Chapter Twenty-Six

Archie Kennedy was a fool for a pretty face. He always had been since the day he's discovered girls weren't annoying, just utterly confusing. When he first got a good look at Mrs. Emma Hornblower, laying on top of him in the most indecent fashion, he'd felt as if someone had socked him in the stomach. Good God but she was lovely. All red hair and shining blue eyes that could send a man to the devil and make him think it was heaven all at the same time.

Alas, his best friend had already claimed her by then. Such was Archie's luck. Not that he could ever compare himself to Horatio. The man was as close to Archie as his own brothers, closer, Archie would dare say. But Archie harbored no illusions over their individual strengths.

Horatio would make the better husband. No question. Horatio was stronger, braver, smarter. His brain would take him far up the ladder of command. There were already murmurs of putting Horatio up for his lieutenant's exams.

In battle, the two men were equals. Archie was not without ambition but he lacked the drive to dedicate his life to moving up the naval hierarchy. Put a pistol or a sword in his hand and Archie was happy.

There were too many immediate concerns without worrying about academic excellence. Like Jack Simpson. Archie swallowed the acid bile rising up his throat. He closed his eyes against the murderous rage that churned in his stomach whenever he thought of the man who'd tormented him for the better part of the past five years. Archie kept that part of himself hidden. The dark ugly part that would gladly choke the life out of Jack Simpson if only he were brave enough. He hid that rage behind a cocky smile and laughing eyes. Instead, he turned the hatred inward on himself. Aye, he knew he was a weakling. Knew that when it really mattered, when Jack Simpson's hot, foul breath was at his back, Archie could not fight him.

Horatio knew. As did Clayton. How could they not? He'd seen the look in Horatio's eyes change from one of warmth and openness to pity, shock and before he could hide it, disgust. Over the years, the warmth and friendship was a constant comfort to Archie but he'd never forgot that split second of disgust and Archie vowed that no one would ever look at him like that again.

Especially not Emma. Innocent, lovely Emma. Archie gave a snort of bitter amusement. He doubted the child could even fathom the tortures he'd endured. But if she examined him, she'd know. She'd know and the warmth in her eyes when she looked at him would change. Archie couldn't bear the thought of that. Archie Kennedy felt much older than his nineteen years.

He was jolted out of his melancholy by the return of the cook from the privy. Archie straightened his shoulders and resolved to do the best he could for the woman he could have loved if he'd been a stronger, braver, better man.

Emma listened and when it seemed as if the cook was not stepping back into the kitchen, Emma risked peeking out. She pressed her ear to the door and over heard Archie inviting the cook to a game of cards before Archie had to resume his watch. Fading footsteps lightened Emma's heart. Nicely done, Mr. Kennedy, Emma thought with a smile.

"I come bearing gifts." Emma said triumphantly holding the honey and tea. Horatio looked at her and a burst of laughter escaped her. "What?" Emma asked.

"Was it a battle to the death?" Horatio asked smiling. Emma looked down at her dress and groaned, remembering the flour.

"Oh drat." Emma said wiping at her dress but only making it worse, resulting in the flour spreading itself. "Well I look a sure mess, indeed. Good lord." Emma turned and poured some water into bowl and wiping her face. Her hair would need to be washed. Not to mention the fact that the heat of her skin had turned the flour into a sort of itchy paste down her back.

"I'll see about getting the basin in here so you could bathe." Horatio said, swinging his legs out from beneath the covers.

"Thank you. You could go out and get a bit of air. I shan't be very long so as soon you start feeling tried you come right back." Emma instructed grabbing some new clothes for herself from her trunk. Horatio kissed the top of her head then wiped that flour from his nose and mouth. Groaning, he slowly shuffled out the door.

Matthews and another midshipman, Finch, came in a few minutes later carrying the medium size laundry basin filled with warm water. Emma, not wanting to explain her flour covered state, hid behind the blanket partition.

"Thank you, gentlemen." She called out.

"Aye, aye, Mrs. H." Matthews replied ushering Finch out the door. Assured of her privacy, Emma peeked out from behind the curtain. Faint curls of steam rose invitingly from the wooden tub. Not very big, Emma mused. But it would have to do. Emma eagerly discarded her powdered gown, removed the yellow ribbon from her neck and sank into the water with a blissful sigh.

"Oh saints above, I sing thy praise." Emma exclaimed in ecstasy as the warm water blanketed her to her shoulders. She placed a towel on the edge of the basin to rest her head. She ran the cloth along her arm and began to hum, glad to have these few minutes to herself.

She was pink and clean when the water began to cool. She felt the ship jolt beneath her, sending some water sloshing over the sides. She lifted her head. "What the devil was that?" Emma wondered out loud. Outside she could an eruption of shouting and what sounded like canon fire. Then running, running come closer down the corridor until her door burst open.

"Hands to quarters! All hands to-" Archie was screaming some jibberish at her and then suddenly stopped. The sight of Emma naked in the tub stealing any further orders from his mouth. Emma stared at Archie with a sick sort of fascination. He'd gone stark pale than red as a beet. His mouth hung open. His blue eyes were wide and glittering with some unnamed emotion. Pain? Emma wondered. But not a physical pain, Emma decided, she took a quick inventory of his person to be sure. Then her eyes stopped at the source of his...discomfort. Then it was she who was blushing. That seemed to break the spell and jerk them both into action. Archie whirled his back to her at the same moment that Emma ducked her head and rest of her body under the water.

"We're being fired upon by a French frigate. Stand by, Mrs. Hornblower." He announced in a rush. Emma risked lifting her head up over the rim of the tub.

"Thank you, Mr. Ken-" But he was already gone. Emma sighed with relief and with a nervous glance at the door, quickly got up out of the water and threw her dress on in record time. There'd be no time for petticoats or shifts if she was to be prepared for the onslaught of wounded sailors.

A.N:

Sweet A.K. Brandy soaked Horatio indeed! Gotta love that huh? And did I mention that I too adore the Crumpet? Rest assured that he plays a very significant role in this story. And I too love the relationship between Archie and Emma, like naughty school children those two are. She hasn't quite mastered gracefulness yet as she's still young but she'll get there. (smiles) Her father really instilled in her a love of learning so Emma is like a sponge. I've got Alive updated to chapter 15 if you haven't read up yet.

An-Cat-Gaelige: Slowly but surely I'm updating. I decided just to post each chapter as its ready instead of waiting for a batch of five, we'll see which will be the longer wait. I'm also working on my BSG story Alive so that's why I go back and forth with the updates but I've in no way given up on this one. There is a boatload(geeky pun huh?) of stuff coming up and I hope you stick with it and enjoy. And of course, the cliff-hangers are to make sure ya come back. (winks) Though it must be awful painful hanging by your nose.(giggles)

Camreyn: Ah, my friend, you've been missed. No worries, if I don't write as regularly as I should I can't complain about when they feedback and your comments always make my day. I just hope you keep reading during those moments when you might want to toss Emma, Horatio or Archie off the boat. (laughs) And the secrets, (sighs) Hopefully things will be a little clearer with this chapter though Emma still won't know for a while. Of course, since she cares about these men don't expect her to give up until she learns what's what. And you've gotta keep a nice balance amid all the dangers on that ship and I think Archie does that very well. Emma and Archie's banter really eases her nervousness aboard a boat where almost nobody wants her, not to mention the strangeness of being a new bride. She can be almost kid-like with Archie and I think that's why they get along. With Horatio, she's kind of in awe of him, not to mention physical attraction is not a very calming emotion. So she likes Archie cause she's not nervous around him, as she is with her new husband.

And no wedding night just yet. (giggles) It'll happen, I promise, but it won't be easy getting to that point. And Emma is very much in that middle ground where she is half a woman, half a child. She'll muck in and get dirty if it's necessary but she is very much a girly-girl. (laughs)

She's one of those people who babble on when they get nervous. She wants to please her husband and be what she thinks a wife should be to make her husband happy but her ignorance terrifies her and she talks...and talks...and talks.

And I think Horatio is too injured for even her to take the lead, though I do join you in the gutter. It's fun there and Archie and Horatio pass out sandwiches.(smiles) And thank you for the compliment. I write what I love to read and just hope others enjoy it as well.

I'm not sure if Styles knows what the deal is with Jack Simpson, he doesn't like him, that's for sure. I think Styles knows and might be in on the code of silence. It's just a nasty mess, really.

And yep, you make complete sense.(smiles) Horatio and Emma are still kind of dancing around each other at this point, testing the waters so to speak.

I don't know why it is but setting has always been my weakest point in writing. I guess it's because I skip over too much description in novels and as long as I have one or two things to describe the place I'm fine. I guess cause I assume everyone knows what the sets on the HH films were like I don't go into much detail. Just enough to set the scene and if they use any props.

And you bet your patootie Emma doesn't want Simpson anywhere near Archie or Horatio after what the jackass has been up to. She feels since she was able to help Archie out with her being in the cabin, as long as she stays around them, Simpson will keep his distance. I think Simpson senses in Emma a disregard for his threats. Yes, he scares the bejeezus out of her and she promised both Horatio and Archie she'd keep quiet but I think if pushed, Emma would either take a scalpel to him or spill her guts to the captain. This little girl is almost like a guardian angel for Horatio and Archie, which I find amusing.

And if you want Archie blushing, you got it in this chapter huh?(laughs)

Thank you everybody for your comments so far!