My favorite part of the Lord John series is how the men address each other, which is, "Your servant, sir." The nuance and implication for that depending on who's being addressed is just delicious.

Thanks much for the Silm canon help! I may just drop a line to you (do I have your email? :ponders:) about my initial thought and time period and if you think it sounds at all interesting as a potential read. Many thanks!!