Mark Arbour

Thanks! I think that Matt and Wade are a lot more balanced, both as a couple and as individuals, than Brad and Robbie are.

I think that Riley will have a lot more to say about that than the influence of his various parental units. I think his personality will shape more of who he becomes.

I do get what you're saying about Kerry, though. I probably could have done a better job of building up his character and quirks so that moment/change made more sense.

A threesome with you and Paya will get you as many previews as you want. I think a smart parent adapts his/her style to the child. LOL. I have a lot of interesting people in my life with a lot of issues. They make great fodder for characters.

Surrender: That was hilarious Jeremy. Good job.

I'm glad you think that. I think that. These two guys are maturing, which is normal in the latter half of the undergraduate college years. Wade's a little ahead of Matt, but Matt's getting there. Like I said before, what's neat about these two is that they don't normally have the massive communication problems that some of the other guys (like Brad and Robbie) have had. They generally get what the other one is thinking and feeling; they just may not agree with it. This is a fun storyline. It gives me some room for Wade to get a little slutty. Just a little.

Some great feedback from you guys! Here are my thoughts: Kerry/Somers/Granger: The forbidden fruit issue is what's at work here. If you think about it, we haven't really seen much of Kerry's personality beyond being the doting paramour. He's got a reputation as a playboy, as it were, so in this sense, I think he's just taken by the moment. He probably doesn't even get that George is irritated with him. In his mind, he's just connecting with Somers like he's been wanting to do for a very long time. Why would George have a problem with that? Isn't George being a little high-maintenance, he might think? I don't think he's evil, or mean, I think he's just oblivious, thinking with his dick. And that never happens. Calder/Lennox: Calder will land in Portsmouth and take a post chaise to London. He'll be there within a day, maybe 2 if the weather is bad. There is no way Belvidera can beat him there by sea.

Well, Wade is his mother's son, whether he wants to be or not. He's kind of like Luke Skywalker, with the dark side always there, luring him in. Brad is an idealist, and has this idea of how things should be. When they're not, he flounders a bit. Will makes him flounder.

Not sure I see your point on Matt turning into a little bitch, other than that he's trying to make Wade happy. And I'm not sure that's a bad thing either.

Look at you. Some guy says he's a top and you automatically agree with him. :-) I liked that scene a lot, because I think it shows Matt at his best. He's really a caring man.

I can't imagine anyone of Elizabeth Danfield's background not at least knowing the Harrimans. Friends? Possibly, in as much as she can have them. I think it was a little raw to force Carl out, but then again, it's not like he's an innocent victim here. It's a good life lesson for Carl.

LOL. Are you channeling Jeremy? The last of Carl? Hmmm.....

I liked that scene too. I'm glad I could make your night. ;-)

I think that both Kerry and Somers are flexible enough to enjoy each other, but we shall see. Either way, it's unlikely that they're out of Granger's life. Lennox is basically a horny young guy. I see him playing out as heterosexual, but he enjoys blow jobs. Chartley is an interesting character. I'll make sure to save some family drama for you, don't you worry.

September 30, 2000 Escorial, CA Wade I woke up late, but I was still exhausted. I reached over to the other side of the bed, expecting to feel Matt’s warm body, but instead I felt nothing. I smiled anyway. My whole body tingled as I thought about last night. It wasn’t just the sex, it was the bonding, the way we used our bodies to unite our hearts and minds, that was so fucking unbelievable. I was so worn out I wasn’t even sporting morning wood. I toyed with just being lazy, and l

Well, you're wrong about George beating them to London, but I completely agree with you about Freddy and Davina. When they have to look George in the eye and explain things to him, it's going to be a lot harder than plotting behind the curtain. If they face him, that is.

Tradition and custom are sometimes tough to overcome. What seems so logical now was a paradigm shift to Calder.

You see! You thought I was being coy before. I'm planning to let Clifton keep his homovirginity,at least for the time being. :-)

Thanks for the review, Ricky! We shall indeed have to see. ;-) This was a bit of a transitional chapter. The next two are a bit more intense.

February 16, 1797 Granger had invited Lennox to join him and his passengers for dinner, although that was shaping up to be less of a privilege and more of a burden. Granger sat at the table and studied the expressions of his guests, trying to decipher their inner moods. Sir Gilbert Elliot looked mildly amused, as if he was resigned that since there was nowhere better to be, he would make the best of it. Perhaps that was the most honest expression of the lot. Colonel

That's a great question. I tried to illustrate their roles and how they differed in "The Wardroom," but here's the breakdown. The Flag Captain (Grey, in this case), is the captain of the flagship. He's responsible for the operations of the ship itself, much as Granger is for the Belvidera. The Captain of the Fleet (Calder, in this case), is like the admiral's chief of staff. He's responsible for implementing Jervis' orders as regards the fleet, and managing Jervis' staff. So Lennox, as a Flag Lieutenant, would have worked directly for Calder.

Too funny. You think way farther ahead than I do. I don't see Tony getting married that young, though. Remember, he's got some serious scars because of what his father did, so he won't want to jump into anything permanent until he's sure of himself.

Thanks to all of you who posted here! A few comments below: Doesn't the metaphor about the pot calling the kettle black have UK roots? Just wondering. :-) The Matthew Shepard tragedy didn't really hit me hard until I started doing the research on it for Bloodlines. I spent a few nights writing those chapters with tears flowing out of my eyes. I say that so you'll understand how much I appreciated your comment. I tried hard to do that one right. I hope you have enough time to do that as well. I loved your story; you have so much more to tell! Toss in a scorching case of ADD, and it makes things interesting. Paya owes me big time. I'm collecting next time I'm in Europe. I'm thinking a threesome might square things. :-)

I like him to, mm, but I don't think he's a closet case. I think he's just a guy who's kind of curious about things.

Well, that wasn't what I was thinking of with the theme here. I was thinking more along the lines of paternity being about not just fathering a kid, but raising him/her. We see the difficulties on both sides in this chapter, I think.