A Captive Heart Read Free Page A

drew herself up bravely and spoke out boldly. ‘I’m no fisher lad. I am a girl, sir. I-I am Tamsin Trevenian, Richard Trevenian’s daughter, sir. And you are?’
    Shock chased the look of alarm quickly across his face when he heard this. He struggled once again to raise himself up onto one elbow to study her more closely with those keen green eyes. ‘I am... a man of peace, an artist and a man of letters. And you say you are Tamsin Trevenian! Tamisin Trevanian, by all that’s wonderful! And what chance brings you here, my lady in this cave?’
    She hastened to reassure him quickly. ‘I can see that you are badly wounded, sir. I would like to help you if you will only allow me to do so?’
    He attempted once again to pull himself up, his pale face registering sharp pain as he did so, then said quietly, ‘You are Colonel Trevenian’s daughter? I ask you again what brings you here? It is not safe. You must leave this place immediately.’
    ‘I can perhaps offer you some help.’
    His eyes were on her still, registering the determined look in her brown eyes. He frowned back at her. His voice had the cadence of an educated man and the firm authority of an officer when he spoke out again, ‘No! You must leave here at once. It can only do you harm if you are found here alone with me by your father’s men. Conversing with the enemy is forbidden for both sides. As you must well know.’
    She knew then that her worst fears could be confirmed. ‘You are here to spy on us. And you think you will be shot if you are found here, sir!’ she replied sharply with a determined tilt of her small chin. ‘Did you then choose to hide in here away from the battle?’
    He was watching her closely now. He nodded slowly but said with a grave smile. ‘I did. But it was only done to give me time to recover better from my wounds. I am no coward! I have to get back to the Cornish mainland at once. It is most important that I do so, my lady!’
    She stared back at his handsome, equally determined face, flushed with anger now. So he chose not to hide his true purpose from her. The candle trembled unsteadily in her shaking hand as she stared him out with anger plain to see in her eyes.
    ‘I’m sure it is for Cromwell! You wish to give away our position here. Betray us all. You are a Cromwellian spy I’m sure of it, sir.’
    He laughed. ‘What if I am, my lady? Oh - I shall not seek to deny it. As a soldier’s daughter you must well know that your own side has its agents. They have worked well here for you also. Your men were ready and waiting for the Parliamentarians here today. And they gave us little mercy. I was shot as I left the inn in the harbour. But I tell the truth when I tell you that it is my intention to sketch and record the flowers, herbs and flora of the British countryside before it is lost to us for ever in the battles raging on it. I have my work and sketches there in the pouch that my head lies on. Examine it if you will and you will discover that I am not lying.’
    She fell silent for a moment. He perhaps spoke the truth. She saw also that in attempting to sit up to address her, the movement had served to aggravate his wound - it was now bleeding afresh and it could be dangerous indeed for him to waste more time in anger and argument.
    She reached her hand out to him quickly ‘Your arm, sir, how badly are you wounded? May I not see it?’
    ‘It need not trouble you further, my lady.’ His voice was ice cool and enigmatic; he was not prepared to give much away of his true state.
    She attempted a different tack now. ‘Are you hungry? When did you last eat, sir?’
    He groaned and made a brave attempt to chuckle, ‘How can I tell? I cannot remember, it seems so long since a morsel of food made its last acquaintance with my lips. I will be glad if you can find my horse; he is somewhere on the cliff above. I took him from the Inn stables. He must need care and attention.’
    She shook her head. She was not going to be