Justin looked up as she approached. He scowled at her, reaching for his shirt. ‘Forgive me. You should not have come out. I am not properly dressed.’
‘I saw you from the house. You were working so hard. I wanted to thank you for my clothes. They are so light and comfortable. I have never worn anything as fine.’
‘I am sure you must have…’
‘No, sir, I have not. My gowns were always heavier and thicker. Even my stepmother never had such fine silk as you have given me. I am grateful for your thoughtfulness…and for the room you have provided.’
‘The furnishings are not what you are used to,’ he growled. ‘But all I could find here.’
‘I thought it very comfortable. I am grateful for all you have done for me, sir.’
‘I am aware that my house lacks the comforts you were accustomed to, lady. Well enough for a short stay, but not for long. I shall endeavour to see you safe in the arms of your family as soon as it may be done.’
‘You heard me…’ Maribel’s cheeks burned as she realised she had been overheard. Shame washed over her, for she had been ungrateful and hasty. ‘When I spoke to Anna it was not of you or your house, Justin. It is merely that I do not find the island a pleasant place…’ She saw his expression and stopped. ‘I would not have offended you for the world, sir. I believe I owe you more than I can ever repay. It is just that I feel uncomfortable because of what happened with Pike—and what could happen if I left your house to go walking or visit the merchants.’
‘Do not judge us too harshly, Maribel. It is true that men like Pike are to be avoided, but many of those who live here would not harm you, especially now they believe you belong to me. You have not seen the rest of the island. The port is a shambles, I grant you, but the community is young and the town is not yet built. The island has become a safe haven for pirates and their kind, but one day it may be something more. As people make their homes here it will become a proper community. I think it might be possible to have a good life here—if one were willing to accept it for what it is.’
‘I should not have spoken so carelessly to Anna. I have received no harm at your hands, sir.’ She turned away, walking back towards the house, her head down. A moment later she felt her arm caught and looked at Justin. He had put on his shirt and his expression had lightened.
‘No, do not leave, Maribel. The other side of the island, away from the port, is beautiful…perhaps as paradise must have been before we humans spoiled it.’
‘I should like to visit this paradise you speak of…if it may be arranged.’
‘The interior of the island is hilly, covered in woods, and you would not enjoy the walk in this heat. I could arrange for us to be rowed there—perhaps one day soon. There are other things to enjoy here. This evening there will be a feast and then the division of the spoils. Would you care to attend the feasting? I must do so and I would prefer that you be there so that I can watch over you.’
‘I think I am a deal of trouble to you, sir.’ She hung her head, feeling ashamed that she had given him cause to think her ungrateful. ‘You have been generous…more so than I could ever have expected.’
‘I have given you my word that I will deliver you safely to your family, lady. I shall endeavour to keep it. If you do not wish to attend the feasting tonight, I shall ask you to stay inside and lock your door.’
‘Thank you, I should like to attend. I think I am safe enough if you are there, sir.’
‘You know that I would never allow anyone to harm you while I live.’ Justin hesitated, then, ‘Would it be too much to ask you to call me by my name? I should like to think we had gone beyond the formality of sir…’
‘I owe my life to you. If you wish it, I shall call you, Sylvester, as you are known here. You gave me your first name, but I think you may not wish others to know it?’
‘I once had hopes of returning to my home, but I doubt it will happen.’ Justin’s eyes clouded, his mouth thinning. ‘You owe me no gratitude, Maribel. Had we not attacked your ship the first time you might have been in England.’
‘And perhaps wed to a man I hated.’ She shuddered. ‘I think I should thank you, Sylvester. I resented being your captive, but I was proud and foolish, and afraid. I misjudged you and I am sorry. Perhaps one day I may do something for you in return.’
‘I ask for nothing.’ He inclined his head. ‘Excuse me, I have things I must do. You need not stay in the house; you are safe enough here in the garden, such as it is. I have been meaning to clear some of the undergrowth at the back so that a fruit garden can be planted, but as yet I have not had time. Be careful if you stray further. I do not think anyone will attempt what Pike did…but, as you know, these men are not always to be trusted.’
Maribel watched as he walked away from her. The barriers had come down as soon as she spoke of his name and reminded him of his home—and the woman he had loved. Clearly such memories pained him. He must have loved her very much…still loved her if it could cause the shadows to fall. He was a man and had a man’s needs. He might desire Maribel, but his heart still belonged to a woman he had once loved.
She was foolish to think of him! He had sworn to protect her but that was all. Maribel began to realise something her heart had tried to tell her long ago. Justin was an exceptional man and she was beginning to feel things for him that she could scarcely understand. He had been kind to her, but she had rebuffed him and it would serve her right if he abandoned her to her fate.
Maribel knew that she must make the best of her stay here. She could only hope that it would not be too long before the ship was ready to sail. In the meantime, she would make herself useful in the house. Some large chests had been delivered earlier and she knew they contained things for Justin’s house. He was so busy that he had no time to unpack them. She would do it for him.
Maribel spent an hour or more unpacking items of value from the sturdy oak trunks that had been set down in the living room. She discovered porcelain the like of which she had never seen and stared at the markings on the underneath, trying to make out the strange figures. Beautiful blue-and-white designs depicting figures dressed in clothes that seemed different to her. She imagined they must be very costly and thought that they rightly belonged in the chamber destined for the master of the house.
She sought and found Justin’s bedroom, discovering that his bed was much plainer than the one he had given her. Here there were no fancy hutches or carved stools, but just his sea chest and a plain stool with three legs. She set the vase down in a corner of the room, looking round as she thought that something more was needed here to make it comfortable. Noticing some stained linen, she picked it up intending to wash it for him. She was about to leave when she heard a sound and turned to find Justin looking at her.
‘What are you doing?’
‘I unpacked the chest you had sent here. That vase was so beautiful I thought it belonged in your room. I have never seen its like. Where did it come from?’
‘I believe China. It was taken from a Portuguese merchant vessel. I have been told that the Portuguese have trading arrangements with China that no other country has and vases such as these are rare—beyond price. It does not belong here and should have been left in the trunk to protect it.’
‘Forgive me. I thought you would wish these things unpacked. I shall replace it…’
‘No, leave it now. This room is bare. I dare say it will come to no harm.’ He frowned as he saw the linen in her arms. ‘What are you doing with those shirts?’
‘I meant to wash them for you. It is little enough in return for all you have given me and I have time on my hands.’
‘You