Rosicky

Who was slumped in the doorway??? How will the reunion with Jacob go??? Will the puppy be a side dish while Zach is on active duty??? Will Julie tell Joe what's going on??? Looking forward to reading more when you get back to it. :-)

I agree with Impunity about the hair ... Written in the same manner hair or not. I can just imagine this sudden appearance is meant to stash something in the boys' gear to smuggle it into Oz. Where's this morning's postings??? Reading your story has become a morning ritual.

Ever since Riley was born you could see Matt drifting further and further away from Wade. Each crisis they faced, Matt was so ill-equipped. And what's up with Frank? You'd think that Isidore would help him wend his way through Escorial politics. It'll be interesting to see how Wade chooses his relationship with Brad to develop. Thanks, Mark!

Does Steve push Eric off the cliff? Why wouldn't the guys call Helen if something happened? Are they out of cell phone range? I'm not getting Wilde ... He's like a savant they're protecting. Has he even spoken? I'm guessing he's bi ... Wasn't there a comment that there was a groupie sitting on his lap and his band mates were relieved about that? And the way Steve is so aggro, I bet he's pissed off that Chase & Brandon can be relatively open while He and Wilde have to make sacrifices fir the sake of their band's success. That's prolly why the makeup line hurt. But if anyone died I hope it was a paparazzi trying to follow them inconspicuously.

Wow! A Dukedom! And to think the Earl was able to accomplish that without pilfering Bertie's fortune! So, as far as courtesy titles go, Freddie is a Marquess ... is his and Davina's son, George, an Earl by courtesy? And if Freddy (the Duke of Portland's son) is an Earl, why does Freddie get to jump to Marquess? And just what does it mean that George gets "special precedence"? Is he informally on par with his father? Very confusing. And boy, those Bridgemont women! Frowns, looks, private thoughts and mental vows ... how long does George have to wait for a ship??? LOL! We all know that George is able to compartmentalize the loves of his life. His reaction to Winkler's news wasn't surprising. We also know that George is very forgiving of those who have trespassed against him -- we saw that trait early on with how he forgave Iggy. So while Francis may be compartmentalized into a corner of his mind, when they see each other again, maybe forgiveness may abound once again. So what's the theme of the next book, Mark??? Any hints? Maybe, "What I Did While I Was on Parole"? Hehehe! You said we'd get to see the new house he built on his Barony. Will we see him spend more time in the House of Lords? A day in the life of a Governor and Warden of Windsor? Would being on parole preclude George from going on diplomatic missions? How will he add to his purse without prizes? Maybe his grandfather will pass away and, as his heir, he'll embark on a private visit to the West Indies to survey his inheritance? Maybe a trip to Ireland to visit with Kingsdale? I'm interested to see how Lennox and Fitzwilliam have developed. And maybe Davina can contract the pox? LOL! Thanks for a wonderful series, Mark! Can't wait for the next book! Cheers!

So this was a chapter of debriefings -- with Spencer on naval matters and with his family on the political situation. Most interesting! A bit of tedium, but most debriefings are ... and I think it adequately conveys the tedium George must be going through right now! I'm glad you unveiled this mysterious "Guild". Indeed, you see the tension between the ways of "Old" English aristocracy with the "New" ways of the mercantile age. George laughs at his "greedy American cousins" and the way Talleyrand will do anything for money -- much like Capt. Maynard Wilcox eschewing duty in favor of trolling for prizes. It's amazing that the prize system lasted as long as it did given the distraction from duty it inspired. I spent some of my sick time in bed these last couple of weeks re-reading the Bridgemont books from the beginning. It really is a fantastic tale. It was interesting to see George's development from a 15 year old midshipman to a now 22 year old post captain. I wonder if George was feeling a bit old seeing how Kingsdale developed from a shy adolescent to the young man he has become. Certainly he seems to have matured in being able to control his hormones. In the past, the rejection he felt by being replaced in the hearts of past lovers left him depressed and moody. But now he seems to have taken Calvert's emotional abandonment in stride. Will his relationship with Freddy deepen? Or will someone else in London steal his heart? Will he still be the pinnacle of propriety as Caroline's faithful husband if he's in London for a long time? Maybe the next book will chronicle George's further maturity from being a swashbuckling ship's captain to become a fixture on London's social and political scene as he awaits his parole? Will George's boldness and creativity on the high seas translate to similar success on land? Hopefully George won't have to wait until the surrender of General Vaubois and Admiral Villaneuve at Malta to be exchanged! LOL! More than a year on land would be the death of him, for sure! Maybe George can build a 200 foot pole at Bridgemont to practice climbing for exercise so when he gets his new ship he can still climb to the top of a mainmast. :-) Thanks, Mark! Looking forward to the concluding installment of Odyssey! It's been a wonderful adventure!

I totally forgot about George's project on the Isle of Wight! I look forward to seeing what Nash was able to build. Perhaps spending some time there will be a nice way to spend his parole. :-)

How bittersweet that Odyssey is drawing to a close! Since it's going to take a couple of weeks for the next chapter to come out, I'm going to have to read the book again from the beginning! Thanks for this wonderful installment in the Bridgemont Series, Mark! It was truly good watching George develop and mature as a person. I think your line about how he feels like he belongs at Carlton House in his own right as opposed to mere toleration due to his station is revealing. I can't wait to read what adventures lie ahead for George & company.

Happy New Year, Mark! A wonderful chapter and well-told homecoming! A true Christmas tale (without Christmas)! Hehehe! I will have to read it a third time to fully absorb the nuances of George's reception! Well done! To many more chapters in 2014!

Merry Christmas, Mark! Thank you for the gift of your stories! :-)

What a great chapter! I savored this one! But it's with some sadness as my eyes relished the words and my imagination absorbed the events as I fear the end is drawing near for this Odyssey. <sigh> So now my musings are on this question: what will George do next?

Doh! Caroline's plan to shoo Calvert away before George's return has been foiled! Ruh-Roh! Lol! But at least George will be happy to know that Maidstone is dead, the silver was saved and everyone's rich. But the gears in George's mind will churn wondering why The Santa Clarita is heading to the West Indies. Another uncomfortable return for George? You're a wily one, Mark! I hope we don't gave to wait too long for the best chapter! Can't wait for the reunion. Maybe Donegal will just hop onto to Sta Clarita and head West? Thanks, Mark!

Hooray! Caroline heard news of George! God bless bankers! Hehehe! So you seem to foreshadow that a George will cause himself to be paroled! But what would be worse in George's mind? Being held in civilized captivity or heading back home but unable to serve if he hasn't been exchanged? Sad about Robey. He was always a tragic figure. What did you mean about FitzWilliams? Is he going to be Robey's replacement? Calvert is lucky Caroline received word about George. Her magnanimity, I'm sure, was prompted by the certainty in knowing that George is well. What now, Mark? :-) cheers!

Thanks, Mark! Just as one chapter ends you have me longing for the next installment. I wonder whether George's impertinence will speed his departure. After all, you're no longer amusing if you represent a threat to the government. And when will Talleyrand's bankers finally get in touch with Caroline? Of course, I'm waiting to see what will happen to Calvert and the Santa Clarita. So much good stuff to come. Thanks again, Mark!

Glad to see the story revived! Can't wait for it to continue!

Thanks, Mark! Of course, I was expecting this chapter on Veterans' Day ... but I guess I shouldn't look a gift-horse in the mouth. LOL! Feel so bad for George knowing that Bacchante was lost ... and the unresolved outcomes of his crew and Maidstone. He'll be doubly sad when he finds out that Humphreys was lost. Hopefully he'll be able to keep that bottled up while he's the guest of Talleyrand. When will word get to Caroline from Talleyrand's bankers??? And poor Caroline. There are two things that struck me from this chapter ... the depth of Caroline's love for George and Calvert's continuing immaturity in matters of the heart. Gatling is but an impressionable youth whose heart is still tender. Yet Calvert allows himself to be rapt by such passion? Tsk tsk tsk. There really is no hope for him, is there? And what of Winkler? His first inclination is of blind loyalty to Lord Granger ... but will he choose to remain behind with his American lover and let Donegal take care of George? Of course, everyone always underestimates George who has the ability to love and let go. Next holiday is Thanksgiving ... hope we won't have to wait that long til the next chapter. Hehehe! Thanks, Mark!

I love the way Winkler's character is developing! With the person he has become, it is now so easy to see his true potential that George was able to discover when he was but a mere child. And Caroline continues to be the spitfire she always was. I hope she won't be too devastated when she discovers that George is being held in Paris. When will Freddie make something of himself?

I love JJ's perspective. I love every instance he says "annoying." The timing is perfect! I hope your next book in this series revolves around JJ. :-) Thnks, Mark!

I love JJ's perspective. I love every instance he says "annoying." The timing is perfect! I hope your next book in this series revolves around JJ. :-) Thnks, Mark!

Wife?!? I hope the next line is that Jacobs had to marry her because it was arranged and that's why he left the United States to get away from an oppressive situation. Nasty! A nice interlude, Mark. Thanks!

Can we vote to say which characters we hope survive? :-)

I logged on to gayauthors because I thought to myself, "Mark probably posted a Labor day Chapter." LOL! Sure enough, you did! Thanks, Mark! And happy Labor Day! Inching closer and closer to 9/11 ... knowing you, you'll post that chapter on the actual anniversary. ;-)

Sad chapter ... And it flew by super quick! You deluded me, Mark. You patronized me with thoughts of how Humphreys' future might unfold all the while knowing he was to die! Hmph! You're lucky I like you. A nice honor to give to Weston to be the last to leave. Amazing they were able to save the china. And good they saved the silver. Now let's hope they can retrieve Eastwyck & Co. And make it back home unmolested. Thanks, Mark!

I hope Calvert is right behind them ... It would be a waste of all that wonderful silver otherwise. But what a tragic turn! Poor Bacchante. My biggest regret is that it didn't sail long enough to fully actualize the potential of its name. :-( And poor George ... Another one of his ships has met a fateful end ... Intrepid, Belvidera, and now Bacchante. I feel for Humphreys. I guess there's always privateering. But at least Bertie's secrets are still secret. That's the greater good, right? And perhaps that fact will curry sympathetic favor from the Government? I would submit sharks are always a cliffhanger. (Hint, hint) Thanks, Mark! Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary to the whole Crampton, Schluter, Hayes, etc., crowd! Thanks, Mark, for bringing them into my life! Cheers!