at the base. She swallowed hard, because the look in his eyes set her pulses racing again. His gaze was full of meaning, conveying a message if only she knew what he meant. Perhaps she did and that was why her heart was thudding so violently. He had told her once that he wished for a mistress, not a wife—was he letting her know she was his choice? ‘I would kill anyone who tried to harm you. I shall keep you safe until you are with your family if it costs my life.’
Maribel caught her breath, for his voice throbbed with passion. She wished that they were alone at the house. Her body was aching for his touch. She wanted to tell him that she did not want him to fight for her; she wanted him to love her. The moment was broken by the sound of shouting on the beach. Justin turned to look. A fight had broken out, drawing a crowd to watch.
‘I must sort out these fools before they kill each other,’ he said grimly. ‘I shall tell Anna to come to you.’
‘No, let her have fun,’ Maribel said, but he did not answer her.
However, as he walked away, Peg came towards her. She smiled, feeling relief as the older woman joined her.
‘This is the first feast yer have attended,’ Peg said. ‘Do not be too alarmed, Maribel. Most of this is high spirits. The men will fight, but it is not often anyone is killed; they are like children at play.’
‘Children do not have knives.’
‘Perhaps not where you lived. On the streets of London children learn to defend themselves early. I carried a knife from the age of eight. Me parents died of the plague, but I survived. I had to steal to eat until I could find work—and the work I wus offered did not please me, for I would be no man’s whore. Later, I found work as a servant, but men would not leave me be. When one of them raped me I used me knife to good effect to defend meself—and yer know the rest.’
Maribel saw the defiance in her eyes, but felt only admiration for her courage. ‘Would you teach me how to protect myself, Peg?’
Peg’s eyes narrowed. ‘Yer have Captain Sylvester to protect yer. Besides, yer will not stay here long. Why should yer need a knife?’
‘I should feel safer. You know what happened when Pike first saw me. I do not think he has forgiven me. Captain Sylvester cannot always be with me. If I had a knife, I might stand a chance against him.’
‘Yer have spirit despite yer fine ways,’ Peg said and grinned. ‘Yer may be a lady, but I see no fool. I will come tomorrow and begin yer lessons—and I will bring yer a knife.’
‘Thank you. I have some money. I can pay for my knife.’
Peg gave her a look of reproof. ‘Have I asked for payment?’
‘No. Forgive me. I did not mean to offend you.’
‘No offence taken, luvvie.’ Peg grinned at her. ‘I thought yer wus above yerself when yer first come to me, but I like yer. I wouldn’t show everyone me tricks, but I reckon I can teach yer to protect yerself from scum like that Pike. I seen him lookin’ at yer and I reckon he may try somethin’ if he gets the chance.’
‘Yes, I think he may,’ Maribel said. ‘I did not wish to say anything to Sylvester because I am enough trouble to him already, but that man frightens me. He is evil.’
‘Evil he is,’ Peg agreed, her eyes blazing, ‘but he bleeds like any man. If I show yer how to defend yourself, yer’ll be safe enough.’
‘Thank you.’ Maribel smiled. Someone had started to play a fiddle. The fighting had been stopped and men were dancing, some with their women and others together. ‘Do you wish to dance, Peg? You must not stay with me if you do.’
‘Aye, I’ll dance,’ Peg said and seized her hand. ‘And you’ll dance with me.’ She arched her brow as Maribel hung back. ‘Don’t tell me yer don’t know how ter dance?’
Maribel shook her head. Suddenly, she felt better. She was no longer the outsider, watching and feeling apart from the others. Peg was forcing her to join in the fun, and she discovered that she wanted to dance.
It was just a simple joining of hands. The dancers twirled, broke hands and then joined in a line skipping up to meet each other and then breaking off to dance with a partner once more. Maribel discovered that her partner was another woman instead of Peg, because everyone was changing partners. Next she danced with a man who grinned at her, but held her respectfully, clearly remembering that she was Captain Sylvester’s woman. After that, she found herself being twirled by Tom and then she was back with Peg again. When she broke from the line again, her hands were taken firmly and she looked up into bold eyes that made her heart race.
‘I did not know you liked to dance, Maribel.’
‘You hardly know me, Captain,’ she replied and laughed softly. ‘We sometimes danced at home in the courtyard when the wine harvest was done. I enjoyed dancing in the sunshine with the people of the estate, but when my father held a banquet, Juanita and I did not dance, for he did not approve of it—though others did. My stepmother taught me even though my father would not allow it.’
‘Then dance with me, Maribel…like this…’
He pulled her into his arms, directing her body so that she felt as if she were floating, thistledown in his arms. The music had changed, was slower now, and when he twirled her round and round he did not let go of her hand. Others swapped partners, but he kept her with him, gazing into her eyes as they moved.
Maribel hardly noticed they had moved away from the throng of dancers. When he took her hand and led her along the sandy beach her heart was racing, her breast heaving as she caught her breath. What was this feeling between them? Was it only physical passion, the need for release—or was it something more? Maribel felt that she was being drawn into a net from which she could never escape; her heart told her that this was love—but she was afraid that it was only on her side. Justin desired her and he was both generous and kind—but she wanted so much more.
‘Are you feeling better now?’ he asked, gazing down at her in such a way that she swayed towards him, wanting to be back in his arms, wanting to be kissed. ‘I could not resist when I saw you dancing. You seemed to be so happy…’
‘I was—I am happy,’ she breathed. ‘I am looking forward to seeing the other side of the island, away from—’ She broke off as his eyes narrowed. ‘Forgive me, I do not mean to criticise your men, but there is a wilder element amongst the pirates. I do not like men like Captain Pike.’
‘Well, you need not fear him while I am with you. Besides, I believe he means to leave soon. He had little luck last time out and needs to find a good prize.’
‘It would be a better place without his sort,’ Maribel said. ‘Though I have found friends. Peg is a friend. I like her.’
‘You know that she was convicted of murder and should have hanged had she not escaped?’
‘Yes—but she took revenge for what was done to her. I cannot blame her.’
‘Yet some would say that murder is wrong even if the cause be just.’ Justin’s expression was serious. ‘I shall return you to Anna. Higgins will take you back to the house. The serious business is about to begin and there may some fighting as the men drink too much.’
‘Yes, we shall leave you to your business.’
Maribel walked away from him to join Anna and Higgins. She had thought as they danced that Justin wanted to make love to her. If he had taken her in his arms and kissed her she would not have denied him, but she had spoken of wanting to see the other side of the island and the spell had been broken.
Justin was keeping his promise not to take advantage of her while she was under his protection. Maribel knew that if she wanted him to make love to her she would have to show him that she was willing to be his.
While a part of her longed for it, her pride ruled her head. To become his woman meant that she could never return to her own world. If he loved her she would give it