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father.’
    Uncertainty showed still in Martha’s grey eyes as she studied Tamsin’s face carefully. ‘Let us hope so, child. Once we land on the Cornish shore across the water Master Carey will have to make his own way. I can only make sure of his safety while he is on board the ship. The Captain will be loyal to us and hopefully we can get away with it. Afterwards,’ she said, shaking her head and shrugging her shoulders, ‘well, he is in God’s hands from now on. As we all shall be.’

 
    Chapter Nineteen
     
    Now Tamsin had only to break the news to Adam. As she rode once more across the island, she thought out what she planned to do for him and wondered how he was going to take it. Martha had also made her own suggestions. She had to hope that he would agree with them too.
    As she expected he was pleased to hear that there was a way off the island for him. But afterwards, when he had time to dwell on it more fully, there was a look of caution in those bold green eyes that challenged her as he walked over the sandy floor towards her.
    ‘What is wrong? Can you not trust me? I promise that you will have a safe trip back to Cornwall, Adam.’
    ‘But what will happen to me as soon as I step ashore in the harbour? Tell me what happens then? I trust that your family will be meeting you?’
    ‘I shall protect you myself; offer you safety till you can leave to go to wherever you decide to go.’
    She wanted him to believe her because she did not want to lose his trust. She turned away from him quickly so that he could not see her face or the tears that were threatening once again.
    ‘Hush now. You say that Reuben’s mother, your nurse Martha, is arranging that this will be so? I do not think that she will wish to upset you.’ He gestured with his arms, then groaned, caught hold of his injured arm in a linen bound sling which hurt him still. ‘But how can I know that she will not inform on me afterwards?’
    ‘Because she made her promise to me. She has never lied to me, Adam. Never! It is up to me to see that you have transport, a horse perhaps and a change of clothing.’ He cocked a quizzical dark brow at this. ‘Two in fact before you leave our company. You see, Adam, you will have to be in disguise and share a cabin with Martha and myself, as my serving maid, Nancy.’
    ‘What! Have I heard right? A serving maid!’
    There was an incredulous look in his eyes that told her he could so easily refuse to do as she wished.
    ‘Please, please listen to me, Adam, it is the your only way to escape discovery. Martha is going to vouch for you as her daughter. You will be accepted as Reuben’s sister once on board ship.’
    ‘What! This is mere madness!’ Then he threw back his head and laughed, his laughter filling the cave with its ringing echoes. He said firmly, ‘I think that I have as much chance of passing as a young wench as I do surviving in St Marys Castle before a firing squad. But if this is what I must do to leave this island prison I have made for myself then I must take the chance. I only wish that you need not be involved further in this mad charade you will be taking on just to save me.’
    ‘But I am. And I promise you that you will land in safety on Cornish soil.’
    Adam could hardly believe what he had heard. So I must put my trust in two women and a boy to save us all from a worse fate than I face now as an agent; I could lose not only my life but this young woman’s life and love for ever. I hope and pray she will discover that my love for her now far outweighs her distrust: I am not and never could be her enemy.

 
    Chapter Twenty
     
      Tamsin was worried. They still had to deceive her father. He would come to see them off on the Marie Louise at Naim Cres port. So this meant they would have to be extra careful and must get Adam on board first of all, Martha decided, after a propitious talk with Captain Jacque of the Marie Louise.
    Martha knew that a weighty purse of gold coins would help