Free Castaway Dreams by Darlene Marshall Page A

or "Of course you are useful," or "It is my pleasure, Miss Farnham, to be of assistance to you" as Mr. Carr would have done. He only looked at her a moment longer and said, "Good night, Miss Farnham."
    When the door closed behind him Daphne removed her boots and lay down on her bunk, Pompom cuddled close. She did not think she'd sleep with the tossing of the Magpie , but she must have dozed again, for the next thing she knew she was hurled to the deck as the ship heeled sharply.
    The deck was wet. The lantern was still lit, and as she looked over at the door she saw water trickling in, and the ship stayed tilted and off center. She grabbed hold of the bunk and pulled herself to her feet, soothing a whimpering Pompom.
    As if in a dream Daphne sat on the bunk, holding her pup. She wanted to flee the cabin and find answers, but she was too afraid to move.
    And Dr. Murray promised he would come for her.
    She no sooner thought that than her door flew open. Dr. Murray stood there holding a dark cloth bundle, his surgical chest suspended from a strap that went across his shoulder over his heavy weather gear. At the sight of that worn wooden box, Daphne swallowed.
    "She's taking on water fast. Come with me," he said, turning to the passageway.
    "Wait!" Daphne grabbed her valise, stuffing some last-minute items into it and fastening it.
    "There is no time, we must leave now." He took the valise from her and grabbed her, shoving her arms into a heavy coat that smelled of tar and sweat. Ragged sleeves hung down past her wrists, and Dr. Murray rudely threw her valise back to her and grabbed her arm, pulling her along. The deck was tilted so severely that she would have lost her balance if not for his strong hand hauling her with him like so much baggage.
    Around them there was a strong odor of spirits and she saw sailors passed out, bottles rolling beside them.
    "Wha--"
    He barely gave them a glance.
    "They would rather die senseless than be aware when the sea takes them."
    Daphne was horror-struck and her feet wouldn't move. Dr. Murray rounded on her, his face grim, his voice low.
    "We will survive this, Daphne Farnham. Do not give up!"
    "Yes, Doctor," she whispered, and clutching her valise with one arm, she held onto the back of his coat with the other. She followed him past the lanterns swinging crazily in the listing ship, their light illuminating scenes from hell and the smell of smoke and saltwater and vomit strong in the air.
    He pushed her up the ladder, following so closely behind she knew if she slipped he would stop her from falling. As her head broke through she was struck with a blast of water, not the sea but the rain pounding sideways into them as the gale whipped it into a maelstrom. The force would have knocked her off her feet if not for the steady arm of the man by her side. Heads down, they inched their way to the rail where Mr. Carr was waiting for them, holding fast to a line. In the muted light of the black morning he was barely recognizable beneath his oilskins, but he grinned at Daphne.
    "Good to see you walking the decks, Miss Farnham."
    He had to shout to be heard above the wind and the rain, and his voice was hoarse from commanding the men all night.
    "Oh, poor Mr. Carr! You are soaked through!"
    "I have had better days." He laughed, then his face grew grim. "Go now into the boat, Miss Farnham."
    Daphne blinked water out of her eyes. Her hair was plastered against her head and she felt water trickling down her neck but the coat Dr. Murray had forced her into kept her warm.
    "Give Captain Franklin my thanks, Mr. Carr."
    He exchanged a look with the doctor and turned back to her.
    "That is much appreciated, Miss Farnham. Now, you must climb into the boat with the surgeon here."
    She started to turn away, but he said, "Wait!" and grabbed her by the arm. As Daphne turned back to him, Mr. Carr took her face between his hands and kissed her full on the mouth. Dr. Murray stirred beside her, but said nothing.
    "That