A Captive Heart Read Online Free PDF

to.’
    She felt choked up now by her emotions. What else should she do? Should she turn him over to her father, a good kindly man, and hope that he would be merciful?

 
    Chapter Eight
     
    Tamsin’s mind was made up for her later that evening, purely by chance, when her father confided to her thoughtfully at the dining table: ‘You know, my dear, a day or so ago, I could have sworn that I saw Philip Carey’s eldest son, Adam, here in Tresco.’
    ‘Adam Carey! Here, Father?’
    ‘Yes, child, I thought I saw him on horseback on the hillside overlooking the harbour, before the Roundheads landed in their boats and invaded us. He rode off quickly when I came into view. It looked as if he was expecting them.’
    ‘Are you sure of that Father? You could be mistaken - it’s some time since we last saw the Careys, isn’t?’
    He sighed heavily, shook his head and looked troubled. ‘I’ve heard rumours that Adam has fallen out with Philip and his family over his beliefs. And worst of all I fear now that he could be a spy for Cromwell. Why else would he be here today of all days? And why would he not have made known his presence to us?’
    ‘A spy!’ Her knife clattered on her dish. ‘You cannot be sure that it was Adam Carey, Father. You could be mistaken.’
    He nodded. ‘I only wish that this was true. But I am sure it was him.’ He sighed, ‘You played as children together. I found him to be a pleasant, handsome young lad. Some years older than you of course. I hoped that one day a marriage might be arranged between you.’ He shook his head. ’He recognised me, I am almost sure of that.’
    Adam had not mentioned this incident to her. He obviously thought that it was better that he did not. Was this the time to tell her father what had really happened to Adam Carey since then?
    ‘I have heard you speak of the Careys often, father. And yes of course I recall that I met and played with them. Mother was with us still then and we visited their family home often.’
    Her father smiled. ‘They were the best of days to remember, it’s good that we still can, my dear.’
    She hoped that he could not read the guilt that she felt was plain to see in her eyes. But luckily he was still deep in thought, obviously worried and no longer observing her reactions to what he had told her.
    ‘I’m sorry to hear that Adam has fallen out with his father. I remember he seemed headstrong to me.’
    ‘That is right. Quite a bit.’ He nodded his face grave now. ‘Yes - you may well remember much more about him than I do.’ He stayed deep in thought for a moment or so.
    Tamsin knew that a further attack on Tresco could be imminent before long. Richard Trevenian, a good Royalist, soldier and father, could not pay as much attention as he wished to his only child, Tamsin, and he knew he had to insist that she was kept safe and out of danger at Treganna for as long as possible.
    ‘I want you to leave Tresco as soon as possible, Tamsin. I will arrange for you to stay with your Aunt Phoebe at our family home in the Helford passage on the mainland. She will be pleased to have you there for company while your uncle Bevil is away with prince Rupert at Oxford.’
    ‘Father, I cannot leave you. I do not want to go.’
    So far he had not persuaded her to leave. But now he had decided her fate for her. She had little choice but to listen and obey his wishes. What could she do about Adam? She could not leave him till he was completely recovered, or hand him over to her father. No she had to give him a chance to get back to the mainland if he gave his word never to return to Tresco or use the knowledge he’d obtained to help the enemy. She decided she would have to confess all to Martha and get her assistance over this.
    Martha and Nancy, Tamsin’s maidservants, were her only woman companions in the castle. Martha was strict, but kind and attempted in vain to keep Tamsin in order. She highly disapproved of Tamsin riding around Tresco on her