The Pirate's Willing Captive Read Online Free PDF

who served her father. Why was it different here?
    ‘You should not linger on deck, lady.’
    Maribel jumped guiltily as she heard the pirate captain’s voice.
    ‘I see that you have allowed Captain Hynes to live.’
    ‘Against the will of some of my men.’ Justin’s gaze narrowed. ‘Have you some affection for this man?’
    ‘None, sir. I merely regret any bloodshed.’
    ‘It is necessary at times, but we are not monsters. We kill only when we must.’
    ‘Then why are you pirates? Could you not find an honest trade?’
    ‘You ask too many questions, Donna Maribel.’
    ‘You know my name—may I not at least know yours, sir?’
    ‘Captain Sylvester, at your service.’
    ‘Do not mock me. If you were at my service, you would not have kidnapped me.’
    ‘I saw no force used, lady. You walked aboard my ship willingly.’
    ‘Because I was given no choice! What would you have done had I refused?’
    ‘Ah…’ His eyes gleamed with mockery. ‘I should then have had to carry you on board myself, for I would have no other lay their hands on you. As Captain I have first choice of the spoils—and you are my share, lady.’
    ‘You promised to ransom me…’ Maribel’s heart raced as she looked into his eyes. They were so blue that she thought of a summer sky and for a moment she was drawn to him, but there was ice at their centre and she shivered, sensing his anger.
    ‘Perhaps I shall…’ Justin did not smile. ‘Yet there is something about you that I think might be worth more than mere gold. So perhaps you should not tarry; I have work to do and you will be safe in your cabin.’
    What did he mean? Her heart jerked with fright and yet her body tingled, making her feel more alive than she had for a long, long time. He might be a pirate and a rogue, but there was something compelling about Captain Sylvester—something that made her heart beat faster.
    She turned and hastened towards the open hatch. Her pulses were racing as she climbed down the ladder taking her to the cabins below. She squashed the feeling that she might like him if she allowed herself to judge him fairly. No, she would not give in to weakness. Thepirate captain was a devil! An arrogant, wicked, mocking devil and she hated him! Yet at the back of her mind a little voice was telling her that he had saved her from a fate that might have been far worse than her present situation.
    * * *
    Maribel stared out of the porthole at the calm sea. They had been at sea for two days and she had not left her cabin. She turned her head as her maid entered. Anna brought her food and wine each day and already knew her way about the ship.
    ‘The captain says you may come on deck for some air, my lady—but that you should keep your head covered for the sun is hot and he would not have you take harm.’
    ‘You may tell Captain Sylvester that I have no wish to come on deck or to mix with rogues.’
    Anna looked at her oddly. ‘Do you think it wise to send such a message, my lady?’
    ‘How would you have me address him—as a friend?’ Maribel knew that her maid’s counsel was wise, but something inside her would not allow her to give in so easily.
    ‘We have not been treated ill…’
    ‘Indeed?’ Maribel’s dark eyes flashed. ‘If you do not think it ill to be abducted and forced aboard a pirate ship, I do. Sylvester had no right to take us captive.’
    ‘He had the right—’ tis the law of the sea. He might have sunk the vessel and all with it, but only those that resisted were harmed, and I think none killed. It is notalways the case with pirates. Had we been taken by corsairs we should be dead or on our way to a slave market, where we should be sold to the highest bidder.’
    Maribel wrinkled her brow. She knew that her maid spoke the truth; they could have fared worse. However, she had no intention of relenting towards the pirate.
    ‘You will please give my message to the captain, as I bid you.’
    ‘Yes, my lady—but should you not like to