Canuk

Nail-on-head; not a popular opinion.....

Mr Arbour, over the 8+ hours since I read this, I have worked uber-hard to contain myself from commenting on the miserable, own anal-fixated, psychological train wreck that is JJ. Instead, I waited until I could deliver a calm, rational, level headed response.... In JJ you have created a character that will go down in the ages as what every man's memory of his worst ever ex. You have created the character against which all other narcissistic, self destructive, purposefully naïfs will be measure. I'd like to hope he gets to Rest In Peace at some point, but I'll bet he wont as the tint of the silk-chiffon lining his coffin will be wrong.... Congratulations!

Unless he's the pirate.....😳

I really do think we need to consider our hero's health. I realise "too much sex" is like "perpetual motion"; it only exists in theory, however sending our beloved Lord back to Russia with Calvert would test even Grainger's stamina! Taking one for the country is one thing, taking a country for one would be great (if there were pictures) but could get physically trying!

"Mistresses"? Aren't they just the ticket you need to remain in the ton? A bit like a Black Amex....

So Mr Arbour causes our hero to loose his beloved Endymion, and be headed for the snake pit that is Parliament... he gives the man no time to pursue more carnal activities (and, for that matter, time for us to monitor such activities to ensure our author is keeping our hero up to scratch so to speak...) I am a little concerned at the very brief, but ominous, reference to the "poor bugger that has to tell India" of the Peace. But I suppose we're that fate to come about for dear Grainger (yes, yes, I know, but he'll always be Grainger to me) to experiment with more hot tropical sweaty...baths... Thank you, another great read.

For a very short split second at the start of this Arbour-at-his-best chapter I had a blindingly painful flash that JJ (aka narcissistic twat) was going to be rehabilitated... His character used words than in a sane person could be called empathetic. But no, true to type, true to history JJ (or should he be "NT"?) turned another's tragedy into a baleful "Whose ma daddy?" Something he has only ever said in bed to a mirror at moments of high passion. Mr Arbour, I think JJ needs to go on the stage playing endless reruns of "Whose Afraid of Virginia Woolf" and "Taming of the Shrew": I am sure people would see Elizabeth Taylor redux!

JJ at his narcissitic best: "It was beyond maddening when you couldn’t win at something just because the other people weren’t playing" Constant weader frowed up..... with apologies to Dorothy Parker

Because like me, you have followed Mr Arbour since the days of our sprightly youth and have considerable experience of his ability to conjure lightning & the darkest nimbus clouds from the clearest skies......

JJ is just one of those characters in literature that is eminently slappable regardless of the situation!

Which leads me to the thought that this explains the US war of independence; the Puritan US didn't like sex.... Of course, things change; now you have Stormy Daniels as national hero..... And they call us Australians "a weird mob".....😳😁

Just an observation, but reading this as history could give the impression that the entire British Empire ran on sex.....

I just can't wait to see how we end up with JJ making this all about him!

Life happens. I am sure your devoted fans will cope ..... Thanks.

I can imagine roles for most CAP characters in a musical.... except JJ; never seen a work where "scene stealer" is a character....

No detrimental, derogatory comments about JJ this chapter.... The travails of the Jack/ Claire relationship are superbly crafted; I suspect this mess of love/loss/angst/desire and self-awareness (or its lack thereof) is common as long term relationships evolve. On the other end of the relationship spectrum; as rosy as Will/Travis' relationship seems to be, something tells me (mainly in the little asides Mr Arbour tosses Will's way) that we are to expect storms.... Nope..... can't do it; isn't JJ just...... infantile! Ugh!

Mr Arbour, in a comment on the "other" story, I mentioned that you write "douchebag" characters better than any one ever. May I add that you also write the most dreamy, handsome, exciting, physically and emotionally desireable characters as well? Grainger is multi talented, multi lingual and multi coital; he converses in every way with every level of society. He makes my fantasies very mundane, but also inspires me to give my husband a surprise from time to time, which he occasionally enjoys. I promise, if you keep writing, I'll keep reading! 😍👍😉 Thank you.

"Rudderless pomeranian lion": @methodwriter85 find that image! I am sure it will be JJ to his pinky! "A few microseconds"? One....at a stretch.....

Mark Arbour! You certainly can write "douchebag" better, far far better than anyone ever! These two, JJ and Jack, need a solid slapping! In Jack's case the soundness of said slapping can be based on his making Brad appear on the higher moral and ethical ground! If an exponential number of chapters ago anyone had suggest that Brad would lecture Jack on morality, ethics, sexual promiscuity and faithfulness they would have been rightly accused of a splif too many of the wacky backy! Kris is still the hunky saint...😍 Thank you; you certainly made the end of my work week Thursday drink much more lively!

"Surprisingly" ; there's understatement for you! No, Mr Arbour has JJ just being "extreme JJ". It is absolutely pointless looking at JJ from JJ's perspective; he's a self centred narcissist (as opposed to a normal narcissist), so everything from his perspective looks right. From both sainted viking Kris' perspective and from JJs caring family who have had some (lots) of experience with JJs sometimes self harming idiosyncrasies, behaviours, contacts etc, naturally they check on him. Now JJ does not have a normal family (a normal family would not have kept us entertained for a decade plus), but still in their own way they care. JJs reaction to their interest? He behaves like JJ..... So back to my reaction to your initial word; "gobsmacked" may be more appropriate. JJ, I feel has one admirer (apart from the sainted viking) and I can excuse Mr Arbour for a slight tendre for him, as every parent seems to love their creation despite that creations undeniable failings.

Only if Mr Arbour has spoken to him (or her), and yet, somehow, even if they are in regular communication, I get the feeling that, on a "need to know" basis, there are things like this that would be out of bounds.

Squiring a Princess is definitely better than being a social outcast, but still a v high price! In normal circumstances I am certain that it would put a dent in Grainger....Brentwood's amorous encounters, however with Mr Arbour undeniable talents, I am fairly sure our lovers will not be apart for long! Brentwood....yes an amazing honour, but still he'll always be Grainger in my...dreams 😍

Hmmm.... Mr Arbour, have to give you a few points in the blatantly obvious "humanise JJ" campaign, but you are going to have to do better than just parade dreamboat sex-on-legs Kris out to impress me every time! Perhaps I should rephrase.... keep the Norse God parading (it helps my imagination expand), and gradually I may come around on JJ. Deal? Paris...sigh...any day any time. Thanks for an excellent Sunday breakfast read 😍👍✨️

Amazing chapter; Olympics, Thorpe, Travis, Steph/Grand/business, great energy and drama and then the Drama Queen Personified. Has Mr Arbour created a more annoying self absorbed narcissistic ponce of a character? Particularly one supported by an orgasm inducing angel like Kris? I just wonder if the aim is to see who JJ's last surviving supporter will be? Not a surprise to say, it won't be me!

Nope.... you can try and make JJ all rational, sensible and calm, but I know what's underneath; the worm will turn and the real JJ will emerge..... leopards and spots.....I know, and I am (hardly ever) wrong! Great sunday breakfast read. Thank you!