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Yikes, not sure that Zach is going to be able to explain this one. Will would be willing to put up with a lot by I am not sure that Zach being this much of a hypocrite is something that Will is going to tolerate. So disappointed in Zach, even if you can't be out; don't be a bigot... Loved the scenes with Matt and Wade, Mark may not be sure but I am that they will end up together down the line. They may spend some time apart but in the end they truly are this generations JP and Stef... Glad to see that they seem to be figuring out Alex's behavior. I do think the way Alex is treating Wade means that he really does care about him, but his treatment of Matt is something Wade is not going to tolerate in the end I am afraid. Alex is the type of guy that JJ would be willing to take a lot from, if he handles it right. I can still see some issues there but Boston may not be as disruptive as some of us thought it would be. God, I just love this story...

Except for the fact that it would alter to much history, I am starting to wonder if Granger won't dump Lady Elgin off a gangplank. I am amazed that she would not realize that Granger has much better connections and considerably more influence than either she or her husband possess. I would have thought that Lord Elgin would have been more tuned into how annoyed Granger is getting with his wife. The battle was great and the description was truly first rate. I will have to go back and read up on the actual battle but your writing cannot be improved on... Glad to see that Granger at least touched base with Caroline even if it was a perfunctory note, they are tied together whether either of them like it or not. So glad to see this chapter and can't wait for the next, although I would not be upset if we skipped a large amount of time and got closer to depositing the passengers... LOL...

I really love this chapter. Having said that, I am going to be contrary and actually go another way from most of the reviewers on my view of Alex. I haven't really cared for him since the first chapter we met him; when I was just so excited to see the CAP and Bridgemont series meld. His reasons for being with Wade has always seemed suspect to me but that is changing a little bit. I actually know a few men from a certain class that have instinctually acted like Alex. You treat your wife/partner as a precious object that must never be sullied but you have the piece on the side that you can do the nasty with as hard as you want... It is just how they are raised. The fact that Alex is treating Wade like he is means that he probably does care for him a great deal; now, I still want Matt and Wade to end up together but have we considered a permanent polyamorous relationship with Alex as the third? LOL. I really am looking forward to Tiffany having the other baby, I actually do hope that it is Matt's and a boy or girl either one... Wade handled JJ just perfectly. I could actually see them ending up getting along better than anyone expected but not sure that will be the case.... I still want to see how far JJ will push Alex and how that is going to work...

Loved the scene with Will and Brad and Scott/Lark but I can't wait for the one when Will is explaining Scott's comment about Will liking to look at him... Scott might actually be good for Brad but I can't see it being a long term monogamous type relationship; I could see one where when Brad is in Hawaii they hook up until Brad is in a relationship that would not allow them to see each other sexually... So happy for Matt, but I sort of suspected this all along; glad that Wade was with him when he found out... Happy that Matt and Wade seem to be back on a more even keel, although that sure took a hit at the end of the chapter. Sort of hope that Matt is the father but would be happy with either one really... Brad really stood up to JJ but I have to sort of agree with JJ on part of this. Brad seems to just disappear from his life and then wants to show up and be in charge, not much of a responsible parental figure... I do think that JJ was planning on making Wade's life miserable and that got rightfully cut short but still Brad needs to be around more if he wants to play the parent...

Thoroughly enjoyed this chapter, it was so much fun to read... I really loved how Granger was fighting his better nature and trying to keep it together in dealing with Lady Elgin and some of the others in Lord Elgin's entourage. I can see Granger taking every opportunity to make sure that Lady Elgin realize that she is not the one in charge. I am not sure that I am that happy that Granger seems to be so involved with Treadway but I can't tell you exactly why. Not sure if it is loyalty to his past involvements or that I just haven't warmed to him yet. A prize in sight and a rich one at that. Even if it ends up being split four ways a gold/silver ship would make everyone involved a great deal richer... Great work and can't wait for the next chapter of this wonderful story...

Truly enjoyed this chapter, the writing was excellent. Hope Wade is right about the test being like the one that Matt took when he was sick before and come back as a false positive. I am going to hang my hat on that one. Still not fully happy with Wade, although he explained himself a little better here. I can see and understand his attraction to Alex but it is still coming across to much like wanting to have your cake and eat it too... I still would like to see Matt and Wade end up together in the end. Glad to see Brad and Will are back on a more even keel. I do find their fights strangely familiar in some ways to what Brad and JP went through just not quite as much petulance from Will as there was from Brad. I could see Brad and Scott/Lark having more than just an occasional encounter. Scott has been in Brad's life long enough not to be intimidated by him and knows almost as many ways as Will to deflate his ego bubble...

I did enjoy this chapter but it did not make me feel any better about Wade, if anything it made me feel worse. I think that if Wade ends up staying with Alex that there is a chance he will end up much more like his mother than he ever thought possible. I believe that Elizabeth's sexual issues are a big reason that she ended up doing a lot of what she did. She sublimated sex for power, when her sex life proved unfulfilling; she used power to fill that void. I could easily see Wade falling into the same pattern. I personally always thought Wade was much more sexual than Matt, they just expressed it in such different ways. I know that working in a field that encompasses therapy that I should say that sex is only a small part of the whole that makes a relationship work; but I can say that rarely does a couple find true lasting happiness if they are that disappointed in the their sex life, either one or both of them. Sex is such a primal need that few can truly be happy if something so important is truly bad and always disappointing. Now, I am not saying it can't happen, but it is rare... I am still going to hold out hope that Matt's test was a false positive until there is no other hope, like Wade said, Matt was always so careful; I think so much of that was trying to make sure that Wade was protected. I realize after everything that went on after 9/11 that there might have been a slip but my experience is that when the practice of safe sex is that engrained, it is really automatic and the slips are really rare... Will is really turning into one of the most impressive people in this saga. I would rate him right up with JP and Tonto....

Heartbroken that the situation with George and Caroline have reached this level and the way back seems almost impossible. I sort of hope after George sails with Lord and Lady Elgin that he will realize that what he has with Caroline is so much better than what he could have ended up with. Caroline needs to figure out why she acted the way she did and be able to explain it to George and then explain why it will never happen again. I loved how George was with the Duke of Clarence. It will be strange one day for George to look back and realize that he was the lover of the man that will be his King one day... Worried about Jardines coming back as well, Arthur was never the same after his affair with him, although one would hope he was at least happy with Holmquist. I could actually see him settling in Ireland more than staying in the area of England he would be consigned to but we will see... Great chapter and can't wait to see how the voyage goes, glad to see Granger stood his ground with Lord Elgin. He has to set the right tempo now or there will be issues later...

Have no idea why the box keeps popping up in my review, don't know if it will show up when I add the review or not.... Loved this chapter, but was devastated by the news from Matt. It was not impossible to get a false positive, still isn't but by the time of this story it was rare. I am going to hope this is one of those times; especially since Brad was negative and he would have been the link between the Alex/Cody/Kevin troika and Matt. If Wade comes back negative then not sure how Matt could be positive since except with Wade he always practices safe sex. A little disappointed in Cam but it can be really frightening to find out someone you have slept with is positive, even if you used protection. Will was amazing in how he handled the situation though... I loved Will in this chapter. He handled Wade perfectly. Wade needed to hear what Will had to say but no one else was going to say anything. Matt cares to much and just wants Wade happy and Brad seems to have a blind spot for Wade now. I doubt that JP or Stef would have said anything unless Wade directly asked them their opinion. Will was also spot on with how he handled Brad. Brad is going back into the dating pool and needs to understand how that is going to effect everyone else. Plus, if someone doesn't deflate Brad periodically then he gets way to full of himself... Keep up the great work, Mark...

Just loved this chapter, Mark a fine treat on this our nations birthday... Brad just can't go to long without pissing Will off about something. Brad needs to control everything even when people find out certain information and while that might work for some, it will never work for Will. Plus, Brad tried to put Matt in a really bad place as well; Matt and Will are just getting back to being good and Brad wants Matt to hide something from Will when Will knows there is something going on? So not cool, on Brad's part; I really expected more from him. Everything about Matt and Will was just perfect, from there time together to each of their hook-ups. I do wonder if Devon knows how young Will is or if he figures he is over 18 but just not really 21?.?.?. Will was right about Matt and Cam. They were able to talk and reach an accord that at least for the moment works for each of them. I love the idea of JJ calling Wade the Countess. That was just a great line..... Have to say that I am equally impressed that Matt wants to Will to try and pull JJ in some to give Wade and Alex time to find themselves...

Well, I can say that the conversation with Cavendish left me more troubled then I was before. I really cannot tell what Caroline is up to. Is she trying to get a certain power outside of her relationship with George or is she trying to get enough information that she can force George to give her a certain amount of freedom? I loved how Granger handed the situation with the children's governor and governess. He is going to have to do this more than once I am afraid though. In the end either he and Caroline are going to have to reconcile at least to some extent or they will have to keep separate households because they are both too strong willed to stay at war with each other and both survive, at least metaphorically. Great chapter and a great story, keep up the wonderful creation Mark...

Well, this came out of left field for me. Of everything that I had considered; the fact that Cody or Kevin was HIV positive never entered my mind. Really disappointed in how some of the other reviewers are acting like Cody somehow deserved this or it was unavoidable. I can't remember any sex with Cody that we have witnessed that was not protected except back when he thought Brian and he were only doing each other. The fact that Cody sleeps with a lot of men doesn't particularly raise his chances of infection as long as he had taken precautions. I am going to blame Alex because I can see him being positive and having unprotected sex and not telling his partner. Cody might have trusted him and then found out later that he should not have. Cody is going to need to get a will if he doesn't have one. He really only used his threat of taking Maddie to keep Jeanine's parents in line and make sure that they honored Jeanine's wishes about who should take care of Maddie if she was gone. It would be good if Cody did the same thing and honored Jeanine's wishes as well. The fact that Jeanine purposely did not name her parents to take care of her child would tell a court a lot so I don't think the grandparents could do much except stir up some problems. So disappointed in Kevin for not at least telling Brad that he was positive; I think that Brad would have just taken a few extra precautions and slept with Kevin anyway. Plus to Kevin for not bad mouthing Cody to Brad or Stef or anyone else about being positive and giving him HIV. Kevin was always careful about using a condom with everyone as far as I can remember as well. My bet is that Alex gave it to Cody and Cody gave it to Kevin. The fact that Brad and Wade did not use protection means that Matt and Tiffany may have been exposed and need to be tested. It can take only one mistake to change many lives. Can't wait to see where you are taking us, Mark...

It think for the first time ever; I cannot select the like this button on a chapter or story by Mark Arbour. I can understand on a completely intellectual level where Mark is going with this but every other fiber of my being is screaming no... I can understand Matt and how he handled it and Wade and how he is dealing with it but it just doesn't work for me... The whole time I was reading it what was running through my mind was something that someone else wrote that sums up how I feel about Matt letting Wade walk away... Do not go gentle into that good night Dylan Thomas, 1914 - 1953 Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Though wise men at their end know dark is right, Because their words had forked no lightning they Do not go gentle into that good night. Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight, And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way, Do not go gentle into that good night. Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light. And you, my father, there on the sad height, Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray. Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

I just still don't understand Caroline. This is just so our of place for how she has behaved in the past, the issue with the Royal Duke not withstanding. I am just as perplexed by Cavendish. I think that the his father gave him great advice but it maybe harder to pull off then his father thinks. Can't wait to see where Mark is taking us on this ride. Another truly wonderful chapter in my favorite serial online, great work, Mark...

Matt has really started to grow up and is working to accept the changes in his life. He is like Brad in some ways, as JP pointed out, and that means that sometimes he needs a little help to get past certain issues. I hope that Matt continues to see Casey and understands how much his family is there for him now... It is hard to understand Wade's behavior because we don't have anything from his point of view. While I am glad that he showed up in Paris, I have to think JP played a hand in that; I am still disappointed in how he handled the situation at Bridgemont. No matter how well he connected with Alex, there is just no excuse for treating Matt the way he did. A little surprised that Will is not going to Claremont just to make a point but then I guess he really doesn't have to since Zach is with him in Paris. I don't understand how Wally and Clara could even consider pulling Zach from La Salle, they talk about how important his football career is then talk about pulling him from one of the premier schools for football in the country to go back to the middle of no where; not that Claremont has produced a few players that did well on the college level, remember all the records that Jeff broke. JP is still the heart and soul of this story.......

WOW, I go away for a couple of days and come back to this... I am not sure that I will ever be able to leave again... I have to admit that I find Wade and his behavior is this story more than a little déclassé. Even if you and Matt are going separate towns for your furthering education, you came on this trip to spend time with him and to a lesser extent the others, you just don't dump a guy mid-vacation like this. It is bad manners and will lead to very bad karma... I can tell that Matt is in turmoil but it says a lot about his growth that Wade has yet to figure out how upset he is and even more that he wanted to get more settled before putting in an appearance with the others. I still hope that Matt and Wade end up together five years or so down the road but am starting to think that if it doesn't happen; it will be more Matt outgrowing Wade than Wade moving past Matt... I am baffled by both Kevin and Cody's behavior. I really don't understand the issue with Kevin, it seemed to come out of no where, except Mark's twisted mind. Cody, I can maybe see; he is avoiding Stef to stay away from Brad who hurt him and has now hooked up with his ex but even that is sort of a weak excuse to stay away from Stef. Both Stef and Brad are use to not being ignored; so I think both Cody and Kevin do so at their own peril. Just a thought but could Cody have been the guy that was willing to put up the money for Kevin but wanted 50% interest in the company? I find Will and Zach sort of boring right now, I guess because of the lack of drama... LOL... Glad that Zach is getting this exposure to the world and hope it helps him in ways that it often does for those that get to spend time in other countries at that age. I recently had gone back and re-read both CAP and 1968 and it really struck me at how many parallels there are in that story between JP and Jeff and Will and Zach. I actually think Will may be hurt more than even he realizes by what is coming. That being said, I actually sort of think that Will has better odds of leaving Zach than vice versa. I think at some point Will is just not going to be willing to stay so hidden in the background; while I think Zach would be perfectly happy to play the straight man while he has Will in a spare closet so to speak... I just love JP and Stef... They are truly meant to be together. I hope they get to have some time to connect on this trip.

WOW, what a chapter, this explains so much. Caroline and Cavendish are both probably horrified by what happened and neither of them has the guts to tell George. I am still not sure why Arthur has disappeared unless he was made aware and just doesn't feel he can get involved. Treadway really is inconsequential in all of this. Granger may enjoy him on the trip but his involvement in the three way just isn't the real issue. I am shocked by Caroline. This is just so far out of character that I don't even know how to explain it except to wonder how intoxicated she was. I am not sure how Granger is going to resolve this but he needs to settle things with both Caroline and Cavendish before he sails if at all possible. This was some truly first class writing and plotting both....

An interesting chapter, I found a lot to think about while reading this one... Kevin was always very perceptive and I have to wonder if he just did not see through Jackie and all the others; could that be why they had an issue with him? Or did Kevin keep Cody in a more monogamous relationship and that hurt how well he related to some of his and Jackie's clients??? Kevin's view of Cody just doesn't really match how he was written, or at least not how he was portrayed in the beginning. Cody was someone that had true depth and a great understanding of what others wanted; maybe he can see and understand others but not himself? I have to say that I always thought Cody wanted more from Brad than Brad could give him because of Robbie, maybe Cody thought with Robbie gone Brad would be more amiable and when Brad did not turn to him or anyone, it hurt Cody more than we realize? Plus, if you think about it, the guys that Cody has really fallen for never end up well in this series, Brian, etc... Never liked Alex Danvers, but never cared enough to really dislike him either. I find his reaction to Brad really strange. Brad and probably more so Stef could really still hurt him professionally so why come across like that? I can more easily understand Alex's reaction to Kevin, he could easily see him as a threat. The meeting in London was so well done. The Duke and JP just were so matched and the conversation was perfect. It is funny to see how much Will has really absorbed just from being around JP and the others. I can see why both Will and Zach would have rather gone off with Matt, Wade, and the Earl but as Zach is suppose to be interning with JP; he really needed to at least make an effort. I would surmise the letters are really dealing more with the Stuarts so I would be surprised if anything from the Bridgemont series really came into play but Mark has surprised us all before... I found the Earl and his encounter with Matt and Wade very nuanced. He easily understood that Matt and Wade were together in some capacity and handled the fact that they were so out with a matter of fact attitude that was interesting. He said, We have gays in England too; but gave no hint as to his sexuality. His comments about even some of his ancestors leads me to wonder if George Granger's secret became a family secret... He also did not seem discomforted by Wade's living situation. Alex, the Earl, may turn out to be a very interesting addition to the story... Can't wait to see where you are taking us with all of this Mark...

I have to say that as good as this chapter was, and it was wonderful; Tim's review was just a perfect addendum. I loved how JP is with the younger set. It brings out a playful side of him but there is always even with these guys that he loves a certain degree of separation. It was so funny to have him explain what was going on with the Granger family while his own was being so purposely difficult about the explanation. To say that I am excited by the idea of the Granger family being introduced even in a limited way into the CAP universe would be a major understatement; and Wade at Harvard would be the perfect tie in. As much as I love everything CAP, the Bridgemont series has become my favorite and I relish any extension of it. I have to wonder how involved the young Earl will become with the story and series. I hope it is a great deal... I am so glad that Brad really seems to be moving forward. He has found a way to view Robbie and keep him in his memories without it intruding to much on the present. I do understand his issue with Alex Danvers but have to wonder if bringing Kevin back into Cody's orbit will be enough to through a wrench into that. Much like JP with his young group, Stef with Brad is just a different person. He seems younger and more free to be his true self. It cannot be measured how important it is to have someone like that in your life. Mark, I am so excited to see you introducing the Granger family into the CAP universe but I have to say that I am truly enjoying you bringing back so many of the supporting performers back for another round. It has been nice to see Sean, Doug, and now Kevin... Keep up the masterful work, this is just fabulous...

Everything about this chapter was just perfect, the writing and how you tied it to an actual event made it just that much more real to read and experience. The scene with the King and the seamen was particularly touching. Can you imagine what it would have been like for the men to have their King just show up and actually listen and converse with them? Plus, the King gets to hear about someone that he obviously cares for and respects from those that are around him more than any others. The issue with Lady Elgin was just the beginning. I can just about bet that her behavior will be enough to try even the patience of someone of Granger's fortitude. I do wonder where they will place her maid? This is going to be a long trip for no other reason but her being on board. The end of the marriage of Lord and Lady Elgin was a huge scandal in their time. I have to wonder if we will see any hint of the behavior that lead up to it this early in the marriage. I am starting to think the issue with Caroline and Treadway was something more than an affair between them; could Caroline be protecting someone else?

A wonderful chapter and so full of promise for the future. I can see a storm brewing just over the horizon... Really enjoyed the Will and Tony scene, it was so well done and had such an honest feel to it. I can see Tony being around a lot longer than some people seem to want him to. Sort of sad how well he understood what Will and Zach see in each other, but he seems to be moving on at the moment as well. I hope he and Mason get along swimmingly. Brad and Sean really work for me, not just because the sex was hot but they sort of seem to mesh on a couple of different levels. I have to wonder how serious this will become but it should be fun while it last. Seeing Doug was a blast from the past and one that feels like a hint of something else as well; not sure this isn't a hint of something else but can't decide what... Marie and Will should be viewed as the Alpha couple at this Junior League event. Even though most will know that Will is gay, he and Marie have all this is required to be large and in charge at an event like this. It will be an interesting event and I hope we get to spend sometime leading up to it and at it... So excited about the trip to Europe and glad that Wade is joining the party; if Stef and Brad show up it will be a grand affair... You just know that there is going to be some drama involved in this trip and I can't wait to get there and get it going one... Anyone want to lay odds on which couple(?) causes the biggest headache for JP???

It was really interesting to see how Frank explain the difference between his family and JP's et al. It gave a new appreciation on just what they have gone through over the years. Really did not see Brad and Sean connecting but it totally makes sense; I will be very interested to see how it turns out. Will handled the initial meeting with Tony just perfectly. I have to admit I was a little worried about this one going into it... Great chapter, Mark, but I can't wait for Europe...

OMG, Granger lost the King... I am so glad to see this back, even with the drama between George and Caroline. I am a little hesitant to understand Caroline's position. George has never shown himself to be an ogre; anything but, so I find it a little bewildering. I hope this is resolved before they sail because it will just eat at him for a good portion of the trip. If this happens, it could make long trip very unpleasant for not only George but Treadway as well. I have missed George so much....

I love my nieces and nephews but am damn glad that I never had any children... I thought Matt handled Zach just the perfect way. That sort of older brother/cousin lets do something physical to get our bearing back. I think that in some ways Matt understands Zach better than Will does. Zach has to understand since it doesn't appear that his parents do and his agent just doesn't care about that side of it that it isn't all about the athletics. In general, the best schools want even their student athletes to be as well rounded as possible. To have an internship with someone of JP's stature on your resume; is something you don't give up no matter what. Frank is more than capable of taking on Wally and Clara over this but with JP and the other's behind him it doesn't even seem like a fair fight; that being said, I am pretty sure that Ohio does not have the same statutes that California does about emancipation. Maybe Tim can indicate whether Zach has lived in California long enough to establish legal rights there. Drama, drama, drama... Love it...

Will really showed how his maturity level has grown by how he handled the situation with Josh. It wasn't about just defusing the situation but making sure that Josh understood what he had to lose with his behavior. Will is showing that he understands how to not only handle situations within the family but those that directly effect the family from outside. Mark has indicated that he really hasn't made up his mind about Matt and Wade ending up together but I am starting to think his subconscious has done so even if he hasn't. The writing not just in this chapter but in this book has been superb when dealing with the interaction between Matt and Wade. It is nice to see that they both understand now why they need some time apart, that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt or that they can't get jealous about what the other is doing or involved in. I have been dealing with teens for over twenty years that there is no way that any big combine or exhibition was not booked up months or even a year in advance. They always keep a couple of slots open for last minute entries but Barry would have known about his months in advance. Zach is a full if he thinks that Will is just going to roll over for him every time that Barry or his parents find a new excuse to keep them apart. Plus, Will is right, what JP was trying to do might have more effect on Zach's future then this one combine/exhibition ever could. What so many teens and even their parents never realize until it is to late is that even if you have elite level talent that doesn't guarantee success. Injury, lack of drive, burnout, and other factors can keep even those with elite talent from reaching the top; but an education that that talent can help get you will always be there no matter what. I am not sure if Will and Zach are going to make it but Zach needs to start growing up and realizing that talent alone will not get him where he wants to go... A truly great chapter, Mark, hope you are enjoying creating and writing this book as we are reading it...