"I meant no action in a military sense." And he devoutly wished that it should remain so. "I merely meant that I am uncertain as to what my course of action must be here. When I was last in England I was not a much favored man in a nation at war. For all that we know that may still be the general state of things. I would not resist my government's wishes, but I would not see you harmed, Julie. Not for my sake and not in a battle. John speaks of placing you aboard my crew, but what if Temeraire should be called to action?"

After seeing her so wronged on their trip to her own time, he would do all in his power to protect her from further ill-treatment.