Canuk

Hmmm, this is going to be one hell of an amazing post. Not because of the subject matter ( I'll get to that), but because, I am going to disagree with one of the gods of gayauthors literary world! 🤯 To my mind education is key because hormones and irrationality is involved. With little /no education the only thing guiding a 16 year old bloke will be animal instinct. The more education that same bloke has, the greater likelihood that some off that animal instinct will be guided towards those other elements that make sex so much better for both /all parties concerned. I think your examples of the smoker and overeater are not quite right; both are about self gratification. Sex without education is the same; it's about "getting off". The idea re education and sex is to encourage our randy 16 year old to at least be aware that it's about him AND his partner(s) coming together to produce something better than their individual actions. So my view is that education is paramount; more, more often and better (education, that is, of course it could apply to sex too, but only after the education!) Anyway, that's my pov.

Our esteemed author has shown us one of those quirks of Georgian/Regency society in that letter from Caroline. At that time "pedigree" was everything. Your rank among fellow aristocrats gave you immense power almost regardless of money or moral standing (almost...). In the hierarchy Lady Melbourne was far above Caroline as their tenants wee below. Their titles were very important, but the age of the title, it's connections and your personal connections established your level within the aristocracy. To see how it worked look up any current British aristocrat. At the end of their bio there will be a panel; who they succeeded, who will succeed them. Then under that which title precedes them in the hierarchy and which is the next. Irrelevant today, but vital back then. Caroline in her desire for vengeance has completely forgotten this, betraying her comparatively lowly status. That said, looked at through contemporary eye, she has been hard done by, as we have read several chapters re our hero whose sexual activities and partners have been generous in both number and variety of activity! However despite his inability to continue to work with his wife I still agree with your final sentence!

I that's part of the problem; she hasn't been standing on either or both legs......

Agree. It's the bedrock on which the drama has unfolded.

Great chapter. The unbelievable pain of someone you love having to "disappear" for their own safety so brilliant portrayed here. Just the simple "I dont know" is is heart breaking. Great writing, thanks

Be warned, thinking of heresy is still heresy!

I am thinking that we must be getting close to the end of "Northern Exposure", so have cast my mind ( such as it is) to the events of 1802/3/4.... the French in the Caribbean? India? Or politics-at-home/Caroline/the Guild? Whatever route I am sure our hero will get to Trafalgar. Not that I am prompting or pushing our beloved author...well, not much....😘😇🤩 just letting my mind pontificate on the possibilities!

So Granger plays dress-up, wins a bet, gets elevated to an Earldom and a Privy Councillor .... I just fixed a hole in the ceiling! Oh! What it is to have great and powerful friends. 😉 Glad our benefactor of the sublime word allowed our hero(s) to get his (their) reward. I do think being fucked by Brummell would have been penance rather than reward, but as needs must.... Thanks, from a devoted supporter!

Nope! We will be kept hanging with multiple credible but utterly misleading leads for AT LEAST the next book and a half, parternity to be revealed in some miscreants will, that had been lost first in the aftermath of 9/11 and then in the San Fran earthquake of whenever.....ie do not hold your breath!

Yes, fine, Travis' father..... BUT Travis long phone call that he seemed to not want to share details of.... hmmm, yet another little aside that our puppeteer drops into this tangled Web as a distraction that will, I am sure, explode.... Trying to stay just a tenth of a step in front of Mr Arbour; futile, but fun!

Marie's plans to intervene in her parents situation are noble, but outside a drama-needing story like this, not sure it actually helps. But needs of the story are supreme, so really interested in seeing what chaos ensues! Thanks for the continuing saga. 😘

Couldn't agree more. Nothing wrong if you want/need a basket full of partners, but there's a maturity, a higher level of being in committing yourself to a person. It means a person is capable of thinking beyond themselves. Great writing. I do see that most people are getting the voting wrong; of course they'll both go to the same place, Stanford. Simple.! 😜

Our hero had to stuff up eventually; Caleb should have left well alone, Chris is not a possession. The scene has been played out often and people never learn. Hopefully our author will enable Caleb to come to his senses.... Thanks, excellent read!

It's amazing , I read stories , real life and fiction, about father's reacting really badly to sons "coming out". As far as my own sons I cannot imagine anything they'd do that would cause me to react in the physical, violent way Chris' father reacted in this story. Parents who react like that to their children are not civilised human beings. Great writing that can make characters so real. Thanks.

Thanks for the Latin translation. I was doing fairly well with his Dads statement, however his reply had me stumped! Thanks for a well written great story. Very enjoyable. As an aside, the mother of my children is from Durban/CapeTown, so some of what you write has resonance.

Great depiction of a bully; someone who is to be pitied (after they have been "straightened out"!) Great read, thanks.

To my mind "promiscuity" is not (solely) about number, it is about attitude. Someone who has had seven different partners in seven days, to my mind could be considered promiscuous. Where as a person who has a dozen partners over two years is not necessarily promiscuous. Me, I have had two dozen partners, but only one in the last 24 years... by my parents standards, promiscuous, by some of my cohort, a mix of a virgin and a strumpet!

Like the transition; "they fucked", and then post discussion ; "they made love" While neat cute lovey-dovey resolution, we all know it's just our puppeteer author just playing with us! Thanks.

Best hotel in Melbourne for views (room and dining) is the Sofitel on Collins st. The best located is the Langham. I always the Melbourne Park Hyatt looks temporary.... not sure why...

Hmm, drama, karma and some other "arma" I can't think of... great chapter, but that last couple of lines: "Will" and "monogamy" in the same para, let alone the same sentence? Heavens, Mr Arbour, you manage to throw some truly weird twists into your stories, but that one is at the level of a Harry Potter transfiguration! And Zach.... we ain't done with him yet, are we? His character looks like another trap in the making....perhaps involving the paranormal thought of "Will" and "monogamy"? So looking forward to it! Thanks.

Happy Easter to those who celebrate such things. Mr Arbour, you really have put the boot into Claire. No wonder she sobbed for the best half a chapter! Also I'd hazard a guess that you are about to hit Zach up with some medical problem causing his fits of range so poor bloody Will gets overwhelmed by guilt. Mr Arbout how much do you like torture?! 😉😘 Great read. Now on to chocolate!

..... you'll have to wait for my comments...... just rushing off to rewrite the cover letter to my will!😉👍

I hate to sound like I am always suggesting our esteemed author has very twisted motives, but the way that board meeting went and its outcome.... there's something more... Interesting to see Stefan in his formal role. Given his wealth, it is his native habitat... Will's dad's advice re the car was so off base; how to make yourself look guilty. Thanks another great read. And if not the writing, then the hook will👍😘

Interesting that you included delusional characters in the story. I simply don't understand how anyone can be registered republican post Jan 6, until the party condems any and all involved in the insurrection. But then I ain't 'merican..... I do understand how and why they are included in a work of fiction - something got to be there for the rational to dislike!

"Obviously"? I don't think so! On the one hand thousands if not 10s of thousands of adoring fans who hang off every chapter if not word about a handsome, athletic naval hero whose exploits (and sexploits) figure in our dreams and fantasies. On the other .... Mammon. But.... I accept that Mr Arbour has (limited) control over his future and therefore am prepared to give him some leeway. The cliff re the Will doesn't help...... Many thanks Mr Arbour😘