The Royal Mile
by Mary Daheim
In the time of Mary, Queen of Scots, a young girl left destitute by her father's death meets a pirate in the service of the Queen. They make a bargain: he will marry her, giving her security, and she will not reveal his profession or curtail his freedom. By the time love begins to blossom, it may be too late. First they must survive the turmoil plaguing the court of their Queen.