Jonathan Barrett Gentleman Vampire (81 page)

Jericho left the cabin’s small lamp burning for my return. He was deeply asleep in his cot jammed against the opposite wall. I was glad that he was getting rest and took care to be quiet while slipping off my damp clothes. Not quite knowing what to do with them, I left them piled on the traveling box before gratefully climbing into my own bed.

The presence of my home earth delivered an instant comfort so overwhelming that I wondered whatever had possessed me to leave it in the first place. Until this moment I hadn’t realized how much I needed it, and lying back, I finally identified the feeling that had been creeping up on me for the last few hours, one that I’d not experienced since before my death: I was
drowsy.

I’d known what it was to be tired, known all its forms, from the fatigue of a dark and discouraged spirit to the weary satisfaction that stems from accomplishing a difficult task. Much had happened in the last year, but not once had my eyes dragged shut of their own accord as they were doing now.

Damned strange, that.

But wonderfully pleasant.

To escape into sleep . . . . I’d thought that luxury forever lost because of the changes I’d been through.

Out of old habit rather than necessity, I made a deep inhalation and sighed it out again, pulling the blankets up to my chin. Oh, but this felt good; my dizziness and bad belly were finally loosening their grip on my beleaguered frame. The earth-filled bags were lumpy and hard, but at the same time made the most comfortable bed I’d ever known. I rolled on my side, punched the pillow once to get it just right . . .

. . . and then someone was tugging at my shoulder and calling my name most urgently.

Damnation
, I
thought, then said it aloud. “What is it?”

“Don’t you want to get up, Mr. Jonathan?” Jericho asked.

“I just got to bed. Let me finish what I’ve started.”

“But it’s long past sunset,” he insisted.

Ridiculous. But he was probably right or he wouldn’t be bothering me. I pried my eyes open. The cabin looked the same as before, or nearly so. If his cot had not been made up and my clothes neatly laid out on the box, I would have had good cause for continued annoyance.

“Miss Elizabeth’s been by to ask after you. She thought you might still be ailing from the seasickness.”

“It’s not as bad as before.”

“Do you wish me to convey that news to her?”

God, but I wanted to stay in bed. “No, I’ll talk to her, perhaps take the air.”

He seemed about to ask another question, for he was plainly worried, but I got up and requested my coat. That was all that was required to change the subject. In the next few minutes I was summarily stripped, dressed again, combed out, brushed off and otherwise made ready for presentation to polite company, though how he was able to accomplish so much in the tiny space we had was a mystery.

My hat in place and my stick in hand, I was bowed out into the passage.

“You’re trying to get rid of me so you can tidy things, is that it?” I demanded.

Jericho’s smile was one of perfect innocence. It was also his only reply as he shut the door in my face. Somehow, the way he did it, it wasn’t in the least way impertinent. Oh, but the man was gifted.

There being little point to contest with him, I made my way topside. Long habit dictated I check the sky, which was clear, but I was surprised at the hour. Except for steady Polaris, the other stars were well along their march across the sky; sunset was ages ago, and soon everyone else but the crew would be below and abed. How could I have overslept for so long?

Elizabeth spied me and waved from a place she’d taken on the port rail. There was a good color in her cheeks and her mood cheery. Perhaps it had to do with the three smiling young ship’s officers gathered about her. Apparently she was not in want for company or amusement. If they were anything like the lot I’d met upon my last voyage they’d be trying to outdo each other recounting their sailing adventures to impress her. Doubtless between them they would have bravely dispatched any number of bloodthirsty pirates, or rebels. They were all one these days.

One of the sails made a banging noise overhead. Who would have thought mere air against cloth could sound so much like gunfire? I was too tired to jump, and Elizabeth must have become familiar with the sound during the day, for she ignored it. One of the officers snapped an instruction to a seaman, who ran aloft to tie down something or other. That was a good sign. The crew was alert to its business, which was most reassuring to one such as myself, who hadn’t the least idea of how to make a ship move in the right direction.

“I thought you’d never show yourself,” Elizabeth called over the wind.

“Must be the sea air,” I said, strolling over as best I could. Damn little deck space was safe for passage what with ropes and things lying about, and the ship pitched and swooped unpredictably. My legs and balance were still adjusting to their change of circumstance.

“You’re feeling better?” she inquired hopefully.

That
subject again. “I wish you hadn’t reminded me.” I clutched the rail hastily, nearly losing my stick. Should have left it in the cabin as I’d done last night. Though an elegant affectation for walking in the city or country, it was quite the impediment on a shifting deck. Though we were out of sight of land by now, the movement of water was still under its influence. Once we were truly upon the broad face of the Atlantic these choppy waves would smooth out, or so I fervently hoped.

“Still seasick?”

“Oh, please don’t say it. I’d forgotten until now.”

“Sorry. You looked well enough a moment ago.”

“It’s rapidly reasserting itself, unfortunately.”

One of the officers, anxious to make a good impression on Elizabeth, suggested that I consult Mr. Quinton. “He brought several cases of medicines with him. I’m sure he’d be happy to provide something to ease your difficulty,” said the fellow with some eagerness. He had more than half an eye on my sister. Shouldn’t he be minding the sails or something?

“Thank you, Lieutenant George. I shall give that consideration.” About two second’s worth, I thought.

“I can have him fetched for you,” he offered helpfully.

“Not necessary, sir. I’ve no wish to disturb him for something so minor.

“But he’s not at all engaged—”

“That’s quite all
right,
sir,” I said firmly, hoping he would accept the hint. Happily, Elizabeth smiled at him and told him not to worry so.

He bowed and declared himself to be her most faithful servant, which inspired the other two to gainsay him by assuring her that they were better qualified to such a post by reason of their superior rank. One of them informed Elizabeth about the dates of their respective commissions in order to prove his case for being the senior officer. So exacting was the calculation that even an hour’s difference was enough to secure one’s superiority of rank. After that I lost the thread of the discussion until she touched my arm, giving me a start.

“Are you bored?”

“Not at all. Where’d your suitors go?” I was mildly confused to note that her earnest gallants had quite vanished.

“Suitors? Really, Jonathan, they were only being polite.”

“If they paid you that much attention on land you’d be . . .” I nearly said “betrothed,” then recalled with a wince that any mention of matters to do with marriage would not be at all a joke to her. I covered the near
faux pas
by making another grab for the rail, as though a movement of the ship had interrupted me. “. . . be the envy of every girl on the Island.”

She smiled, affectionately, and by that I understood she’d seen through my ruse. “Those gentlemen have gone back to their duties. The captain caught their eye, raised his chin and they suddenly remembered things they had to see to. It was very funny, didn’t you notice?”

“Not really.” I must have lost time staring out at the gray sea, which was hardly an arresting sight for one raised on an island. Whatever was the matter with me? I was as sluggish as a bear in winter.

She put a hand to my forehead. “A bit warm. Is the chill yet with you?”

I shrugged, indifferent to her obvious concern. “Just the misery in my stomach and a spinning head. I was all right when I woke up, but it’s returned. Maybe that’s why I slept later than usual.”

“You look as though you could use more rest.”

“No need for concern, I shall seek it out,” I promised, working to rouse myself lest she continue on the matter. The topic of my wellbeing had worn rather thin with me. “I found Father’s surprise in the hold,” I said and explained how I’d come across Rolly.

She brightened. “Oh, I wished I’d been there to see. I’d promised to let him know everything.”

“You can tell him that I was extremely happy. I plan to as well if I can bring myself to write in a steady hand on this vessel. I thought a large ship like this would make for a smoother passage. The sea’s not that rough.”

“It’s better than when we first set out. I’ve not been even a bit ill, for which I’m most thankful. The other, less fortunate passengers are slowly coming ’round from its effect. Lieutenant George said they all get used to it sooner or later. I hope you’re next, little brother.”

“As do I. Was I much missed from the table today?”

“Since you were never there to start with you could hardly be missed, though the captain and Mr. Quinton both asked after you. Even when you do recover, you won’t want to look too healthy or people will wonder why you’re not eating with them.”

“Excellent point. I suppose I could be busy with some occupation or other. Tell them I’m involved with my law studies and will take meals in my cabin. Jericho can find some way of disposing of. . . of the extra food.”

“Jonathan?”

I shook my head. “Can’t seem to wake up tonight. I don’t remember the last time when I’ve felt so sleepy.”

“Then pay mind to it and go to bed if it’s rest you want.”

“But so early? I mean, for me that’s just not natural anymore.”

“Perhaps the constant presence of being over water is especially tiring for you. You said as much the night before when I left you in Mr. Quinton’s company.”

“I suppose I could lie down for a while. Jericho should be done by now.”

“Done with what?”

“Oh, ah, whatever it is he does when I’m out of the room. The workings of one’s valet are a mystery, and every good gentleman understands that they must and should remain so.”

“It seems a one-sided thing. I always know what the maids are about when it comes to their tasks in my room.”

“So it is with ladies, but ’tis different for men, and such are the ways of the world when it comes to masters and valets. Believe me when I say that I’m comfortable in my ignorance.”

She fixed me with a most solemn look. “Get some sleep, Jonathan.”

I gave a little bow, mocking the recent efforts of the now-absent officers. “Your servant, Miss Barrett.”

“Lots
of sleep,” she added, eyebrows imperiously high.

That was enough to carry me back to the cabin. It was empty of Jericho’s presence but not of his influence. My recently discarded clothes were gone and the bed was tidy again. What a shame to have to destroy such order.

Before collapsing, I rooted in the traveling box for something to read, but only for a moment. My eyelids were already closing. It was damned peculiar, but giving up the struggle, I dropped into bed. There had been times in my life when sleep had stubbornly rejected me, so I was grateful for this swift ease into the lands of Morpheous.

At some point I became aware of another’s presence, but it was a dim and easily ignored incident.

Jericho, probably. No matter. Elizabeth could see to whatever problem he might have.

He came back. Shaking my shoulder again. A lot.

I snapped an inarguable order to let me sleep and burrowed more deeply into the pillow.

The next disturbance was more annoying. Elizabeth was calling me. Being absolutely insistent. And loud. That was hardly ladylike.

Couldn’t seem to respond. Not even to her. What a nuisance, but it could wait, I was tired. How was a man to get any rest with all that row?

Now she was all but bellowing right in my ear. I ignored her easily enough, even with her shaking me like a rag doll, but then she grabbed one of my ears and pinched and twisted it most sharply.

Ow.
Ow.
What the devil . . . ?

My head jerked away from the pain, and I snarled something or other. It must have been forceful enough to put her off further attempts, for no more were made. I was finally left alone, left to enjoy my sweet, restorative oblivion.

* * *

The seasickness was quite gone when I next woke. The combination of my home earth, the extra rest and last night’s fresh blood must have done it. Of course, it might not be a permanent thing, for had it not returned when I’d taken a turn around the deck? Best that I stay in bed until I was sure of my sea legs.

I made a kind of grumbling sigh and stretched. God, but I felt stiff, strangely so, like a piece of crumpled paper trying to flatten itself out. I seemed full of a thousand creaks and pops.

And I was slow. Heavy. I’d not been this lethargic since that time I was forced to hide from the day buried under a snow bank. At least I wasn’t cold now, just moving as though half frozen. I was . . . numb.

My hands. Yes, they were flexing as I wished, but I had little sense of their belonging to me. I made fists and opened them, rubbed them against the blankets, seeking sensation. There, that was better, I could almost feel that. Must have slept wrong, had them under me or . . . .

Arms were numb, too.

Legs . . . face . . . everything.

But wearing off. Just had to wake up a bit more. No need for alarm. Being at sea made for changes. I wondered if it was the same for Nora when she traveled. She never mentioned any difficulty, but then she’d been rather short on a lot of information.

“Jonathan?” Elizabeth’s voice. Thin, with an odd mixing of anguish and hope. The room was dark, or my eyes weren’t working properly. I rubbed them. Difficult to work my fingers properly when I could hardly feel them.