Editing Jane Roland

Jane and Laurence began an intimate relationship, on Jane's initiative, while both were stationed at the [[Dover covert]] in September 1805.  Both had an understanding of an aviator's transient life and enjoyed their time together while they could, accepting that their duty to their dragons and to the Corps must be given priority. An interesting note: Jane said she would've "offered" herself to Laurence to provide for [[Temeraire]]'s next captain except that she was too busy at the time (i.e. to manage a pregnancy); this was his introduction to some of the less public aspects of life in the Corps.   

Jane and Laurence began an intimate relationship, on Jane's initiative, while both were stationed at the [[Dover covert]] in September 1805.  Both had an understanding of an aviator's transient life and enjoyed their time together while they could, accepting that their duty to their dragons and to the Corps must be given priority. An interesting note: Jane said she would've "offered" herself to Laurence to provide for [[Temeraire]]'s next captain except that she was too busy at the time (i.e. to manage a pregnancy); this was his introduction to some of the less public aspects of life in the Corps.   

In 1806, the [[Dragon Plague]] struck Britain.  One of the victims was [[Observaria]], the flag-dragon of the Channel Division.  Shortly afterwards her captain, Admiral [[Lenton]], suffered a stroke and was reassigned to a quieter post at the [[Edinburgh covert]].  In the absence of any suitable and willing male candidates, the [[Admiralty]] was forced to make Jane Roland commander-in-chief of the Channel Division and Admiral at the [[Dover covert]], a post in which she proved herself eminently capable.  If her superiors outside the Aerial Corps were uncomfortable at dealing with a woman in a military role, Jane was not above using their discomfort to make her voice heard and achieve results.

In 1806, the [[Dragon Plague]] struck Britain.  One of the victims was [[Observaria]], the flag-dragon of the Channel Division.  Shortly afterwards her captain, Admiral [[Lenton]], suffered a stroke and was reassigned to a quieter post at the [[Edinburgh covert]].  In the absence of any suitable and willing male candidates, the [[Admiralty]] was forced to make Jane Roland commander-in-chief of the Channel Division and Admiral at the [[Dover covert]], a post in which she proved herself eminently capable.  If her superiors outside the Aerial Corps were uncomfortable at dealing with a woman in a military role, Jane was not above using their discomfort to make her voice heard and achieve results.

Jane was not much less furious, at least initially, when Laurence left with Temeraire to bring the curative mushrooms to the French, leaving behind a letter written to her as if she were only his lover and not his commanding officer.  Of course, she had to turn the letter over to the Admiralty and then deal with the resulting sniggers.  She was also temporarily demoted and her command handed over to [[Sanderson]], who was far less competent.  Although she agreed with Temeraire's and Laurence's act, she herself would have accomplished it much more quietly and practically by leaking the information to a Frenchman of sufficient rank and letting the French bribe the servants at the [[Loch Laggan covert]], where the mushrooms were being kept.

Jane was not much less furious, at least initially, when Laurence left with Temeraire to bring the curative mushrooms to the French, leaving behind a letter written to her as if she were only his lover and not his commanding officer.  Of course, she had to turn the letter over to the Admiralty and then deal with the resulting sniggers.  She was also temporarily demoted and her command handed over to [[Sanderson]], who was far less competent.  Although she agreed with Temeraire's and Laurence's act, she herself would have accomplished it much more quietly and practically by leaking the information to a Frenchman of sufficient rank and letting the French bribe the servants at the [[Loch Laggan covert]], where the mushrooms were being kept.

When Napoleon invaded Britain anyway in December 1807, Jane sent [[Tharkay]] to find Laurence - who was being held prisoner in Dover following the sinking of the [[HMS Goliath]] - and bring him to command headquarters.  With the support of [[Wellesley]], the juniormost of the three generals in command, she managed to convince the others to send Laurence to the [[Pen Y Fan Breeding Grounds]] to retrieve Temeraire and to reinstate her as commander-in-chief of the Channel Division.

When Napoleon invaded Britain anyway in December 1807, Jane sent [[Tharkay]] to find Laurence - who was being held prisoner in Dover following the sinking of the [[HMS Goliath]] - and bring him to command headquarters.  With the support of [[Wellesley]], the juniormost of the three generals in command, she managed to convince the others to send Laurence to the [[Pen Y Fan Breeding Grounds]] to retrieve Temeraire and to reinstate her as commander-in-chief of the Channel Division.