Davis spoke, “Nothing appears broken, just banged up. Miss Jamieson, you must have slammed your left side against the ship when you grabbed hold of the rope. The direst symptom I see right now is the chill. She needs dry clothes and to get bundled up under blankets immediately. Gabrielle, would you get her changed, please?”
“Of course. Right away.”
Davis made to leave. “I’ll come check on you in an hour or so, Miss Jamieson. I don’t want you to go to sleep right away with a head wound. Let’s get you comfortable and warm for now.”
Miss Beaumont gave a pointed cough from behind Vivian, which Jack ignored. He focused on rubbing some warmth back into Vivian’s frigid hands. From the corner of his eye he saw Miss Beaumont motion to Davis.
“Captain? You could use some fresh clothes as well, sir.”
Jack didn’t move. He should go, but he couldn’t seem to force himself to leave her.
Davis put a hand on his shoulder. “Jack, she needs to get changed and under the covers. Come on.”
He nodded. Davis was right. She needed to change into dry clothing. He ordered himself to get up. With a last glance at Vivian, he and Davis left the room.
****
Gabrielle stripped Vivian out her clothes and toweled her off quickly. She put her into the warm flannel nightgown and robe set she had brought in anticipation of chilly English weather. Thank God for proper planning. Bundling her under the covers, Gabi slipped in next to her, lending her body heat to help warm up Vivian.
After a bit, she asked, “How’s your head feeling?”
“Like a cannon went off right behind me-boom! It keeps ringing. But I am feeling much warmer, thanks to you.” She snuggled down into her pillow.
“Now, George said don’t go to sleep till he comes to check on you. Tell me what happened.” Gabi poked her.
“Johnny was about to go overboard, so I grabbed his leg and pulled him back onto the deck, but then a big wave washed up, and the ship pitched, and I fell overboard myself. I just grabbed for anything on the way down. Lucky for me I caught hold of a rope,” she mumbled, “Jack saved me, he pulled me to safety…strong arms…he smells good.”
Gabrielle frowned. Maybe the knock on the head was serious. Vivi had definitely started to babble. She reached out to poke her again in order to keep her awake when there was a knock at the door. Gabi slid out of bed and straightened her robe before answering.
George Davis filled the doorway, windblown and wet, rain dripping off the ends of his hair. He gave a shake, trying to dislodge some of the water from his jacket. “May I come in and check on the patient?”
“Yes, come in. I’ve just been trying to keep her awake.” She gestured to the lump that indicated where Vivian lay burrowed under the covers.
“Good job. Vivian, can you sit up for me? I just want to check your head and ask you a few questions.”
Gabrielle helped Vivian sit up in bed. George took a look at the laceration and proclaimed the bleeding had ceased and it wouldn’t require any stitches, then proceeded to ask a few questions. What was her father’s name? What ship was she on? Did she know where they were headed?
“Everything looks fine. I am satisfied after a good night’s rest you will be feeling better, if a little bruised. I will come and check on you mid-morning.”
“Where is Captain Jack?” Vivian asked.
“He had to get back to the helm, but it does look like the storm has finally blown through. He’ll have to get us back on course. You gave him quite a fright. I don’t think I have ever seen him so frantic. I’ll let him know you’re all right and resting. Good night, ladies.”
“He’ll be so tired,” Vivian mumbled. “I hope someone remembers to feed him…” She snuggled deeper into the covers, asleep almost immediately.
Gabrielle shook her head, whispering, “Goodnight, Vivi.” Then she went through the connecting door to her room, hoping to get some sleep herself.
****
Jack dragged himself back to his cabin. Stripping out of his wet boots by himself was no easy task, but he had sent Johnny to bed several hours ago. The boy had been beside himself that he had not been able to keep Vivian from going overboard. He had wanted to see her to make sure she was all right. Jack informed him she needed her rest and so did he, and sent him to bunk down for the night.
He changed into dry clothes. Jack poured himself a whiskey and sat in his favorite chair to stare out at the starry sky. The storm had cleared out almost as fast as it had started. They had been blown off course only by a little and should still arrive in London in the next three to four days.
Davis reported on Vivian’s status and said he had ordered her to get a good night’s sleep. But hell, Jack wasn’t going to get any sleep tonight. The image of her being swept overboard in a wave of water ran through his mind in an endless loop. He slammed his drink down on the table. If he had been just a little closer.
He stood and grabbed a dry pair of boots. Snatching his whiskey, he swiftly made his way to Vivian’s cabin. He paused at the door, briefly looking both ways down the hallway, then slipped in as quietly as possible. Closing the door, he pulled the desk chair near the bed. He straddled it and sat staring down at Vivian sleeping in a stream of moonlight from the small round window. He watched the steady rise and fall of her breathing for a while. The vise grip of fear that had ahold of him ever since she went tumbling overboard began to ease.
What was he going to do about her? She was the most amazing women he’d ever met. So fierce and brave. Today she’d thrown herself into danger to save another’s life without thinking twice. He took a swallow of his whiskey, still shaken by her rash behavior.
