Knight's Captive by Samantha Holt Page A

free from its tight braid and how another
smile reached out to him when she glanced over the headland and took in the
view. With the skies clear, they had a fine sight of the cliffs stretching down
to meet the rolling seas and the sun reflected off the water, giving it an
almost ethereal blue colour. Henry paused and waited for Antonia to join him at
his side.
    “Beautiful, is it not?”
    “Si .”
    That smile again. Hell fire, it seemed to shoot
straight for his heart.
    “I had been told England was wet and grey. I
didn’t expect anything like this.”
    He chuckled. “England is wet and grey a lot. Clearly you missed the rain last night. But it
has its moments.”
    “I should be very happy to live in a place like
this. I would not even mind the rain.”
    Those words rang in his ears. It was folly to
think of her staying. What would he do with a Spanish Catholic for Christ’s
sake? She belonged in Spain where the weather was warm and Catholics were
plentiful.
    And her life would not be in danger because of
her religion.
    “You would tire of the weather soon enough. ‘ Tis much colder here.”
    “You forget my father had hoped for us to settle
here.”
    Aye, he had forgotten. He hadn’t received word
of the progress of the Armada yet but their retreat meant the battle to protect
England was all but won. The Spanish had failed in their attempted invasion and
as such, many plans would be changed.
    “I confess I cannot understand why you should
wish to settle here rather than remain in your own country with your kin.”
    “My familia is small—just my father and
me. I have little waiting for me back home.”
    “You are not betrothed?” The words surprised
him. It hadn’t occurred to him until just now that she might be pining for a
man. But if she was, she would be eager to return, surely? He waited, breath
held for him to deny the existence of any such man.
    “ No . I am a widow.”
    Damn, he had been lusting after a woman who was
likely grieving for her husband. That explained why she wished to come to
England. She likely wanted to escape the painful memories of him.
    “I am sorry.”
    “Do not be.” She offered him a bright smile and
that arrow she’d pierced his heart with plunged deeper. “Come, I am eager to
see my father.”
    It took Henry a few moments to realise she’d set
her horse into a trot and was riding ahead of him. He caught up before they
reached the physician’s and he noted the wary looks she garnered from the
villagers. If what the priest said was true, they didn’t like having a Catholic
woman in their midst. He would also have to make it clear that they would be
rewarded for their charity to the Spanish. They might be enemy but they were
still people. He wouldn’t see them starve to death.
    When they dismounted outside of the two-storey
house, he took the reins from Antonia. “Go to him. I’ll wait outside.”
    She gave him a grateful smile and entered the
building. Henry had opted to remain outside because he did indeed want to give
her time alone with her father but also he needed to see what the general mood
was like. If trouble was stirring, he needed to be aware of it.
    Tom, the baker strolled past and seemed genial
enough when he greeted him. He spoke with Alice and her two boys but none of
them spoke of any discontent. However, he noticed a few furtive looks in his
direction and heard the odd whispered word. He’d have to warn his men to be on
their guard at the barn. It need only take a tiny spark to ignite trouble and
someone like the priest was just the sort of set the flame burning.
    Antonia ducked out of the house not long after
he’d finished speaking with the blacksmith who had also stopped by to see if
his services were needed. He noted that the lines of fatigue around her eyes
had eased.
    “All is well?”
    “ Si . He was
very tired. He has been given...” She waved a hand as she searched for the
word. “Poppy tonic?”
    Henry nodded. “Aye, for the
pain.