thrust the thought away for it was unbearable. She must believe that he would return or she had nothing.
Justin was aware of a shadow hovering at the back of his mind as he rode the last few leagues to his father’s home. Higgins had wanted to accompany him, but he would not allow it.
‘If I am to be hanged as a mutineer and a pirate I will not take you with me, my friend. Remain near my lady and guard her until my return. I shall bring your pardon if I am spared. If not, you must take the ships and sail away. They will both be yours then.’
‘You risk your life for nothing, Justin. I have not found English justice fair in the past. I do not expect it now.’
‘You may well be right, which is why I ask you to remain with Maribel until…’ Justin shook his head. ‘If I do not return, she is safe enough with her uncle.’
‘Aye, she is safe enough.’
They clasped hands and then Justin mounted his horse and rode away. He had not looked back—it was costing him a great deal to leave Maribel. If his heart had ruled him, he would have turned back, swept her up on his horse and taken her far away. His head told him that he would never be at peace if he did not at least try to obtain his father’s blessing and the Queen’s pardon. He could not take her with him, but he had ridden off with a heavy heart.
Now that he was close to his family estate, Justin felt uneasy. What kind of a welcome awaited him in his father’s house? John Devere was an honest man. He had taught his son to live with honour. Would he be able to accept Justin for what he was—a mutineer and a pirate?
As Justin dismounted in the courtyard of his home a groom came running towards him. He hesitated as he drew near, stared at Justin in stunned disbelief for a moment, and then grinned.
‘God be praised!’ Tis Master Justin home at last.’ The groom took the reins of Justin’s horse. ‘We thought you dead, sir. Your lady mother has been grieving for you these past months.’
‘I was lost, Jedruth, but now I am found,’ Justin said and clapped him on the shoulder, feeling overcome by the man’s obvious delight. ‘Tell me, are my parents within?’
‘Your lady mother is at home, sir, but the master has gone this day to visit a neighbour. He should be back this evening.’
‘Thank you. I shall see my mother immediately.’
Justin went into the house to be greeted by a shriek from the keeper of the household as she saw him. ‘Lord have mercy!’ she cried and flung her arms up. ‘If it isn’t Master Justin—and the mistress crying her heart out for him day after day! Where have you been that you could not send a message to your mother? Wicked boy!’
‘Forgive me, Lizzie.’ Justin grabbed her in a bear hug. ‘There were good reasons why I could not let my family know where I was. Tell me, where is my mother?’
‘She is in her stillroom, of course. Where else would she be at this hour of the day?’
‘Bless you!’ Justin kissed her soundly on the mouth. She pushed him away and frowned at him, but smiled as he turned in the direction of his mother’s stillroom and then crossed herself.
‘The Lord be praised!’
Justin hurried to the room where Lady Devere prepared all the preserves that ensured they had jams and fruit in the winter, also creams and lotions that she used to cure the ills of the people who served her. He paused outside, almost fearing to enter, and knocked at the door.
‘Come in,’ her voice called and he opened the door. Lady Devere stood at a bench made of a scrubbed wood board and trestles. In front of her were bundles of leaves, dried herbs and berries, as well as stone jars and pots with squares of cloth, wax and string for sealing them. ‘Yes, Lizzie, what is it?’
‘It is not Lizzie…’ Justin said and saw her shoulders stiffen. She turned slowly with a jar in her hand. When she saw him her eyes widened, she gave a little cry and swayed, dropping the jar she was holding so that it clattered onto the floor. ‘Mother…forgive me…’ He darted to support her, holding her close until she recovered. She straightened and pushed him away. Her eyes were filled with tears of love and forgiveness as she reached out to touch his face. ‘I am so sorry, Mother…so very sorry for distressing you.’
‘I thought you must be dead. Justin…my dearest son…’ Lady Devere caught back a sob. ‘Your father received a visit from a man called Captain Bolton. He told him that you had booked a passage with him to France, but failed to board, though your horse was lodged at the hostelry he told you of. It was months before he came to tell us, because he had been at sea. We were led to believe that you were somehow taken aboard another ship against your will.’
‘Yes, that is what happened, Mother. I was shanghaied and forced to work for a cruel master who treated his crew ill. What happened after that is a long story. I had best wait until my father is here, for I would tell you both at the same time. I am not the man I was when I left my home—I have done things you may find impossible to forgive.’
‘You could never do anything so wicked that I would not love and forgive you,’ Lady Devere said. She put her arms about him, kissing him on the forehead. ‘You look well, my son. I am glad to have you home. I care only that you are alive and well.’
‘I thank you for your love, Mother. I regret that I did not let you know I was alive sooner, but…’ He shook his head. ‘I shall wait until Father is here. He should hear my story at the same time, for I would not seek advantage and I know he may not forgive as easily as you.’
‘Maribel, my dear. May I speak with you for a moment, please?’
‘Yes, Aunt? Did you need me?’
Maribel had been walking in the walled garden at the back of the house. Behind the high walls that protected them from the full force of the sea was a sheer drop to the beach below. To reach the cove, you had to walk a little distance along the cliff until you came to a path cut into the rock by some ancient mariners. Maribel had been considering whether to walk down to the beach, but as yet the weather had been too cool to entice her. She turned at the sound of her hostess’s voice and walked back to meet her.
‘There will be a fair in the village tomorrow, Maribel,’ Lady Fildene said as the girl came up to her. ‘We may purchase silks and materials for new gowns—and many trinkets that may please us perhaps.’
‘I have little money to spare—most of what I have is still with the ship. Captain S…Justin said that he would arrange for my trunks to be sent on, but I have only what was brought on the pack horses thus far.’
‘Which is why I thought we should visit the fair to buy silks from the merchants. We can sew some gowns for you between us, Maribel. What you have is charming, but the Spanish style is heavier than the English fashion. I believe you would feel more comfortable in something new.’
‘I am sure I would. Justin—’ Maribel broke off. It was difficult to remember that she must not mention her time on the island. ‘I do have some simpler gowns in my trunks, but it would be pleasant to make a new gown.’
‘Your uncle would be happy to make you a gift of the gowns,’ her aunt told her. ‘It has given us such pleasure to have you here, my dear. I hope you will visit us again when you are married to Captain Devere?’
‘Yes, I am certain we shall,’ Maribel told her. ‘You and my uncle are both so kind to me.’
‘We love you as your mother’s child—and as the daughter we never had.’
Maribel’s cheeks felt warm, for she felt uneasy at deceiving these good people. What would they think if they knew the truth? She would feel terrible if her aunt ever discovered that she had been so indiscreet as to become a pirate’s mistress, for that was what she was until Justin married her.
Justin would return soon and marry her. Her aunt and uncle need never know the truth! She thrust the uneasy thoughts from her mind.
‘Then