for herself, and she had merely brushed her hair back and fastened it with combs.
‘Well, well, what have we here…?’
The man’s voice made her swing round. She stared at the tall man in dismay for he was a fearful sight. His clothes were salt-stained and looked as if he had never washed them, his hair long and greasy beneath the red scarf he wore beneath his hat—and when he grinned at her she saw a row of blackened teeth.
‘Excuse me, sir? Were you looking for someone? I believe Peg is in the house. Your business must be with her.’
‘My business with Peg can wait, sweet doxy. You will suit me for the moment.’
Maribel gasped and stepped back in horror as she read the look in his eyes. ‘No, sir, you mistake things. I am not a whore. You have no business with me.’
‘She thinks herself a fine lady!’ The man laughed, clearly finding it amusing. ‘Well, my lady, when Pike says he has business with you, you would do best to heed him.’
‘Stay away from me!’ Maribel gave a scream of fear as he lunged at her. ‘Keep your distance, sir. I will have none of you!’
‘You’ll do as I bid you and keep your mouth shut…’
Maribel screamed again as he grabbed her arm. ‘Let me go! Take your filthy hands off me, you pig!’
‘I’ll teach you some manners, whore…’
‘I suggest you take your hands off my woman,’ another man’s voice said. ‘Otherwise I shall slit your throat, Pike. The choice is yours.’
Pike swung round, his face shocked as he found himself at the wrong end of a wicked-looking sword. ‘Sylvester…’ he croaked, sweat beading on his brow. ‘I didn’t realise she was your woman.’
‘Well, you do now.’ Justin’s eyes glittered with fury. ‘Lay one finger on her and you are a dead man, Pike. No man touches my woman and lives.’
‘I was just having a bit of fun…’ Pike held his hands up, moving away from Maribel. ‘Why didn’t she say she belonged to you? I wouldn’t have gone near her if I’d known.’
‘She is a lady, unused to the ways of scum like you.’ Justin’s voice was like the lash of a whip. ‘Stay away from her—and from this house until we leave. Do you hear? If you attempt to touch her again, I’ll kill you.’
‘I hear you. I’m on my way.’
Maribel watched the man slink away. She was trembling and she felt sick, but she managed to hold back the tears.
‘Thank you. I do not know what I should have done had you not come.’
‘In future tell any man who tries anything on with you that you belong to me. They won’t molest my woman.’ Justin’s eyes went over her. The thin gown she was wearing was sticking to her, revealing the intimate contours of her body. Desire flared and he was tempted to crush her to him, his need intensified by the temptation she offered in such flimsy clothing. His voice was harsh as he rasped, ‘I am not surprised he thought you were available in that gown. Where are your petticoats?’
‘I took them off. It was so hot. Anna took hers off and I thought…’ Maribel flushed as she saw the expression in his eyes. ‘I didn’t expect to see anyone.’
Justin was angry, because he wanted to do much the same things as Pike had, and he was disgusted with himself. She had given him her trust and he had no right to feel such hunger just because her air of vulnerability tempted him past bearing. So he deliberately chose words to hurt her.
‘No lady would come out of the house without her petticoats. I am surprised you let a servant tell you what to do, Donna Maribel. I am aware the heat is almost unbearable, but you need to keep a certain standard or you will not be given the respect that is your due. Especially amongst men like Pike.’
‘I…’ A dark flush stained her cheeks. She crossed her arms over her breasts defensively. ‘You are right. It will not occur again. I shall wear petticoats if I come outside.’
‘I shall not always be around to protect you.’ Justin frowned at her. He knew that his words had hurt her and he was already regretting having spoken so harshly. She was not to blame, because he could not control his hunger for her. ‘I know how uncomfortable you must feel, but you need to be careful on this island.’
‘You are right.’ Maribel hung her head. She saw that he was correctly dressed despite the heat and felt untidy and ashamed of her appearance. ‘I was careless. Thank you for helping me.’
‘I do not mean to be heartless, Madonna. I know this kind of heat can be suffocating. I speak only for your own good.’
‘Thank you. You will not need to reprimand me again, sir.’
‘Is Peg treating you well? You are comfortable here?’
‘Yes, thank you. She has been kind.’
‘My own house is almost ready. I am having it furnished. I had thought you safe here, but perhaps you should move in with me.’
Maribel was shocked, her heart hammering against her ribcage as she stared at him. What could he mean? He had told her he would not marry—was he now suggesting that she should be his mistress? A part of her longed to say yes, but a tiny part of her mind still retained its sanity.
‘Captain Sylvester! You may have told that vile man that I am your woman to protect me, but it is not so. I cannot live under your roof, sir.’
‘I shall provide a chaperon. Anna will live with us and there will be a woman to keep the place tidy.’
‘Peg said there were no servants here.’
‘I pay well for service and find willing hands. I think Peg was trying to put you in your place, my lady. There are always those willing to work for good wages—but I treat them decently. They are not servants, as you have known them in your father’s house. I pay for their service, but I treat them as equals.’
‘Then they are not at all like the servants in my father’s house. My father’s servants feared him. I do not think anyone would fear to work for a man like you.’
An odd smile touched his mouth. ‘Thank you, Maribel. I believe you just paid me a compliment. As to the matter of the house, I have arranged for the furniture to be moved in today. I came to bring you a gift, but now I am asking if you will live under my roof—as my guest, no more and no less.’
‘Everyone will think I am your woman…’
‘And they will leave you alone as a consequence. You will be able to move freely on the island. If you stay here, other men may have the same notion as Pike. It is the only way I can be certain you will be safe.’
Maribel shuddered. ‘I should never have come to this terrible place. I do not belong here. I see resentment in the eyes of those I meet. They hate me because of who I was.’
A nerve flicked in his throat. ‘It is my fault that you are here, lady. I have put my mark on you for your protection—it is all I could do to protect you. However, when we leave here you will be as you are now. I shall not abuse the situation. I have apologised, but I cannot change what is done. You must accept it and wait patiently until I can take you to your family.’
Maribel hesitated, then inclined her head. ‘Yes, I shall trust you to keep your word, sir. Thank you. I shall be happy to live under your protection.’
Justin smiled and moved closer. ‘I will make your stay here as pleasant as I can, Madonna. I wish that it had been possible to take you to your family immediately. I was wrong to bring you here, but I thought it best.’ A wry smile touched his mouth. ‘Your family will never know anything of your stay here. I promise you that when I take you to them they will accept my story that I have merely been your escort.’ He arched one eyebrow. ‘You suspected that I was once a gentleman. I know how to play the part and will not