Please leave comments here ...

Lucius is not a man to be trifled with, both Lavinia and Jacques need to be very careful around him going forward.

It is a pleasure to read the interaction between these two very different people. Cedric is fortunate to have such friends, especially now with him suffering from the ill effects of a gunshot wound.

Since this is not 21st century medicine, Cedric needs to be abed for a space of time. Let us hope the Earl does not return anytime soon. Oh, his crime may have been 20 years ago, but there are still those who remember, they simply are not speaking of it
Yummy, another chapter!

Very true! His is a soul that only seems to get meaner and more duplicitous with each passing incarnation.
And it's a pleasure to write for them as well! They are so very different, and yet they complete one another so perfectly. :-)
I'm sure you're right, but Lucius is nothing if not brazen! Also, money talks, and style over substance fools a lot of people. Lucius may look the part of an Earl, but he's not even half the man his father was. And Cedric? Well, Cedric is worth a half a dozen of him.

Thanks for the feedback!

I've been looking forward to catching up ...

Even though we all know how evil Lucius is, having it confirmed here at the end adds a layer of foreboding. Knowing how sick Cedric is--and how, really, he needs some time to heal, makes me all the more nervous about the timing of Lucius' arrival home.

I'm so happy to see Jacques and Lavinia hitting it off. I love seeing a support system being created (for all three of their benefit).

Wonderful, Chris!
Laura