I was riding home when I came upon a soldier. I stopped for a moment, to speak with him and asess what was the true nature of their presence.

"Good evening to you, sir. It's a fine night." I commented as he looked upon me with suspicion in his eyes. He must be one of a few out on patrol.

"Aye." was all he responded, well he was very chatty and willing to talk. I nodded to him and countered on my way. I ran into a couple  near Nampara.

"Oh no." I raced on ahead and dismounted and made quick to go inside. I closed the curtains sharply in each room.

"The are soldiers on patrol." I told Prudie and Demelza

"Save us! Where?" Prudie asked

"By the long field and Ross will walk straight into the ambush." I closed the other set of curtains.  I went around doing the same

"Go up to the nursery and watch over the children. The curtains remain closed." I  I ordered

"Why? What are you gonna do?" Demelza asked

"I'm going to warn them. I already set up a bonfire incase of such emergencies. I hope that Ross will see it in time and remember it's meaning." I look back and notice Captain McNeil standing there

"I must ask you to remain inside this evening. Trooper Wilkins will guard you." I flashed a smile paying he hadn't heard my earlier comment.

"Against what I may ask? Do you suppose there to be an enemy about?" I wonder

"Of sorts, ma'am. We have word that smugglers intend to use your cove tonight. Where's your husband?" he questioned

"He's in St Ives. He's back tomorrow. Would you like a glass of wine?" I offer

"Thank ye. I'm on duty." he answers

"And pray tell what do you want with my husband. What is he supposed to do with this?" I pressed for information

"Nothing, I hope, but since your it's your land. I think ye can hardly be as innocent as ye look." McNeil came over to me "Believe me Ma'am, for the favour of your good will, I would pay a very high price. But none which involves then neglect in duty." I stood straighter refusing to back down.

"And what do I do?"

"Stay in side. I can ill spare Wilkins but you give me no choice." he left and Trooper Wilkins stood guard. I paced back and forth glaring at Trooper Wilkins.

"Take a seat Ma'am. 'Twill be a long night and you'll not wish to tire yourself out." he suggested

"I don't wish to be given orders in my own house. You won't even let me check on my sleeping children." I protest

"Wish it or no, 'tis my orders we go by, if we hear a peep out of them you may leave, so you'll kindly oblige me by keeping where I can see you." he retorted

"And what if we wish to get some sleep?"

"I must ask you to do so here, ma'am, so I can keep an eye n you" I sit down and wait which was all I could do. That was until I heard gunfire. I stood up to leave

"We'll have none of that."

"In case you hadn't heard, that was gunfire and my children who are upstairs may I remind you will be frightened." I seethe

"I can't allow that."

"Do you make war on babies now? It is clear to me you have none so let me make this clear. The worst thing you can do right now is keep a mother away from her children." He wavered in sight

"Be quick about it." I moved past him and ran upstairs. In the nursery the children stirred.

"Ease, little ones." I cooed crouching down. "It's just thunder. Go back to sleep." the drifted back off and I opened their window climbing out onto the ledge. Looking down at the back of the house I slid down and make the small jump run off into the woods. I crash into someone and notice who it is.

"Ross" I pulled him into a hug "I thought..."

"We need to get to the house." he insisted

"There are soldiers guarding it, McNeil" I informed him and he cursed, I see his hand it's all bloody. "You're hurt."

"It's just a scratch." we heard soldiers voices

"They're coming." he grabs my hand and runs back to the house

"Go through the kitchen. i must get to the cache." he told me

"How?"

"Through the side door, I have a key. Make haste." he insists and we separate . I re enter and Wilkins turns around

"Where have you been?" he questions

"Upstairs" i sneer

"How did you get down?" he inquired

"I came down the back stairs. I'm back down isn't that enough. My children are fine thank you, no thanks to your lot scaring them half into a frenzy." There rapid knocking on the front door and Wilkins goes to answer. Prudie and Demelza come out. "He's in the library." I mumble. Vasco entered with a bloody nose and a hard glare.

"Where s Captain Poldark?"

"In St Ives, I believe." I lied smoothly

"You believe wrong . I saw him not ten minutes ago. Has he come here?!" He directed the last part to Wilkins.

"No one's been in but you sir."

"He's headed in this direction. He'll be somewhere about." his voice lowered menacingly

"How dare you come into my home threatening me and scaring my children. My husband will hear of this." I threaten

"And shortly, I trust. You will give us permission to search the house!" he ordered

"I will not." I shout. McNeil returns

"You've searched the cellars? No contraband?!" I heard one of the children begin to cry.

"I told you that Ross was in St Ives and now you wake my children!" I point at him

"I wish I believed you. Search the outhouses and the stables. I'll take the library. Wilkins accompany Mistress Poldark to retrieve her children and bring them down here."  McNeil orders and i faulted

"The library is sometimes locked." i say

"Then no doubt you'll have the key."

"I will get my children first, and no I will not open the door till they are settled." I make my way upstairs and retrieve Henry and Rebekah Grace. I settle them down and lay them on the lap of Damelza before opening up the library. A corner of the rug was turned over and the table out of place.

"Bring light." McNeil ordered. Light was brought forward and the rug pulled back

"Here it is, just like he said."Vercoe smirked "Give me the pistol." he was handed one. Prudie took my side and I held onto her.

"Pistols ready." they did so "Would you mind?" McNeil and Vercoe pulled back the hatch and I stepped forward

"More light." A candle was lowered and we saw the cache empty. I quietly breathed a sigh of relief he was not there but if we wasn't then where was he? McNeil  looked up.

"As you can see there is no one here in the storm shelter. Now would you be so helpful to remove your men from my house." I stood straighter. He didn't answer for a moment "I don't think I stuttered Captain." he gestured for his men to leave and he was about to when he turned back to me.

"Do not think you can ease this situation right now with words, Captain. You barge into my home without my permission, scare myself and maids, your men scare my children, my children and you imply that my husband is up to no good, kindly leave." he did as I asked with no exchange back.