Chapter Nine
"Now, would either one of you care to explain yourselves?" Captain Edward Pellew asked, shutting his door behind them. Emma swallowed nervously and forced herself to speak.
"My husband informed me that you are currently in need of a doctor, Sir. Since I do not wish to be parted from my husband and I am skilled in that area, well, it would be prudent on your part to hire me on as opposed to waiting until you can hire a new one." Emma concluded.
"Putting my own bias aside, Ms-"
"Mrs-Captain, if you will." Emma reminded him, rather liking the way it sounded.
"Mrs Hornblower." Captain Pellew amended, biting the inside of his cheek. "How long have you been in practice?" Emma was glad he had used the word 'practice.' She could reply honestly.
"I've been practicing for roughly a year." And indeed she had. Dr Hauser had given her many opportunities to practice her skills. On cadavers.
"And I assume you brought your license with you?" he pressed. Here Emma paused. Now what?
"Not with me, Sir. I regret that I left it behind."
"Indeed." he said with a smile that sent a panicked shiver through her. "While I have heard mention of a few women training to join the medical profession, I admit to a degree of ignorance over any who have opened up their own facilities." he said leaning against his desk and crossing his arms. Emma's mind searched frantically for a suitable explanation. She felt Horatio place a reassuring hand against the small of her back.
"My wife doesn't own her own practice of course. She works under a Dr Hauser." Emma nearly sagged against her husband in relief. Captain Pellew sighed and shook his head.
"Assuming I was to believe this story, there is still the matter of my men to consider. If I choose to take you on-IF!" he pressed when Emma straightened and gave him a hopeful smile. He had to admit that the child was lovely and it was no wonder that his best officer was going along with this cock'n'bull story so as to keep her with him. Oh yes. He recognized a besotted fool when he saw one. "If I allow you to stay on the Indefatigable, my men will follow my orders and accept my decision but they could make life on board very unpleasant for you." Her smile wavered slightly but she stood straight.
"In my chosen profession, Captain, I am used to facing opposition." Well, the girl had backbone. One had to admire that.
"I'll make a deal with you, Mrs Hornblower. If you can my crew to accept you as their doctor before we hit our next port, I'll hire you on permanently. But if they still insist on a male doctor, you will be given passage to Mr Hornblower's family home. Is that understood?" Emma's face fell but her eyes held their determined glint.
"Aye, Captain." she said squeezing her fingers together to stifle a shudder of panic.
"Now if you'll excuse me ma'm, I have some things I need to discuss with your new husband. You can get one of those scoundrels who are listening at the door to help you find the physician's quarters."
Sure enough, when Emma opened the door, there was Archie Kennedy and a few of the other men who scrambled to stand at attention and look innocent.
"Oh, Captain." Emma said, turning back to face him. "How long until we hit our next port, Sir?"
"Three days, Mrs Hornblower." the captain replied smugly. He admitted a pang of compassion at the paleness the girl's face blanched to. She cleared her throat and squared her shoulders.
"Mr Kennedy, if you'd be so kind as to show me to the physician's quarters, Sir." she asked. Bloody,bleedin' Christ! Three days? Three days to get all the crew to accept her?
"Mrs Hornblower Ma'm. I must admit that I've never heard of a woman doctor." Archie said as he led her down the long corridor.
"Well, the world is changing Mr Kennedy. Why shouldn't we change with it? I'm quite qualified, I assure you." she said.
"All the same. I doubt the men would give a pittance for your qualification when it comes to your gender ma'm. Naval officers can contract rather....uh...inventive maladies that I'm sure would offend your fragile sensibilities." he said patting her arm.
"Really? Such as?" Emma challenged cocking an eyebrow. She felt triumphant when she saw the blush creep into his boyish face.
"Well,....that is...." he coughed, embarrassed and she thought to put him out of his misery.
"Mr Kennedy, I am aware of the illnesses contracted from certain....entertainments and I can tell you that I am fully qualified to treat those too"
"I fear that the issue is that because of your gender the men will prefer to suffer in silence." he explained.
"And does this preference extend to yourself?" Emma asked.
"While I consider myself and enlightened officer I do think it's only fair that I should refrain from letting you take certain liberties on my person. You just may be so impressed that you fall in love with me and then where would our poor Horatio be?" he asked, his blue eyes dancing with laughter.
Emma was so shocked she stopped in her tracks, her arm still tucked in Archie's. Then it occurred to her. He was testing her, in his words, 'fragile sensibilities'. She laughed out loud. Archie smiled and pulled her along with him further down the corridor. She grinned at the small victory. At least she knew now that she had one of the Indefatigable's crew besides Horatio on her side.
"And who is this lovely lass?" A man stepped from the shadows beneath the wooden stairs and startled them. His voice was polite enough but the sentiment didn't quite meet his eyes which chilled her. Archie went very still beside her and even though he drew her closer to his side protectively, she could feel the trembling beneath his skin. Emma gave Archie a questioning glance but he refused to look at her, staring down at the floor instead. His smiling, handsome face was now a clammy pale color.