In the Tudor Court Collection. Amanda McCabe

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СКАЧАТЬ should have seen to it before it got this far,’ Justin said. ‘You both did what you had to do, Maribel. Put all this from your mind.’

      ‘I shall try.’ She brushed the damp hair from her brow. ‘Your shirt has blood on it. I think your wound has opened,’ she scolded. ‘You have done too much. I saw that you brushed away the marks we left when we dragged Pike into the woods.’

      ‘I wish I could have done it all.’ He reached up to trail his fingers over her cheek as she sat beside him. ‘You have dirt on your face and your gown is muddy. You must wash and change it for another.’ He took her hands and looked at them. ‘Rub some ointment into your hands; they will be sore for some days.’

      ‘Let me tend your shoulder first.’

      ‘No!’ He caught her hand as she attempted to push his shirt back. ‘I can manage for myself. Wash and rest, Maribel. You should drink a little rum or some wine. You have had a shock.’

      ‘We buried a man,’ Maribel said. ‘Anna is feeling guilty. It will take time to forget.’

      ‘I know. It is something you learn to live with. I’ve never been able to accept it, which is why I didn’t just kill Pike at the start—but it might have been better if I had.’

      ‘Yes, perhaps.’

      Maribel turned away. She needed to wash and change. The dress she was wearing would be discarded, because she could never wear it again without remembering.

      She had told Anna to forget what had happened, because to dwell on Pike’s death would cast a shadow over their lives. She shuddered, because she knew it was something she might never forget. They had done what was necessary and they must put it behind them and move on.

      Maribel could not sleep. The night was hot and stuffy and in the morning they were to leave the island for ever. In a few short weeks they would be in England and she would be with her mother’s family. She might never see Justin again.

      Rising from her bed, she dressed in a thin gown, pushed her feet into light slippers and went through to the main room and then outside. Here it was a little cooler. Maribel knew that she was taking a risk to leave the house, but Pike was dead and she did not think anyone else was likely to come looking for her. Most of the men on the island respected Justin, even if they blamed her for what had happened here.

      Was it her fault? She had done nothing wrong and yet it might be because of her that the island had been attacked. She tried to put all the terrible happenings of the past few days from her mind. Soon now she would leave this place and perhaps…

      Maribel heard a twig snap behind her, but before she could turn something thick and heavy was thrown over her head. She screamed, but the sound was muffled and the blanket filled her mouth, making her gag on the coarse wool. Fighting and kicking, she felt herself being tossed over someone’s shoulder. She was being carried away. As she realised that she had been kidnapped, panic swept over her.

      Justin would think she had run away! He would think she did not care. He would never know that she loved him. She might never see him again; it would break her heart, but she was just another woman to him. He would find someone else and forget her.

      It was unbearable beneath the blanket. She found it difficult to breathe and after a while she ceased to struggle because she no longer had the strength to fight. She could only wonder who had captured her and where she was being taken.

      After a while, Maribel heard the sound of the sea. She knew that she was in a rowing boat and that she was being taken to a ship. Was it her father’s ship? It was the only explanation that occurred to her, because surely no one else would have come to the island to kidnap her. Her father must have sent someone to steal her back. He had sent Captain Hendry to bring the information they needed so that he knew where to find her and now she was a prisoner.

      What was going to happen to her now? Justin was angry with her. He would not rescue her a second time—why should he?

      When Maribel opened her eyes again she found that she was lying on a bunk. Her mouth tasted dry and she knew that at some time after being brought to this cabin she had fainted. As yet she did not know whose ship she was on or who had captured her.

      Hearing a key in the lock, she looked fearfully at the door, her heart pounding. It opened slowly and she saw a man standing in the opening looking at her. When she saw the man’s face she shrank back, feeling frightened, but determined not to show it.

      ‘Why have you brought me here?’ she demanded. ‘Are you taking me to my father?’

      ‘Your father has no more use for you, Donna Sanchez. He has given you to me in return for a contract for his wines—and favours rendered.’ An unpleasant smile touched his mouth.

      ‘What do you mean he has given me to you? I was to marry your cousin.’

      Samuel Hynes looked at her triumphantly. ‘Sadly, news reached us that my cousin is dead. All that he once owned is mine—and that includes you. I knew that he might not live to see his wedding day. Why else do you imagine I agreed to fetch you? I wanted to make sure I had you fast before the news of his death reached your father.’

      ‘I shall never marry you. Never! I would rather die.’

      ‘You speak wildly, Madonna.’ His mouth hardened. ‘Have I said that I wished to wed you? I might simply use you for my pleasure.’

      ‘I shall fight you. You may force me, but you will never truly have me.’

      ‘I think you will learn to obey me in time,’ Hynes said. ‘You are too proud. I shall enjoy teaching you your manners, Maribel. However, it will suit me better to have you as a wife. Your father thinks to cheat us both of your fortune, but he has met his match in me. I shall have you and then I shall claim what belongs to me.’

      Maribel stared at him, feeling sick and miserable. ‘I wish that Pablo had never left me his fortune,’ she said. ‘It seems that no one cares what I want. No one cares for me. You all want my husband’s estates.’

      ‘Beautiful women are easy to find,’ Hynes told her with a sneer. ‘However, a beautiful rich woman is another matter. I shall leave you to rest and think carefully, Maribel. We could be married almost immediately on board ship and I should treat you fairly—but defy me and you will learn to regret it at your leisure.’

      Maribel lay back against the pillows as he left her. Her head was aching and her heart felt as if it had been torn apart. Tears trickled down her cheeks. She had not known how fortunate she was when Justin took her captive. She had called him a pirate and accused him of being a rogue, but he was a true gentleman—and she loved him. The time spent at the island had taught her many lessons and she knew that she had been offered something true and special.

      The tears fell faster as she realised that she would probably never see him again. She was now at the mercy of a ruthless devil; if she lived, her life would be unbearable.

      ‘Do you know where Maribel is?’ Justin demanded of Anna when he realised that she had gone that morning. ‘Has she taken anything with her?’

      ‘Only the gown she meant to wear today.’ Anna looked at him tearfully. ‘Surely she would not run away? She had nowhere to go.’

      ‘She must be somewhere.’

      Justin СКАЧАТЬ