Title: The music of the gunroom
Author: Mary M
Contributors: Ruth C. I forget who the evil Lt. Harvey belongs to.
Rating: G
Archive: Please
Feedback: This is my first posting of any fiction. Please give me
plenty of feedback.
Disclaimer: The characters belong to the Monstrous women.

The gunroom was full of chatter and laughter. The evening meal was about to be served and all of the ladies present were quickly becoming spoiled by Judith's cooking. Waiting in port had several drawbacks Hera Phillips thought but one of the major advantages was the freshness of the provisions. Hera relished the spices Judith used in her dishes with great success. As the ships surgeon, Hera had made some specific requests for herbs for the coming voyage.
Judith rather than the purser had been able to meet Hera's needs. She and Judith had already spent some considerable time discussing different herbals and treatments. They were of like minds about most things and Hera did not anticipate any discord between them.
Hera had lived in close quarters before when following her husband's battalion on the Peninsula. Harmony was not always possible but tolerance was a necessity. Hera relaxed in her chair, listening to the rise and fall of the women's voices around her. It was musical she thought with the varying tones and rhythms.
The sudden loud slam of the door jarred everyone into silence. It was Lt. Harvey. Hera had seen her earlier this morning when the Captain had addressed the entire crew. Lt. Christian had spoken guardedly about her then. Hera felt as if Lt. Christian was somehow warning her about the beautiful Harvey. Elaine Harvey sauntered into the Gunroom letting her eyes drift over the group. She was tall, slim and carried herself with grace and confidence. She smiled at all present but Hera felt the smile never quite reached the striking blue-green eyes.

1st Lt. Christian stood and gestured around the group. "Is there anyone here Lt. Harvey that I may introduce?"

"I believe I have met most everyone here" she said as she nodded to the women present. Her eyes stopped when they reached Hera. "I don't believe I have met you." She stepped toward Hera, her hand out. "I am Lt. Elaine Harvey."

`She holds her hand out like I'm supposed to kiss it' Hera thought.

"I am Hera Phillips, surgeon of the Monstrous." Hera took the offered hand in a firm grip, looking Elaine in the eye. Elaine let go and stepped back.

 "Phillips, Phillips, are you any relation to the Phillips of Grandview Hall? She asked with an arched brow. Hera felt Lt. Harvey was well aware of the answer.

"Yes, I am." Hera replied and said no more.
"How is Lady Phillips? I haven't seen her in town lately?"
"I have no idea" Hera stated matter-of-factly.
"You don't know" Harvey said with exaggerated surprise. "Oh" she drew out the one syllable. "You must be Thomas's wife, the half breed that one no one speaks of" Elaine Harvey tried to arrange her features into a look of sympathy without success.
Hera moved toward the door. As she passed Lt. Harvey she stopped.
”No one speaks of me and yet you have heard of me. I have never heard of you."
Turning to the room, she said quietly, "Good night ladies. It has been a pleasure sharing the evening with you." She walked out of the door, her head high, and her spine straight. The music of the gunroom was gone.