Chapter Twenty-Five

Once Archie left, Emma turned to Horatio. "Honestly, I don't understand what you men seem to be afraid of. I'm not doing anything your previous doctor, may God rest his soul, didn't do." Emma insisted. She began to set up her examination in anticipation of Archie's return.

"I believe that is the problem. It's a question of modesty for the most part."

"I have never met less modest men in my life." Emma countered.

"With each other, yes. It's also the fact that they don't trust that your skill is on par with that of a male doctor."

"So because I'm a female, I'm less intelligent." Emma asked, blue eyes blazing dangerously. Horatio held up a hand.

"I've already been beaten once this week. Let's not continue this discussion for medical reasons, aye?" Horatio asked, hoping to stay an argument. Emma narrowed her eyes at him, but nodded.

"Very well. But I must admit, Archie troubles me. Simpson has beat him too, I'm guessing, no?" Horatio snorted in disgust.

"I don't know who Jack Simpson hates more. Me or Archie. Yes. I would advise you to go easy on Archie."

"But if I could help, with his fits for instance. Why wouldn't he want me to help him?" Emma asked. Horatio was silent for a noticeable few seconds.

"What is it? You're not telling me something." She pressed. Horatio gave her a small smile and a closed his hand over hers.

"Is he ill?" Emma asked.

"Apart from the fits, no." Horatio replied with a sigh. "Simpson just knows how to get beneath Archie's skin. He's more vulnerable to him than the rest of us and Archie hates himself for it. Let Archie come around when he's ready. Leave it alone." Horatio advised.

"That seems to be a popular phrase around here." Emma scowled. "Will you be alright alone for a little while?" She asked, brightening as an idea began to take shape.

"Yes, why?"

"I'm going to find Archie." Emma said, grabbing her shawl and heading for the door.

"Didn't you hear a word I just said?"

"Of course I did." Emma flashed him a bright smile. "And don't worry. I promise not to poke or prod him even once." She said and with a smile and a kiss, she was gone.

Emma waited outside Captain Pellew's room when she heard Archie and the captain concluding whatever they had been discussing.

"Oh, hello, Mrs. Hornblower." Captain Pellew greeted when he found her on the other side of the door. Again, he twitched his nose.

"Hello, Captain. I was hoping to borrow Mr. Kennedy if your business is concluded?"

"It is and assuming your husband will be well enough, I have assigned your husband, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Simpson and Mr. Clayton to go ashore tomorrow on a recruiting mission. If you would be so good as to inform Mr. Hornblower, they are to leave early tomorrow morning."

"Simpson?" Emma asked with a tight knot of dread in her stomach. She risked a glance at Archie who had suddenly found the floorboards fascinating. "May I ask permission to accompany them, Sir?" The captain and Archie both looked at her in surprise. "I only ask because it would give me a chance to gather some much needed medical supplies. Not to mention, I could replenish your brandy.

"Very well then. You may go along." The captain said nodding. "Dismissed, Mr. Kennedy, Mrs. Hornblower." Captain Pellew said.

"Aye, aye, Captain." Archie said following Emma down the hall. "Emma, I really do not have the time to-"

"Relax, Archie, I need you for something else right now." Emma insisted.

"Oh?" Archie asked with significant relief.

"I'm going to the galley to get that honey."

"You already tried that if I recall." Archie pointed out, following her towards the mess hall.

"Yes, I made the mistake of asking for the honey. This time I'm merely going to take it myself." Emma explained. Archie stopped and stared at her back.

"Are you mad? That's stealing."

"Well then I'd better be sure and have some one stand guard so that I don't get caught. You're quite good at standing guard if memory serves, aren't you, Archie?" Blue eyes narrowed at her with a marked lack of amusement. Emma raised her hand to stop him from speaking while she listened to make sure that the cook's kitchen was empty. Men on various shifts were still eating but she would be able to dodge into the kitchen, assuming the cook was elsewhere.

"He's there." Archie said dragging her back into the hall. Emma tilted her head to take another peek.

"But he looks like he just may have to use the privy pretty soon." Emma remarked observing the man. Archie risked a glance.

"And how, pray tell, do you know that?" He whispered. Their voices were easily drowned out by the rowdiness of the men at breakfast.

"He's doing that thing you men do." Emma explained watching.

"I beg you, elaborate." Archie asked looking down at her. Emma pulled back to look up at Archie.

"That thing where you shift about from one leg to the other as if you're doing a little jig." Archie cocked an eyebrow at her. "Just watch." Emma said turning back to watch the cook. Sure enough, he was shifting his weight from one foot to the other and his face wore a pinched expression Archie let out a soft snort of laughter. The moment the last person in line was served, the cook was off like a bolt of lightening.

"See? Let's go." Emma whispered. The two of them cut around the tables and headed towards the back kitchen door.

Emma drew the curtain parting the pantry from the mess hall and reached up to grab one jar of honey. She tucked it securely into the front of her dress. It would serve him right if Emma took the jar of chamomile tea as well, she thought spotting the tin next to the tub of flour on the top shelf. She could use the boiled tea to help with the swelling around Horatio's eye. The tin was stuck to the top of the shelf, thanks to the remnants of honey. Emma startled when she heard Archie called out the cook's name loudly in warning to her.

"Going back to the kitchen, are you?" Emma froze. She gave the tin a mighty tug and it came free, but not before bringing the tub of flour down on her head in a cloud of white fog. She bolted in front of the curtain and ducked behind the half partition where the cook served the men. She sneezed, flour having gone up her nose but thankfully no one heard her. Oh dear. Now how to get out without being seen? Emma wondered clutching her honey and tea protectively.