will always be a haven for pirates,’ Maribel said and then realised that her words sounded harsh—harsher than she intended.
‘Yes, I dare say it will—until someone decides to blow us all from the face of the earth.’ Justin’s face was expressionless, his thoughts hidden. ‘Yet not all the men and women here are scum. Some like Peg were forced to the life by the unjust laws that would have hung her for defending herself against an evil man. Would you condemn her too? Your own father has done many evil things. He is wealthy, but more to blame than some here for they never had a choice.’
Maribel’s eyes fell before his anger. ‘Yes, I know. I did not mean to insult Peg—or you. I understand that something terrible must have driven you to this life. I suspect that you were once a gentleman.…’
‘You suspect that I was once a gentleman…’ A gleam of humour showed in his face for a moment, then it faded. He made her a mocking bow. ‘Thank you, my lady. What makes a gentleman in your eyes—fine clothes and wealth or a large house?’
‘No, of course I did not mean…’ Maribel’s cheeks were on fire. ‘I beg you will not mock me, sir. I did not intend to insult you. I believe you would not describe your present position as that of a gentleman?’
‘Oh, no, believe me, I should not,’ Justin said, his mouth grim. ‘I am well aware that I forfeited all right to call myself by that title long ago. Yet still I have some honour. My word is my bond and you may rely on it.’
‘I know and I do trust your word.’ She lay a hand on his arm, feeling the hardness and strength of muscle and bone through the thin shirt he wore. He was a powerful man, and could, if he wished, break her with his hands. Yet she sensed that somewhere deep inside there was a different man, a man who knew how to be gentle and generous. It was that man she longed to see, that man she caught glimpses of now and then. ‘Forgive me if I have offended you, sir. It was an idle question and not my business.’
‘No, it was not your business—yet I shall tell you. I led a mutiny against a man of such brutality that he drove his crew beyond all limits. After that, there was nothing for us but to make a living from piracy. For myself, I intend to pursue the career only until I can make a new life elsewhere.’
‘Shall you return to England and your home one day?’
‘I think not.’ Justin’s eyes were shadowed, giving no indication of his feelings. ‘Enough questions, lady.’ Tis time to go ashore. Higgins will look after you and Anna. He will find transport and take you to Peg’s, where you will stay until I come. Under no circumstances are you to venture on to the waterfront unless I am with you. Do I make myself clear?’
‘Yes, sir.’ Maribel was silenced. Why did he think it necessary to give her orders? Was he punishing her for what she had said? It was not necessary, she was not a child nor would she dream of straying to the port alone. ‘I shall obey you, for I have no wish to mix with pirates or their whores!’
Justin gave her a searing look. ‘Have a care, lady! Such language will earn you no friends on shore. Pride is all very well, but for the moment you are a guest in company that you may despise but should fear. I can command my own crew, but there are men on shore who would rape and hurt you if they found you wandering alone. You have been warned, so take care! I cannot always be there to protect you.’
‘Then why have you brought me to such a place?’ Maribel demanded, provoked by his attitude into retaliation.
Justin looked at her, seeing the pride but underneath the vulnerability. She was trying to hold on to her dignity but she was out of her depth and afraid of things she did not understand. She might no longer have her hair dressed in ringlets and she had left off her heavy panniers, but the pride of a high-born Spanish lady remained. ‘You are asking a question I have asked myself a thousand times on the journey, lady. I should have sent most of the crew here and taken the Defiance to England—you are a burden we could do without and the sooner we are rid of you the better!’
Maribel felt the cut of his words like the lash of a whip. He was angry with her and it was her own fault. Captain Sylvester had proved himself a man of his word and yet she had done nothing but provoke him—and she did not know why.
Tears stung behind her eyes as she was assisted into the boat taking her and Anna ashore. What a fool she was to quarrel with the only man who could help her. She knew that he had been forced to keep his promise to his crew and sail them here. She was stupid to make so much fuss about being brought to this place. Captain Sylvester had done his best for her and she must endure whatever discomfort there was until he took her to England. She could only hope that she had not pushed him too far, for she shuddered to think what life would be like for her here if he abandoned her.
‘So Sylvester sent you to me, did he?’ Peg stood with her hands on her hips and looked Maribel over. ‘Yer a lady, ain’t yer? What are yer doin’ in a place like this?’
‘It is a long story. Captain Sylvester has agreed to take me to my family in England when we leave here.’
‘Well, if he gave yer his word he will.’ Peg laughed. She was a buxom woman, but still attractive though past her best years. ‘He is a good man. I owe me life to him, but that is another story—and one yer won’t hear from me. Yer can stay here if yer like. It may not be ter yer ladyship’s liking, but it is sanctuary on this island. All the scum of the earth frequents that waterfront, believe me. There are a few honest men forced to the trade what retain a sense of fair play, but most would slit yer throat for a handful of silver.’
Maribel shivered. ‘I have heard that the waterfront can be a terrible place.’
‘Aye, it is that and more—but the brethren live by a code and most won’t break it. They know what will happen if they do—either a trial and a hanging or cast off on one of the tiny deserted islands in these seas. We’ve trees, water and food enough here, but some of the islands are little more than bare rock. There’s many a sailor been left to die on an island without a drop of water save the sea. It drives’ em mad in the end. Given the choice, most would rather hang than die that way.’
‘I suppose it is a kind of justice?’
‘’Tis the only law we have. If there were none there would be no living at all—and ’tis as fair as many of the laws in England, and Spain, I dare say. I wouldn’t like to be a prisoner of the Inquisition.’
‘No, nor should I,’ Maribel agreed and smiled. She had begun to like Peg even though the woman was coarse spoken and had killed a man in self-defence. ‘Shall I be a trouble to you?’
‘Lord’ ave mercy!’ Peg shouted with laughter. ‘Not the least, though yer’ll have to give a’ and now and then. Share the chores we all do, for there are no servants here. Yer woman is free to come and go as she pleases. If it suits her to help yer she may, but she can’t be forced to it. We are all equal here—though some of them think they can lord it over the rest of us…’ Peg scowled. ‘I don’t mean you, dearie. That black-hearted scum Captain Pike is in port. He is a murdering devil and would split a man in two as soon as spit. My advice is to stay out of his way. If he sees your pretty face, he’ll want yer. You may be under the protection of Captain Sylvester, but Pike is no respecter of property. If he wants yer, he’ll come for yer and take the consequences after. He has fought and won more duels than any other man I know.’
Maribel felt sick. She shivered despite the heat of the day. It had been bad enough knowing she must marry against her will to an evil man who laid claim to the name of gentleman—but a ruthless pirate who cared for no man would be far
