Author's Note: Well... ya'll know the drill. Thanks to Heather and Nicole... and review guys. Enjoy. Meg.
D'Artagnan climbed out of the bed and walked down the hall to the dinning area. "Lord Hepburn, good to see you." Baron Francis said. D'Artagnan frowned slightly. "Where is the lady? She is not still sick is she?"
D'Artagnan nodded. "Yes, she is not well."
The baron turned to the couple at his right. "This is Lord Clayton and Lady Clayton."
D'Artagnan bowed to them as he sat down. Lady Clayton was a good bit younger than Lord Clayton was and they were opposites in coloring. Lady Clayton was light everywhere, from her blonde hair to her light blue eyes. Lord Clayton was dark all over from his hair to his eyes. He almost looked black.
"Lady Hepburn is indisposed again? I hope for not long," Lord Rochester said.
D'Artagnan tried to smile. "Yes, well adjusting to the baby and all…" He trailed off then continued, "And she might join us in a couple days." He knew that was a lie, but he had to come up with something.
A man of medium build walked by them and into a cabin several feet away. It looked large and everyone's attention was drawn to him.
"Who was that?" D'Artagnan asked confused.
Lady Clayton's eyes lit up. "That was the doctor, one of the best in England or so I am told." She paused and leaned into the table so only they could hear her. "I have heard there is a patient of his onboard. Some nobility possibly related to the king."
The baron looked interested. "Anything else known?" he asked.
Lady Clayton smiled. "I walked around there earlier and saw several servants. In addition, there is a couple connecting rooms. That is all I know."
Lord Clayton sent her a stern look. "My dear, they are going to think you are a gossip."
Lord Rochester shrugged. "We must keep the ladies entertained somehow. Besides, it is intriguing."
Lord Clayton coughed. "Quite right."
The baron excused himself and d'Artagnan felt the need to get away as well. "Milady, Lord Clayton, please to meet you." He turned to Lord Rochester. "Please to see you again, until tomorrow." He bowed and left. He went up on deck and watched as what was left of England grew smaller and finally disappeared altogether.
A man hid in the shadows and listened. "Milady, you must rest now." The doctor emerged from the cabin; he was frowning as one of the servants approached. "Give her some food and keep all visitors away. I insist."
The servant bowed and pushed a tray into the room with tea things. "Some tea, milady?"
The female voice responds weakly, "Thank you."
The servant scolded her. "The doctor said stay put, milady."
The female voice spoke again. "Deliver this note," she demanded.
The servant shuffled some. "The doctor order no visitors today.As soon as the doctor says you can reveieve visitors,I shall deliver it."
The female voice sighed as the servant spoke. "Very well, leave me now."
The man smiled to himself, this would work to his advantage. He backed up and began to study the ship's layout as his mind formed a plan. He stepped down to the bottom of the ship and studied the cargo hold. Boxes and dust were everywhere. This would be perfect. He climbed back up and went to his cabin to prepare for the next day.
D'Artagnan walked slowly back to his cabin. He was depressed. He missed Jacqueline already. He wished he could be in France now. He slipped past Lord and Lady Clayton who were engrossed in a conversation about the philosophy of Leonardo Da Vinci. He did not care to join them. He wanted to be alone. He stopped as he came close to the cabin from earlier. Pieces of the conversation at tea entered his mind. It was a little suspicious. Charles had not mentioned anyone else traveling with him.
He watched as the doctor emerged. "Keep her warm and make sure she stays put. I will check on her tomorrow." The servant bowed. Just some wealthy sick lady, who cares! He sighed, as he began to walk again. There was no danger here. He entered his cabin and a servant entered to inquire where dinner was to be served. "In here tonight, thank you." The servant bowed and D'Artagnan sat down. Dinner was brought and he ate in silence. It was quiet and lonely in there.
He thought about excuses to where Jacqueline was. He would have to come up with something. Then there was what to tell King Louis, Captain Duval, Siroc, and Ramon… he had a lot of thinking to do and a few days in which to do it. He changed and grabbed a book. He needed to rest before he could think. As the light faded, he climbed into bed and closed his eyes, his thoughts on Jacqueline and England.