In the Tudor Court Collection. Amanda McCabe

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      It was unfair for Justin to blame her!

      In the morning she rose early and went out to fetch water. Anna came into the kitchen as she was washing some clothes. She looked tired and her hair was hanging down her back, as if she had not bothered with it.

      ‘Did you not sleep last night either?’

      ‘I went to the inn to see if I could help but I was told to stay away.’ Anna looked at her sulkily. ‘They are blaming us for bringing the trouble here. Higgins says that we may not be able to return to the island.’

      ‘I am sorry. I know that you wished to make your home here.’

      ‘Higgins says we may have to find somewhere else to set up our trading store. Some of the men told me that we are no longer welcome on the island. I think we must be careful, Maribel. There could be trouble.’

      ‘Surely we are safe enough here?’

      ‘Perhaps—but we must not go to the waterfront alone.’

      ‘Captain Sylvester forbade it. Yet you still went last night—why?’

      ‘I thought the resentment would not be for me, but it seems I am tarred with the same brush as you.’

      ‘Do not hate me, Anna. Please. You know that I would not have had this happen. Besides, I do not think they came to look for me, because no one came ashore—though it seems they were my father’s ships.’

      ‘Perhaps they thought you were not here since the Defiance was not in the harbour.’ Anna frowned. ‘Higgins says people are wondering why it was not here.’

      ‘They cannot think that Sylvester knew the attack would happen? If he had, he would have warned others and sent all his ships away.’

      ‘When people are hurt and angry they do not think clearly.’

      ‘This is so foolish,’ Maribel shook her head. ‘We were not even here when the attack happened.’

      ‘That makes it all the worse…Do you not see what people think?’

      ‘They believe he deliberately chose to be absent? How foolish can people be? We rushed back as soon as we saw the smoke…we all helped as best we could!’

      ‘Higgins says someone is stirring them up, making trouble.’

      ‘Why? Who would do that?’

      Anna shook her head. ‘I do not know. I only know that things have changed. We must leave this island and the sooner the better.’

      Maribel was about to reply when she heard a noise behind her. Swinging round, she saw Peg watching them.

      ‘I did not hear you come in?’

      ‘I wanted to creep up on yer,’ Peg told her, unsmiling. ‘Yer asked me for lessons to defend yerself and yer will need them. Folk are saying yer brought the trouble on us and they want yer gone—one way or the other. Some are fer hanging yer.’

      ‘Anna has told me what people are saying. I knew nothing of this, Peg. I swear I would not have had it happen for the world.’

      Peg looked at her in silence for a moment and then nodded. ‘Aye, I believe yer, but others will not. They won’t listen. Especially with Pike stirring them up. He says Sylvester sent his ship away to save it.’

      ‘That is nonsense! You know he would not do that, don’t you? He could have sent all his ships if that had been the case—so why didn’t he?’

      ‘Yer need not try to convince me, lass—but others will listen to Pike. Sylvester has been too successful. Some are jealous of him and need only a grievance to make them turn against him. He brought yer here and that’s good enough for most.’

      ‘Is he in danger?’ Maribel asked. ‘I have not seen him this morning. I do not know where he is.’

      ‘It’s yerself they hate most. Come outside now, and I’ll show yer a few of me tricks with a knife so that yer can defend yerself, but it will be best fer yer all if yer leave as soon as yer can.’

      ‘It is getting late,’ Maribel said as the sun began to dip on the horizon that evening. ‘Sylvester has been gone all day and Higgins with him. I fear that something has happened to them.’

      ‘Someone would have told us,’ Anna said, but was clearly worried. ‘They are not all against us despite what happened. Sylvester’s crew would stand behind him whatever others thought.’

      ‘Would they?’ Maribel eyed her uncertainly. ‘Supposing they have been hurt? The crew might be afraid to send for us…Sylvester might forbid it if it meant danger for us.’

      ‘There is little we can do. They might be anywhere.’ Anna frowned. ‘I do not think they would leave the island without us.’

      ‘Of course they would not. Captain Sylvester would never desert us.’

       Chapter Seven

      Maribel’s anxiety grew with every minute that passed. Justin must know that they would be worried. Why was he so late? It was almost dark and he had still not returned. Her instincts were to go and look for him, but he had forbidden her to go down to the waterfront.

      She could not sit and wait. The house felt too small and confined to contain her and she needed some air. Anna called to her as she moved towards the door.

      ‘Where are you going? It is nearly dark and too dangerous to go looking for them now.’

      ‘I just need some—’ Maribel broke off as she heard sounds outside. She rushed to the door and threw it open, staring in dismay as she saw Higgins and two of Justin’s crew she recognised. They were carrying something between them—Justin’s body. She saw blood on his shirt and clapped a hand to her mouth to stop herself screaming. ‘What happened?’

      ‘He was set upon by some ruffians.’ Higgins scowled. ‘It was Pike’s crew, ordered to it by him no doubt. The captain had been to see some of the wounded. He had promised to make good their losses and explained why our ship was not in the harbour. They listened to him and he left believing all was settled—then this gang attacked him. He fought them off and wounded or killed three, but they were too many for him. Had I and some of the crew not arrived in time he might have been finished.’

      ‘Carry him through to his room,’ Maribel said, hovering as they brought Justin’s unconscious body into the house. Her heart was hammering and she felt sick with worry, but would not give way to her fear. ‘He has lost blood—where is his wound?’

      ‘He has a wound to his thigh and another to his shoulder—but he was knocked unconscious by a blow from one of those murdering devils. Fortunately, we drove them off before they could finish him, but he will need nursing. I’ve sent word to the surgeon and he’ll be here soon.’

      ‘Thank you for all you have done. I am so grateful.’

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