James Benwick was an honest, hardworking sailor who had earnt the loyalty of many worthy officers in her Majesty's Royal Navy. His ability to lead by example, by completing more than his share of tasks with nary a grumble and a mere nod to those he helped, resulted in a solid, unmoving respect amongst the ensigncy. However, it wasn't until a visiting Admiral noted his quiet lectures on Homer's Iliad to cabin boys during round up that his true worth received acknowledgment through the bestowing of a lieutenancy upon the young man (after the inspection of logs and the passing of an oral examination as per the Navy's high standards).

The posting of James Benwick to the Laconia had the rest of the Admiralty divided. Whilst some believed that it was only warfare that could be the making of an officer and man (and it was warfare for which the Laconia was indeed bound); the keenness of Benwick's mind and his efficient fulfilment of duty would have been a true asset to the merchant arm of the force. As a thinking man, Benwick knew that the Laconia would bring him death or money and being the third of seven sons to a gentleman farmer and his stolid wife, he went where posted.

Now many may not know this but the War Office had a variety means of accruing the funds necessary to support the Navy's efforts against the French, one of which was to subject the Navy's officers to Balls in which their worth would be inspected and proposals for investments produced. It was at one such preliminary to sailing that Lieutenant Benwick had the pleasure of meeting Fanny Harville.

"Benwick! I say, Benwick- over here!"

James knew that voice from the tactical meetings he had participated in since taking up his new posting and turned to see John Harville (another Lieutenant set for the Laconia) calling him from the promenade to the east of the ballroom. As he walked over to his shipmate he noticed a rather portly lady with dark features standing beside him, eyeing him with great interest.

"Harville, well met. This is quite the turn out, is it not?", James began, shaking Harville's hand.

"Indeed, it is! However, as I've determined from our meetings- the Laconia holds the greatest promise for success and therefore it must also attract the greatest interest."

James internally scoffed at Harville's optimism and thought perhaps the spectacle was the crew with newly appointed officers, a captain (although promising) with minimal frontline experience and a ship hastily repaired when public funds were low. It seemed that these thoughts were shared with another as the dark-haired lady next to Harville covered an indelicate snort.

"Oh, I do apologise. James," Harville indicated to the dark-haired lady "this is my sister, Miss Francis Harville. Fanny this is Lieutenant Benwick." Both executed bows and curtsies as expected and James noticed a delicate blush form across what was an impressive cleavage. Completely oblivious Harville continued "And my wife, Margaret, is dancing with Admiral Baldwin". Benwick cleared his throat and turned to see a normally staid Admiral Baldwin galloping enthusiastically around the room with what appeared to be a flame headed goddess.

As the trio watched Mrs. Harville continue her dance, Harville and his sister picked up the conversation they'd been having before James arrived. "The difference, dear Fanny, is that making uniforms can be achieved from home, but nursing!"

"Yes John, nursing. What good are uniforms if there are no brave and willing men to fill them? I'm not proposing I follow the drum, heavens no! However, I can support Mrs. Croft while there are so many ships in port. She's setting up a makeshift hospital to address any training injuries and other illnesses that develop amongst people living in such close quarters. I can be active, make a difference in the lives of others. I hope you are not suggesting that as a woman I cannot make such a valuable contribution to the war effort."

"I would be a fool to do so, considering I met my own wife when she was providing much the same assistance, but"-

"Even the contributions of the women of Ancient Greece were of equal importance as men during times of war, John."

"Ah now," cried John as he placed James between himself and Fanny, "if you begin to befuddle me with your historical knowledge I shall be forced to call on my new shipmate here to defend my point of view. I am no scholar Fanny, which you well know, but Benwick here is a font of knowledge and wisdom."

"Are you indeed Sir?" Quizzed Fanny "Then I'm sure you will confirm what I have decried," challenging James with her eyes.

"With respect, I'm not sure I can, Miss Harville," causing those eyes to flash. "From what I have read I would say the Grecians were compelled to consider the hardships faced by women during times of war to be equal to those of men, I do not think the same can be applied to the contributions women made to support their countrymen during times of war."

"Nonsense!" She exclaimed, with some feeling; surprising James into a slight jolt. "What of Penelope, Eurycleia, Athena even? Their specific actions greatly affected the course of events for their countrymen."

"What you say is true, however if you are going to use Penelope as an example of the value of the contributions of women during times of war- then I must, for John's sake, point out that Penelope achieved her goal whilst imprisoned." James added with a chuckle, "a place certainly much more restrictive than home, from where one may produce uniforms or even bandages, soaps and tisanes in relative comfort and safety."

"Indeed Lieutenant! I am not ready to give over to your point of view yet, however I find myself in need of a refreshing glass of punch," both Benwick and Fanny turned to see the Admiral bringing Mrs. Harville back to her husband and so James offered immediately to fetch her a glass.

What followed was an evening spent in a great deal of conversation with a clever, well informed young woman. James returned to his quarters that night with an invitation to dinner with the Harville's for the following evening and the image of that dark hair and expressive eyes in his own mind's eye as he drifted off to sleep.