I think that Zach has his cadre, who he's intensely loyal to, and he could give a fuck about everyone else. There's something both mercenary and endearing about that.
I don't think that really makes much of a difference. Will is legally an adult, so he can own property. If anything, that would make him seem like he's older than 18.
In reality, this is a very public family. It seems to me that it wouldn't be too hard for someone to figure out Will's age (a Google Search). I'm betting that someone like Devon wouldn't worry about doing that, especially when Will's family seems to be fine with it (as DaddyDave noted).
August 30, 2002
Chicago
Brad
We could hear the music from the bar below, we could hear people in the street talking as they walked by, and we could hear the banter of the guys in line waiting to get in. It was all just so much white noise to me, as I sat there at the table with Cam, getting to know him, and appreciating his handsome looks.
“You smoke?” I asked, as I pulled out a joint.
He chuckled. “Oh yeah.” That cracked me up, so I lit the joint.
I'm not sure that George sees it that way. I think that he's probably thinking that he already did this once before, when he returned from St. Vincent and found her pregnant with Gloucester's child. His biggest message to her was that she could do as she pleased provided she did not damage her reputation, and thus their family. She has done that again. I am not sure, based on that, that George is going to be willing and able to forgive her, and I'm pretty certain that he's not going to think the punishment she's endured is an adequate balm to their problems.
I think that in George's mind, at this point, he's trying to rebuild his relationship with Caroline on a more solid footing, and that means returning to the primary reason for marriage (in this era): the property aspect. There were many married couples who didn't like each other (the Duke of Wellington and Lord Nelson both had poor relations with their wives).
Thanks for that excellent review!
I think that Lady Elgin must be holding something over Lord Elgin's head...and it could very well be money, since she brought a lot of that to their marriage. It probably makes it much easier for her to rule him.
Thanks Gary, for that really insightful review. We can clearly see the logic returning, as you noted, with the change in his approach to Caroline. The problem that she sees is that his logic is leading him to take a whole different approach to their relationship.
I don't think Granger would compare Caroline to Lady Elgin. In his mind, part of the problem with Lady Elgin are her aristocratic pretensions despite her non-aristocratic background. He probably wouldn't put Caroline in the same category with her.
Thanks to both you and Miles for your feedback.
In this day and age, I really don't think that George and Caroline having a relationship that isn't romantic would have much if any impact on their children. That's really a much more modern concept. I think that as long as their relationship isn't contentious, the kids should be fine.
Thank you very much.
I think you're spot on about the family's place at this point. 9.11 was the horror, the disaster; Flux was about them coping and adjusting; and now with Streak, we see them moving on.
I'm glad you liked the chapter, and the multiple narrators!
With all of Wade's money, I can't imagine the house being anything but opulent, especially since Wade has a real vested interest in all of them being happy there.
Thanks Miles! It's interesting, because I can see Brad and Cam both being attracted to each other...the question is whether there's any staying power there.
Great review. Tiffany, in her mildly smarmy/bitchy way, did a nice job of telling Wade not to be a drama queen because if he does, he'll make life unpleasant for all of them.
I'm not sure that Devon would know Will is 16...and I can't see Will laying it out for him. And I'm really not sure that he'd care.
Matt and Wade both seem to be doing a good job of supporting each other, but there's still a slight bit of insecurity that manifests itself in jealousy...and they need to work on that.
I think the thing with Brad and Cam is pretty random, so it's not really a planned deal by Brad to exploit Matt's former fucks. Based on how slutty Matt was at Stanford, Brad would be pretty busy. :-)
Remember that the ceilings in the building Spartacus was in were rebuilt with steel beams, so they're probably alright.
The age thing isn't a big deal, but the first guy Matt slept with could be.
I can see how two teenage guys would have a truncated conversation like Will and Zach did, and not have it be a big deal. Still, Will probably could have handled it a little nicer.
October, 1799
HMS Valiant
Off Cadiz
Granger stared at the paper, looking at the letter he’d drafted to Caroline, and decided to be finished with it. He knew that they would almost certainly sight the Mediterranean Fleet today, so he had spent the evening hours laboring over his correspondence. Even as he summoned Winkler to bring him sealing wax, he re-read his literary effort.
Caroline,
I hope this letter finds you well, and the children healthy. I