wantonly, Father. If the ship surrendered immediately there was no bloodshed, though a few may have been killed, those that refused the truce and tried to resist. Not by my hand, but by others. I have killed only when forced.’
‘But the ships were taken by your order?’
Justin met his gaze. ‘Yes, sir. I was the captain. I gave the orders, which my men obeyed. I sold the prizes we took and distributed the gains between them, and kept my share. I have ordered men flogged and I have killed men in fair fight—but I punished the crew only when I had no choice.’
‘You are by your own admission a pirate?’
‘Yes, Father.’
‘Then you have shamed your family and yourself.’
His father stared at him a moment longer, then turned and walked away, leaving the room.
‘Father…forgive me…’
‘It will take time.’ Lady Devere stood up. She placed a gentle hand on her son’s arm. ‘Do not be hurt or bitter, Justin. Your father is an honest man. This news has shocked and distressed him. He was always so proud of you and now…’
‘I have brought shame on him and myself.’
‘No, Justin.’ Lady Devere’s eyes were soft and moist with tears. ‘You did what you had to do—what seemed right at the time. You were forced to lead the mutiny and then it must have seemed that you had no choice but to become a pirate. I understand, dearest. Your father will learn to think as I do and to forgive you.’
‘You will persuade him, Mother.’ Justin’s face was fiercely proud. ‘You may persuade him to make a show of forgiveness, but in his heart he will never forget what I have done. He will never truly forgive me; he will never be proud to call me son.’
‘He is a proud man, Justin—proud of you and his honour. Give him time to think this through.’
‘I had to tell him, to tell you both. You must feel that I have let you down, Mother. I did have a choice. I could have put the captain and his officers in chains and sailed back to England to take my chances.’
‘Would the crew have accepted your decision?’
‘I am not sure. I did not offer them the choice.’
Lady Devere touched his cheek. ‘You know that they would not have listened if you had. You would have died with the captain and his officers. They owe their lives to you, my son. You have done the right thing now. Your father will understand in time.’
‘I shall leave in the morning, Mother.’
‘Why?’ She looked at him in alarm. ‘Where will you go?’
‘To London to beg an audience with the Queen. If I am to live as I was born to live and hold my head high, I must seek a royal pardon. Only then can I build my house and bring honour to the woman I love.’
‘The woman you love?’ Lady Devere’s eyes widened. ‘You have said nothing of this, Justin. Please tell me about this lady—she is a lady?’
‘A beautiful, innocent, perfect lady. Her father is a Spanish Don. He meant to sell her to a rogue so that he could steal her lands and fortune, but I stole her away from the rogue who would have harmed her. I love Maribel and she loves me.’
‘Maribel, that is a beautiful name,’ his mother said and smiled. ‘You will bring this lady to see me, Justin. Give me your word that you will return once more and bring your bride with you.’
‘Maribel is not yet my wife, for I wished to clear the shadow that hangs over me if possible. She is with her mother’s family and I shall return to claim her as soon as I am able.’
‘Supposing the Queen refuses to see you?’
‘If I am at liberty I shall sail away and never return to England.’
‘And if you are thrown into the Tower?’
‘I must take my chances, Mother. I must pay my respects to Queen Elizabeth. I pray that she will remember me as a loyal supporter at a difficult time. I shall arrange for a gift to be sent to her; if it pleases her, she may grant me a pardon.’
Lady Devere leaned forwards to kiss his cheek. ‘My prayers are with you, my son. I shall speak to your father. It may hurt him to know that you were for a short time a pirate, but I believe he will forgive you.’
‘Thank you.’ Justin smiled. ‘At least I know I have your forgiveness and your love.’
‘Nothing could ever change that,’ she said. ‘You are my son.’
Maribel looked about her excitedly. She had never been to a fair such as this, because her father would not have approved. A large field had been set aside to accommodate all the merchants and pedlars that had made their way here for the festival. All kinds of goods were set out, either on blankets set on the ground or on boards and trestles. There were men of several races displaying their wares; men with dark skins and eyes from the east with perfumes and trinkets made of ivory, silver and horn. Also merchants of France and Italy selling materials so fine and beautiful that Maribel could not resist touching them, letting the silk run through her fingers. Some of the merchants had leather belts and jerkins tooled with gold and vibrant colours, others had slippers and purses of leather or velvet, still more sold cures with strange-sounding names and relics from the saints. One man had a sliver of wood in a silver casket that he swore came from the Cross of Our Lord Himself.
‘Do not buy any of the relics,’ Lady Fildene advised. ‘Rarely are they true relics and thus have no magical properties. Many of the baubles you see are merely glass and cheap metal—but the perfumes are usually good and the material is quality.’
‘I love this green silk and the bronze velvet is beautiful. It would make a wonderful cloak to wear over a cream gown.’
‘Are you thinking of your wedding, Maribel?’
‘I am not certain whether I wish to make my wedding gown just yet. It might be better to wait until Justin returns—’ Maribel broke off as she saw a man looking at her. He was standing some distance away, beyond the stalls, in a part of the field where contests and games of chance were being held. She turned away immediately, her heart thumping. It could not be! She must be mistaken. ‘I think perhaps I should like to go home, Aunt. I have a sudden headache.’
‘My poor child.’ Lady Fildene looked at her with sympathy. ‘You have not bought anything yet. But you must go back and rest. I shall purchase the silk and velvets you have chosen and have them sent to us. Go now, dearest. You look exceeding pale.’
Maribel thanked her in a low voice. She walked slowly from the field so as to avoid looking as if she were in a panic, climbing the steep hill towards her uncle’s house. Her heart was pumping hard as she increased her pace, wanting to be safe, afraid that he had known her and would come after her. Reaching the drawbridge, she glanced back, shading her eyes against the sun that had come out from behind the clouds. She could see the figure of a man some distance away. He was just standing there, staring at her, but making no move to follow.
Perhaps she had been mistaken. Surely it could not have been Samuel Hynes? How could he have been here? Why would he have come to
