ricky

Love this. Your writing is always incredible. This one is excellent right off the bat. On to the next

Thanks for that Mark. Perhaps the next two years will pass quickly with a bit of political intrigue. He's got an ironworks and a new home, a new position. Lots of options. Being a Col of the Marines, although not really intended to be an actual soldier, perhaps he can see a little land action. I mean, there is the Dutch as well as the Spanish he can still wage war with. Well perhaps not the Spanish as they are allies of the French. A scandal? In England? I can't wait.

Thanks so much for that. That's exactly what I wanted to know. If it was a bastard son then there would be favor like Darby without the conflict of the brothers. As a Royal Bastard "he" would have favor but little credence was given to the females carrying the royal blood.After all, the male's blood can not be corrupted and remains true while the female must be corrupted to procreate. So Glouster got a freebie. How fortunate. A male could bring honor where a female only a cost. A good reason to give him the additional honors. Govenor of Windsor, Col of the Marines. Certainly it would offset the cost of hiding the royal discretion with a thank you stipend to boot. Quite civilized for the time. Even if the discretion was well known. I too see the honors bestowed as part of the story arc for the next book. And I fully agree, it has to be a frigate. I'm not familliar enough with UK history to know what the next great naval events are to determine where he may be stationed. But I don't see him tied to a fleet. That would be like hobbling a race horse. The question for me is really how will Mark keep us entertained on land without this becoming another CAP. Not that there is anything wrong with CAP, not at all, but this is a story of the high seas and swash buckling on land lacks a certain something. For one thing, the ship is a microcosm where Granger controls every aspect save that of the wind. Even with his wealth and power being on land drops Granger quite a few rungs on the food chain. He'll have to depend on those around him in a more direct fashion that them just watching his back. Can Granger exist without a crew to issue orders to? Can he exist under the scrutiny of London wags? Look how irritated he was over the politics of the mutiny. He has a low threshold for gridlock. Especially when the driver next to him is a Wilcox or Fox. And as I recall from comments made some time ago, Fox becomes a person of power shortly and Wilcox is part of the Admiralty. I think the only way Granger will be comfortable on land is if a couple of 9 pounders can be mounted on his well sprung carriage!

Thanks so much Westie. One question is slightly screwed. Caroline had a girl, not a boy sired by Glouster. My question was what Glouster's obligations would be for his daughter and how they would be different since it was a female birth instead of a male. In short, what benefits of birth would she be entitled to during her life.

Thanks Mark, I forgot that William is now the heir to a title. And how fitting that Lord Ryde would be associated with Granger's peerage. Or should it be Lord Ride? I trust that you left Arizona in good stead. As did I when I left. Well, at least I remembered to turn off the lights. So have you thought about a working title for the next book yet? I know you might be a little gun shy after Mutiney caused such an uproar. And indeed, welcome back. May 2014 keep your prig well oiled.

Oh and when William is old enough to go to sea, it'll be on a ship other than Granger's lest jealousy and favoritism be suspected. And of course in only a year or so he'll start to be carried on someone's books. I think it's safe to assume it won't be on a Wilcox's or Mann's ship. And Westie, never answered the question. What are the expected obligations for Glouster for the bastardette as opposed to what they would be for just a royal bastard?

Well, I'll have to disagree on one point. I think the next chapter will probably be meaty and the final for this book. The Odessey ended when George returned home. The loose ends to tie up are few. The new positions and the time in London will be a good foundation for the next book allowing Mark to build the fabric of historic fiction and the mission for the next ship. And speaking of the next ship. I would see another Frigate in the works. He's too young to be saddled with a first rate. And everyone knows that the wolf of the seas is the place to be. And with Cavendish holding the King's ear as well as his purse strings, I suspect his next command to be a real prize and a real gem. It might be interesting if they decide not to exchange him. Could he then resign his commission and be a privateer? Somehow I think he could make a great go of it. And be beholding to no one. Of course he would always be willing to attend the surreptitious whims of his sovereign or the First Lord. That could also make them wish to exchange him quicker were rumor to arrive in France. At least in the Admiralty there would be some control and recourse against him. Lord Kingsdale was an interesting readmission to the story as was Mr Llewellyn. And since Mark doesn't clutter a story with red herrings one could surmise that there is some naughtiness about. A couple little loose ends to tie up that we can all look forward to. I think that Georges kiss to his wife and embrace to his father only endeared George to his sovereign even more. Remember that the King is big on family matters and George honored him by coming to see him before even his wife. To the King's vanity this had to be a huge stroke. And the kiss only told the king he respected him but also felt familial enough to show his affections in front of God King and Country. The gravity of such an action coupled with his raising the newest royal grandchild as his own had to move the king's heart significantly. The key issues as I see them left to deal with are of course, Jardines and Arthur, the new home o the Isle of White and the monies to be made on the contraband. Freddie and Davina have to complicate things enough that Birdie is even preferred. Oh and we have to see that the child they bore is blond and blue just like George. But perhaps with just enough facial structure to keep them guessing. Caroline will need to be debriefed as to Granger's acceptance of Gatling and Calvert. He has to meet with Spencer, Glouster and Clarence yet. I suspect the King will also want to meet with him privately as well. And has anyone managed to push through that act calling for the beheading of Fox yet? I suspect the next chapter will be meaty or possibly split in two. But I suspect it will answer all the open questions and leave us looking for the next book to answer the new questions he will present. Just my suspicions.

Oh right you are! Missed that one completely. Now that Maidstone is dead does that make Jackson free again? His accuser is dead. I'm sure he will remain with Granger. Perhaps he can offer some assistance for Caroline? A second more promising opinion perhaps? We never found our why the king invited Caroline into his chambers either did we?

This was awesome! And since it had a "completed" stamp on it I was even willing to read it. It's been so long since I've read anything of yours that I forgot how well you do it. Finish something else so I can read it ok? Something besides GFD or Billy Chase. Loved it. Thanks.

A Fantastic homecoming. And as usual, it answers almost as much as is newly asked. This is without a doubt one of the most masterly told tales I have ever read. C. F. Forrester couldn't touch this for realism and believability. And it's told so beautifully that you almost need a condom just in the reading. Now THAT's realism at it's finest. Well done Lord Arbour.

And I just noticed that ranger double booked himself after visiting the prince! Both Freddie Cavendish and Winkler now have appointments with his lordship. And What of Arthur? There is still the matter of Jardines. Was he killed? Can he be reconciled with London? With Arthur? A visit with the Duke of Clarence may be in order. Something tells me Granger's going to be sitting on one cheek a lot this week. And Grinning a great deal. And what of his privateer? Has it brought fruit? And what about Ranger? Is he now eating Rats on Santa Clarita? And the mention of Mr Llewellyn means he's returning to the series. (At least we hope the little warlock makes an appearance.) And Winkler will have to confirm Granger's suspicions about Calvert and Gatling won't he. It'll once again cement Winkler's loyalties. So will Jacobs and Winkler be invited to join Cavendish and Granger in the baths tonight when he returns from the Prince's place? And what will happen at the meeting between Glouster and Granger? It sounds like there is something further to be said. It would have been more interesting if Glouster's child had been a male. As a female there will be less that needs to be done. It's like Glouster got a freebie. No higher education, no military arrangements. And not legally being his, Glouster won't even have to cough up a dowry will he? Westie or someone in the know. How will that work?

A fantastic Chapter Mark and the timing was perfect. I actually had time to read it right that moment! A rarity. Kingsdale's presence with his father was something I didn't expect. A nice touch. It'll be good to hear how that has changed things for him. And Winkler! How wonderful of a reunion. He still needs a gold watch for years of service and for him to keep better track of Granger. Seems Granger's libido is going to get a welcome workout from all my favorites. It sounds like there may be a little royal trist with Freddie "in house" so to speak at Windsor. And the Prince of Wales stepping up. Now that really places him and his family in a powerful position. Now, what does Freddie have to say. And we've not heard from Arthur. Now, how much will Granger make off of the smuggling by buying all that he brought back with him.

I think a man of your experience could find far more entertaining things to do in the naughty corner. Especially since there's 361 days until Santa looks at his list again.

A great topic. One that changes as you get older. When you're young life seems a separate capsule that brushes against another one now and then. When you're older and you are able to look back you have much more data. You can see that the puzzle is more filled in and that each life you interact with is another interlocking piece of the picture we call life. I'm 57 now. I can look back and SEE how I have changed the world, changed other people's lives. I can see how the world would not be better if I had listened to myself and checked out early. I've made a difference in a LOT of people's lives. And I continue to every day. We don't see how the simplest things we do in life can change the world. I bought a stamp from a guy in Germany. It was an old stamp, a bit over 200 years old. That purchase led to our families becoming one. We went to Germany and they came to America. Six generations of families in total were changed because a person mailed a letter 200 years ago. They may have been buying something or just paying a bill. But I doubt they knew that 200 years in the future that stamp they placed on their letter would change so many people's lives. Now think about how we touch other's lives directly. In short, you DO make a difference. Never doubt that.

Like I said, "You deserve to be happy." Why not check out the lgbt center in your town. No one has to know you went there. As for family, sometimes it takes time. Sometimes time doesn't help. Test the waters though. My story "Roll Call" talks about it. It's helped several people to come out to their support network. Some of those networks were family, some were friends. Be happy. You're worth it.

AH! Perceptions! The opposite of love is not hate, its apathy. And nothing can be louder that silence in action.

Well said. And it is a more common feeling than you know. What you have to remember is that you "deserve" to be happy. You may have to work at it a little bit though. Another thing to remember is this; Change nothing and nothing changes. I'm off to read the rest. You are a pretty good wordsmyth. Perhaps you'll find the muse to write a fantasy of hope that will help others who have trouble finding some. Especially when the hormones make you crazy and blow things out of proportion. Hope can be a powerful life saving emotion. Your written voice is easy to listen to.

Nope, said he didn't in the yahoo group. So its gonna be a bit. But Lord Arbour deserves a break too right?

Welcome Gypseytails!

Is the position of "Constable and Governor of Windsor" a life time appointment of did it have a finite term? And I'm assuming it came with a stipend as well? It said that he had access to a place to entertain as well. So that would be another perk? To be able to invite people to Windsor that might not ordinarily have that opportunity? That would seem to create a powerful position for Caroline as well as that would give her great political power over the lower minions. Is that a correct assumption?

Doesn't sound like he would be free to return to the sea.

Thanks for that explanation. Now it makes more sense. I forgot that his quarters were part of the gun deck. The newest chapter was fantastic. Can someone explain what being awarded the Garter means? Being the governor of Windsor, does that mean he will not be going back to sea? It sounds like a maned position. Or is it like having an office? My apologies if this seems like a stupid question. But it's really a different world for an American commoner like myself. We've never had to study these things or had knowledge of these facets of British society.

St Vincent, CH 09. The battle with the pirates/zebecs. (Yes, I'm re-re-re-reading) He had Mr Gatling ripping out his stern windows to install 18 pounders. But as I recall, when he gave Caroline a tour of Belvedera in the last book, she asked about the two boxes and he said they were 18 pounders underneath. The facade was currently window boxes of herbs that luckily were aromatic. So there were already two 18 pounders there. Am I correct in my observations here? This from CH 04 of Belvedera "Caroline asked, pointing at two large boxes. They had containers on top of them for plants. “Underneath each of those lies an 18-pounder cannon,” he said. She looked and noticed a similar one on the other side. “LeFavre has commandeered these planters for spices and herbs. Fortunately, most of them are pleasantly aromatic,” Granger said cheerfully."

"A Class By Himself" + =

Hmmm, new means better. New taxes, new hemorrhoid, new traffic light, new stop sign, new war, new racist, new serial killer, new dictator, new storm front, new hurricane, new disease, new homophobe, new debt, new spending ceiling, new politician (Oh wait that's the same as hemorrhoid). So new means better . . . uh, ya, not so much.