his fingers over her cheek as she sat beside him. ‘You have dirt on your face and your gown is muddy. You must wash and change it for another.’ He took her hands and looked at them. ‘Rub some ointment into your hands; they will be sore for some days.’
‘Let me tend your shoulder first.’
‘No!’ He caught her hand as she attempted to push his shirt back. ‘I can manage for myself. Wash and rest, Maribel. You should drink a little rum or some wine. You have had a shock.’
‘We buried a man,’ Maribel said. ‘Anna is feeling guilty. It will take time to forget.’
‘I know. It is something you learn to live with. I’ve never been able to accept it, which is why I didn’t just kill Pike at the start—but it might have been better if I had.’
‘Yes, perhaps.’
Maribel turned away. She needed to wash and change. The dress she was wearing would be discarded, because she could never wear it again without remembering.
She had told Anna to forget what had happened, because to dwell on Pike’s death would cast a shadow over their lives. She shuddered, because she knew it was something she might never forget. They had done what was necessary and they must put it behind them and move on.
* * *
Maribel could not sleep. The night was hot and stuffy and in the morning they were to leave the island for ever. In a few short weeks they would be in England and she would be with her mother’s family. She might never see Justin again.
Rising from her bed, she dressed in a thin gown, pushed her feet into light slippers and went through to the main room and then outside. Here it was a little cooler. Maribel knew that she was taking a risk to leave the house, but Pike was dead and she did not think anyone else was likely to come looking for her. Most of the men on the island respected Justin, even if they blamed her for what had happened here.
Was it her fault? She had done nothing wrong and yet it might be because of her that the island had been attacked. She tried to put all the terrible happenings of the past few days from her mind. Soon now she would leave this place and perhaps…
Maribel heard a twig snap behind her, but before she could turn something thick and heavy was thrown over her head. She screamed, but the sound was muffled and the blanket filled her mouth, making her gag on the coarse wool. Fighting and kicking, she felt herself being tossed over someone’s shoulder. She was being carried away. As she realised that she had been kidnapped, panic swept over her.
Justin would think she had run away! He would think she did not care. He would never know that she loved him. She might never see him again; it would break her heart, but she was just another woman to him. He would find someone else and forget her.
It was unbearable beneath the blanket. She found it difficult to breathe and after a while she ceased to struggle because she no longer had the strength to fight. She could only wonder who had captured her and where she was being taken.
After a while, Maribel heard the sound of the sea. She knew that she was in a rowing boat and that she was being taken to a ship. Was it her father’s ship? It was the only explanation that occurred to her, because surely no one else would have come to the island to kidnap her. Her father must have sent someone to steal her back. He had sent Captain Hendry to bring the information they needed so that he knew where to find her and now she was a prisoner.
What was going to happen to her now? Justin was angry with her. He would not rescue her a second time—why should he?
* * *
When Maribel opened her eyes again she found that she was lying on a bunk. Her mouth tasted dry and she knew that at some time after being brought to this cabin she had fainted. As yet she did not know whose ship she was on or who had captured her.
Hearing a key in the lock, she looked fearfully at the door, her heart pounding. It opened slowly and she saw a man standing in the opening looking at her. When she saw the man’s face she shrank back, feeling frightened, but determined not to show it.
‘Why have you brought me here?’ she demanded. ‘Are you taking me to my father?’
‘Your father has no more use for you, Donna Sanchez. He has given you to me in return for a contract for his wines—and favours rendered.’ An unpleasant smile touched his mouth.
‘What do you mean he has given me to you? I was to marry your cousin.’
Samuel Hynes looked at her triumphantly. ‘Sadly, news reached us that my cousin is dead. All that he once owned is mine—and that includes you. I knew that he might not live to see his wedding day. Why else do you imagine I agreed to fetch you? I wanted to make sure I had you fast before the news of his death reached your father.’
‘I shall never marry you. Never! I would rather die.’
‘You speak wildly, Madonna.’ His mouth hardened. ‘Have I said that I wished to wed you? I might simply use you for my pleasure.’
‘I shall fight you. You may force me, but you will never truly have me.’
‘I think you will learn to obey me in time,’ Hynes said. ‘You are too proud. I shall enjoy teaching you your manners, Maribel. However, it will suit me better to have you as a wife. Your father thinks to cheat us both of your fortune, but he has met his match in me. I shall have you and then I shall claim what belongs to me.’
Maribel stared at him, feeling sick and miserable. ‘I wish that Pablo had never left me his fortune,’ she said. ‘It seems that no one cares what I want. No one cares for me. You all want my husband’s estates.’
‘Beautiful women are easy to find,’ Hynes told her with a sneer. ‘However, a beautiful rich woman is another matter. I shall leave you to rest and think carefully, Maribel. We could be married almost immediately on board ship and I should treat you fairly—but defy me and you will learn to regret it at your leisure.’
Maribel lay back against the pillows as he left her. Her head was aching and her heart felt as if it had been torn apart. Tears trickled down her cheeks. She had not known how fortunate she was when Justin took her captive. She had called him a pirate and accused him of being a rogue, but he was a true gentleman—and she loved him. The time spent at the island had taught her many lessons and she knew that she had been offered something true and special.
The tears fell faster as she realised that she would probably never see him again. She was now at the mercy of a ruthless devil; if she lived, her life would be unbearable.
* * *
‘Do you know where Maribel is?’ Justin demanded of Anna when he realised that she had gone that morning. ‘Has she taken anything with her?’
‘Only the gown she meant to wear today.’ Anna looked at him tearfully. ‘Surely she would not run away? She had nowhere to go.’
‘She must be somewhere.’
Justin strode into Maribel’s room, looking for evidence that she had taken something with her. Her combs and perfume bottles were still there, as were her jewels. He whirled round as he heard a step behind him.
‘Maribel…’ Seeing Higgins, he frowned. ‘What is it? Have you found her?’
‘I have found signs of a struggle. What looks like the marks of several pairs of boots in the dust outside the house—and I have heard that a strange ship was seen at anchor outside the reef.’
‘You think someone snatched her last night?’
‘I’ve never trusted Hendry,’ Higgins said sourly. ‘Did you not wonder why Sabatini let him return? Or why he bothered to come back at all? He already had the ship. Why should he have come back to the island merely to bring you another message?’
‘You believe Hendry brought Sabatini’s ships here in return for his freedom? That the intention was to snatch Maribel all the time?’ Justin frowned. ‘There was a map that showed the way to some silver mines…I destroyed it because a man like that should not be allowed to have such power. He is evil.’
‘You destroyed a map showing the location of silver mines?’ Higgins looked at him intently. ‘Those mines are worth a
king’s ransom.’
‘I considered trying to find the mine, but decided it was cursed.’
‘Sabatini must think you still have the map. Do you think that is why he has snatched her?’
‘If it is, then I am at fault,’ Justin said. ‘I do not know where they are taking her—but we must try to find them. I shall go to her father. He may hate me and he may take my life, but, it is the risk I must take.’
‘Do you think that is wise?’
‘I do not care whether or not it is wise,’ Justin replied. ‘I shall not ask anyone else to risk their life for me. You will drop me on shore and then go back to sea. I will meet you on the beach at midnight. If I am not there, come again the next night, but after that you must go and leave me to my fate.’
‘Let me go in your stead?’
‘No. You have been a good friend to me, but if I do not come the second night leave me and seek your own fortune.’
* * *
‘Will you not take the air on deck, Madonna?’ Samuel Hynes looked at her, his eyes narrowed. ‘We are forced to put into port for repairs to the mainmast and it may be some weeks before we reach England.’
Maribel sighed. It was hot in the cabin and since the third night after leaving the island, when a storm had badly damaged their mainmast, they had been forced to drift aimlessly. Now that the ship had at last managed to limp to the nearest port, which was Gibraltar, the carpenters could make repairs while the stores were replenished. Under Moorish domination for many years, Gibraltar had briefly achieved independent status until the beginning of the century, when it was taken under Spanish rule. Although in no hurry to reach England, Maribel did not wish to spend more time than need be on board ship with this man. The looks he gave her made her skin creep and the thought of being his wife filled her with revulsion. Perhaps if she reached England she might find a way to escape him.
‘You do not answer.’ His face clouded with anger. ‘Your father warned me of your pride and stubbornness, lady.’ He moved closer, menacing, angry. ‘He told me you are mine, and I would have you as my wife, but I have a mind not to wait. You are here and there is nothing to stop me taking my pleasure of you.’
‘If you touch me, I shall kill myself.’
‘Damn you!’ He struck her once across the face and she fell backwards against a table, hurting her back, but she gave no sign of her pain. Lifting her head, she looked at him defiantly.
‘If you force me, I shall never reach England alive.’
Samuel looked at her and hesitated. He wanted the girl, had wanted her since the first time he saw her. But he wanted the money as much or more. His cousin’s estate was heavily encumbered, leaving him little but an empty house. He needed a fortune to restore it to the great house it had once been, and this girl was his means of achieving his aim. Her threat to take her own life had given him pause for thought. If he forced her to yield, she might find a way to kill herself and he would lose the rich prize that could be his for the taking.
He must be patient and wait a little longer. A shipboard marriage might be contested. It would be better to wait until they were in England and he could be certain of her. Once the repairs were made, the ship would get under way once more and he could be sure that that damned pirate was not lurking somewhere in these waters!
Chapter Eight
Justin was in his cabin, lying on his bed, when Higgins knocked at the door and then entered. He rubbed at his shoulder, which was still sore, looking at his friend with raised brows; it was less than an hour since he had left the bridge to take a muchneeded rest.
‘Is something wrong?’
‘Look-out has just spotted a ship not far ahead of us. It is the Mistress Susanna—Samuel Hynes’s ship. Shall we go after it or let it be?’
‘The Mistress Susanna was one of the ships that attacked the island. We cannot let this chance for retribution pass.’ Justin frowned. ‘My meeting with Sabatini will keep another day for if she is not there…’
His words died away unspoken, because he would not let himself think of what might happen to Maribel if she was not at her father’s house. Samuel Hynes was no better than his cousin had been and would treat her badly.
He would find her even if he had to follow her to England!
‘We shall take the ship. We need to replace the Siren Eater and the men must be itching for a fight. It might be better if Hynes resists.’
‘After what happened on the island you will need to crack the whip, Cap’n, for the men’s blood is up. And you cannot blame them.’
‘We will have no brutality, no wanton killing. Tell the men to chase and attack Hynes’s ship, but when we board her any man caught using unnecessary violence will answer to me.’
* * *
Maribel turned as her cabin door opened. They had left Gibraltar that morning and were once more under sail. She was expecting the cabin boy with food and water. He was a Spanish lad named Pedro. He had helped her after she was hurt by Captain Hynes and treated her with respect, but instead of the friendly boy, she saw the man she both feared and hated. Her heart sank; he had a purposeful gleam in his eyes and she knew why he had come.
‘Stay away from me!’ she warned, brandishing her dagger. ‘Come near me and I shall slash my wrists. I would rather die than be your whore.’
‘I thought I had taught you a lesson?’ Samuel moved nearer, watching her warily. ‘If you take your own life, you will burn in hell—is that not your belief?’
‘I do not care!’
‘Oh, but I think you do.’ He took another step closer. Maribel held out her left arm, placing the blade against her white skin. Samuel halted. ‘Do it, then,’ he challenged. ‘Kill yourself.’
‘Do not think I should hesitate…’ She touched the knife to her breast as he moved towards her, then a booming sound from above made him halt. He looked round as the cabin door was flung back and the cabin boy entered.
‘We are being attacked,’ he said, looking frightened. ‘I was sent to fetch you.’
‘Curses! Out of my way, imbecile,’ Samuel growled and pushed past the lad, who looked at Maribel with scared eyes.
‘Is it pirates?’ Maribel asked, her heart thumping. She had prayed that Justin would come after her, but had not believed it would happen ‘Did you see the name of the ship?’
‘I could not see, but the look-out said it was named the Defiance. I was told that we were forced to surrender to these pirates before. The men are nervous and talking of surrender; they fear what may happen if they resist after what was done at the island.’
Maribel’s heart raced as the lad went away. She felt the shudder as the two ships came together and heard the shouting and noise on deck as the pirates boarded. However, she could not hear sounds of fighting and she realised that the crew must have surrendered immediately, hoping that they would be allowed to go free, as they had been once before. She did not know if there was a cargo on board—she had remained in her cabin while they were in port and had no idea what had been loaded in the holds.
She sat on the edge of her bed and waited, and after a little while Pedro came to her. He grinned at her and she realised that he was no longer frightened.
‘Is all well?’ she asked.
‘I was asked if a lady was on board and told to fetch you. The pirates have given quarter to all who surrender and will sail with them; the captain and those who refuse are to be put into a boat with food and water for six days and set adrift. If they return to Gibraltar, they will make land soon enough.’
‘So the ship is not to be returned to its master?’
‘Not this time. It has been taken as a prize and all those who sail with Captain Sylvester will receive their share.’
Maribel nodded. The crew set adrift in a longboat should make shore within the day, for they were not many hours out of Gibraltar. She followed the cabin boy on deck and discovered that some trunks were being taken aboard the Defiance, though it seemed there was no cargo, which was perhaps why the
ship was being kept as their prize. She could see no sign of Justin or Captain Hynes, but Higgins was directing the transfer of trunks and men. He smiled as he saw her and came towards her.
‘We were on our way to look for you at Don Sabatini’s house, lady. It was touch and go whether we attacked the ship. I think Providence must have been watching over us.’
‘Yes, I believe you are right.’ Maribel felt her eyes sting with tears. ‘Thank you for rescuing me once more. I am truly grateful—and I am sorry if I have caused you more trouble.’
‘The captain will be glad to get you back,’ Higgins told her with a gentle smile. ‘Just don’t expect him to admit it. He thought you might have run away.’
‘With Captain Hynes?’ Maribel shuddered. ‘I would rather die than live as that man’s whore!’
‘Go below to your own cabin, lady. Anna is waiting for you. She has been worried sick.’
* * *
‘Welcome back, lady,’ Anna said as Maribel went to her cabin. ‘I was worried about you. Captain Sylvester was so angry. He thought that you had run away, until Higgins told him you had been kidnapped. I told him you would not run away, but he would not listen to me.’
‘It was so hot in my room and I was restless. I could not sleep and I went outside to get some air. Someone—I think there was more than one—crept up behind me and threw a blanket over me. I struggled and tried to escape, but they were too strong for me.’
‘Have you been harmed?’ Anna looked at her oddly. ‘You were taken captive some days ago…’
‘If you are asking if I was raped, the answer is that Hynes had it in mind to force me, but I defended myself with the knife Peg gave me. I have a bruise on my back where he hit me and I fell.’
‘Let me see. Take off that gown. You will need to wash and change into fresh clothes. I shall—’ She broke off, giving a cry of distress as she saw the bruise on Maribel’s back. ‘Oh, my lady, that looks so sore. That brute deserves to hang for what he has done to you! If Captain Sylvester knew…’