The Pirate's Willing Captive by Anne Herries Read Free Book Online Page B

seemed these people trusted her captor, but not her. She might have to make her journey on foot—and she could not be sure of a welcome. She had hoped that Juanita might have a sister or female cousin, but when she thought it over, her stepmother had never talked of her family.
    It was a risk, but one she must take. She could not go with the pirates to Cyprus and she would not return to her father to be sent to England like a package he had sold.
    One thing the pirate captain had done for her was to make her question her father’s motives. It seemed that there might be more behind his determination to marry her to an English lord than met the eye—but surely Juanita’s cousin would help her? She would pay him once she had control of the fortune left to her by her husband.
    Surely someone somewhere would be willing to help her?
    * * *
    The crew had been drinking and singing for a long time. They were obviously enjoying their time on shore, but at last they had quietened. She believed that most were asleep now.
    Maribel sat up and looked about her. She could see no sign of movement. It seemed that the pirates felt secure enough not to set a guard. She reached out and shook Anna’s shoulder. The woman snorted and grunted, but would not wake.
    ‘Anna!’ Maribel whispered, bending close to her ear. ‘It is time for us to leave!’
    Anna snored on, giving no sign that she had heard. Maribel hesitated. If she shouted at the girl, someone else might wake. Perhaps it was best to leave her and go alone. Beneath Maribel’s gown was concealed a pouch containing all the gold and jewellery she possessed; her clothes and other valuables remained on board the pirate ship, but she must leave them behind if she wanted to escape. She could only pray that Juanita’s cousin would be prepared to take her in and help her recover her fortune. If he would not…
    Maribel was not certain what she would do then. She only knew that she did not want to remain as the pirate’s captive, nor did she wish to return home.
    Anna could stay where she was; it seemed she was happy enough under the pirate’s rule. Maribel stood up, taking her blanket with her. It was cooler now, though during the day it would be hot. The blanket would keep her warm and if she had to spend morethan one day in the open she would have something to lie on at night.
    She deliberately put the farmer’s wife’s warning from her mind. Juanita’s cousin would surely help her. Why should he not?
    Creeping from the campsite, Maribel slipped away into the trees that fringed the beach. She had only a vague idea of where to find Juanita’s family, but she could ask someone. The people at the hacienda had been friendly and she had money to ease her way.
    She had been walking for only a few minutes when she heard a twig snap behind her. Her heart beating wildly, she turned but could not see anything.
    ‘Who is it?’
    No answer came. Maribel took a deep breath and walked on. She began to climb the ridge that led away from the beach. She could hear rustling sounds behind her and her pulses raced. It must be some kind of animal. Perhaps a pig turned loose in the woods to forage…
    Suddenly, the noise came from a different direction. Spinning round, she saw a man’s figure through the trees and caught her breath.
    ‘I thought it was you. Where do you think you are going?’
    Maribel hesitated. He had followed her! She might have known that escape would not be as easy as it seemed!
    ‘I needed to relieve myself.’
    ‘So far from the camp? Why did you bring a blanket with you? Are you sure you were not trying to escape?’
    ‘Why should I? Where could I go?’
    ‘To the house of Don Vittorio Mendoza, perhaps?’
    ‘She told you…’ The farmer’s wife had betrayed her!
    ‘Señora Gonzales told her husband and he told me. He warned me that I should not let you go there for Mendoza is not a good man—he is bitter and lives alone since his family died of a fever.’
    ‘He is