"Hurry, Horatio!" Archie called from the bottom of the inn's stairway.
"I'm coming, Archie! Stay calm!" Horatio yelled back as he closed the room door and descended the stairs. "One would think you in a hurry, Mr. Kennedy."
Archie grumbled something beneath his breath and Horatio laughed as he caught bits and pieces of it.
"I presume, it is I you wish to keelhaul and not Leigha. I heard both of our names in that mumbled speech and wish to clarify the victim." Horatio couldn't resist teasing.
"I SAID!" Archie bellowed, he flushed and lowered his voice when the other patrons turned towards him and stared. "I said, that if you delay any longer, I will personally see you keelhauled. Now belay teasing me, Horatio, I'm already a nervous mess."
"What have you to be nervous about? It's not as if you're proposing marriage or anything like that...oh, wait, you are proposing marriage."
"Just wait until it is your turn, Horatio." Archie threatened, "Just you wait."
"Do you really need me along, Archie?" Horatio asked.
"Yes, you must keep Glory company while I talk to Leigha alone. I want to know her answer before I approach her father."
Horatio scowled, "Must I keep that woman company? Couldn't you lock her in an attic for a while?"
"I'm not going to dignify that with an answer, Horatio." Archie muttered.
"Better yet, a nice, small padded room at Bedlam."
"Horatio!"
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Buckston had a footman show the two officers out into the garden where Leigha walked with Glory. They all greeted each other, but Leigha seemed a little cool towards Archie. He looked at her in surprise.
Horatio, too, caught the almost chilly reception and the way Leigha had quickly removed her hand from Archie's. Concerned for his friend and knowing that now would be a good to time to leave them alone, he asked Glory, without further complaint, to show him the gardens.
She looked bewildered at his request, but after darting a glance at Leigha and Archie, she nodded her assent and walked off with him.
"Do you know what is wrong?" He whispered.
"No," Glory whispered back, "she has mentioned nothing. Come to think of it, she has not mentioned Archie at all, the last couple of days."
"Not at all?"
"No, Horatio, not one word."
****************************************************************
A tense silence remained between Archie and Leigha. Unable to stand it any longer, he broke it. "You look prettier than ever, Elf." He complimented, though he noticed that she looked pale and tired. There were deep circles under her eyes, which themselves, teemed with a thousand emotions. He wished he could hold her in his arms and soothe her troubles, but something in the way she held herself away from him prevented his approach.
"Thank you." She said flatly.
"Leigha, is there something troubling you? You look as if you have not slept in days."
Leigha opened her mouth as if to say something, then quickly turned her back, gathered her composure, and then turned to face him again with a wan smile pasted on her lips, "Tis nothing, Archie. The household has been at sixes and sevens the last couple of days. No one is talking to anyone else except me, and I am run ragged."
Archie smiled, "My poor Elf, come, maybe I can kiss you and make it better?"
"I am fine, Archie, really." Leigha said abruptly, then winced as she saw hurt cross his features.
"Leigha, will you please tell me what is going on? Is it something I have done?" Archie asked hoarsely.
"I received a letter while you were away." She said briskly, before she could lose her nerve. "Here," she thrust the letter at him, "perhaps you should read it."
Archie took the letter and opened it. He read it quickly, then looked up at Leigha with shocked eyes. His hands trembled as he held the paper away from him, as if it were tainted, and slowly shook his head from side to side. The blood had drained from his face leaving him deathly pale. His blue eyes stood out in stark relief in the pallor of his face and they were filled with a strange mixture of pain, terror, shame and guilt.
It was the guilt that broke through Leigha's concern, "My God," she whispered, "it's true."
"NO!" Archie exclaimed forcefully.
"I don't believe you. I can see it in your eyes, the letter was right."
"No, Leigha, no! It wasn't like that!" He denied gripping her shoulders and shaking her in his agitation.
"Don't touch me, Archie." She ordered, jerking away from him. "Leave, don't ever come back. I won't say anything about the letter, but I never want to see you again."
"Leigha, please, Love, listen to me, "Archie pleaded, "I can't tell you what happened. I don't even want to remember, but trust me. Please, trust me?"
"Trust you?" She asked coldly, "Oh, I trusted you, Archie. I gave you my heart, I let you take liberties with me, and what did I get for that kind of trust? A sodomite, who planned to marry me for my fortune. Were you and your lover planning to murder me afterwards? I was such a bloody fool to believe you could love me. What was I thinking? You, Sir, are wasted on the Navy, when Drury Lane would have suited your talents better. Now leave and never darken my doorway again!"
Archie looked at her with agony plainly drawn on his face. He could see the edges of his vision darken and feel himself withdrawing from all awareness of his surroundings. He knew he was on the verge of a fit. For the first time in his life, he could feel the start of one and helpless to do anything about it, he collapsed, shaking, at Leigha's feet.
She dropped to her knees at his side and looked around for someone she could send for help. She spied a cap of dark curls over a hedge and screamed, "Horatio! It's Archie, come quick!"
Horatio came running around a turn and slid on his knees to a stop besides Archie's thrashing figure. "It's all right. Archie, " he murmured as he held his friend's head on his lap, "Shhh...Archie, your fine."
"Should I..." Leigha began, licking lips gone dry in fear, "should I send for the Doctor?"
"No," Horatio answered shaking his head, "he'll be fine. See, he's already calming."
Archie lay still, his breathing harsh and uneven. He stretched out from the ball he had been curled into and tried to take deep, calming breaths. He looked up into Leigha's eyes and caught the pity in them.
"Better that you would look at me with contempt again." He sneered at her, then turned his face to Horatio and murmured, "Take me back to the inn, Horatio."
"Archie, mayhap it would be better for you to rest here."
"No, Horatio," he said, grabbing a fistful of Horatio's shirt and glancing back at Leigha, "she want me gone. She thinks Simpson and I were lovers. She thinks *you* my lover now. She'll never understand the truth, I told you so."
"Could we have use of a carriage, Miss Sommes?" Horatio asked giving into Archie's protest.
"Don't be ridiculous! No, you may *not* have use of a carriage." Leigha snapped, concern for Archie evident in her eyes and voice, "Archie's in no shape to travel. You'll stay tonight. I'll send Pax around to the inn to collect your things."
"No," Archie objected, "we go back to the inn."
"Horatio glanced at Leigha in gratitude and helping Archie up, they made their way slowly to an upstairs guestchamber, despite his strident arguments.
Leigha watched as Horatio helped get Archie settled into the bed and then softly called out from the doorway, "I'll leave you. You have only to ring if you need anything. I'll tell my father Archie was taken suddenly ill."
She glanced over at Archie, but he kept his face stubbornly turned away from her. Horatio walked over to the door and whispered a thank you.
"Tell him, I'm sorry." She whispered back, "Let him know that I'm willing to trust him, that I made a horrible mistake."
"He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, "Come back a little later, Leigha."
She nodded and left the room. Glory was waiting for her in the parlor and she walked straight into her friend's open arms and cried.
****************************************************************
She sat by his bedside and watched the flickering candlelight cast shadows over his handsome features. He muttered in his sleep and then began to strike out at something.
"No! Simpson, no!" He cried out, sitting straight up in bed.
Leigha moved to sit on the bedside and put her hands on his shoulders, "Archie, wake up. It me, Leigha."
He slowly turned his head towards her and smiled in recognition. "My little Leigha."
Then he became fully aware of his surroundings and pulled away from her, "Go 'way."
"No, I am not going to go away." She said ignoring the little sting that came with his words. After all, did she expect him to give her a warm welcome after the debacle of this afternoon?
"Go, Leigha, I'm too tired to fight with you anymore."
"I don't want to fight with you, I want to say I'm sorry. I didn't understand what was going on, but I do now."
"Damn, Horatio! He had no right to tell you."
"He didn't tell me anything. I'm *not* stupid, Archie. I figured it out for myself. I may be sheltered, but I'm not blind to what kinds of evil exist in the world. You were forced, no, I must call it by what it truly is, you were...raped by this Simpson, weren't you?"
"I don't wish to talk about it! Now, leave me alone, damn it!" he snapped turning away.
"Then don't talk about it, Archie, but know that I'll be here to listen if you ever decide to. I promise, I won't judge or jump to conclusions this time." She offered, gently stroking the nape of his neck. She leaned down to place a tender kiss upon the satiny stretch of skin, "I was wrong, Archie. I was scared and insecure, I kept thinking you were too good to be true. That there had to be a catch, this whole thing was too perfect to happen to me, and I used the letter as a convenient tool to push you away, to punish you for loving me."
"He ruined me, Leigha" He said so quietly, she had to strain to hear him," He destroyed me over and over again. I thought I would go mad. It wasn't just the humiliation and pain, Leigha, it was the fact that I *let* him use me like...like...a...a whore. I didn't stop him or fight him, I didn't even *try*. I was too frightened by him, everyone was. That's no excuse, though, I should have done something...*anything* to stop the abuse."
"Oh, Archie." She said with tear-filled eyes.
"You see why I couldn't tell you? To let you know what a coward I was? I was another man's vessel, Leigha. Who wants that? Once, you asked me if I could love someone like you, the real question is can *you* love someone like *me*? Can you, Leigha? You could barely look upon me, barely stand my touch, but hours ago; can you love me, accept me, know that you know my dirty secret?"
"Dearest Archie, how stupid I was. I shall never forgive myself for the pain I caused you!" Leigha berated herself, her hands framed his face and the tears in her eyes spilled down her cheeks.
He tried to pull away from her, but she wouldn't let him. "I don't want your pity."
"No, no, not pity," she murmured, covering his eyes, cheek, lips and jaw with kisses, "please, Love, don't pull away from me. I don't care about that, you're all that matters. I don't pity you, but I do hurt for you. Archie, what that sick bastard did to you was a heinous crime, but *you* do not disgust me. I love you, want you, need you. Oh, Love, I need you very badly."
He looked into her eyes in amazement, not sure that he understood her meaning. She stood up and keeping her eyes locked on his, she let her gown fall from her body.
"Leigha..." he breathed, his voice trailing off as his eyes traveled over her body from head to toe. Then, with a strangled cry he pulled her into his arms and rolled her onto the bed beneath him. He began to worship her with lips, hands and body.
She loosened his queue and removed his nightshirt, she ran her hands down his muscular back and flanks and sighed his name in pleasure.
***************************************************************
"I didn't hurt you, did I? I know I was a little rough, but it's been a long time since I've had a woman." He asked, then realized how she might construe such a comment, "Oh, God, Leigha, I didn't mean that you were *any* woman. What I meant was...that you were...oh, bloody hell."
Leigha laughed and placed her fingers against his lips, "I know what you meant, Archie. Now hush, before you end up digging yourself into a hole you cannot possibly climb out of."
Archie smiled at her and placed a kiss against her fingers, then laid them on his chest. She placed her head on his shoulders and played with his loosened hair, "Archie?"
"Hmmm?" he replied absently as he enjoyed the sensual feel of her hair tangled about them and her warm, soft body pressed against his.
"It only hurt for a moment. After that, I felt only pleasure. I love you, Archie." She said shyly burying her face in the curve between his neck and shoulder. She took a deep breath and then another as she reveled in the spicy scent of his skin.
"I love you, as well." He answered tenderly, then with a devilish grin he pulled her atop his body. She blushed at the strange position, but did not move from it. She lowered her head onto his chest and sighed blissfully. He tightened his arms around her and closed his eyes, at that moment, he didn't think he could be any happier.
"Please God," he silently prayed, "don't take this away from me."
****************************************************************
Archie was startled awake from a deep sleep by the sound of a door closing. He shot up in bed and quickly clutched the covers to him.
"Good morning, slugabed." Came the amused voice of Horatio as his eyes took in the disheveled state of the bed as well as it's unclothed occupant. He casually handed Archie his nightshirt from where it had landed across the room. "That must have been some nightmare."
"Shut up, Horatio." Came Archie's laughing reply. He pulled the shirt over his head and looked at Horatio expectantly. Horatio raised his brow quizzically.
"Where's my breakfast?" Archie demanded.
"Good Lord, man! Do I look like a serving wench?" Horatio teased.
"No," Archie shot back, "wenches are usually more comely and not scrawny as chickens."
"Chickens are noble birds, Mr. Kennedy."
"Aye, stuffed and basted in their own juices."
Their teasing was interrupted by a light knock on the door. A maid entered the room, carrying a tray laden with food. Leigha followed closely on her heels. She greeted Horatio with a smile, then blushed as she meet Archie's eyes but her smiled widened. She walked to his bedside to fluff his pillows and straighten his blanket.
"Okay, Millie, set the tray down and you may go." She told the maid, who did as she was bid and left the room after bobbing a quick curtsey.
Leigha perched herself primly on the edge of the bed and fussily smoothed her skirt down. Archie glanced at her and with a grin, he leaned over and placed a kiss on her cheek. She turned to him with a brilliant smile.
"You look very pretty today, Leigha." Horatio complimented, "There's something different about you, but I can't put my finger on it..."
Leigha gave him a startled glance and then lowered her eyes in embarrassment. She missed the glare Archie shot Horatio in warning.
"I know what it is," he continued, "you arranged your hair differently. It's very becoming, you should wear it like that more often."
"Yes, I did. Thank you, Horatio." She said, twining her fingers in one of the long ringlets that rested over her right shoulder.
Archie looked over at her and had to swallow his laughter. He *knew* exactly why she had arranged her hair in that manner, somewhere under that shiny mass of curls, was a large love bite.
"Yes, it is becoming," He teased her, "I, daresay, you'll be wearing your hair like that quite often."
"Eat, Archie." She said, picking up a sausage and stuffing it into his mouth.
Millie came flying into the room after a preemptory knock, "Gracious, Miss Leigha, pardon me, but ye bes' come quickly."
"What is it, Millie?"
" 'Is Grace 'as come unexpected like, well not really unexpected, Miss Genevieve known about 'is arrival; she jus' didn't tell no one. And Miss Gloriana, she 'as come, too. Milady is in an uproar sumfink awful, Miss." Millie told Leigha in one breath.
"Oh for heaven's sake," Leigha said impatiently, "if you will excuse me? Archie, you just rest up here today."
"Yes, mam." Archie replied obediently, giving Horatio a wink.
"Horatio, you will join us for tea?" Leigha asked.
"Uh, no. I think I'll stay and keep Archie out of trouble, Leigha." Horatio declined.
"Nonsense, you *will* come down for tea with His Grace, the Duke of Belshear." Leigha insisted.
"Oh, 'urry, Miss," Millie begged wringing her hands nervously.
"Tell them I'll be down directly. Have Cook bring out the marmalade and inform Buckston that we shall use the Peers' service." Leigha instructed.
"Yes, Miss." Millie said and left quickly.
"Now, Horatio, you *are* coming down and you *will* take tea with us. How often do you get to spend the afternoon with the upper echelon of society?"
"I once had dinner with a French Count." Horatio hedged, but gave in when he noticed the pleading in her eyes. "Oh, very well. I wish I was the one who had the fit."
"Don't worry, H'ratio, You'll be in the company of both Genevieve and Glory, there is still a good possibility of you having one before the afternoon wanes." Archie teased wriggling happily into the feather mattress.
****************************************************************
"Poor Leigha," Horatio thought as he sat with her family and their guests, "she is surrounded by lunatics."
He watched with awe as she sat in their midst, serenely sipping her tea. She deflected the barbs thrown at her by Genny and His Grace, who amazingly resembled a large frog, with a shrug and a laugh. She kept Glory from flying off the handle in her defense, and she kept her father and stepmother's bickering from getting out of hand. She did all this and still managed to look as tranquil as a country painting. Horatio was beginning to envy Archie his luck in finding her. What man could *not* want such a virtuous woman as a wife?"
When he could politely do so, he excused himself from the group and went to check on Archie. He found him sitting in a chair by the window, his booted feet crossed at the ankles. A frown marred his features as he contemplated the view.
"What is it, Archie?" Horatio asked.
Archie jumped, "Oh, it's you. Nothing's wrong. I'm just thinking."
"Would you care to tell me about what?"
"Leigha." Archie replied, "Horatio, she knows the truth, she saw me at my lowest and, yet, she *loves* me. How can I ever repay her the gift she's given me, and then last night she...ummm...she..."
"Gave herself to you?" Horatio supplied helpfully.
Archie flushed crimson and nodded.
"She's amazing, Archie. You should have seen her handle her family, and she wasn't even ruffled. I would have been tempted to shoot them, or myself, by now. You could do no better than her, but when are you going to ask for her hand? In light of the current...ahem...situation, I honestly hope you have already taken care of that detail." Horatio queried with a lift of his brow.
"Er..." Archie's blush deepened, "I forgot to."
"You forgot to?" Horatio echoed incredulously.
"It was the heat of the moment, you see and then I fell asleep."
"You fell asleep?"
"What are you? Blackbeard's parrot? Will you belay repeating everything I say." Archie retorted irritably
Before either men could say anything else, a huge commotion broke out below stairs. Horatio and Archie shot to their feet and down the stairs to mid-landing.
"You, bitch! You, scheming, selfish bitch!" Leigha screamed as she struggled against her father's restraining grasp. Genevieve cowered in her fiance's arms and an angry red imprint of Leigha's hand marred the perfection of one pale cheek. "How dare you interfere in my life! I should have known *you'd* have something to do with the letter!"
Horatio stood in openmouthed astonishment and Archie raised a brow and whispered, "Not a feather ruffled, H'ratio?"
****************************************************************
They sat in Sommes study, Leona had been sent upstairs to rest, She claimed that the days excitement had taken a toll on her nerves, which in her delicate condition, could not be considered healthy.
It was just Genevieve, Leigha and Archie. Leigha's cheeks were still flushed and her eyes still blazed with anger. To her satisfaction, Genevieve's cheek still showed the mark of her hand.
"Now you will explain yourself, Leigha." Sommes demanded, "Good God, girl, 'tis not like you to be so unevened tempered."
"She had a nasty letter sent to me, Father. It was filled with the most vicious lies about Archie!"
"It was not a lie!" Genny protested, "Eustace heard the story from his cousin, a former lieutenant aboard the Justinian."
"Silence!" Sommes demanded, "Now, what is so important in a letter that it causes such a hullabaloo?"
"Mr. Kennedy, though I am too much a lady to want to repeat the word, is a sodomite, sir."
"Genny, you best have good evidence to support such a slanderous remark." Sommes warned.
Leigha felt Archie stiffen at the remark. She placed her hand on his thigh and gave it a slight, comforting squeeze before settling it back upon her own lap. He looked at her with heartbreaking hopelessness. She gave him a small yet brave smile and mouthed silently for him to trust her.
"Of course, I can support the charge, Ainsley." Genny sneered," His Grace's cousin, Lt. Reginald Clement, was a fourth lieutenant aboard the ship when Mr. Kennedy first joined as midshipman. He told Eustace about the relationship between Jack Simpson and Mr. Kennedy. He, also, explained that shortly after Mr. Hornblower's arrival, a friendship sprang up between the two men and Mr. Simpson must've taken exception to it upon *his* return to the Justinian because a duel was fought. That duel was followed by another, this one after their transfer to the Indefatigable, and Mr. Simpson was killed."
Sommes turned to Archie and asked," Is this true, sir?"
"No!" Archie denied emphatically, "Mr. Simpson and Horatio did indeed fight a duel, but only one, sir. The first time a shipmate, Mr. Clayton, ended up fighting the duel after Horatio was rendered unconscious. That was brought about after Mr. Simpson accused Horatio of cheating at whist. The second duel was also for reasons that had naught to do with me."
"Are you saying you have no clue as to why the duel was fought?" Sommes queried softly.
"At the time of that duel, sir, I was a French prisoner. You'll have to ask Horatio if you wish to know the reasons, but if I may say, it has no bearing on the situation now. I have been grossly accused of what amounts to a crime and it has nothing to do with Horatio. We are not lovers, sir." Archie stated, looking Sommes directly in the eyes. His voice ringing with a conviction that never wavered.
Leigha looked at him with pride in her eyes, "Father, I believe him. You must believe him, too."
Sommes turned towards his daughter, there was confidence in her voice he had not heard before. He glanced at her, then at Archie, then back again at Leigha. An understanding seem to come to him, he stopped pacing and sat down behind his desk. He calmly steepled his fingers and stared at them all.
"Genevieve, your behavior is inexcusable. You have done nothing but show yourself to be a selfish, silly child. You are to marry a Duke, and yet, you still find it necessary to do something so petty and jealous. I am done with you, Genny. You will still marry from this house, but after that I never wish to see you in this house again."
"We'll see what Leona says about that." Genny replied smugly.
"I AM MASTER IN THIS HOUSE! MY WORD IS LAW!!" Sommes roared, slapping his palms on he desk.
Genny jumped to her feet, "You stupid, old fool! You can nothing but your perfect, precious, sweet little Leigha! She can do no wrong! She can tell no lie! Well, let me tell you about your slut of a daughter, Miss Paragon of Perfection! I saw her sneak out of Mr. Kennedy's room early this morning dressed in nothing but her shift and carrying her clothes! So now, tell me about dearest, *innocent* Leigha!"
"To your room, Genevieve, "Somme ordered," I have never raised a hand in anger against anyone in my family, but I am strongly tempted now. Get thee gone!"
Genny flounced out of the room. Sommes shot a stern look at Archie and Leigha. "Is this true, Daughter?"
"Yes, Sir." Leigha said simply.
"Sir Ainsley," Archie interjected, " I was going to do this before the drama occurred. I want to marry Leigha. I am not the richest nor the best choice for her, but I love her. I will do all I humanly can to insure her comfort and to make her happy. I have selfish reasons as to why I wish her to marry me, I cannot live without her. It is easier for me to deal with what demons I have when I know she is there to comfort and support me."
Sommes looked at Leigha, "Is he what you want? Will you be content with a Naval Officer, who'll be at sea more often than naught?"
"Yes, Papa." Leigha once more replied simply, but the light in her eyes and the smile on her face told Sommes more than words could ever express.
Archie leaned towards her and cupped her chin in his hand, "Be sure, Leigha, be very sure. I could not survive if you ended up hating me later. I cannot keep you in the style you have been accustomed to. An officer's pay is very scant and the allowance I get from my father is not much more. Your life as my wife will not be simple."
"I am sure, Archie." She assured him and leaned in to gently kiss him. Archie wrapped his arms around her and happily returned the kiss.
Sommes, who was obviously forgotten, smiled and as he watched the two lovers embrace, he murmured, "Welcome to the family."
"I'm coming, Archie! Stay calm!" Horatio yelled back as he closed the room door and descended the stairs. "One would think you in a hurry, Mr. Kennedy."
Archie grumbled something beneath his breath and Horatio laughed as he caught bits and pieces of it.
"I presume, it is I you wish to keelhaul and not Leigha. I heard both of our names in that mumbled speech and wish to clarify the victim." Horatio couldn't resist teasing.
"I SAID!" Archie bellowed, he flushed and lowered his voice when the other patrons turned towards him and stared. "I said, that if you delay any longer, I will personally see you keelhauled. Now belay teasing me, Horatio, I'm already a nervous mess."
"What have you to be nervous about? It's not as if you're proposing marriage or anything like that...oh, wait, you are proposing marriage."
"Just wait until it is your turn, Horatio." Archie threatened, "Just you wait."
"Do you really need me along, Archie?" Horatio asked.
"Yes, you must keep Glory company while I talk to Leigha alone. I want to know her answer before I approach her father."
Horatio scowled, "Must I keep that woman company? Couldn't you lock her in an attic for a while?"
"I'm not going to dignify that with an answer, Horatio." Archie muttered.
"Better yet, a nice, small padded room at Bedlam."
"Horatio!"
****************************************************************
Buckston had a footman show the two officers out into the garden where Leigha walked with Glory. They all greeted each other, but Leigha seemed a little cool towards Archie. He looked at her in surprise.
Horatio, too, caught the almost chilly reception and the way Leigha had quickly removed her hand from Archie's. Concerned for his friend and knowing that now would be a good to time to leave them alone, he asked Glory, without further complaint, to show him the gardens.
She looked bewildered at his request, but after darting a glance at Leigha and Archie, she nodded her assent and walked off with him.
"Do you know what is wrong?" He whispered.
"No," Glory whispered back, "she has mentioned nothing. Come to think of it, she has not mentioned Archie at all, the last couple of days."
"Not at all?"
"No, Horatio, not one word."
****************************************************************
A tense silence remained between Archie and Leigha. Unable to stand it any longer, he broke it. "You look prettier than ever, Elf." He complimented, though he noticed that she looked pale and tired. There were deep circles under her eyes, which themselves, teemed with a thousand emotions. He wished he could hold her in his arms and soothe her troubles, but something in the way she held herself away from him prevented his approach.
"Thank you." She said flatly.
"Leigha, is there something troubling you? You look as if you have not slept in days."
Leigha opened her mouth as if to say something, then quickly turned her back, gathered her composure, and then turned to face him again with a wan smile pasted on her lips, "Tis nothing, Archie. The household has been at sixes and sevens the last couple of days. No one is talking to anyone else except me, and I am run ragged."
Archie smiled, "My poor Elf, come, maybe I can kiss you and make it better?"
"I am fine, Archie, really." Leigha said abruptly, then winced as she saw hurt cross his features.
"Leigha, will you please tell me what is going on? Is it something I have done?" Archie asked hoarsely.
"I received a letter while you were away." She said briskly, before she could lose her nerve. "Here," she thrust the letter at him, "perhaps you should read it."
Archie took the letter and opened it. He read it quickly, then looked up at Leigha with shocked eyes. His hands trembled as he held the paper away from him, as if it were tainted, and slowly shook his head from side to side. The blood had drained from his face leaving him deathly pale. His blue eyes stood out in stark relief in the pallor of his face and they were filled with a strange mixture of pain, terror, shame and guilt.
It was the guilt that broke through Leigha's concern, "My God," she whispered, "it's true."
"NO!" Archie exclaimed forcefully.
"I don't believe you. I can see it in your eyes, the letter was right."
"No, Leigha, no! It wasn't like that!" He denied gripping her shoulders and shaking her in his agitation.
"Don't touch me, Archie." She ordered, jerking away from him. "Leave, don't ever come back. I won't say anything about the letter, but I never want to see you again."
"Leigha, please, Love, listen to me, "Archie pleaded, "I can't tell you what happened. I don't even want to remember, but trust me. Please, trust me?"
"Trust you?" She asked coldly, "Oh, I trusted you, Archie. I gave you my heart, I let you take liberties with me, and what did I get for that kind of trust? A sodomite, who planned to marry me for my fortune. Were you and your lover planning to murder me afterwards? I was such a bloody fool to believe you could love me. What was I thinking? You, Sir, are wasted on the Navy, when Drury Lane would have suited your talents better. Now leave and never darken my doorway again!"
Archie looked at her with agony plainly drawn on his face. He could see the edges of his vision darken and feel himself withdrawing from all awareness of his surroundings. He knew he was on the verge of a fit. For the first time in his life, he could feel the start of one and helpless to do anything about it, he collapsed, shaking, at Leigha's feet.
She dropped to her knees at his side and looked around for someone she could send for help. She spied a cap of dark curls over a hedge and screamed, "Horatio! It's Archie, come quick!"
Horatio came running around a turn and slid on his knees to a stop besides Archie's thrashing figure. "It's all right. Archie, " he murmured as he held his friend's head on his lap, "Shhh...Archie, your fine."
"Should I..." Leigha began, licking lips gone dry in fear, "should I send for the Doctor?"
"No," Horatio answered shaking his head, "he'll be fine. See, he's already calming."
Archie lay still, his breathing harsh and uneven. He stretched out from the ball he had been curled into and tried to take deep, calming breaths. He looked up into Leigha's eyes and caught the pity in them.
"Better that you would look at me with contempt again." He sneered at her, then turned his face to Horatio and murmured, "Take me back to the inn, Horatio."
"Archie, mayhap it would be better for you to rest here."
"No, Horatio," he said, grabbing a fistful of Horatio's shirt and glancing back at Leigha, "she want me gone. She thinks Simpson and I were lovers. She thinks *you* my lover now. She'll never understand the truth, I told you so."
"Could we have use of a carriage, Miss Sommes?" Horatio asked giving into Archie's protest.
"Don't be ridiculous! No, you may *not* have use of a carriage." Leigha snapped, concern for Archie evident in her eyes and voice, "Archie's in no shape to travel. You'll stay tonight. I'll send Pax around to the inn to collect your things."
"No," Archie objected, "we go back to the inn."
"Horatio glanced at Leigha in gratitude and helping Archie up, they made their way slowly to an upstairs guestchamber, despite his strident arguments.
Leigha watched as Horatio helped get Archie settled into the bed and then softly called out from the doorway, "I'll leave you. You have only to ring if you need anything. I'll tell my father Archie was taken suddenly ill."
She glanced over at Archie, but he kept his face stubbornly turned away from her. Horatio walked over to the door and whispered a thank you.
"Tell him, I'm sorry." She whispered back, "Let him know that I'm willing to trust him, that I made a horrible mistake."
"He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, "Come back a little later, Leigha."
She nodded and left the room. Glory was waiting for her in the parlor and she walked straight into her friend's open arms and cried.
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She sat by his bedside and watched the flickering candlelight cast shadows over his handsome features. He muttered in his sleep and then began to strike out at something.
"No! Simpson, no!" He cried out, sitting straight up in bed.
Leigha moved to sit on the bedside and put her hands on his shoulders, "Archie, wake up. It me, Leigha."
He slowly turned his head towards her and smiled in recognition. "My little Leigha."
Then he became fully aware of his surroundings and pulled away from her, "Go 'way."
"No, I am not going to go away." She said ignoring the little sting that came with his words. After all, did she expect him to give her a warm welcome after the debacle of this afternoon?
"Go, Leigha, I'm too tired to fight with you anymore."
"I don't want to fight with you, I want to say I'm sorry. I didn't understand what was going on, but I do now."
"Damn, Horatio! He had no right to tell you."
"He didn't tell me anything. I'm *not* stupid, Archie. I figured it out for myself. I may be sheltered, but I'm not blind to what kinds of evil exist in the world. You were forced, no, I must call it by what it truly is, you were...raped by this Simpson, weren't you?"
"I don't wish to talk about it! Now, leave me alone, damn it!" he snapped turning away.
"Then don't talk about it, Archie, but know that I'll be here to listen if you ever decide to. I promise, I won't judge or jump to conclusions this time." She offered, gently stroking the nape of his neck. She leaned down to place a tender kiss upon the satiny stretch of skin, "I was wrong, Archie. I was scared and insecure, I kept thinking you were too good to be true. That there had to be a catch, this whole thing was too perfect to happen to me, and I used the letter as a convenient tool to push you away, to punish you for loving me."
"He ruined me, Leigha" He said so quietly, she had to strain to hear him," He destroyed me over and over again. I thought I would go mad. It wasn't just the humiliation and pain, Leigha, it was the fact that I *let* him use me like...like...a...a whore. I didn't stop him or fight him, I didn't even *try*. I was too frightened by him, everyone was. That's no excuse, though, I should have done something...*anything* to stop the abuse."
"Oh, Archie." She said with tear-filled eyes.
"You see why I couldn't tell you? To let you know what a coward I was? I was another man's vessel, Leigha. Who wants that? Once, you asked me if I could love someone like you, the real question is can *you* love someone like *me*? Can you, Leigha? You could barely look upon me, barely stand my touch, but hours ago; can you love me, accept me, know that you know my dirty secret?"
"Dearest Archie, how stupid I was. I shall never forgive myself for the pain I caused you!" Leigha berated herself, her hands framed his face and the tears in her eyes spilled down her cheeks.
He tried to pull away from her, but she wouldn't let him. "I don't want your pity."
"No, no, not pity," she murmured, covering his eyes, cheek, lips and jaw with kisses, "please, Love, don't pull away from me. I don't care about that, you're all that matters. I don't pity you, but I do hurt for you. Archie, what that sick bastard did to you was a heinous crime, but *you* do not disgust me. I love you, want you, need you. Oh, Love, I need you very badly."
He looked into her eyes in amazement, not sure that he understood her meaning. She stood up and keeping her eyes locked on his, she let her gown fall from her body.
"Leigha..." he breathed, his voice trailing off as his eyes traveled over her body from head to toe. Then, with a strangled cry he pulled her into his arms and rolled her onto the bed beneath him. He began to worship her with lips, hands and body.
She loosened his queue and removed his nightshirt, she ran her hands down his muscular back and flanks and sighed his name in pleasure.
***************************************************************
"I didn't hurt you, did I? I know I was a little rough, but it's been a long time since I've had a woman." He asked, then realized how she might construe such a comment, "Oh, God, Leigha, I didn't mean that you were *any* woman. What I meant was...that you were...oh, bloody hell."
Leigha laughed and placed her fingers against his lips, "I know what you meant, Archie. Now hush, before you end up digging yourself into a hole you cannot possibly climb out of."
Archie smiled at her and placed a kiss against her fingers, then laid them on his chest. She placed her head on his shoulders and played with his loosened hair, "Archie?"
"Hmmm?" he replied absently as he enjoyed the sensual feel of her hair tangled about them and her warm, soft body pressed against his.
"It only hurt for a moment. After that, I felt only pleasure. I love you, Archie." She said shyly burying her face in the curve between his neck and shoulder. She took a deep breath and then another as she reveled in the spicy scent of his skin.
"I love you, as well." He answered tenderly, then with a devilish grin he pulled her atop his body. She blushed at the strange position, but did not move from it. She lowered her head onto his chest and sighed blissfully. He tightened his arms around her and closed his eyes, at that moment, he didn't think he could be any happier.
"Please God," he silently prayed, "don't take this away from me."
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Archie was startled awake from a deep sleep by the sound of a door closing. He shot up in bed and quickly clutched the covers to him.
"Good morning, slugabed." Came the amused voice of Horatio as his eyes took in the disheveled state of the bed as well as it's unclothed occupant. He casually handed Archie his nightshirt from where it had landed across the room. "That must have been some nightmare."
"Shut up, Horatio." Came Archie's laughing reply. He pulled the shirt over his head and looked at Horatio expectantly. Horatio raised his brow quizzically.
"Where's my breakfast?" Archie demanded.
"Good Lord, man! Do I look like a serving wench?" Horatio teased.
"No," Archie shot back, "wenches are usually more comely and not scrawny as chickens."
"Chickens are noble birds, Mr. Kennedy."
"Aye, stuffed and basted in their own juices."
Their teasing was interrupted by a light knock on the door. A maid entered the room, carrying a tray laden with food. Leigha followed closely on her heels. She greeted Horatio with a smile, then blushed as she meet Archie's eyes but her smiled widened. She walked to his bedside to fluff his pillows and straighten his blanket.
"Okay, Millie, set the tray down and you may go." She told the maid, who did as she was bid and left the room after bobbing a quick curtsey.
Leigha perched herself primly on the edge of the bed and fussily smoothed her skirt down. Archie glanced at her and with a grin, he leaned over and placed a kiss on her cheek. She turned to him with a brilliant smile.
"You look very pretty today, Leigha." Horatio complimented, "There's something different about you, but I can't put my finger on it..."
Leigha gave him a startled glance and then lowered her eyes in embarrassment. She missed the glare Archie shot Horatio in warning.
"I know what it is," he continued, "you arranged your hair differently. It's very becoming, you should wear it like that more often."
"Yes, I did. Thank you, Horatio." She said, twining her fingers in one of the long ringlets that rested over her right shoulder.
Archie looked over at her and had to swallow his laughter. He *knew* exactly why she had arranged her hair in that manner, somewhere under that shiny mass of curls, was a large love bite.
"Yes, it is becoming," He teased her, "I, daresay, you'll be wearing your hair like that quite often."
"Eat, Archie." She said, picking up a sausage and stuffing it into his mouth.
Millie came flying into the room after a preemptory knock, "Gracious, Miss Leigha, pardon me, but ye bes' come quickly."
"What is it, Millie?"
" 'Is Grace 'as come unexpected like, well not really unexpected, Miss Genevieve known about 'is arrival; she jus' didn't tell no one. And Miss Gloriana, she 'as come, too. Milady is in an uproar sumfink awful, Miss." Millie told Leigha in one breath.
"Oh for heaven's sake," Leigha said impatiently, "if you will excuse me? Archie, you just rest up here today."
"Yes, mam." Archie replied obediently, giving Horatio a wink.
"Horatio, you will join us for tea?" Leigha asked.
"Uh, no. I think I'll stay and keep Archie out of trouble, Leigha." Horatio declined.
"Nonsense, you *will* come down for tea with His Grace, the Duke of Belshear." Leigha insisted.
"Oh, 'urry, Miss," Millie begged wringing her hands nervously.
"Tell them I'll be down directly. Have Cook bring out the marmalade and inform Buckston that we shall use the Peers' service." Leigha instructed.
"Yes, Miss." Millie said and left quickly.
"Now, Horatio, you *are* coming down and you *will* take tea with us. How often do you get to spend the afternoon with the upper echelon of society?"
"I once had dinner with a French Count." Horatio hedged, but gave in when he noticed the pleading in her eyes. "Oh, very well. I wish I was the one who had the fit."
"Don't worry, H'ratio, You'll be in the company of both Genevieve and Glory, there is still a good possibility of you having one before the afternoon wanes." Archie teased wriggling happily into the feather mattress.
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"Poor Leigha," Horatio thought as he sat with her family and their guests, "she is surrounded by lunatics."
He watched with awe as she sat in their midst, serenely sipping her tea. She deflected the barbs thrown at her by Genny and His Grace, who amazingly resembled a large frog, with a shrug and a laugh. She kept Glory from flying off the handle in her defense, and she kept her father and stepmother's bickering from getting out of hand. She did all this and still managed to look as tranquil as a country painting. Horatio was beginning to envy Archie his luck in finding her. What man could *not* want such a virtuous woman as a wife?"
When he could politely do so, he excused himself from the group and went to check on Archie. He found him sitting in a chair by the window, his booted feet crossed at the ankles. A frown marred his features as he contemplated the view.
"What is it, Archie?" Horatio asked.
Archie jumped, "Oh, it's you. Nothing's wrong. I'm just thinking."
"Would you care to tell me about what?"
"Leigha." Archie replied, "Horatio, she knows the truth, she saw me at my lowest and, yet, she *loves* me. How can I ever repay her the gift she's given me, and then last night she...ummm...she..."
"Gave herself to you?" Horatio supplied helpfully.
Archie flushed crimson and nodded.
"She's amazing, Archie. You should have seen her handle her family, and she wasn't even ruffled. I would have been tempted to shoot them, or myself, by now. You could do no better than her, but when are you going to ask for her hand? In light of the current...ahem...situation, I honestly hope you have already taken care of that detail." Horatio queried with a lift of his brow.
"Er..." Archie's blush deepened, "I forgot to."
"You forgot to?" Horatio echoed incredulously.
"It was the heat of the moment, you see and then I fell asleep."
"You fell asleep?"
"What are you? Blackbeard's parrot? Will you belay repeating everything I say." Archie retorted irritably
Before either men could say anything else, a huge commotion broke out below stairs. Horatio and Archie shot to their feet and down the stairs to mid-landing.
"You, bitch! You, scheming, selfish bitch!" Leigha screamed as she struggled against her father's restraining grasp. Genevieve cowered in her fiance's arms and an angry red imprint of Leigha's hand marred the perfection of one pale cheek. "How dare you interfere in my life! I should have known *you'd* have something to do with the letter!"
Horatio stood in openmouthed astonishment and Archie raised a brow and whispered, "Not a feather ruffled, H'ratio?"
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They sat in Sommes study, Leona had been sent upstairs to rest, She claimed that the days excitement had taken a toll on her nerves, which in her delicate condition, could not be considered healthy.
It was just Genevieve, Leigha and Archie. Leigha's cheeks were still flushed and her eyes still blazed with anger. To her satisfaction, Genevieve's cheek still showed the mark of her hand.
"Now you will explain yourself, Leigha." Sommes demanded, "Good God, girl, 'tis not like you to be so unevened tempered."
"She had a nasty letter sent to me, Father. It was filled with the most vicious lies about Archie!"
"It was not a lie!" Genny protested, "Eustace heard the story from his cousin, a former lieutenant aboard the Justinian."
"Silence!" Sommes demanded, "Now, what is so important in a letter that it causes such a hullabaloo?"
"Mr. Kennedy, though I am too much a lady to want to repeat the word, is a sodomite, sir."
"Genny, you best have good evidence to support such a slanderous remark." Sommes warned.
Leigha felt Archie stiffen at the remark. She placed her hand on his thigh and gave it a slight, comforting squeeze before settling it back upon her own lap. He looked at her with heartbreaking hopelessness. She gave him a small yet brave smile and mouthed silently for him to trust her.
"Of course, I can support the charge, Ainsley." Genny sneered," His Grace's cousin, Lt. Reginald Clement, was a fourth lieutenant aboard the ship when Mr. Kennedy first joined as midshipman. He told Eustace about the relationship between Jack Simpson and Mr. Kennedy. He, also, explained that shortly after Mr. Hornblower's arrival, a friendship sprang up between the two men and Mr. Simpson must've taken exception to it upon *his* return to the Justinian because a duel was fought. That duel was followed by another, this one after their transfer to the Indefatigable, and Mr. Simpson was killed."
Sommes turned to Archie and asked," Is this true, sir?"
"No!" Archie denied emphatically, "Mr. Simpson and Horatio did indeed fight a duel, but only one, sir. The first time a shipmate, Mr. Clayton, ended up fighting the duel after Horatio was rendered unconscious. That was brought about after Mr. Simpson accused Horatio of cheating at whist. The second duel was also for reasons that had naught to do with me."
"Are you saying you have no clue as to why the duel was fought?" Sommes queried softly.
"At the time of that duel, sir, I was a French prisoner. You'll have to ask Horatio if you wish to know the reasons, but if I may say, it has no bearing on the situation now. I have been grossly accused of what amounts to a crime and it has nothing to do with Horatio. We are not lovers, sir." Archie stated, looking Sommes directly in the eyes. His voice ringing with a conviction that never wavered.
Leigha looked at him with pride in her eyes, "Father, I believe him. You must believe him, too."
Sommes turned towards his daughter, there was confidence in her voice he had not heard before. He glanced at her, then at Archie, then back again at Leigha. An understanding seem to come to him, he stopped pacing and sat down behind his desk. He calmly steepled his fingers and stared at them all.
"Genevieve, your behavior is inexcusable. You have done nothing but show yourself to be a selfish, silly child. You are to marry a Duke, and yet, you still find it necessary to do something so petty and jealous. I am done with you, Genny. You will still marry from this house, but after that I never wish to see you in this house again."
"We'll see what Leona says about that." Genny replied smugly.
"I AM MASTER IN THIS HOUSE! MY WORD IS LAW!!" Sommes roared, slapping his palms on he desk.
Genny jumped to her feet, "You stupid, old fool! You can nothing but your perfect, precious, sweet little Leigha! She can do no wrong! She can tell no lie! Well, let me tell you about your slut of a daughter, Miss Paragon of Perfection! I saw her sneak out of Mr. Kennedy's room early this morning dressed in nothing but her shift and carrying her clothes! So now, tell me about dearest, *innocent* Leigha!"
"To your room, Genevieve, "Somme ordered," I have never raised a hand in anger against anyone in my family, but I am strongly tempted now. Get thee gone!"
Genny flounced out of the room. Sommes shot a stern look at Archie and Leigha. "Is this true, Daughter?"
"Yes, Sir." Leigha said simply.
"Sir Ainsley," Archie interjected, " I was going to do this before the drama occurred. I want to marry Leigha. I am not the richest nor the best choice for her, but I love her. I will do all I humanly can to insure her comfort and to make her happy. I have selfish reasons as to why I wish her to marry me, I cannot live without her. It is easier for me to deal with what demons I have when I know she is there to comfort and support me."
Sommes looked at Leigha, "Is he what you want? Will you be content with a Naval Officer, who'll be at sea more often than naught?"
"Yes, Papa." Leigha once more replied simply, but the light in her eyes and the smile on her face told Sommes more than words could ever express.
Archie leaned towards her and cupped her chin in his hand, "Be sure, Leigha, be very sure. I could not survive if you ended up hating me later. I cannot keep you in the style you have been accustomed to. An officer's pay is very scant and the allowance I get from my father is not much more. Your life as my wife will not be simple."
"I am sure, Archie." She assured him and leaned in to gently kiss him. Archie wrapped his arms around her and happily returned the kiss.
Sommes, who was obviously forgotten, smiled and as he watched the two lovers embrace, he murmured, "Welcome to the family."