LITMIR.BIZ

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turned and walked to the door. Maribel tried to speak, but could not make the words come.

      ‘Do not leave me. Stay and make me yours,’ she whispered, but the door had closed behind him.

       Chapter Six

      That morning was as warm as the one before it. Maribel rose early, dressed in one of her simpler gowns and went out to draw water from the well. She had carried both buckets to the house when Anna came sleepily into the kitchen. Hair was straggling down her back and it was obvious that she found it difficult to rouse herself.

      ‘I stayed out drinking with Higgins after you retired last night,’ she told Maribel, her cheeks flushed. ‘I did not expect you to wake so early.’

      ‘I was excited by the thought of the visit to the other side of the island.’ Maribel smiled. ‘It was no trouble to me to fetch the water.’

      ‘I am still your maid—until you dismiss me.’

      ‘I would never dismiss you, but I should like us to be friends, Anna. Now, I must change into one of the gowns Captain Sylvester bought for me.’

      ‘I shall help you,’ Anna did not meet her eyes.

      Maribel sighed. She knew that Anna could not think of her as a friend, perhaps she never would. They had been mistress and servant and they would be parted when Maribel travelled to her mother’s home.

      Maribel was trying not to think of the moment when Justin had kissed her the previous night, the moment when her foolish tears had sent him away. What would have happened if she had not allowed herself to think of love? Would he have made love to her? Would he have accepted her as his woman? Did he care for her at all or was it just the sight of her in her shift that had made him take her in his arms?

      When Maribel came from her room dressed in one of her best gowns, Justin was waiting for her. He greeted her with a nod, but gave no sign that anything had happened the previous night. She smiled at him shyly, her eyes going over him. He was so handsome clothed in black hose and long leather boots that reached to his thighs, his thin linen shirt open at the neck, revealing a sprinkling of dark hair on his tanned chest. His long hair had been caught back by a ribbon at his nape; he was wearing his sword and a leather belt across his body into which was thrust a long-barrelled pistol and a heavy knife.

      ‘You look prepared for trouble,’ she said, because she needed to say something or the silence between them would be unbearable.

      ‘It is always best to be prepared,’ he told her coolly. ‘Higgins will help to row us to the shore, but he will remain with the boat while we explore.’

      ‘Is Anna to come with us?’

      ‘Would you like her to?’

      ‘She would be company for Higgins while he waits for us.’

      ‘Very well, she may come.’ Justin’s eyes were on her face. ‘You are certain you wish for this outing?’

      ‘Yes, of course. I am looking forward to seeing what Paradise looks like.’ She did not add that the best part for her would be that she would be alone with him for a while, that perhaps she might find the courage to tell him what was in her heart.

      ‘We should leave at once,’ Justin told her, leading the way outside. ‘The day looks fair, but the air is heavy. It is possible that there may be a storm before nightfall.’

      ‘Surely not?’ Maribel looked up at the cloudless blue sky and then out to sea. Several ships were anchored in the bay, though she could see no sign of the Defiance. It looked as if the Maria and Captain Hendry had already sailed, though Justin’s third ship, the Siren Eater, which had joined them a few days before the feast, was still in port. ‘Did you finish your business with Captain Hendry yesterday? I do not see his ship in port?’

      ‘He told me that he had decided to become a merchant adventurer. I wished him well and we parted on good terms. I shall tell you more later, but the news he brought is good, Maribel. Your father seems to have accepted your decision not to return, though he has doubled his offer for the map. He sent you a letter. I intended to give it to you last night, but—’ He broke off abruptly. ‘You shall have it later.’

      ‘Do not talk about it now,’ she begged, suddenly wanting to delay talking of the future. ‘It is a beautiful day and I see no sign of a storm.’

      ‘They come suddenly at times. I would not be at sea in a small boat if a storm should strike. If that happens, we may have to stay at the other side of the island until the morning.’

      Maribel’s stomach caught. If they were stranded alone with no house or walls to separate them, who knew what might happen…?

      ‘I do not think there will be a storm,’ she said and smiled at him. ‘But if there is we must make the best of it.’

      Maribel watched as the two men pulled on the oars. It was a small boat and the blades cut through the water effortlessly as they rounded the point coming at last to a large, deserted cove. Here the beach was entirely fringed with trees that seemed to be thick for some distance inland; the sand was soft, unsullied by human habitation and beautiful as a glistening sea lapped against it. A few strokes more and the boat was beached. Higgins and Justin jumped out and hauled it into shallow water so that the hull scraped against the bottom.

      Justin came to take Maribel’s hand, then swept her up in his arms, carrying her through the water to where the sand was dry and silvery-soft beneath her feet. Her heart raced as she inhaled the spicy scent of him and felt her stomach spasm with desire. He was more to her than all the world and she must find the courage to tell him.

      She looked about her. The sea was a deep turquoise, white crested with foam where the waves broke against the shore, sparkling in the sunshine like precious jewels. To each side of her was a wide expanse of sand, and behind her the dense woods that looked as if they might be difficult to penetrate.

      ‘Why is this part of the island uninhabited?’

      ‘There are dangerous rocks beneath the water and the ships would have to anchor further out. Until a harbour and a pier are built the only way to approach is in small boats, as we came today. In time I dare say the trees may be cut back and the harbour built—but the other side of the island was easier to settle—the water is deeper and the ships can unload much nearer to the beach if need be. As you know, we have built a harbour of sorts, though as yet it is primitive.’

      Maribel nodded. She looked towards the trees, hearing the call of a bird and catching sight of its bright colours as it flitted between branches.

      ‘It will be a pity if the woods are cut down to build houses.’

      ‘Yes, perhaps, but men must have somewhere to shelter. If the island is to become a permanent settlement and not just somewhere for pirates to replenish their ships and enjoy some leisure on shore there must be some clearance in time.’

      ‘Yes, I suppose it must happen. I think it would be pleasant to live where there is plenty of land and you could ride for a day and not find another settlement.’

      ‘Would you not miss the company of others?’

      ‘Yes, perhaps,’ Maribel said and laughed. ‘I am foolish. As you say, land must be settled and trees cut for wood if people are to live here—but I am glad that this place is unspoiled for the moment.’

      Justin hesitated, then offered his hand. ‘Come, I shall show you a place I discovered some months ago when I first visited this side of the island. I think you will like it. You may find the walk a little arduous but it will be worthwhile when we get there.’

      Maribel took his hand. He did not look at her and she knew he was keeping a barrier between them, but her heart beat very fast. She had thought he might be angry after the previous night, but he seemed to have put it from his mind. Glancing back at Anna and Higgins, she saw they appeared engrossed in each other and envied them the uncomplicated nature of their relationship.

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