centexhairysub

While I found the issue with Will needling his father and to a lesser extent Stef by buying the house, sort of, without talking to them; the real meat of the chapter was at the dinner table. It is obvious that Brad has never really gotten over the rupture with Isidore back when she backed Billy over him. While I don't know nor didn't then agree with how she handled the situation; I completely understood it. Billy was her biological child and had been beaten pretty badly. She reacted as a mother cub. I really thought that after Billy's death and Brad doing the painting and handling so much of the funeral that they had repaired their relationship. Isidore really stood by Brad and Robbie during Robbie's trial in Paris and used all her family connections to help. She has gone out of the way over the years to support all the kids. That is why I am having such a hard time as to why she is digging her heels in on this. I sort of understand Claire, she is supporting her daughter, even if the daughter did lie; but is Isidore just backing Claire up because they have a tighter relationship? I know being from France that Isidore would consider manners and behaviour really important and neither Brad or Will are immaculate with either but is that enough to cause another rupture? Well, once again, Mark has sucked me into a story to the point that I spend hours every week reading and re-reading and then analyzing every little nuance to each chapter... Bad Mark, Bad Mark....

I just loved Tears for Fears... Great picks all around...

Another outstanding chapter in this saga, I do love Granger and the Bridgemont series... I can't wait to see what happens with Jardines and Granger on the way to Egypt. I am quite sure they will arrive before the Battle of the Nile and that Granger will get to play some part in that victory. I have to wonder when Jardines is going to discuss with Granger the events leading up to his incident with Travers. I don't know for sure what he is going to say but I can't wait to see Grangers reaction to it. I have to think that Granger and Jardines will reach some sort of accomodation but can't see yet what it will be. I am glad that Bertie and Granger were able to speak honestly about each other, the past, and the future. I still believe that Chartley is better for Granger than anyone else in his life right now but that could always change. Bertie obviously wants Granger to be happy in his life both professionally and personally. Bertie's announcement that he would probably never return to England and therefore never see his parents again was heartbreaking but with that perfect dose of reality that Mark puts in so many of his stories. Can't wait to see where the next chapter of this takes us...

Great chapter, I do love having JP involved. He is still the heart and soul of the story for me. I enjoy is point of view better than anyone else. I love how he has choosen Wade and Will as those he bonds with the most from that generation but for such alternative reasons. I love how Brad went from being furious with Will to his defender. I do think that Brad and Stef will both see the wisdom in what Will has done but we shall see. I am glad that Darius and John are both going to Hawaii with the rest. This will give them a chance to spend some time with Will without anyone else around. I can see this being important down the road. I think that Claire is having some movement but I really don't understand Isidore at all. I keep thinking there is something going on that we haven't been made aware of yet. This is just in such total contrast to her behaviour in the past. Even with Billy, while I did not agree, she was defending her child. She has taken a stand that even Claire will come to see is wrong but Isidore seems to be willing to rupture the family over something that really doesn't seem that big of a deal...

Okay, I can tell you from my experience with counseling that this actually happens more than most people would suspect. Not always the act itself, althought that happens more than you would suspect; but the desire or feeling that by doing this they are fullfilling a desire from the past. Often the kids are simply surrogates for the parents; but that isn't always the case either. I think Sharon is right that in five or six years it wouldn't be quite as creepy as it would be now... No matter what Will looks like and acts like he is still only fourteen. It would not be the age difference that I would object to so much as Will's current age; well that and the fact that Brad and Scott were best friends and lovers when they were just a little older than Will is now... I think that both Sharon and Tim are right in that Brad's reaction would be violent. So like Tim said, unless you are using this to move the story forward in some important way; why destroy Brad and Will's relationship, that has just gotten back on an even keel; much less Brad and Scott's, which would never recover. Plus, their will they or won't they flirting is actually kind of hot; but the real thing is rarely as good...

Hmmm, oh well, I will have to go back and see; I just remember thinking the name was wrong at the time... Of course, it wouldn't be the first time I confused to men... Okay, went back to HMS Belvidera and well damn, you were right... I just hate it when my memory goes on something...

Truly good tequila is as smooth and fine as any good scotch or bourbon....

The only two members that I can think of off the top of my head that have been mentioned by name that are not on the list are: Iggy, Lord Calverton son of the Earl of Bromfield Marquess of Blankford, the son of the Duke of Marlborough Can anyone else think of any others? p.s. George Spencer-Churchill was the Marquess of Blandford, different spelling from this story, during the 1790's. He actually came into the title of the Duke of Marlborough in 1817 upon the death of his father. He was given the courtesy title of Marquess of Blandford upon his birth in 1866.

This was a great chapter, I just can't believe that you are making Jardines the guide; you are just plain evil. I had thought of him but couldn't believe you would treat Granger like that, so I had discarded the thought... I have to wonder what Jardines can tell Granger that will excuse his actions in anyway??? I have always wondered if Travers and Teasdale did more than we knew before Travers was introduced to the Brotherhood??? Did Jardines walk in on them and that drove him mad; did Jardines love Teasdale as much as Teasdale seemed to care for him??? I have to say, I can't wait for Granger to get to Egypt. The Battle of the Nile is one of the three most important naval engagements in history, at least in my opinion. I can't wait to see how you tie Granger into the action. Great chapter and can't wait for the next one....

This will be a great way to go back and have them all right at my fingertips...

Okay, I don't even know where to start with this chapter, so here it goes.... I can't believe that JP hasn't made a move to broker some type of peace betweent he warring parties. I mean I understand him staying out of Stef's way with the party planning but I expected him to have seat down with those involved and tried to move things forward. Maybe he is waiting for after the party, but the longer a wound festers the harder to clear it becomes. I was thinking he was letting everyone marinate on what the problem was; but everyone seems solely focused on how it impacted them, not everyone else. I do think that Nana's statement may impact Claire, plus I think Jack is starting to turn the corner... I that Sharon is right on the money as always. I don't think Will is looking at the purchase of the house as anything other than bringing him closer to the one thing that centers him more than anything else, the ocean... He just has the ability to do it with more style than most others. I don't think Will buying the house is a message to anyone; although I can see it being one to others in their own mind. Plus, you know Stef will the the interior proud... Will and Scott are doing a dance that is gonna lead to something neither of them may really be ready for. Will has never been with someone like Scott and Scott has never done anything this dangerous. I don't know if they will really ever end up in bed together; a very bad idea but the ramifications will be interesting to see. Okay, I can even think of one or two reasons it wouldn't be so bad but that is on a totally different level of thinking... Brad will either be blind with fury or jealousy and I have to wonder which...

All really great choices, yes even the damn song by untalented ones from Houston...

Well, another chapter with more layers than a Royal Wedding cake; I just don't know where to start... Loved that JP was back, even for half a chapter. I have to admit I thought he would have taken more direct action by now to have brokered a peace between the warring parties. I can completely understand him staying out of Stef's way when planning the party of the new century. I am glad that Nana is back; JP needs someone like her around. I think that JJ probably wants to go to the party but wants to have everyone beg and plead with him to show up. This is a power move on his part and a well played one. I can't say that I am suprised that Will would want to buy a house on the beach in Hawaii. This would be the perfect situation for someone like him. I am not sure how suprised anyone will really be; plus you know that Stef can't wait to help him finish the interior. I can't decide if Scott and Will are really going to sleep together or not. I can give you a list longer than Will's appendage why it isn't a good idea; but I can see it really happening. I think if and when it happens the real question will be if Brad is mad or jealous??? Another wonderful entry and the double narration played perfectly...

You are truly an evil little man.... I had already thought of Jardines making an appearance as the guide but did not think even you would do something so dastardly to poor innocent Granger... I have to say that I wonder if Granger isn't about to find out about Travers and Teasdale; I have long suspected that there was something there. Your ability to weave your story through the tangled web of history is just remarkable. This is one of the real talents that seperate you from so many others that practice their gift online. Can't wait to see what happens next....

Great chapter with some interesting interplay between Fathers and Sons... I have to admit that Will and Brad can really push each other's buttons and great catch on Will's part to realize that and make a move to back down... Will be interesting to see who Will or Brad ends up with on this trip... LOL...

Hmmm... Well, I certainly found this a happy suprise when I returned from dinner and movie... I have to think that Granger is right about the problems that the opium trade will/did bring to China and others. I have to say I am a little dissapointed that Chartley choose to go off and leave Granger. And I have to wonder who this mysterious guide is going to turn out to be??? Excellent chapter and can't wait to see where Granger is off to next...

Well, I am not ready to write Tony off quite yet; although I do think he needs to spend some considerable time on a comfortable couch with someone truly objective to his situation... Tony is very much a product of his past and is having a harder than usual time figuring out who he is, what he wants, and where he is going in life. I agree that Will can and probably will stay involved with Tony to some degree but he won't put up with being anyone's doormat. Not sure that I see Mason as someone that will be around for more than this story; he does strike me as interesting but his and Will's interaction was in that brief period of meeting and first impressions where it is very easy to cover up any problems with smiles and sunshine. Will has so many people already in his sphere of influence that I am not sure there is room for another majore player. While I don't think Will handled the situation in the last chapter appropriately at all; I do think he did better at stepping back and deciding to do something that he wanted just because he wanted to. He went with Mason because it was light and fun and no drama allowed. Will needs to start making a decision about why he gets involved with someone of the men/boys that he does. Some of the choices make me really question his ability to think farther than the next sex act...

Not sure I would have ever called Shania country but do love all your choices for this chapter except the one previously noted hatred of all things Beyonce...

Mason enters stage right as Tony exits stage left??? I think Will really enjoyed his time with Mason but have to wonder how much of the real person he got to see... It is easy to keep a facade up for a few days and make everything sunshine and lollypops but harder to do over a length of time. I sort of doubt we really have seen the last of Tony. I think Tony needs to spend some time on a couch talking about his problems with someone objective. He needs to decide what kind of person he really wants to be. Great chapter and really enjoyed the calmer interlude at the end...

I laughed till I damn near pissed my pants... God, you are brilliant...

Calvert performed above expectations, at least from me. He handled himself well enough but without that certain something that Granger seems to have. Gatling did exceedingly well, the fact that he had the Spanish crew practicing the guns may have saved the day somewhat, although the Santa Clarita should have been able to handle most of the problems, as they did. Maybe Calvert can fall madly in love with Gatling and Gatling will realize that Calvert isn't so bad; and they can be together and leave Granger well enough alone....

Well, I guess overall Calvert did okay... I do respect how he handled the situation with the Spanish Captain, even though he doesn't have the flourish that Granger would. He also did make sure that Gatling was aware of how he wanted to work things so that the ships could work in tandem to hold off any force; this was good forsight on his part. I was very impressed that Gatling had been drilling the Spanish crew on the guns to make sure if something happened that they would be better prepared to assist the Santa Clarita. I have always thought that Gatling showed great promise. I actually think maybe he and Calvert should become lovers and realize that they are meant only for each other... LOL... I hope there isn't any repercussions for anyone in regards to how they had to handle the situation with the Vulture. The officers on that ship got exactly what they deserved although the men may not have deserved their fate...

Somers is the cousin of Sir Phillip Kerry. They had a very hot threeway with Granger on his trip back from the battle of St Vincent. I think Granger cares deeply for Cavendish but I don't think he is his person he is destined to be with. Cavendish will be someone that Granger always cares about and on a certain level, they are extremely well suited for each other. The problem is that whomever Granger ultimately ends up with, along with Caroline, will have to challenge him in some way and I don't see Cavendish doing that. I thought from the moment he was introduced that Chartley would be the man for Granger. I loved Travers best but had he lived they could never have been together in the long run. There was just to many things pulling them apart. Chartley and Granger have a certain spark that for me at least Granger is missing with Cavendish. p.s. I don't think Chartley is as old as Travers was. My impression is that Chartley and Bertie are probably the same age and Travers would have been a year or two older...

I really can't see Tony being killed off at this point. We have all had those people in our lives that drive us crazy but there is something about them that always pulls us back into their sphere of influence. I don't know that Will and Tony will spend a decade doing the will they or won't they dance but I can't see them really disappering out of each other's lives either. They are just at very different points in their respective lives and are not in a place to be good together right now; that doesn't mean that ten years from now they won't being have a ceremony and pledging undying love for one another. Right now, Will is just more mature and sure of himself than Tony; the problem is as his actions in this chapter proved, he isn't as mature or as in control of his life and reactions as he thought he was... Will is very extremely mature for his age but he is just shy of being fifteen and just doesn't have the experience to handle or view each situation in a rational and calm manner. I think that methodwriter is right; the cultures with heavy machismo often encourage the men to cheat on whomever they are with. The problem is that they view the partner doing the same thing in a completely negative context. Tony has a double issue of being brought up in a culture that teaches him it is okay to cheat but his partner can't; plus he has the history of his father's behaviour and how that affected everything in the early years of his life...

Hmmm, all were interesting picks... I really always liked Duran Duran and Toni Braxton is great but I hate Destiny's Child and truly despise Beyonce Knowles. She is a great example of someone with little to no talent making it big by having a big ass and willing to stab anyone and everyone in the back....