Mark Arbour

Chapter 68 is up a day later than I wanted. I'm having some computer issues, and we all got a little slammed by Hurricane Sandy. Next weekend is the election, but I'm going to try to stick as close to my chapter-a-week goal as I can. Thanks to all of you who post reviews and comments. That's more motivating than you know. In the end, even the ones that annoy me usually have a positive effect. It would suck to write this in a void.

Thanksgiving Day, 2000 Escorial, CA Wade I got up early and went up to the kitchen for breakfast, knowing this would be a hectic day for me, and knowing that it was important that I face it with a full stomach. Despite the fact that this was Thanksgiving, and that there were a lot of people flying out and coming in today, the kitchen was empty but for one person: JP. “Good morning,” I said pleasantly. “And good morning to you,” he said just as cheerfully. “You’re up early.”

I think you win the award for longest review. There were only four for this chapter, but yours more than made up for it! Some thoughts on your thoughts: 1. I think that Ella is having problems mirroring; she probably doesn't think she was really flirting with Carter like that. The other guys (like Jack) are probably a little skeptical about Will's version. After all, he is that dramatic guy from Malibu, coming up here to Palo Alto, and seemingly causing more problems. 2. Robbie is probably really feeling the burden of responsibility toward Jeanine because he has her power of attorney. When she gave him that, she basically told him that he was the one she trusted most, and put her confidence in him. I think that's clouding his judgment. Robbie's pretty loyal and stalwart, normally, so I can see where he'd feel that strong obligation to Jeanine. When you re-read Be-Rad, keep that in mind. I think you'll see that in his character even then. 3. I think the real reason that Robbie wanted to shut down the conversation at dinner was that he knew how ugly it could get, and he was probably really unhappy with the end-result of their visit. I'm sure that in his mind, it would have been a pleasant encounter that made Jeanine happy, and encouraged her to thing more positively. That it didn't happen that way would probably weigh pretty heavily on him, for the reasons I outlined above.

What a nice review! Thank you! Like I said, for Conway to get a more severe punishment, Granger would have needed more evidence, and a court martial should be composed of at least 5 post captains, but that can be waived if the safety of the ship is dependent upon a quick trial.

Why thank you! I would have preferred a more relaxing sabbatical, but then again, when I have time to relax, I tend to write even more. Go figure.

Thanks! I visualized Conway on that plateau, thinking that all was going according to plan, only to find himself walking back to Praia, and an uncertain future. I found it pretty funny.

And a hearty welcome back to you to, then! I think that to hang Conway, Granger would have needed more evidence, and a court martial would have had to been convened. This was a simpler solution.

I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. I think that Granger combines three really irresistible qualities: charm, looks, and quick thinking.

I'm sure there will be something.

July, 1797 A very tired George Granger hauled himself aboard Bacchante, ironically enough just as the sun was beginning to set. Granger was too tired to enjoy the beautiful scene, and too irritated to appreciate it. He’d spent the entire day ashore with Andrews, cajoling and prodding merchants to deliver fruit, meat, and other items aboard at once. He had originally planned to sail on the morning tide, but he had since resigned himself to the inevitable, to spend

I agree with you about a Calvert/Granger/Somers threesome. A bit too much to risk, even though the reward would probably be quite compelling!

Oops. You are absolutely correct. Expect future chapters to reflect that change.

LOL. I'm not sure that's in the Articles of War.

Maybe, but they have very different personalities.

Thank you! Granger can handle a guy like Conway, now that he knows his game.

You know, when I reread that sentence each time it made me pause. Usually that's good for a rewrite but I didn't do it that time. Should have.

I think it's possible that Ella has mirroring issues; she doesn't see what she's doing with Carter.

You're assuming he wants to be dominated. I can't really see someone like him getting into being a sub, but who knows.

You're right, it does suck. The only good thing is that I know kind of what I want to do, but the problem is that much of it is dialog, which is hard to recreate. It never quite feels the same way.

And thank you for the review. I think that the conflict Robbie and Brad are having is typical when raising kids. Kids can create some serious divisions.

Great comments on this latest chapter. By the way, I'm not as bitchy as I was a few days ago. Sorry about that.

November 22, 2000 Escorial, CA Will Darius and I walked into the Great Hall just as the clock started striking midnight. We headed straight for the kitchen, both to get some ice for Darius’ right eye, and to get some food. Carter had gotten a pretty good shot in on Darius, and his eye was already swelling. He’d have a nice shiner for Thanksgiving dinner. Mom would ask him about it, and then Ella could explain that I was the reason for the fight, and then Mom could hate me even m

Unless you're a Saudi prince. Then you were allowed to fly.

I have to agree with you on Will's fashion sense, but most of us have clothes that we wear for different occasions. I can see Will having a preppy outfit or two.

I agree with you. I think that Darius has been in "infatuation" mode with Ella, and this latest incident shocked him out of it. He'll have to decide if this is really love.