Chapter Thirty-Eight

"I was quite disappointed when Horatio seemed to show no interest in following in my practice. The boy had no stomach for it, I'm afraid." Doctor Hornblower explained as poured himself another glass of wine. His third, while his dinner was untouched, Emma noticed but did not comment. Truth be told, she couldn't fault the man for seeking solace in drink. If she wasn't afraid of what Captain Pellew would think of her, she would have joined her father in law into his trip towards oblivion. "Yet he had no aspirations for any other type of career. After his mother died, Horatio seemed to have lost his way. Spent most of his days at the gaming tables. Has a talent for it, my boy." Though it wasn't quite an admirable occupation, Emma caught a slight lift of Doctor Hornblower's mouth in pleased remembrance. Then the near smile was gone as he corrected himself. "Did have, I suppose would be more correct now." The doctor seemed to try to shake himself out of his melancholy and smiled at Emma. "There now, my dear. In his note, Horatio mentioned that you were the ship doctor on Captain Pellew's ship. Quite forward thinking of you, Edward. I daresay, we'll see women captains someday." Captain Pellew choked on his wine and Emma hid a smile in her glass.

"Ah, well... that is...I"

"I'm afraid I wouldn't be much use as a captain, I have a terrible sense of direction." Emma admitted sending Captain Pellew a knowing glance. "Doctor-"

"Oh please. We are family now. Call me Henry." Her father in law insisted pouring himself a fourth glass. Oh dear.

"Very well, Henry. I hope that since you seem to approve of Captain Pellew's decision to take me on as a temporary part of his crew, that you would extend me the same courtesy here." Emma asked playing with the stem of her goblet.

"Oh my. Certainly not. No. No. That won't do at all." Henry said shaking his head. Emma's face fell. "Oh, don't lose heart, my dear. I'm sure that you're a quite promising young student but I'd lose my patients if they knew I was letting a mere slip of a girl poke and prod at them."

"I understand, Sir." Emma said, her eyes burning with tears again. "I only ask as it would keep my mind off things. Best to keep busy I think."

"Yes, I see what you mean. Captain Pellew, how was she?" Henry asked, turning to the captain.

"Sir?" Captain Pellew asked. Emma could sense the captain's discomfort over being drawn into this particular conversation.

"Would you say our young Emma is a skilled doctor?" Henry asked.

"Oh, well. She...um...I really haven't had time to...that is, she was only with us for a short while, hardly enough time..." Captain Pellew seemed to study Emma and then change whatever it was he was going to say. "In my honest estimation, Sir. Mrs. Hornblower will someday make a very fine doctor." He said with a decisive nod. Emma lowered her head so that the captain wouldn't see the tears of gratitude in her eyes.

"Hmm, Well, I do suppose I could let you watch me as I work. But merely watch, understood? My patients would set fire to my license if I let you assist me."

"Yes, Sir." Emma nodded, grasping on to the small thread of goodness in this cursed abysmal day.

"There, now. That is settled. We have quiet a few things to attend to in regards to my poor son. We shall go speak to the pastor tomorrow about saying a mass for him but we shall leave that unpleasantness for another time." Henry finished off his glass and was about to pour himself another when Captain Pellew handed Emma the bread basket to hand over to the soon to be inebriated doctor. "Thank you, dear." Henry pulled out a roll and bit into it. "Now, Horatio told me that you have no family, is that correct?"

Emma took a sip of her wine. Her stomach clenched nervously. She wished she did not have to lie to the poor man but what choice did she have?

"I regret that I lost my family, yes." She was getting quite good at coloring her lies with the truth.

About a half an hour after dinner, Doctor Hornblower informed them that he was not feeling well. A step away from obviously drunk, neither Emma nor Captain Pellew disputed his claim. He showed Emma where she was to sleep, Horatio's old bed chamber and Captain Pellew would settle into the guest room. The doctor bid them goodnight, leaving them sitting in front of the fireplace.

"I'd like to thank you, Captain. For your words at dinner. I could not begin to repay you for the kindness you've shown me over the past few days."

"Ah, no need, Mrs. Hornblower. No need. I greatly admired your husband." Captain Pellew said leaning back in the chair across from hers.

Emma stiffened slightly insulted by the captain's words. He gave her a slight smile and shook his head.

"It appears that you do not share your husband's talent in the art of bluffing, my dear. Everything shows in your face. I meant no offense." He assured her.

"Forgive me, Captain but you pretty much stated rather blatantly that you only tolerated me out of your respect for my husband." Emma stared into the fire, the heat permeating through her skirts and warming her thighs.

"Indeed I have. But I also would not have given you the few days I have to prove yourself." Captain Pellew reminded her. Emma crossed her arms over her chest.

"I'm certain you only did so to mollify my husband. I believe you fully expected me to fall flat on my face. Well, congratulations, Captain Pellew, it appears you were correct in that assumption." Emma blinked back tears of mortification.

Captain Pellew offered her his handkerchief, looking very uncomfortable.

"No, no, my dear. That wasn't what I was getting at in the least. What I meant was that while I did take you on briefly out of respect for your husband, you yourself have gained my respect as well." Captain rushed out the words, hoping the girl did not dissolve into hysterics.

Emma sniffled and looked at him over the handkerchief. 'Really?" She asked with such hope in her blue eyes that Edward Pellew was fondly reminded of his own children when he promised them a treat.

"Indeed. And while I do not approve of your chosen course, I do admire your courage in pursuing it. It would appear that you and young Mr. Hornblower were well matched indeed." The words were out before he could stop himself and Edward braced himself for a full on assault of female hysteria.

While Emma was overwhelmed by a spasm of grief that clutched her heart and threatened to steal the breath from her body, she forced herself not to give in to the emotions still bubbling within her, though her tears did spill over of their own accord. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes briefly. When she opened them again, Captain Pellew was looking at her with considerable relief and sympathy. Emma turned from his gaze to focus on the flames. A mix of bright and dark gold, streaked with blazing red. Emma extended her hands and warmed her fingers. Emma was reminded of Archie once again, noting that her friend's hair had also been an attractive mix of the colors she now stared into. Emma sniffled and wiped at her damp cheeks.

"Has Mr. Kennedy's family been informed of his death?" Emma asked feeling a strange shiver shoot underneath her skin all of a sudden.

"I will set out to inform them in the morning. I wanted to see to your well being firstly." Captain Pellew assured her.

"Ah, I thank you, Captain."

"There is a matter that I feel we should discuss before we retire. The matter of your lack of family ties."

Emma's eyes widened in a flare of unease.

"Now Horatio simply told me that he needed to bring you on board with him and that your father was in some sort of danger and as his child, so were you. I hope you would trust me enough at this point to tell me more?" Captain Pellew asked expectantly. Emma tensed, not knowing what to do. Did she dare trust this man with her troubles?

A.N:

Camreyn: Poor Emma is really having a rough week! (laughs) Doc Hornblower is pretty conservative but he might come around. Emma can be pretty persistent. Hope you liked this chapter!

Sweet A.K: Yep, our boys seemed to have kicked the bucket thanks to that pck. (smiles) Unfortunately, Simpson is still around but have not fear, he won't be for much longer! As for right now, he's probably at some tavern causing all kinds of havoc. I'm glad you liked my Doctor Hornblower. I always thought they should have shown more about him in the films. Thanks for your great feedback!