Saturday Times Cryptic 24604

[degiorgio22]

Stuck on bottom left hand corner.

17A. Have to go back to one's ladies, perhaps speaking with nobleman (4,5)

I have N - - - / C - - - -

Thanks.

[civdm]

What have you got for 14 down to give you an N there?

[boxtops]

Hold Court (f your N is wrong)?

[kayakamina]

Lose count

[degiorgio22]

BENCHMARK

[kayakamina]

Loo's = ladies- sounds like lose

[degiorgio22]

Lose Count looks good. Many thanks.

Not too sure about the "SPEAKING" bit though.

[boxtops]

if it's loos/lose, then the speaking = sounds like?

[degiorgio22]

Ah, of course. Ta.