Chapter Thirty

They had, accompanied by Mr. Clayton, gone straight from the ship to the apothecary where Emma purchased a good number of needed supplies to re-stock the Indy's sick berth. Then they purchased Captain Pellew's brandy

Simpson had gone ahead to the inn and they were glad to not have to look at the horse's behind of a man. To her thinking, Emma figured the less time Archie and her husband spent in Jack Simpson's company, the better.

She was still quite irritated that Simpson had to come along with them in the first place but she was not about to argue with the captain. She wasn't quite on sure footing with Captain Pellew despite the fact that he had complimented her skill after the French skirmish. A small inroad, but an important one.

There was only one day left before she was too meet up with Horatio's father and Emma wasn't quite sure where she stood with the Indy's crew.

They weren't as openly hostile to her now but neither were they friendly.

The only patients she had examined had come to her out of necessity being either wounded or cut open. Unless one counted Styles. Emma still didn't considering that she had needed to threaten the man. No one had come to her willingly.

They stopped at the Lamb Inn and were informed that the party meeting them was late. A messenger had come with a note letting the Indifatigable officers know that the party's crew had been in their own skirmish with a French frigate as well and they would arrive as soon as they would be able.

Jack ordered Horatio to stay outside and wait for the party to arrive and then disappeared into the warmth of the inn.

"Do you suppose we could perhaps leave Mr. Simpson behind when we return to the Indy?" Emma asked with a scowl.

"As tempting as that is, I'm afraid the captain would notice his absence." Horatio pointed out.

"Due to the rise in the crew's morale, no doubt." Archie quipped, choosing to stay out in the cold with his friends rather than endure Simpson's presence.

Emma buried her arms beneath Horatio's coat, shivering at the warmth of him. He chuckled at Archie's joke and held Emma close to him. Emma looked up to study the bruising of his face. The discoloration was quite dark in some places but more than likely would begin to fade tomorrow.

"It's getting rather chilly. Go on inside and warm yourself." Horatio insisted to Emma.

"No thank you. You're better company than Mr. Simpson." Emma insisted, though she did burrow closer to him.

Clayton had gone in with Simpson and the three of them stood outside in silence for a moment, the sound of crunching snow under pedestrian feet as they walked past. Emma shivered again.

"Alright. Blast it. Inside with you, come on." Horatio ordered pulling the door open and holding it for her.

"But-" Emma argued.

"We can watch for the rest of the recruiting party through the window. Inside." Horatio insisted.

"My, my. You are quite bossy, Mr. Hornblower." Emma said saucily but it was only a token protest. She was glad to be out of the cold. She rubbed her arms through her coat to warm them before Horatio pulled it from her shoulders and smiled sweetly at Archie who brought her a mug of hot cider.

Grabbing her now full bag of supplies, Emma sat by the fire to make sure she had everything she needed for when they boarded The Indy once again. The men sat one of the few tables to drink and play cards as they waited.

Bandages, alcohol, castor oil. She'd show that to Styles once she got back, Emma thought with a wry grin. Needles and thread for stitching wounds. She was so enraptured with her supplies that she almost didn't notice that the party they were to meet with had arrived. Rising from her seat by the fire, Emma extended her hand to the group of four men as the introductions were made.

By now, snow had begun to fall in earnest and Horatio suggested the men join their card game as they waited out the weather. Emma went back to her supplies like a child to her toys.

She hadn't been paying much attention to the men's card game but the sudden change in the air did catch her notice and Emma raised her head and glanced over at the table. Horatio sat rigid with tension. Both Archie and Clayton looked very wary. She couldn't see Simpson's face as his back was to her. The other men were trying to diffuse the situation but Horatio was having none of it. He was staring daggers at Jack Simpson.

"What happened?" Emma asked standing and placing her bag down on her seat. She made her way over to her husband.

"I've been accused of cheating. Mr. Simpson refuses to apologize." Emma was surprised that Horatio would even think that Simpson would.

"Leave it alone, Horatio." Archie insisted.

"I'm sure Mr. Simpson was only speaking in jest." One of the other men at the table spoke.

"Of course." Emma nodded, sending her husband a pleading look.

"No. If Mr. Simpson refuses to apologize. There is only one way in which satisfaction can be gained." Horatio locked eyes with Simpson who merely narrowed his eyes at the younger man.

"Satisfa-" Emma began and stopped when realization slammed into her in a bolt of fear. "Horatio, May I have a word with you in private? I'm in need of your assistance with something." Emma grabbed her husband's hand and all but dragged Horatio out of his chair. She led him up the stairs to the guest rooms.

"Are you mad?" Emma demanded turning on him in the corridor.

"Emma. It's the only way to end this." Horatio reasoned.

"Oh certainly for you. You'll be dead." Emma exclaimed.

"I have no intention of dying." Horatio assured her with an indulgent smile but his wife would not be mollified.

"Well that's reassuring. Please tell me when you do intend to do so as I'd like to prepare myself." Emma snapped. The sound of footsteps made them both turn to the staircase.

"I thought you could use some help talking sense into him." Archie offered with Clayton behind him.

"You've never fought a duel, Horatio. He'll kill you." Archie insisted.

"I've fought the enemy in battle before, Archie. Now my mind is made up." Horatio looked pointedly at Clayton.

"Well, I'll act as your second, of course." Clayton agreed.

"For heaven's sake! Don't encourage him." Emma burst, slapping Clayton's arm.

"That settles it. Archie, if you could make the arrangements?" Horatio instructed looking slightly paler.

Emma looked at each of them, wondering if they had all taken leave of their senses. Archie gave her an apologetic shrug. Emma threw up her hands in exasperation. "God save me from all men and their stupid vanity!" She cried and then stormed back down the stairs.

A.N:

Sweet A.K: I too liked Pellew. He's one of my favorite characters. He's stern but fair. And yep, we must torture angsty Archie just so we could cuddle him later! (laughs) Oh and you bet Simpson will get his. Don't you worry about that!

Camreyn: This chapter's a bit longer. I didn't want to leave in the middle of a scene so I had to cut the last one a little sooner.

Pellew can see that the guy is not gonna make it but he doesn't know that it was Emma's distraction that caused his death and we're just gonna keep that to ourselves, hmm?

The Archie heroics will come in the next book. He's got to go through a bit more before his will matches his confidence but it will definitely happen. Your idea to leave Simpson behind made me giggle and if you read this chapter you'll see why. (laughs)

Archie broke his hand in battle. Being all brave and heroic and we didn't get to see it, sorry. Bad author! (giggles)

You want to toss Simpson off the boat? You ain't seen nothing yet. (sighs)

Thank you guys so much for your feedback. I love reading all your comments! It makes the Baby Horatio and Baby Archie very happy. And now I've got a craving for chocolate.