Read The Pirate's Willing Captive for Free Online Page B

Perhaps he anticipates your death…’
    Maribel turned away from her, unable to look into her servant’s face. She thought of her sweet young husband. She had always believed he was killed by bandits, but if her father…No, she could not believe that of him, even though he had disregarded her wishes in the matter of her marriage. Yet if the servants were talking of these things, there must be some truth in them. Her determination to escape hardened. If she could reach Juanita’s family, they would surely take her in and help her…
    * * *
    ‘I am pleased that you have decided to be sensible,’ Justin said, a wry smile playing about his mouth as she came on deck later that day. ‘We shall sleep under the stars this night, lady, but a bed shall be prepared for you so that you may lie comfortably.’
    ‘How long do you intend to remain here?’
    ‘A day or two to replenish the supplies of fresh fruit and wine, also meat and water. We have taken on supplies here before and the people are friendly. They do not condemn us, as your people do, as heretics and pirates, but trade with us for gold and silver.’
    ‘When will you send word to my father that you wish to ransom me?’
    ‘Captain Hynes will have carried the tale to him. I said that he might arrange a meeting through an agent in Cyprus. We shall do the exchange there…if one is made…’
    ‘What do you mean—if?’ Maribel studied his face, trying to read what was in his mind. She was not sure why his nearness made her feel so odd, as if her chest was constricted and she could scarcely breathe. She drew away, suppressing her feelings. She must not begin to like him. If she once let down her guard…Impossible thoughts filled her mind but she banished them.
    ‘I thought you might prefer your freedom?’
    ‘You would let me go without ransom?’
    ‘I might take the ransom and still keep you.’ Justin’s teeth flashed white as he smiled in the moonlight.
    ‘You do not mean it?’ She was not sure if he was teasing her.
    ‘Would you prefer me to hand you over to a man who would sell you to the devil?’
    ‘I should prefer it if—’ Maribel stopped. She had been about to tell him of her stepmother’s family and beg him to let her go to them, but something held her tongue. He was persuasive, but she must not trust him. She had only his word that Lord Roberts was diseased and evil, though she could see no reason why he should lie to her.
    ‘What would you prefer, lady? Tell me. Perhaps I might grant your wish.’
    Maribel hesitated. His voice was soft; it seemed to promise much and a part of her longed to confide in him. He was so strong and she wanted someone to help and protect her from the things she feared, but he was a pirate. How could she believe the man who had abducted her? Her mind told her it would be foolish and yet her instincts were telling her something very different. Despite herself she was beginning to like him.
    ‘No…’ She shook her head, because she could not be sure he would help her. ‘I should prefer it if you had never taken me captive.’
    ‘Would you, Madonna?’ He smiled at her and her heart missed a beat. ‘I am not sure that I believe you. Come…’ He held out his hand. ‘You must climb down to the boat and be rowed ashore.’ She gave him her hand and his fingers closed about it, strong, cool and somehow comforting. ‘I have your word that you will not try to run away?’
    ‘I believe Anna already gave you surety?’
    ‘Yes, she did, but I would have it from you.’
    ‘Very well, you have it.’ Maribel glowered at him. She looked down at the rope ladder. ‘I am not sure I can manage that.’
    ‘Fear not. I shall go before you. I shall steady your feet so that you do not miss a rung—and if you fall I shall catch you.’
    ‘I shall not fall!’
    Maribel did not miss the gleam in his eyes. She watched as he went on to the ladder. Tom came forwards to help her place one foot on the ladder andthen she was over