‘Aye, once or twice. ’Tis easy to get into the French ports, they like to think they can get us to bring their spies back over here. Got to be careful, mind. If they think you’re cocking a snook at them they’d as soon as cut your throat as look at you, and you don’t want anyone to think you’re a traitor. I’ve also sailed the North Sea for herring and I’ve called in at many other ports around the British Isles like Whitby, Hartlepool and Scarborough. Life away is very different to Cornwall, lived at a much faster pace, exciting as you said, but I find my home calling me back.’

‘So you’d like to live in Cornwall all your life?’

‘I don’t know about that, I want to travel the world.’ He presented her with his dazzling smile. ‘But right here will do for now. Are you enjoying your stay at the manor, Ameline?’

‘Oh yes…’

He kept her chatting until the tension slipped away from her shoulders and a becoming brightness turned her eyes from dull to a lustrous grey. He gained her confidence by telling her something of his family and his livelihood from the Young Maid. He knew she would feel it impolite and improper to ask him many questions and Ameline did not know he was only imparting the kind of knowledge anyone who knew his family would know; deeper things were saved for his mother – and, if he got the opportunity, Kerensa.

On their way back he pointed out the spot on the shingle that was sometimes used as a midden by a fully grown dog otter and its mate. Ameline thought it indelicate of him to mention it but she expressed her intention to learn more about nature and her creatures. When they reached Kernick, Bartholomew knew she was pleased to have made his acquaintance and was intrigued by him. He had been careful in his flattery; a plain woman like Ameline would have received little in her time and she would know when it was insincere. He would have to tread carefully. But as he helped her to mount, a thought dawned on her that almost wrecked his plan right at the beginning.

‘You are very familiar with Lady Pengarron,’ she said, viewing him with a trace of mistrust. ‘Does… does she meet you here… in the cove?’ She knew there would be nothing improper on Kerensa’s part but she couldn’t quite bring herself to trust this handsome youth with his brilliant smile.