“But they singled you out amongst all the other passengers.”
“They did.”
“Can you explain?”
Nash turned his attention to the captain. “Not at this time.”
Captain Bushwell exhaled in exasperation and ran his fingers through his hair. “Mr. Black, you are not making any sense.”
“I know. That is because I am just as confused as you.” Nash looked back at Maxey.
“Do you know of any reason they had for finding you?”
Nash remained silent for a few moments, then nodded. “I think my uncle sent them to kill me.”
“Why would he do that?”
Nash tore his focus off Maxey for a moment when he looked at the captain again. “Because I am the heir to a large inheritance, and my uncle wants it.”
Captain Bushwell sucked in a breath. “But I don’t understand—”
“Captain,” Nash said, his attention back on Maxey. “Can we discuss this at another time?”
“Yes, of course. I need to question my crew to find out why nobody saw those other men climb aboard my ship.” The captain turned and left the cabin grumbling.
“Well,” the doctor said as he stood, facing Nash. “I think she is going to be fine. We shall keep a close eye on her in case she catches pneumonia, but if you remain by her side and take care of her—”
“I plan on it,” Nash interrupted.
“Splendid.” The doctor placed his instruments back into his little black bag. “Keep me informed on her progress.”
Nash nodded to the doctor as he left.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Nash sat on the bed beside Maxey. Her lips had more color, but she still looked more like a corpse than the exuberant woman he knew.
The strenuous activities of the evening wore on his exhausted body, so he turned down the lamp and crawled into bed, taking Maxey back in his arms. Once he rested her head on his chest, her ragged breathing turned soft.
With a smile, he realized how well she fit next to him. He had always enjoyed the way she felt in his arms, but now, as he lay beside her, he knew their bodies molded perfectly together.
He kissed her forehead. “Sleep well, my sweet Maxey. No need to fear any longer.”
And he would make certain of that.
*
Maxey’s weak bodylay still as death, but her chest rose and fell with life. Nash remained by her side and nursed her, but a feeling of uselessness grew inside him. She had gained consciousness a few times, but she mostly slept. On a few occasions, her eyes drifted open and he cajoled her into eating a mouthful of hot soup or sipping water from a cup.
Soon, fever consumed her body as coughing racked her, and Nash summoned the physician. Doctor Lewis diagnosed her with pneumonia.
Fighting for control over his own panic, Nash kept his words calm. “Are you saying she is going to die?”
The doctor shook his head. “On the contrary. I know many people who have lived.”
“And I, Doctor Lewis, have known people who died from pneumonia.”
The doctor patted his shoulder. “She will live, because you won’t let her die.”
Emotion welled in Nash’s chest. His eyes stung with unshed tears, so he quickly turned away and hurried back to Maxey’s side. He took hold of her hot, weak hand and gently stroked her skin.
