flew at him as he tried to take her arm to drag her from the cabin. She raised her hand to hit him, but he pulled her arm behind her back, catching her against his body, and holding her pressed hard to him. Maribel stared up at him fearfully, sucking in her breath as he lowered his head and took possession of her mouth. His lips demanded where Pablo’s had softly whispered; his arms were strong, his body like iron and the heat of his manhood burned her. She felt the press of his desire through the silk of her simple gown and her heart raced. No man had ever treated her thus, and she did not understand why her heart was beating so fast. She should despise him, yet her body felt as if it were drowning in pleasure and a part of her wanted to stay in his arms. It took all her control not to moan and press herself against him for she had never felt such sweet sensation.
What was she thinking? He was a pirate, a barbaric rogue! She placed her hands against his chest and pushed; his strength was such that he could have taken full advantage, but to her surprise he let her go.
As he drew back, she saw the hot glow fade from his eyes and a cold disdain replace the lust that had for a moment seemed to have him in its grip.
‘You are proud lady and lashed out in temper. Perhaps that will show you the error of your ways. Attempt to strike me again and I shall not stop at a kiss.’
‘You are a pirate and an ignorant barbarian.’ Maribel had recovered her senses. Perhaps because she felt ashamed of her weakness in not fighting him sooner, her voice was laced with scorn and she was every inch the haughty lady.
‘The barbarians were not as ignorant as you might imagine, Madonna. In some ways their culture outstrips our own.’ Justin grinned, more amused than angry. ‘Think yourself fortunate that I am not what you think me. Had I been the ruthless devil you would have me, you would this night be warming my bed before I gave you to my men for their sport.’
Maribel drew back in shock, her eyes wide with horror.
A smile touched his mouth. ‘Nay, I shall not treat you so ill. You may be a shrew, but you are a lady and I shall treat you as such. You will not be harmed while we hold you for ransom.’
‘How can I trust your word?’ She would be a fool to believe him for an instant, but something inside her responded despite herself.
‘Because I give it. Behave yourself, lady, and I shall restrain my hand—but cause me trouble and I may just put you across my knee and teach you a lesson.’
‘You would not dare!’ Maribel stared at him. She saw that he was laughing and realised that he was mocking her. Her cheeks flushed; she knew that he might have done exactly as he wished with her, yet she could not accept her fate so easily. Her tone was more moderate, but still cool as she said, ‘You are a rogue and a thief and—and no gentleman, sir.’
‘I believe you are right. I was once a gentleman of sorts, but life has taught me that I must take what I can from it.’
‘Do you give me your word that I shall not be…ravished and despoiled if I come with you?’
‘If any man lays a finger on you I shall hang him. You have my word on it.’
‘And my servants? My maid and groom?’
‘Your maid may attend you and she is also safe from my men—but your groom returns to Spain with the ship, unless he cares to join us and become one of the brethren.’
‘You do not intend to keep the ship? Surely it is your prize?’
‘We have the cargo and you. The captain will deliver my message to your father. If he sends the gold we demand, you will be returned to him.’
‘And if he does not?’
‘Then he will never see you again.’
Chapter Two
Could this pirate truly mean his threat? Maribel’s heart was beating wildly. She hardly knew how to breathe as he took her arm and steered her from the cabin. Yet firm as his grip was, he was not hurting her and he seemed to mean her no harm, at least for the moment. As they went on deck she saw that his men had surrounded and disarmed the crew. Some of the men were bringing up wine from the hold and transferring it to the pirate ship, which she saw was called the Defiance. As far as she could tell only a few men had resisted, but there had been some fighting and one or two men had been wounded, but it appeared that none had been killed. She saw Samuel Hynes on his knees, a knife being held at his throat; it was obvious that he had not surrendered immediately.
‘What do you intend to do with Captain Hynes?’
‘My men are of a mind to hang him, but I think we may send him back to Spain this time.’
Maribel did not like Captain Hynes but she hated brutality. ‘You should not treat him so disgracefully.’
‘Why, pray, should we not?’
‘He deserves your respect.’
‘Indeed? You have known the man a long time, perhaps?’
She flinched beneath the pirate’s dark mockery. ‘I know little of him—but I believe that all men should be treated with dignity.’
‘Then perhaps you should know that Captain Hynes has men flogged for being in the wrong place at the wrong moment and sometimes just because it amuses him.’
Maribel gasped and lowered her eyes, because against her will she believed him. She had always felt something was not right when Samuel Hynes smiled and bowed to her, sensing that he was hiding his true nature.
‘He may be a cruel man—but if you allow your men to ill treat him you are his equal.’
‘You think so?’ Justin arched his brow, his manner icy cold. ‘I shall remember your words, lady. Now you must go aboard with your woman and those of the crew that have chosen to serve with us.’
‘Are there many?’
‘A cabin boy and a few others…’
Maribel turned to Anna as she joined her. The pirate captain had moved away. He was talking to the pirate who had a knife at Samuel Hynes’s throat. Another man, older, with a scar on his cheek and a red band around his brow, had come to help them cross the plank that had been placed between the two ships to make it easier for the women to cross from one to the other.
‘Give me your hand, lady,’ Higgins said gruffly. ‘You, lad, help the lady down there.’
Maribel felt a hand on her arm steadying her. She looked round to thank whoever it was and saw the cabin boy who had spoken to her when she first came aboard the Mistress Susanna.
‘They have taken you too?’
‘I came willingly, lady,’ he said and smiled at her. ‘It can’t be worse than my last berth.’ Sides, I’ve never had more than a few silver coins in wages, and if I do my work well for the brethren I shall be rich.’
Maribel looked at him doubtfully. ‘Do you not know what could happen to you if the ship is taken? You might be hung as a pirate.’
‘I’d as soon hang as starve on the streets of London,
