Chapter Eleven

"Horatio, there's something you should know." Archie said, rushing up to his friend as Horatio made his way to their cabin.

"What is it Archie?" Horatio asked disturbed by the anxiety in his eyes.

"It's Simpson. He's back." Archie announced. Horatio visibly paled and closed his eyes.

"Damn. He was supposed to have been promoted to lieutenant. What happened?"

"He failed the exam so they sent him back."

"Bloody hell." Horatio swore. "Though it certainly figures since he didn't have us to cheat off of."

"You mean you." Archie reminded him with a snort. "I just wished you'd been informed before you brought Emma on board."

"Emma. Oh good God." Horatio leaned against the wall.

"He'll gleefully use her to get at you. You know that. I warned her to steer clear of him but that's gonna be impossible. We saw him a few minutes ago. Your little wife's an excellent judge of character. They didn't quite hit it off." Archie said.

"Do you think Pellew will give him back his old space?" Horatio asked, concerned. He'd been hoping he could let Emma have the spare hammock.

"He's already reclaimed it."

"Ah damn." Horatio swore.

"What are you going to do?" Archie asked him.

"I don't know. But I'm not letting her out of my sight if I can help it while Jack Simpson's on board." Both men turned at the sound of soft footsteps behind them.

"Well, there's much work to be done but I think by tomorrow afternoon I should be ready to start performing my duties, though Lord knows how long it will take to examine all of you. Thank goodness your previous doctor had the good sense to keep notes. Are you going to be flogged?" Emma asked turning to Horatio.

"No, but that's assuming you don't poison us all or disembowel us on your examination table." Horatio replied. Emma's blue eyes flashed with horrified indignation.

"I would never do such a thing!"

Archie snickered. "Easy Emma. He's only teasing." he assured her as Horatio smiled. "He doesn't do it often so sometimes it's hard to tell." Archie explained.

"Oh. Well.... Fine then." Emma nodded.

"If you two will excuse me. It's quite late and I shall turn in." Archie said yawning.

"Yes, so should we. Just give us a moment, Archie." Horatio said.

"Of course." Archie nodded and left them alone in the dark corridor. Emma looked up at Horatio nervously.

"Archie told me that you met Jack Simpson." he said.

Emma grimaced. "Yes. A horrid man."

"I was hoping you wouldn't be adverse to the idea of sharing my cabin. I regret that I can't offer any privacy, it's quite crowded in there. There's four of us in there now including Simpson. With you, makes five. I'd hope to offer you his hammock but I shall of course give you mine instead."

"And where will you sleep?" Emma asked.

"I shall make do on the floor-"

"Oh don't be foolish, Horatio. You're my husband and I won't take your hammock from you. We can share it. Unless you think the two of us won't fit on it?"

"There shouldn't be a problem but....well...it's only...." Horatio halted, averting her gaze. "There's no chance of privacy, I'm afraid." Emma bit her lip to fend off an unladylike groan of disappointment. No chance to enjoy her husband's lovely kisses and explore that other rather promising unknown territory.

"I could suggest the sick room but it's horribly filthy and smelly in there." Emma said scrunching up her nose in remembrance. Horatio smiled and raised a hand to stroke her cheek.

"You deserve much better than I can offer. I'm afraid our cabin isn't all that better although we do keep it clean. The captain insists on it."

Emma turned her cheek in towards her husbands' palm. "It'll have to do for now I suppose." she tilted her face up and gave Horatio a shy smile. "But since we are alone for the moment...." she trailed off, blushing. Emma watched understanding dawn in his lovely brown eyes. He leaned down but then seemed to hesitate.

"This may not be wise." he warned.

"Why not?" she asked opening her eyes when his lips hadn't met hers.

"It's....well...."

"You don't want to?" Emma asked embarrassed and more than a little stung.

"No....I mean yes.....I .....oh bother!" Horatio knew he'd regret it later but he pulled his bride towards him and captured her mouth.