The Pirate's Willing Captive (24 page)

‘Mother…may I present my wife, Maribel?’ He held out his hand to her. ‘My love—this is my mother, Lady Devere.’

‘Ma’am, I am happy to meet you,’ Maribel said and curtsied to her. ‘I hope we find you well?’

‘Indeed you do…and happy to meet you.’ Justin’s mother studied her face. ‘I think my son has chosen his bride well. I believe you will make him happy.’

‘She already has,’ Justin said. ‘My only concern is to be worthy of her—and to build her a home that is fit for her. I am grateful that Maribel has given me her trust and I ask for your blessing on our marriage.’

‘It is willingly given.’ Lady Devere hesitated. ‘Your
father is not here, Justin. He left to visit your uncle’s estate only this morning.’

Justin’s brow creased. ‘He had my letter?’ She inclined her head, her eyes reflecting sorrow and disquiet. ‘Yet he still went? Then I have my answer.’

‘You must give him more time, dearest,’ Lady Devere pleaded. ‘I beg you not to be bitter or angry. Your father is a proud man. He did not try to forbid me to see you, for he knew that I should disobey him, but he cannot yet bring himself to see you.’

‘I would not be the cause of dissent between you. With your permission we shall rest here the one night, for my lady is tired.’

‘Your father will be gone for several days.’

‘It would be an abuse of his forbearance if we stayed longer, Mother. We shall take our leave of you in the morning.’

‘But where will you go?’

‘That is up to my lady.’ Justin turned to her, his brows arching in enquiry. ‘Where would you live, my dearest one? I think Spain might not suit you, for you have sad memories there.’

‘Will you truly let me choose?’

‘Yes. I shall go anywhere you wish, Maribel.’

‘Then…please may we go to the New World? I know that Anna and Higgins wish to set up a trading post in this new land. I hear that it is warmer than England, but much bigger than France or Italy. I believe that a man may take land for himself and make it fruitful if he is strong and he has the will.’

‘The New World?’ Justin stared at her. ‘Have you also heard that it is primitive and wild? There are savages who may take exception to our commandeering land they believe is theirs? It would not be the life you have been used to, Maribel.’

‘That is why I have chosen it.’

‘I am not sure I understand.’

‘I have no wish to sit sewing all day like a fine lady. I want to do the things I learned to do on the island. You could build us a fine house, Justin. Better and bigger than the one we had there—and we could have land that we farm, food that we grow ourselves. In time we may have children and then I may need help with the chores, but I want to be a good wife, to care for my home and family in a way that would be frowned on in gentle society. Think of it—a life where we may work together to build our fortunes. A country that is beginning anew without all the prejudice and unfairness of the Old World. You would help to build it with others of like minds, Justin.’

‘To live and work with you would be heaven.’ Justin trailed his fingers down her cheek. ‘It will be even harder than it was on the island. It will not be a question of whether you wish to work harder than you have before. You may have to do far more in this new life than you did on the island, Maribel. Even though we have money, this new life you speak of will not be easily won.’

‘I am not afraid of hard work. I think there are many good people who wish to leave the old countries and go
to this new land. My cousin told me that people who feel trapped by laws and prejudice in England and other countries are thinking of becoming settlers. Why should we not be some of the first? We have money enough to buy whatever we need—and your ship can sail between the New and the Old World, bringing us more supplies. We can use some of the money Pablo left me to help others establish themselves, as well as helping the people whose homes were destroyed on the island. We could build a town for others to come and settle. Do you not think it would be a good life?’

Justin hesitated, studying her face and finding no sign of doubt. ‘I must confess it has been in my mind to do some of the things you suggest. Higgins asked if I would let him commission my ship to supply the settlement, which he and others mean to start. I know that other ships are being prepared. Indeed, there is no reason why I should not commission others. The more ships we have to bring us the supplies we shall need in the early years, the better. But I would ask you to be certain, my love. It will be a long and arduous journey, much harder than that we took to the island. Things will become easier as the years pass, but at first it will be primitive.’

‘I am prepared for long weeks, even months, at sea, and I know it will be difficult at first, but we are young and strong, Justin. I believe that we can make a good life for ourselves. My cousin tells me that the settlements are far from the silver mines that my countrymen exploit.’

‘Yes, your uncle is certain there is nothing to stop you selling your estates, and he will see to the business for us. He is a good man and I trust him to treat fairly with you. I believe we shall be free and happy in this brave New World.’ Fire leapt in him and he laughed as he gazed down at her. ‘You are as courageous as you are beautiful, Maribel. It is little wonder that I lost my heart to you almost from the start.’

‘Are you sure you wish to go to such a place?’ Lady Devere looked at their faces and sighed as her hopes of seeing her son’s children faded. ‘Then you go with my blessing, my dearest ones. I have chests of things you may find useful in your new life, Maribel—materials of good cloth, wool and kersey and linens, which will serve you better than silk. Also items of pewter and cast iron that you will need for cooking—and I shall make you a gift of my recipes, which I have written in journals. Had I a daughter I would have passed them on to her, but they shall be for you.’ Tears stood in her eyes. ‘I shall miss you, Justin—and your lovely wife.’

‘We shall send word of how we go on, Mother,’ Justin promised and took her hand. ‘If my ships trade successfully, I shall purchase others and perhaps one day we may return to England to spend time with you—and you may come to us if you wish. We shall send news of our lives when the ships return to England and you may write to us. Mayhap one day your grandson will visit in our stead.’

‘I pray that you find happiness and whatever you both seek in this New World,’ Lady Devere said. ‘Now
come upstairs with me, Maribel. I want you to choose some things to take with you. It is best that you go well prepared for when you land safely—God willing!—it may be months or even a year or more before fresh supplies can be brought. The sea is a fickle mistress and ships do not always arrive when they should.’

‘Go with my mother,’ Justin said. ‘With your permission, Mother. I shall write a letter for my father before we dine together.’

‘Yes, you should. Try to forgive him, Justin. I believe he may regret his decision when he learns what has happened here.’

Justin watched as the two ladies went upstairs together. They talked and laughed and he was torn with regret. He was excited by the adventure that lay before him, but he would have liked to make his peace with his father before he left England.

Justin had no doubts that the future would be a success. Years might pass before they accomplished all their dreams. It had taken some years before the pirates had established their houses and inns on the island and who knew what would happen in this new land? Yet the idea had fired Justin with enthusiasm. Maribel’s trust in him to make a good life for them was a challenge in itself. He had wondered if he would miss the freedom he had experienced as a pirate, but now he was filled with a sense of adventure.

His mind worked swiftly. They must gather as many men and women of the same mind as they could, for the more settlers the better. He would hire
a good carpenter to build a small house for the time being, and then, when he found the right land, he would build something bigger and better. He would also commission several more ships, because one thing the settlers must have was a supply of necessities from the Old World until they could produce all they required. Storms and crop failures could lead to the failure of their bright hopes, but with a fleet of ships to keep them supplied they could survive the first years.

Smiling, Justin sat down to write the letter to his father. He bore no ill will to any man—if he had not been shanghaied and forced to sail as a pirate, he would not have met his Maribel. Yet there was still a small shadow in his heart; he regretted that he had parted from his father with anger between them.

* * *

Maribel was standing outside the inn looking towards the sea. In the morning they would embark and then their great adventure would begin. Hearing the sound of heavy footsteps behind her, she turned. Her heart was beating fast; despite her uncle’s assurances that she was now safe from any further attempt to kidnap her, she sometimes worried that Samuel Hynes might try to be revenged on them. When she turned and saw the man looking at her, her heart missed a beat for there was such an odd expression in his eyes.

‘Did you wish to speak with me, sir?’

‘You are the wife of Sir Justin Devere?’

‘Yes, I am.’ Maribel’s gaze dwelled on his face a
moment longer and then she smiled. ‘You are Justin’s father, aren’t you?’

‘How did you know? I do not think we are much alike; I think he favours his mother.’

‘I don’t agree; he resembles you in more than just looks…a set of the mouth that can seem harsh to those who do not know Justin well. You have it too.’

‘Do I?’ John Devere smiled at her. ‘How observant you are, lady.’

‘Please, you must call me Maribel. I am so happy to meet you. I know Justin hoped that you would come to take your farewell of us before the ships sail, though he has not said anything of his hopes.’

‘You are set on going? I thought that perhaps you were leaving because of my unkindness?’ There was a look of unconscious appeal in Sir John’s eyes. ‘Is it too late to beg my son for forgiveness?’

‘I do not think you need to beg for forgiveness,’ Maribel said. ‘Justin would be happier to part as friends, but he bears no malice in his heart.’

‘I have realised that I am much to blame for what happened to him. I sent him away with anger in my heart, but I never ceased to love him.’

‘My husband will be happy to hear your words, sir,’ Maribel said. She smiled as she saw Justin walking towards him and knew that he had seen his father. ‘I do not think he will change his mind about leaving, for all our plans are made, but he will be glad of your blessing, sir.’

‘I shall be glad to give it.’

Maribel smiled. She went to meet her husband, kissed him and then left him to make his peace with his father while she talked to some of the other women who were preparing to make the difficult and dangerous journey to a land that they had never seen. Maribel had no doubts or fears concerning the future. She had been frightened of life before she was taken captive by pirates, but now she was bold enough to face anything, as long as she had the man she loved beside her.

* * *

‘Take a last look at England, my darling,’ Justin said, his arm about her waist as the
Defiance
sailed out of port. ‘There is still time to change your mind?’

‘And disappoint all our friends?’ Maribel laughed up at him, her eyes alight with excitement. ‘I am not speaking of just the crew. My cousin Michael came with one of my uncle’s ships as soon as he heard what we planned and others have joined us. For many of them it is a chance of a much better life, Justin, for they find the bonds of their lives here restrictive. In the New World it will not matter where a man was born; if he is honest and of good heart he will succeed. With God’s help and a fair wind we shall find this new land and prosper there.’

‘I am sure we shall,’ Justin said and bent to kiss her. ‘As you know, Higgins and I have commissioned two more ships to sail with us and a cargo that may make the difference between success and failure, for some of our friends come ill prepared. However, it is a brave adventure and I am certain that we shall find a place where
we can live happily together; whether it be in the New World itself or an island in the West Indies matters little.’ He glanced towards the shore once more and for a moment his expression was thoughtful, almost sombre.

She looked up at him. ‘You do not regret what we have done? You do not regret leaving your home? We could have stayed now that your father has forgiven you and mine can no longer threaten us. I shall be happy whatever you decide, Justin. I am excited about our adventure, but I would be content to live anywhere with you. You are not doing this just for me?’

Justin gazed down at her and smiled. ‘My home is right here beside me and will ever be while I have you, my love. We shall not speak of these things again. A new life awaits us and we shall make the most of it.’

‘Yes, Justin,’ she whispered and lifted her face for his kiss. ‘The future is ours to make of it what we will—and I know that whatever fate befalls us, we shall be together for as long as we live.’

ISBN-13: 9781460349533

THE PIRATE’S WILLING CAPTIVE

© Anne Herries 2010

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