Captain Frederick Wentworth looked at the men surrounding his table, his face serious but his eyes gleaming.
"We have our orders," He began, with no preamble. "We are to sail as close to the Gibraltar as we can. The admiralty want clear access to her Majesty's ports in Greece. There have been reports that merchant ships are being blocked in to the Mediterranean by French frigates and are then looted. Whether they are acting on Bonaparte's orders or they are mercenary matters not, these ships have the potential to greatly affect our efforts should it come to war."
James looked around at the officers assembled at the table and knew that most were more than ready for such a task. Old Harrison, the ship's cook who had been given an honorary appointment of Lieutenant, was the first to speak.
"Aye! And so, we should! This is a ship of soldiers; we've done enough dandy-fying to fill her Majesty's coffers for many a war. Let's to action, Captain." Harrison had been in the Navy since he was picked up by an old cook to join a crew at the age of six. Homeless for as long as he could recall, Harrison had been called out by a butcher who noticed the boy's pockets bulging with sausage taken from his stall. Be it pity or something else that compelled the cook to step in, step in he did. Claimed he was an assistant, paid for the sausage with the ship's account and corralled him back to the ship and there Harrison stayed for many years.
Two score (or possibly three for those who bothered to count) years later, Harrison had become a stalwart in her majesty's forces. His valour in times of action so valued that he had been granted a Lieutenancy despite not being able to read or write well enough to sit an exam such as the younger lieutenants had done. However, this honour did nothing to change his pragmatic personality, nor the concept of his role aboard a ship; as evidenced by his complete refusal to attend any ball, supper or concert as part of the pompous propaganda supported by the admiralty. Choosing to support the war effort by canvassing a wider variety of merchants to find the highest quality of supplies at the best price for his captain and crew.
A round of mumbling assents and "here, here's" followed Harrison's sentiments. Of all the officers surrounding the table, James truly only worried for one. From the narrowing of Captain Wentworth's eyes and the subtle nod from his friend Harville, James took comfort in knowing he was not the only one. Mere days before John had divulged a most joyous but deeply personal piece of news.
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"Benwick! Come in, come in!" Harville exclaimed as James entered the Captain's quarters. John Harville was beaming from ear to ear, standing with what appeared to be a generous snifter of Port. Even the Captain, who was usually a very serious and stern man, was sporting a genuinely wide smile.
"Captain." Benwick acknowledged with a bow.
"None of that Benwick, for you are not here upon my summons tonight but Harville's. I know not what has him so jumpy and energetic but I tell you, it is most entertaining."
"You will understand my jumpiness shortly Frederick and in truth I am in equal parts euphoric and terrified," Harville began as he passed Benwick a snifter of his own. "Now that we three are here, my oldest and newest friends, I shall begin with a toast."
Not completely following the purpose of the meeting, James agreed with Captain Wentworth, Harville's mood was contagious. Smiling, James and Wentworth raised their glasses.
"Gentlemen," continued Harville as he cleared his throat. "To Fatherhood!"
What followed was many exclamations of congratulations and much teasing on the part of Benwick and Wentworth (third time's a charm Harville; you'll have your own crew soon enough) and perhaps too many snifters of port. Before retiring for the evening, the three men sat together before the Captain's fire. A rosy hue had overtaken each of their faces. Their glassy eyes and loose posture spoke of over indulged comfort.
After a not insignificant silence, Harville spoke "You know I do believe that I loved Margaret from the first moment I met her."
Wentworth snorted, "Were you not delirious with fever when you first met her, John?"
James barked out a laugh as John defended himself, "Aye I was and yet her beauty and her perfect nature still shone through. Beauty and strength in a woman is hard to ignore, heaven help you both when you find it."
Emboldened by Dutch courage, James ventured, "I do believe you are right Harville. In fact, I'm sure I have found it and I do believe I am lost to her. Do you mind terribly?" All three knew of whom he spoke.
"No, my friend, I do not mind at all. She can be quite formidable and it warms my heart to know that she has found someone who will cherish this in her, who is intent on producing flames from the bright sparks inside of her rather than snuffing them out." Clasping each other on the shoulder, both gentlemen turned to look at Frederick.
Noticing this, he was quick to divert their attention. "Well gentlemen, a truly fabulous evening. Many congratulations to you Harville"-
"And what of you Frederick?" Harville countered "Clearly you have not met such a woman yet, for surely you would have kept her. Beauty and strength is a rare combination."
Returning to his habitual gruffness Wentworth supplied the conversation with as little information as possible. "No John. I have not. I thought, at one time, that I had," Frederick continued as he collected their glasses and near man handled them toward the door. "But I was wrong. Beautiful she was. But strong she was not." And without a good evening nor a good night, Benwick and Harville found themselves on the outer of the captain's threshold; catching the quietest "Damn it, Anne," as the door closed behind them.