A Captive Heart Read Online Free PDF Page B

mare Bella, especially when she went out dressed as a boy.
    Martha was at that moment busy with Nancy and the Army doctor, caring for some of the Royalists’ sick and wounded and some of the badly injured prisoners, who were mostly untrained youths or schoolboys.
    Tamsin found herself perfectly at liberty to take food and supplies from the kitchen pantry and clean linen for Adam without being questioned, at least for the moment. But for how long could she manage to do this without discovery?

 
    Chapter Nine
     
    Tamsin wanted to know so much more about Adam. She didn’t know what made her behave like this, or what provoked the feelings inside her that were so strange and overwhelming. He was the first young man she had encountered for so long - her father had not encouraged her to meet any of his young officers other than formally. He did not wish her to fall in love with any young men that would give her cause to weep for their loss in this terrible conflict.
    Her father spoke out about Adam again that evening at dinner.
    ‘ I am sure now that Adam was not injured or killed in the fighting. I have looked out for him amongst the prisoners that we have taken in here since today, but he has not been found anywhere on the island as yet.’
    Could he have guessed that she was involved with Adam in some way? She hoped not. She knew he must have been thinking long and hard about Adam. More than likely he had worried about him as much as she had.
    ‘And what if we do find him alive or dead here on Tresco? What then?’’
    He shook his head and looked troubled, ‘It will not be good for either us or him. I pray that we do not meet again on the field of battle.’
    ‘You would have to take him prisoner then, Father? If you should find him anywhere here on Tresco?’
    He nodded. ‘Alas, yes child. I would be forced to hand him over to the Star Chamber on St Mary’s where he would no doubt be charged and executed immediately as a spy.’
    He spoke out frankly and her heart reacted as she knew it would. She had to get Adam away.
    ‘Father! That is terrible. How could you do it?’
    He studied her worried face. ‘Philip I know would never forgive me if I allowed anything to happen to his only son, whatever he may have done.’
    ‘Perhaps he got away in the boat that he came over in. Some must have done. Is that possible do you think?’
    ‘Perhaps.’ He took hold of her hand and patted it gently as she reached out to him across the table. ‘Philip was once so proud of his dear boy. He must be so gravely troubled now about him.’
    If only he knew. Did her trembling hand held in his betray her? So she had done the right thing after all. She must not give Adam away. It would be almost certain death for him and desolation for both their families in years to come when this terrible war was over and done with.
    She held onto his hand tight. ‘Father - you will always have me.’ She sighed. ‘I only wish that I were the son and heir that you always wanted. Instead Treganna will go to someone else in the family if you should inherit the house and estate after Uncle Bevil. He has no heir to inherit Treganna other than you now that his only son Jago is dead. And I am truly sorry. This war has taken so much that we treasure away from us.’
    He smiled. ‘You are so like your dear mother. I have always thought that. I would never wish to change you for a son. Be content with that but you must do as I say and leave soon, Tamsin, for your own safety. You cannot stay here any longer.’
    She cried out in alarm, ‘Must I, Father? I do not want to leave you ever. I might never see you again.’
    He kissed her hand, ‘Hush now child, you must do what I ask and leave.’
    ‘Tresco could be attacked again any day. Cromwell will not give up his purpose to take over all of Cornwall.’
    ‘If the worst comes and Cromwell takes Tresco with the other islands here then I shall have to leave immediately for Jersey, and to France to join the