LITMIR.BIZ

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told me you were here! I thought you lost to us for good.’

      Justin stood up. He held out his hand, but his father smiled and embraced him.

      ‘Welcome home, my son. This is a wonderful day!’

      ‘Perhaps you should hear my story first, Father. You may not be so pleased once you know what happened—what I have done.’

      John moved back, his gaze narrowed and questing. ‘Should this be said before your mother?’

      ‘I would wish Mother to hear it all. I have done things that may shame you, Father—but I ask for your understanding.’

      ‘You mean the mutiny? I have heard that there was a possibility that you led a mutiny against a cruel master—namely Captain Smythe?’

      ‘You knew that and yet you welcomed me home?’

      ‘I heard from Captain Bolton that you might have been shanghaied aboard Smythe’s ship. He visited us concerning a horse and told me what conditions aboard such a ship would be like and that he had heard the captain’s life had been saved by one of the mutineers. Apparently, the leader forced the others to put the captain and his officers ashore at Venice rather than hanging them as others wanted. Was that what happened, Justin?’

      ‘Yes, Father. I must explain what happened. When a young lad who had done little wrong was beaten half to death I could no longer hold out against the crew. They would have killed Smythe, his officers and me if I had not taken charge. I did not think I had a choice.’

      ‘You did what you had to do,’ Sir John agreed. ‘Mutiny is a serious offence, but I must tell you that some of Smythe’s officers reported him for gross misconduct, blaming him for losing the ship and putting their lives at risk. He has lost his master’s ticket and will not sail as the captain of a ship again.’

      ‘I am glad to hear it, sir. It is time that men like Smythe were shown for the bullies they are. However, that is not the end of my story. I fear there is worse to come. Something for which I may not be so easily acquitted. ’

      ‘You had best tell us then, Justin.’

      ‘When we took the ship and set the captain ashore, I became its captain in his stead, but we sailed by the rules of the brethren, which make all men equal.’

      ‘Brethren—you mean pirates?’ John’s eyes narrowed. ‘You became a pirate? You preyed on the ships of others and stole what was theirs—you killed men for gain?’

      ‘We took the cargoes we captured and sold them. We did not kill wantonly, Father. If the ship surrendered immediately there was no bloodshed, though a few may have been killed, those that refused the truce and tried to resist. Not by my hand, but by others. I have killed only when forced.’

      ‘But the ships were taken by your order?’

      Justin met his gaze. ‘Yes, sir. I was the captain. I gave the orders, which my men obeyed. I sold the prizes we took and distributed the gains between them, and kept my share. I have ordered men flogged and I have killed men in fair fight—but I punished the crew only when I had no choice.’

      ‘You are by your own admission a pirate?’

      ‘Yes, Father.’

      ‘Then you have shamed your family and yourself.’

      His father stared at him a moment longer, then turned and walked away, leaving the room.

      ‘Father…forgive me…’

      ‘It will take time.’ Lady Devere stood up. She placed a gentle hand on her son’s arm. ‘Do not be hurt or bitter, Justin. Your father is an honest man. This news has shocked and distressed him. He was always so proud of you and now…’

      ‘I have brought shame on him and myself.’

      ‘No, Justin.’ Lady Devere’s eyes were soft and moist with tears. ‘You did what you had to do—what seemed right at the time. You were forced to lead the mutiny and then it must have seemed that you had no choice but to become a pirate. I understand, dearest. Your father will learn to think as I do and to forgive you.’

      ‘You will persuade him, Mother.’ Justin’s face was fiercely proud. ‘You may persuade him to make a show of forgiveness, but in his heart he will never forget what I have done. He will never truly forgive me; he will never be proud to call me son.’

      ‘He is a proud man, Justin—proud of you and his honour. Give him time to think this through.’

      ‘I had to tell him, to tell you both. You must feel that I have let you down, Mother. I did have a choice. I could have put the captain and his officers in chains and sailed back to England to take my chances.’

      ‘Would the crew have accepted your decision?’

      ‘I am not sure. I did not offer them the choice.’

      Lady Devere touched his cheek. ‘You know that they would not have listened if you had. You would have died with the captain and his officers. They owe their lives to you, my son. You have done the right thing now. Your father will understand in time.’

      ‘I shall leave in the morning, Mother.’

      ‘Why?’ She looked at him in alarm. ‘Where will you go?’

      ‘To London to beg an audience with the Queen. If I am to live as I was born to live and hold my head high, I must seek a royal pardon. Only then can I build my house and bring honour to the woman I love.’

      ‘The woman you love?’ Lady Devere’s eyes widened. ‘You have said nothing of this, Justin. Please tell me about this lady—she is a lady?’

      ‘A beautiful, innocent, perfect lady. Her father is a Spanish Don. He meant to sell her to a rogue so that he could steal her lands and fortune, but I stole her away from the rogue who would have harmed her. I love Maribel and she loves me.’

      ‘Maribel, that is a beautiful name,’ his mother said and smiled. ‘You will bring this lady to see me, Justin. Give me your word that you will return once more and bring your bride with you.’

      ‘Maribel is not yet my wife, for I wished to clear the shadow that hangs over me if possible. She is with her mother’s family and I shall return to claim her as soon as I am able.’

      ‘Supposing the Queen refuses to see you?’

      ‘If I am at liberty I shall sail away and never return to England.’

      ‘And if you are thrown into the Tower?’

      ‘I must take my chances, Mother. I must pay my respects to Queen Elizabeth. I pray that she will remember me as a loyal supporter at a difficult time. I shall arrange for a gift to be sent to her; if it pleases her, she may grant me a pardon.’

      Lady Devere leaned forwards to kiss his cheek. ‘My prayers are with you, my son. I shall speak to your father. It may hurt him to know that you were for a short time a pirate, but I believe he will forgive you.’

      ‘Thank you.’ Justin smiled. ‘At least I know I have your forgiveness and your love.’

      ‘Nothing could ever change that,’ she said. ‘You are my son.’

      Maribel looked about her excitedly. She had never been to a fair such as this, because her father would not have approved. A large field had been set aside to accommodate all the merchants and pedlars that had made their way here for the festival. All kinds of goods were set out, either on blankets set on the ground or on boards and trestles. There were men of several races displaying their wares; men with dark skins and eyes from the east with perfumes and trinkets made of ivory, silver and horn. Also merchants of France and Italy selling materials so fine and beautiful that Maribel could not resist touching them, letting the silk run through her fingers. Some of the merchants had leather belts and jerkins tooled with gold and vibrant colours, others had slippers and purses of leather or velvet, still more sold cures with strange-sounding names and relics from the

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