Mark Arbour

You miss the point, that Alistair would be much more focused on the classics.

Things are moving slowly, but then again, wouldn't that be what you'd expect, as they all get the ship ready to sail? It's a tough time to create much excitement around, but I'll try. Hang in there. ;-) And as you noted, there are lots of loose ends to pull together. By the way, I'm not sure if Granger will go to India, but he will go to the "Indies", which basically means Indonesia.

That's a good point. Keep in mind that there weren't all that many aristocrats, and they tended to go into the army. That changed around this era, where younger sons were sent into the navy (like the Duke of Clarence). Still, there were a few there. The Earl of Northesk, Lord Henry Paulet, just to name a couple. As for Granger, as his parents pointed out,he's a member of the aristocracy, so he would be more likely to acquire a peerage. Nelson, for example, was the son of a preacher. It's a much longer jump for him. That would explain why Granger may get there as a captain, while for most it required waiting until they were admirals. You also raise another good point, that being what happens to a son who inherits a peerage? I would expect that they'd try to be posted closer to home, or possibly give up their command and spend their time in the Lords or managing their estate.

Thanks for that. I try not to use that device too often, but when I do, I try to post the next chapter somewhat rapidly.

Thanks Len. This was a calm chapter, one that we need now and again to move the story forward but slightly, while bringing some old characters back into the mix.

It's almost impossible to write a serial story without some form of cliffhanger. It's certainly not intentional, and I've tried to leave you with relatively closed topic lines for the most part.

George is getting his home boys back in shape. They were acting like a bunch of bitches. :-)

He won't get a different house to go with his title. He has to make his own way in that regard. I like bringing Nash into it too. It was an interesting research coincidence that I stumbled onto him.

There's a big difference between royalty and nobility. Granger's a noble. A Marquisate is much too grand for him a this time. Remember that his father couldn't even swing that promotion.

I think you're right on all counts.

I said they didn't find him on Oahu, not that they didn't find him.

Now that was funny!

We don't know what she was like when she was young. Regardless, the standards were different for women so it's hard to draw a good comparison.

It doesn't work. Nice try though. :-)

April 10, 1797 Sir George Granger was indulging himself on this beautiful spring day, letting himself travel on the road to Brentwood with indecent speed. His horse cantered past a merchant’s cart, where the wind from man and beast, along with the thundering hooves, prompted a most ungentlemanly oath from the driver of the cart. Granger spared him little thought, but focused instead on the town that was coming up. He slowed his horse to a trot, and as soon as he was

Well, the risks were quite high, what with Yellow Fever and Malaria, not to mention the other dreaded diseases that were around. It wasn't unusual for ships sent to the Indies (West or East) to end up with a 50% mortality rate. On the other hand, the rewards could be great, so those with the need to risk the most (read: those without influence) were usually those who went to those parts of the world.

Why thank you! I will endeavor to curb some of my more blatant Americanisms, and hope that you'll humor me when I err.

That's a really good analogy for the story. Nice observation. JJ is pretty absorbed in his own life, and generally doesn't seem to spend a lot of time worrying about Will's issues. I think Will is probably fine with that.

Well thank you. And don't worry, I'll get a posting done for Odyssey soon.

I'll bet you know the answer to that question ;-)

Nick had an affair with his secretary. Very good. Tonto was born Gail Crampton.

You gave us some really apt observations. This one, though, makes me curious: I have some misgivings in the tactics used to get the alternate ID details and then sharing with everyone without Will being aware or and agreeing. I can't see that Wade did anything wrong in trying to get the info out of the guy. He didn't betray Will's trust. Will knows they're going to look for him. I think that as long as Wade doesn't violate a direct confidence, he's on solid ground.

Thanks! I'll keep hiding behind my anonymity. :-) Some good insights on Wade. I like it!

Thanks! Matt has been very consistent, especially in this story. He's arguing with Wade over the hockey team, something that he's almost elevated to a deity level, so I would be surprised if he wasn't upset about Wade missing a game. Besides, in college sports, even for a club team, it's pretty unusual for a player to miss a game (or a road trip) unless he's sick or injured. Wade not being there would be a big deal to Matt, the team, and especially to the coach, especially if they lose.

I think that Jeff spoke up because he was pissed off at Brad and Robbie and because he knew that Stef would have his back. Remember, as someone else pointed out, that Brad did fire Pat, and Jeff and Pat dated at one point. Also remember Jeff telling Stef that he did "everything he could" to get through to Brad. So I think Jeff is a little frustrated with them, and he knows he can get away with being bolder here.