Mark Arbour

Thanks Kookie. I suspect that Granger's father far exceeded his wildest dreams when he was elevated to a dukedom. Remember that he was scraping to try and work his way into a marquessate just a story ago!

Thanks so much! I'm glad that you liked the stories, especially since you're interested in the sea. I try to be as true to form (and to history) as I can. That takes some work, but it's worth it, and I learn an awful lot. I'll come up with something new, soon enough.

Thanks Andy. No worries about "The End." I thought I put that in most of my stories, but evidently not. Westie did a good job of explaining precedence in the forum.

I'm glad you've liked the saga, and the story. You're right, it's not easy to keep up with a brisk posting schedule on this story, because of the research involved, but I do enjoy it. There will be more.

Thanks Ricky. I'm going to take a break, but I'll get back to work on the sequel when the mood strikes me, and the time is there.

The issue of Sussex vs. Suffolk is easily explained by me acknowledging a typo. Ugh. He's the Duke of Suffolk. Westie did a good job of explaining the importance of precedence in society at that time (in the forums), so I'll leave that alone. I wanted to close this story down with some happiness, and even though George lost Calvert (more or less), his realization that Caroline is really the most important person in his life was truly worthwhile. I think he already knew that, but now he really gets it. I think that the general view must be that Granger was unnecessarily endangered on this last voyage, purely to accomodate a scheme of the Guild. This must be a public admonishment to them, and an insurance policy (such that one can be given) that he doesn't have to worry about them. As much. ;-) I'm not sure if I see Bertie making it back to England. It's a long and arduous trip, and more to the point, while he was gone, things would be happening without him being there. I sense that Bertie likes to keep his fingers on the pulse of things. I'm glad you liked the chapter and the story. I have really appreciated your reviews, and the thought that you put into them.

I'm not dropping hints at this point. With Granger's father's promotion to a dukedom, Freddy will acquire the next lowest title (Marquess) as a courtesy title. His son (the baby), will get a courtesy title too, and will become the Earl of Bridgemont.

I'm so glad it was good for you. I try hard to make sure my readers are, uh, satisfied. ;-)

I'm glad you liked it! Nothing like a dukedom to cap things off.

Thank! It was a long, but fun, journey. If you think about it, that's really what the concept of family embodies: all the members working to aggrandize the family as a whole.

Thanks Miles. I didn't mean for "The End" to be so prominently symbolic. There will be another story.

Thank you so much!

Thanks Westie. You get paid almost as much as a typical Walmart worker here in the US.

I'm going to let Westie expound on the issue of precedence when he has a spare moment. There is another story, but I'm going to take some time to do some life projects, so it will probably be a bit before it starts posting.

Thanks!

December 26, 1798 Portland Place, London Granger climbed into the carriage, and Winkler followed him, both of them dodging the light rain as they did. “Not the best day for a trip, my lord,” Winkler noted. “You are fortunate that I am fond enough of you to allow you to keep me company,” Granger noted. Otherwise Winkler would be stuck on top of the coach with the coachman. “It is a dubious honor, my lord,” Winkler said, makin

That kind of foresight and planning is unlikely to happen, since neither one of them is even going to acknowledge that as a possibility, or even see it as an eventuality. So if it happens, I'm seeing a messy, on the fly thing. Then again, the entire situation may change, and it may be just fine. I don't know yet.

There are some people who pride themselves on not taking a lot of shit from other people, and Will's definitely in that category. It's not about him being scary or unpredictable, it's knowing that if you go after him, he's going to fight. That's his reaction. Some people flee, some people surrender, but Will (and Brad) don't do that. We can contrast this with JJ, who when embattled, will ultimately get bitchy, or pout. That's a lot different than how Will handles things. As for the dour look, it wasn't an "I hate you" malicious look, it was a "you need to stay out of my business" look. A warning look, if you will. Very common in my family, and it usually registers and the topic is changed.

I think Will would be hurt by that whether it's public or not.

I'm glad to bring some warmth; we could use it here in Missouri too. I agree with you on the interactions, but personally my favorite parts were the subtle bonding and interactions between JP and Isidore. They really do have a very tight connection.

Kitt, You make a really good point about the Hayes gene code, but I'm going to cut some of them some slack. I think that Matt and Frank get a bye, simply because of Robbie's loss. Death of someone like that, especially when they're so young and vital, is hugely traumatic. With Wally, I think it's less about Robbie, and more about disappointment in his own failed dreams, which he's then projected onto his son. That kind of attention is really counterproductive, but it's really a manifestation of how much Wally loves Zach. Twisted and Hayes. ;-)

Logical people rarely get to rule the world. I do think, though, that Stef would make a great First Lady. ;-)

Well, to do that you'd first have to define "OK". :-)

I'm so glad I could fuel your addiction!

I think that Will deserves kudos for how he's handling this thing with Zach, especially how he seems to draw from his past mistakes to do so. I'm thinking of how he let himself get totally into Tony before he really had a true friendship connection with him.