Chapter 12
My darling James,
I thought that I would start off on the front foot by providing you with this letter to get yourself through the first night aboard your ship. The Grappler - how masculine it sounds! As I recall its magnificent prow and shining guns, I am reminded that one does not need the majesty of a grand vessel to taste the promise of adventure. And if I know you at all, the promise of adventure was at the forefront of your mind as you sailed out of Portsmouth Harbour this morning.
I have decided that I am cross with spring. The blooms have left me feeling like a walking handkerchief. Even the wounded and infirm find the strength to shield themselves from my unladylike sneezes. I look forward to the days that I can travel aboard The Grappler as your wife- we can chase Summer around the Globe! Doesn't that sound romantic? Although I do wonder how we will last without a park to wander about and lose ourselves until the dusk hour.
I would say: Take me back to our Autumn days together, but how can I do so when we have so much to look forward to?
Please be safe and write as soon as you can of your progress.
All my love,
F.H.
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Dearest Fanny,
Having your missive to read upon my retirement this evening was indeed a balm to my soul. Until you entered my life, I believed that there was nothing to the exhilaration of being pushed toward the horizon by the great wind filling the sails of the ship beneath my feet but I confess that it does not compare to how exhilarating it feels to hold you in my arms. I am counting the days until I return and feel the warmth of your embrace.
You should consult Dr. _ on this hay fever you are experiencing, perhaps he has a remedy that will aid your recovery? I expect a report back on your progress regarding the matter of your health and well-being.
The crew aboard The Grappler are a fine set of gentlemen, respectful and quick to respond to orders. The First (and only) Lieutenant, a man by the name of Butler, is a clever fellow and a Naval man to the bone. I have enjoyed some sensible conversation in between our duties and sat down to table with him to enjoy our evening meal. We estimate that it should take us a full week to arrive at the Cape of Gibraltar, owing to a need to hug the English coast before crossing over due to unfriendly activity on the water, coming from France. I pray for your brother, Wentworth and The Laconia on their mission as I believe that they are heading toward something far more significant than mercenary action.
Please give my regards to your sister and the children, my thoughts are with you all and never stray too far from your face. I often think of you, as the romantic poet once wrote:
She walks in beauty like the night of cloudless climes and starry skies, and all that's best of dark and bright meet in her aspect and her eyes.
If you send post to Plymouth or to Penzance, I shall be able to collect your letters before crossing to the cape.
Yours,
Com. J. Benwick
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Dear Sir,
Ensign Harville is pleased to report that she has consulted with Dr _ and has experienced some relief of her symptoms. Sinuses are clear though the body is cold and tired. Indeed, my heart is quite cold and it cannot find the warmth it needs without the help of your arms. The Dr had nothing to recommend for this particular malady other than patience and devotion. I possess one in abundance, the other is unfortunately in short supply!
We have been very busy at the hospital with some children presenting with scarlet fever. One feels for the poor dears as they toss and turn, rosy faced, calling for their mothers. But children are ever resilient and it is particularly heartening to see their strength renewed with each passing day. I have been staying as a guest of the Dr and his wife, as I have not wanted to bring anything infectious home to Margaret or the children. They are a delightful pair, good for conversation regarding all things medical- though not equal to the engaging company I have kept these six months past.
How it thrills me that you quote Lord Byron to me! I dare not pretend to wonder of what you mean by it, as we did so many months ago. You do me great honour sir and I hope you expect to be repaid in kind:
A thing of beauty is a joy forever; it's loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness; but still will keep a bower quiet for us and a sleep full of sweet dreams and health and quiet breathing.
What or whom is it of which I write? (The author is Keats by the way. He is an incredibly talented young poet). Please do not forget to have your likeness drawn up for me before you depart. I was in jest when I mentioned it before you left but now that you are gone, I find that I like the idea of being free to gaze upon your face at the beginning and end of each day. However, if you would rather not that is fine. We will see each other before 'ere long.
I eagerly await your reply,
Fanny
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Darling,
You are too good a creature! Only you would stay on and assist the Dr. through such a time. I trust that Margaret will get on very well with the children whilst you are absent from home, though I am sure she is thinking of how little time she has left with you as resident of her warm and loving home.
I am curious as to whether this short absence from your sister has given you cause to reconsider our plans for after we are married. I look forward to introducing to you my father, mother, brothers and their wives. I am confident they will love you as though you were their very own daughter. But Dorsetshire is a long way from Portsmouth and a ship will take you further away again. Will you be satisfied to be separated so far from the people you love above all others?
We alight at Penzance tomorrow to collect what is needed for our mission. I will obediently find an artist who will commit this visage to paper for your personal use. I will have it forwarded to you at the earliest opportunity. I cannot risk your forgetting who I am, for otherwise some sly, salty sea dog is bound to whisk you from my grasp.
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James Benwick had handed over duties to the First Mate for the evening watch and retired to his quarters to pen yet another letter to his beloved Fanny. As the Grappler began its journey across the Celtic Sea, James was not prepared to sleep while his men progressed toward the danger facing them in the Bay of Biscay; however, he was even more certain that staying above deck would be interpreted as a lack of faith rather than concern for the journey ahead. His crew was well trained, efficient and eminently capable of managing a shift without his command. They were an admirable lot.
He ruefully reflected upon the various reactions he had spied upon the faces of his men as they passed him in the market of Penzance that day. From good humour, to questioning glances and knowing glints, James endured them all as he sat to have his likeness taken. As he pulled the drawing from its package, he considered how talented the artist truly was. The likeness itself was incredibly faithful, James grimaced as he noted his weak chin and unruly hair. The skin on his cheeks rosy from daily exposure to wind and sun. He briefly thought that the young fellow could have been a little more forgiving but then shook his head. He could imagine Fanny's response to being sent a more romanticised version of himself. Her frank nature would not appreciate that at all. And was that not the very part of her he loved most? No, if such a woman as Fanny Harville could love his very flawed self, then he would honour her and God as best he could.
Picking up his pen to continue his missive, James was interrupted by a knock at his door.
"Enter," he called as he glanced up from his note (quietly grateful he had not been found gazing at his own likeness), "yes, Butler, what is it?"
"Trouble, Sir. The crow has spied the Laconia in action with another frigate. We suspect the French."
In less than a trice, James was up and out the door, heading toward the main deck, "what makes you say so?"
"They appeared to be blacked out, though Ferrars thought he spied their colours," Butler responded as he hurried behind him.
Coming to the wheel, James acknowledged the grim-faced first mate, "well done Smith, I will take it from here. Please call our men to the deck."
"Aye-aye, Captain."
"What do you spy, Ferrars?" James called to the crow's nest.
"Definitely French, sir!" Ferrars hollered down the mast, "there is quite an affray. I see no one on the main mast of either vessel. Cannon fire and weapon fire, I would hazard. I see also a smaller vessel heading toward the Laconia."
James locked eyes with Lt Butler, "that is grim Captain."
"Aye, it is," James replied, "we are as likely yet unseen if they have no one on the mast."
"Very true." Here Lt. Butler hesitated, then continued, "I have brothers upon that boat, Sir."
"As do, I Butler. Take the wheel while I speak to the men."
James headed down from the wheel to the banister of the main deck. Below he could see the shadowed faces of his men. He was sure news had travelled among them as uneasy whispers rippled through the small crowd. "Gentlemen, we are faced with a decision. Our fellow sailors are across the way, attacked by the very devils we have set out to defeat through our service to his Majesty, the King."
Pausing, James thought of his next choice of words as they would define the type of naval captain he would be. There were many who would take their men valiantly in to battle, regardless of the cost to life or limb. He would wager that there were as many captains again who would silently wade past the carnage, with no concern for the needs of their fellows at arms. "We have our orders. They do not include engaging in enemy action. We are not a man'o'war, though we have guns and weapons enough among us. Quite frankly, I have never met with a finer set of sailors, or men. Do we engage and save our brothers or continue with our orders? I would hear what you have to say."
Here, Smith spoke up, "I cannot abide the French, with their theivin' our supplies and stoppin' our vessels. Let alone allow them to takes English lives to boot. I say we engage." A chorus of "aye" and growls followed this statement. Another voice spoke up from the back, "I'm prepared to do my part Cap'n, but wif these younger fellers I cannot like it. We are merchants, not soldiers and they are merely boys."
A bevy of outraged cries responded to this, "oh c'mon guv", "I want ta kill me some frenchies", "give a chap a chance".
"That will do gentlemen," James intoned, rather sternly, so that silence settled across the crew. "I honour you for your words, I find myself in accord and so it is decided. We engage. However, I do not want to see anyone under the age of 12 above deck." Piercing eyes held the tongues of the younger boys at bay. "There will be no punishment for those who choose not to do battle, however if you hinder us there will be severe repercussions. If you are not fighting you are below decks with the boys. I have a plan formulating; collect your weapons we will meet back here in 7 minutes."
The plan, in fact, had been formulating since Benwick had received the order to cross to the Gibraltar. Knowing that there was not much cover across the straight and the French to be on friendly terms with the Spanish, he felt it was necessary to have some strategies on board to assist their sojourn across the water. He called to Smith to enter his cabin and grab a hessian wrapped package from the bottom of his trunk, an order that was followed without question. Returning to where Butler was at the wheel, he called Ferrars down to him from his perch above the mast.
"Gentleman, I will be manning our raft on a targeted mission over to the Laconia. With an extra twelve fighting men aboard the ship we will offer significant support to Wentworth's crew. Once we have embarked, I wish you to hoist these colours, double back and approach the enemy from the rear of their vessel. The decoy should get you within range of their masts, once there, use all available canon fire to bring their masts down. May God hold us in the palm of his hand."