In the Tudor Court Collection. Amanda McCabe

ease.

      He had told her that he could not return to England for he might be hanged as a mutineer. Maribel would be willing to sail with him—or settle in another country if he truly cared for her. She was not sure she wished to be a lady again. The life she had found here was a fulfilling one. She enjoyed helping to prepare the food and other small chores that Anna allowed her to do. Perhaps the life of a country gentlewoman would suit her, with a maid to help her. Juanita had delighted in her stillroom and Maribel had found it interesting to help with the preserves and cures they made from herbs.

      To be a fine lady and sit all day at her sewing would not suit her. It was the life she would have had as the wife of Lord Roberts and perhaps in the house of her mother’s kin. Surely there must be another way to live, something more worthwhile?

      Here on the island she would always have to be on her guard, but a simple country life mixing with honest folk would be so much more satisfying than the life of a grand lady.

      Maribel shook her head, smiling at her foolish thoughts. Captain Sylvester might want her, but he would not be prepared to give up his way of life at sea to pander to her foolish whims. His was a precarious trade but it brought him great wealth. The money he must earn from preying on merchant ships would be far more than he could expect from the existence of a simple farmer.

      Her thoughts were nonsense! She must accept what the future had in store for her. She would be restored to her mother’s family and then…her thoughts refused to think further; it seemed like a dark tunnel that she must follow with no turning or reward.

      How much better it would be if she were like Anna, free to give her heart to a pirate and think nothing of it. Anna was prepared to live on the island and mix with the rough seamen that lived and visited here. Maribel did not think that she could settle for such a life, even though she longed to be with Justin.

      She did not even know his true name! Maribel was restless as she lay in her bed that night. Who was he truly? What was his family like and how did they feel about his disappearance? Did they have any idea of what he had become?

      It was very late when she heard him come in. His footsteps paused outside her door and her heart raced as she heard the sound of his hand upon the latch. The door was locked. She had turned the key as a precaution lest Pike should attempt to get into her room while Justin was occupied elsewhere. Now she wished that she had left it unlocked.

      Would Justin have come to her? Would he have woken her, taken her in his arms to love her?

      Her body cried out for him and she longed to feel his arms about her. Had she been less proud she would have left her bed and gone to him, but years of strict upbringing would not allow her to offer herself to a man.

      If he loved her, surely he would speak? Maribel longed for him to give her a sign that he cared even a little for her, but her head told her that she could never expect him to love her.

      It was no good, she could not sleep. The night was too warm and her mind would not let her rest. Getting out of her bed, Maribel pulled a thin wrap over her night-chemise and went through to the living room. It was still stuffy and warm in here so she unlocked the door and went down the little steps leading to the veranda.

      The moon was full, making Maribel feel lonely. She walked a few steps to a position where she could see out over the cliffs to the ocean below. At night it looked dark and mysterious, the water strangely calm, unmoving. She sighed deeply for she longed for something…something she could not name.

      ‘What are you doing out here at night?’

      Startled, Maribel turned to face Justin. He was wearing just his breeches. His feet were bare and he had not put on his shirt. She could see a trickle of sweat running over his bare chest and guessed that he too had been unable to sleep.

      ‘I could not rest. It is so hot and…I was thinking…’

      ‘I often come out at night to think. The air is cooler and things seem simpler.’

      ‘You must have many problems…regrets?’ Maribel looked at him. ‘You told me that you could not return home—do you miss your family?’

      ‘I think of them sometimes. I know my mother must miss me.’

      ‘Do you have brothers or sisters?’

      ‘I had a younger brother, but he died when he was but a child.’

      ‘Then your mother must miss you terribly.’

      ‘Perhaps.’ Justin frowned. ‘Did you have no brothers or sisters?’

      ‘My mother died giving birth to a stillborn child, at least that is what I have been told—but my father never spoke of her. I think they quarrelled.’ She sighed deeply and turned away to look out over the sea.

      ‘Were you sighing because you wished yourself at home?’

      ‘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