Free Come Looking For Me by Cheryl Cooper Page A

her breath while he gently hiked the trousers up her legs.
    â€œNow, I hope you can finish the last bit.”
    He walked over to the open gunport, his back to her as she struggled with the trousers. Pulling them over her hips and up to her waist, Emily had to stifle the urge to laugh when she noticed the flap front. Then, kicking off her blankets, she hooked her legs over the side of her hammock. “Ready for step two, Doctor.”
    Leander spun around, knowing his face was still flushed, and observed her figure in the sailor’s clothing as discreetly as possible.
    â€œAh, you’ll be needing shoes!” He dashed to a cupboard in the wall and opened its door to reveal three shelves on which he had neatly arranged his own hats, shirts, and cravats. He pulled out a straw hat and her blue silk slippers. “Before you went for your swim the other day,” he said, holding up the slippers, “you smartly tucked these into your jacket.” Kneeling down, he placed them onto her feet.
    â€œI don’t know how well they’ll wear climbing the ship’s rigging and spars,” said Emily, “but they do match my new jacket.”
    Leander looked at her thoughtfully. “I have never known a farmer’s daughter who was able to climb the rigging and spars of a ship.”
    â€œIn another lifetime, Doctor, I – ” She forced a smile rather than finishing her sentence.
    Leander held out his straw hat to her. “Maybe we could save spar climbing for another day.”
    Emily gathered up the long waves of her hair with the stronger of her two arms. When she was done, Leander popped the hat on her head.
    â€œRight, now, lean forward a bit,” he whispered.
    As she did so, he moved in so close to her face that she could smell the pleasant muskiness of his shirt. He placed one of his slender arms around her back and eased her out of the hammock and onto the floor.
    â€œMr. Walby,” he called out, “we’re ready for you now.”
    Gus burst through the curtains as if on cue, waving a walking cane. Reaching across the hammock, Leander took the cane, handed it to Emily, and stood back to watch as she hobbled like a happy child towards the curtain. Gus held it open for her. In the hospital room, the men looked on from their hammocks with a curiosity to rival a group of elderly women observing couples at a ball.
    â€œEmily,” said Leander, avoiding his patients’ stares, “the winds are strong on deck. Mind the hat.”
    11:00 a.m.
    (Forenoon Watch, Six Bells)
    â€œSIR, THE DOCTOR has allowed that woman to wander freely above deck.”
    Octavius, whose pimply face was red and puffy from the hot Bermudian sun, interrupted James as he conferred next to the capstan with Mr. Harding, who, following Emily’s example, had obtained from Dr. Braden a crutch and an admonition against over-exerting himself, and left his hospital cot to resume his duties. There was much to discuss, as the Isabelle would be leaving Bermuda later that day.
    Jerking his head up, James squinted into the sun to search the decks within his sight. “I cannot see her anywhere, Mr. Lindsay.”
    â€œShe’s standing with Gus Walby and Magpie – of all people – by the fore ladders.”
    James looked again. “I see Mr. Walby and young Magpie, but by the stars, I see no woman dressed in a corselet and chemise.”
    Octavius compressed his lips in annoyance. “Sir, the Admiralty clearly states that no woman, be she an officer’s wife or a cook, appear above deck while at sea.”
    â€œI’m well versed in navy rules, thank you. Need I remind you we are anchored in port?”
    The first lieutenant pointed towards the mainmast’s yardarm. “See how the men pause in their chores to watch her.”
    James and Mr. Harding both looked up, shading their eyes from the bright sun.
    â€œThey are doing a fine job keeping their eyes in their