This was such a great chapter. I'm so glad everything is working out between Mal and Jamie. Now what is to become of Elizabeth and Darce? Why is Ms. Bingley not visiting Malvina, you would think she would want to find out more of her, they used to be sister-in-laws after all.
I am so looking forward to more of this story. Please don't wait so long to post. Love it, love it, love it.
teb

Tanya, Thank you, thank you for another post of your lovely story. Mal and Jamie so happy. Ruth and Cranford having a happy beginning. Now to Lizzy and Darcy, a resolution of animosities, openness with one another would be key to any future for these two people. Let's hope they can find it soon.

First of all, I just read in the comment thread that English is not your native tongue. I must say, WOW! You write so well. And I don't mean you write well for someone for whom English is not their first language. I mean, you write fabulously well, period. WOW!

Second, thank you for this post. I am certain I am one of many who has been haunting the website praying for an update. You have captured our hearts, seduced our souls--you own us. Alright, I guess I'm going on just a bit, but let me say simply, speaking for just myself, I LOVE THIS STORY.

I love where Chapter 29 took us. So satisfying in so many ways, but my favorite line: "I do, I do have a good reason, she wanted to say. I have discarded a man, as good a man as ever there was, and one I loved, and one who loved me."

This is so real, so how a young girl in love might react when she finally comes to her senses. Now you know the next thing I am going to say--more, please?

She has seen Darcy from a distance, and he is with that unpleasant Miss Bingley. Has Darcy given up on Elizabeth? Does he believe she has given up on him? Certainly, he is giving her distance. Is Wickham really dead? Is Darcy willing to tell her his secret now--but does it matter anymore to her? Will she write him a letter or somehow let him know she has changed? After all, in a sense, he has been the "adult" in the relationship up to now (patiently giving her time, refraining from rushing her to a physical completion he did not believe she was ready for), but perhaps it is time for Elizabeth to be a woman and reach out for her man. But is that done during the Regency period? How aggressive can a proper lady be? What would Mal advise? How will Jamie greet his former best friend? Does Jamie know Darcy's secret from those public school days with Wickham, and if not, would he be shocked? Would it change whether Jamie wanted Darcy to continue to be his brother-in-law? So many questions. . .Which are the right questions, the ones that lead us to your next chapter?

No pressure, but please write as soon as you can.

Oh my! How lovely and tender and happy and sad this was.
First, I am so happy to see another chapter and a nice long one at that!
Happy for Jamie’s return and his happiness with Malvina.
Relieved that Elizabeth has Mal to talk to.
Jamie would be content to have his sister with him at Longborne. But now that he knows of her unhappiness will he seek out Darcy.
And it’s been 2 years, why hasn’t Darcy gone after his wife? He knew she was young and immature, why didn’t he tell her the truth? Is he still seeing that woman? Has Miss Bingley been spreading her poison and lies?
Will Mr. Darcy live to see his son and wife reunited?

Hope to see more very, very soon!

Oh my! You have definitely surprised me a great deal, but what a welcome surprise it was. Your story is so great. And I am genuinely happy for Jamie and Mal and Ruth; but what about Darcy and Elizabeth? I hope you won't be so cruel as to leave us with that dreadful cliffhanger for too long.

But once again I applaud you with another chapter well written. You are an excellent writer. And I am at once anxious for the story to progress and sad that it will eventually end. But isn't that the goal to every great story? And to this effect, you have definitely succeeded.

Oh! Oh! A new chapter! A wonderfully long one, too. I am so very, very happy for Jamie and Malvina and Ruth and Cranford. Talk about being blessed in abundance! On the other hand my heart aches for Elizabeth and Darcy. The length of time they have been apart...so terribly long...with such pain and disappointment and shame between them. How will they get past it? I'm feeling that Elizabeth will need to make the first overture since he already begged her to come to him and she declined. The ball is in her court...

Thanks so much for the welcome post. Your story is one that I always look forward to more of.

Great chapter! Jamie and Malvina have found happiness now Elizabeth needs to do something to repair her marriage to Darcy.

Love your writing...

Always a delight to see a new chapter from you, Tanya! Will we find out in the next chapter what Darcy was thinking when he saw her? I'm hoping Jamie can play a role in resolving E&D's misunderstandings here, but I'm sure that whatever you have in store for us will be eminently satisfying.

Abigail

I am so glad the James arrived and Mal and he were able to marry before the birth of their child. I love how he held her and kissed right there along the river bank.

I didn't realize that Ruth was smitten with anyone. It appears everyone is finding their happiness but Elizabeth and Darcy.

I am so glad the Mal had the talk with E letting her know that Wickham is a BAD man and the E believes. She also realizes that Darcy had said the same thing and she refused to believe him.

I angry at Darcy he sees his wife and he can't even spare a word for her? Why on earth are he and Lord Gregory there with Miss Bingley? And if Darcy couldn’t come talk to her why the h*** didn’t Lord Gregory, that might have encouraged Darcy but he just disappears. B*****d.

When Elizabeth said: "Oh, Jamie what have I done!" I cried like a baby. Tanya you have written this so well and I was shock to learn that English isn’t your first language.

Lastly I have to say I would have been much happier if Wickham’s body was found at the Fort. I still think he was involved in the attack by leaking the info. Please let him stay in India but why do I think you have more planned for him.

Thank you fo rhte post and I look forward to more.
Geri

Glad jamie and mal worked out. Now it is time to fix Elizabeth and darcy. This is such torture
Pls post soon

I was almost beginning to like Elizabeth again. She came to the conclusion that she was wrong about Darcy and Wickham all by herself. And THEN, she decides this:

Perhaps the knowledge that she, herself, had been the object of a vile plan, made it easier. It was not just a mistake, she thought, she had not stood a chance...

She’s still living in her world of self-denial where she’s never the one at fault. I almost cried when I saw that she had seen Darcy because now, a reconciliation is inevitable and I had almost persuaded myself that the story will end with Darcy being free to find someone who could really appreciate his worth.

I cannot begin to even thank you for this latest update and a thousand THANK YOU for what amazing,compelling and ultimately gratifying read chapter 29 is. You did not left any stone unturned for Malvina and Jamie and including Capt. Cranford and Ruth.My heart was aching for Elizabeth's pain now that Malvina have shed some light re:Wickham's behavior. I am screaming inside for a reunion with Darcy.I was crying for all the memories that she remembered and understand her pain.But you are the best at storytelling Tanya,each line is very well thought and it shows- it is excellently written. I am just hoping I would see another update soon. Thank you so much you don't know how very happy you made me although I cried a lot in this chapter too.
Thank you immensely.You made it certainly worth the wait.
annj

As I read through the last bit of discussion, I had a thought that kept flowing through my mind - in this story Elizabeth is only about the age of Lydia in the regular one. But, unlike Lydia, her father is dead, no mother, her brother is gone, she is essentially alone, and though she is a fairly smart girl, she had led a very sheltered existence until the death of father, she has dealt with huge upheavls and changes in her life in very fast order. To me, Elizabeth can best be discribed as a pool ball - being bounced back and forth between situations that are completely out of her control and trying to adjust to them as fast as she can. Her head must be spinning. That does not even mention what her emotions are doing.

Today we would NOT encourage a 15 year old to get married and even then it was not common. It was rare for a girl to even be "out" at that age. It was more common to wait until 17 or 18.

My own take is that she is not sure WHO to trust. That is hard - because she is not even sure she can trust herself. Her emotions are like a ping pong ball - everywhere. I have been glad that for the last few months she has been with the Gardiners - because at least she has had some time to just be. Then she thinks Jamie is dead - I mean the fact this child is still standing up is AMAZING!!!

I agree she has made some whoppers of errors - but so has Darcy, and she came into this (was pretty well forced into this) with grave trust issues about him. I think sometimes it is hard to remember that until this chapter - she was basically an orphan. Yes the Gardiners were around - but only some. She is trying to figure out, what she feels, what she thinks, what her harmones are doing to her. Also, the nice part of her time with Darcy was extremely short - compared to all the bad time with him.

Frankly, I really do get why she is having some major issues.

But, I think she has also grown up a bit during this time. She has had TIME to think - to pull pieces together. I am excited that we are now beginning to move back towards her story with Darcy. Unfortunately, I am not sure that Jamie being back is such a great idea. He may be more of a hindrance than a help. Malvena though - she may be a great help and she may help move Jamie to a place of understanding and helping Elizabeth and Darcy. One can at least hope so.

I do love this story. Can't wait for the next bit.

mmin

mmin that was explained very well. I must say I agree with everything you said. Thank you.

Tanya, thank you so much for the wonderful new chapter! It was so emotion-packed! I love the aunts and loved having Ruth be happy. I can't believe Elizabeth saw Darcy for the first time in a long time. Will he seek her out? Thanks again!!

I agree with the first part of this post. Elizabeth still seems incredibly self-centered. The revelation of Wickham's character should make her feel worse! To know that she picked him over her husband after learning what a scoundrel he was, that she cause her great discomfort and take more responsibility. If she was mature at this point in the story, then she will be the one to reach out to Darcy, not the other way around.

But great chapter

Once again, I'm blown away by the quality of your writing, Tanya. It's addictive, and I can't wait for my next fix.

I'm hoping that Jamie, who knows Elizabeth so well, will be the catalyst to bring her back to Darcy.

More soon, as soon as you can manage it, please.

Debbie

I agree, of course, with the great chapter part but must raise an objection to the criticism of the Elizabeth in this story being in denial. She is not drawn as some paragon who always behaves exactly as a reader might wish or hope, but she is depicted realistically as an intelligent, principled but still immature girl--and we are watching as she matures.

She takes some comfort in thinking that she is not an idiot or hopeless dupe but the victim of a level of evil and cunning that she is only starting to understand. She could not fathom before that it existed, and her reaction is like looking back on the misconceptions you might have had as a child--and forgiving yourself for those misconceptions.

But she also recognizes that her previous misconceptions, however much they were not her fault, could well mean that she will never regain Darcy's affections. Realistically, this is a possibility. She may have lost him forever. I would not rejoice in that, but thank goodness, this is JAFF that usually comes with happy endings unlike real life, which sometimes does not.

I find this Elizabeth likable and endearing, and I am rooting for her!

I agree, I like this Elizabeth. If Darcy would've just been open with her & given her some sort of explanation, things would not have gotten so out of hand. I hate it when in these sorts of stories the woman is just expected to 'obey' her husband's word, however nonsensical it may be or appear to be, because that's the way a wife 'ought' to behave, having no right to question or object to a man's authority. I can't accept this way of thinking & would much prefer to see the woman get upset & leave if she feels she must!

I think people might be upset with Elizabeth because ultimately we know that Darcy is a good man (or because they would love to have a Darcy in their life & how dare she jeopardize that sort of relationship!). To call her immature, self-centred or unable to see the errors of her ways just because she doesn't trust Darcy's non-explanation seems over the top to me. She may be young, but she isn't without reason. You can't just tell someone to do something 'just because' & then get upset when they don't immediately abide. Open communication is best!

Anyway, Tanya: I love your writing. It's a bittersweet feeling when I see that there is a new SB update - I'm excited for the new chapter but pained that the next installment probably won't be for a few months. Now that Elizabeth/Darcy scenes are on the horizon, I am more excited than ever! Please, let the next post be soon!

I agree with Lacy about Elizabeth and the way she's thinking. Her mind worked then like a very young 16 year old girl (I teach girls that age, and she feels very real to me), Things seem black or white; seeing the gray areas comes with age and wisdom. Things are either right or wrong to them (this is bad, e.g. and that is good. Situation ethics is a foreign concept.). Darcy is more worldly, but he is also young in thinking, although certainly less naive than Elizabeth. She was adolescent in her stubbornness, yet with such a good heart, I can't find it in me to condemn her. Elizabeth is coming to understand herself and the way the world works, and we should be rooting her on as we would our daughters. They learn, not through what we say, but through experience. Elizabeth is 18 now, and she's gotten a whole lot smarter. And she's learned the way we all learn: through suffering.

I find it interesting linguistically that Regency novels use "humble" where we would think "humiliating." He doesn't want to feel "humbled" Malvina says to Elizabeth. Think humiliation, and the larger impact of the word gives pause. Don't we go through life trying to avoid humiliation (shame). Guilt we can cope with and remediate. Darcy feels "humbled" in P&P, and we are proud of him. If he felt humiliated, we'd be embarrassed for him.

Just rambling here, trying to work out the characters and the language in my head. Doesn't that speak well for this story? No bubble gum for the mind here!

Huh. I guess I never thought about it that way. I keep forgetting how young Elizabeth is and how new all of this is to her. I also agree with someone else who posted that since we know that deep down, Darcy is a good man, it is hard for some people (like me!) to deal with Elizabeth's misconception of Darcy. In the end, I'm rooting for them to get back together too!

When I saw a new chapter was posted it made my day! I loved it even though its bittersweet because Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam are still a part. I hope that since they have seen each this will be the start of the journey back to each other.

Thanks for the update, and as always I can't wait for more!

meblle

I have just finished reading Chapter 29. Exquisite! Thank you. I eagerly await the next installment. To add to what others have stated, your writing style is deeply satisfying and the story is coming along beautifully. I am so glad that Darcy was reintroduced before this chapter ended, albeit bittersweet.

I was delighted to see Darcy and Elizabeth back in focus in this wonderful chapter. But I'm at a loss with respect to the relationship between Ms. Bingley and Lord Gregory. She is insipid and shallow, yet his lordship (who seems like a kindly and intelligent fellow) continues to bestow attention on her. Can someone enlighten me...perhaps I missed an earlier chapter when this was explained. Thanks!

Ditto!!

Chapter 30 is up, my dears. An hm... very satisfying chapter, I daresay... Enjoy!

Omg love love love this story so much. Thank you for two chapters in such quick succession.

I am so happy that Lizzy and Darcy have reconcilled. What an amazing ride to reach this point! The ice skating scene was...wow...their longing for each other was almost palpable. And their that their reconciliation happened over Mr Darcy seemed highly symbolic. While I hated their separation, I have to say that it has allowed Lizzy to grow up and mature into herself and given the two of them the space to work our what they really wanted...so happy that it was each other!

I'm also relieved that James and Mal have found each other again. How lovely that they begin their lives together with the birth of their first child.

Looking forward to finding out what the story was with Wickham all those years ago. Also hoping that there will be a rekindled friendship between Darcy and James!

Anyways, I'm off to re-read your latest offering! Thanks so much and please please please post again soon!

xo

I will quote from Miss Darcy,
"Ah well...finally"

I must say, though this was the most unerving Elizabeth I have ever read, your writing is simply superb, and I only regret the length of time it took you to finish this story. I have not followed it, left it when you abandoned it a couple of years ago, but followed the threads to see when the coupling was achieved. I have read chapter 30 , enjoyed it immensely but sincerely wished you have finished with it all long ago. I suppose real life is always meddling with the best authors, and you my dear, are seriously a great writer. Just promise next time you post something you will make sure you have finished it before posting. I will probably be hooked again and do not wish another five years in anguish.

Malena,

Um. *Whispers.* It's not finished. Not even close. Sorry!

Thanks otherwise for your kind comments!

OMG
And here I was hoping the nightmare was over. By nightmare I mean the terrible knot in Darcy's life, not your magnificent writing. I suppose I will get into my little hole and peek whenever I read good reviews of what is going on with the life of this silly girl. Plan to read it all through when it IS finished...only if it finishes in the fashion of ASP, that is. Otherwise, I will stick to this ending. I must say...this would be a great ending, why add anything more? Had they not suffered enough yet?

Who said they're going to suffer more? However, knowing Tanya, the story will definitely have a happy end.

Sorry, dearest Mrs Darcy.However I trust your confidence I really need that reasurance from Tanya herself... After all, she is the Queen of postponed anguish!
While I was reading this chapters I went until I did not read he in the end accomplished the service of a husband I could barely breath(Good Lord, how much could my poor heart stand?) then I went blushing for your description was just perfectly lovely. The little details I covet. Hats off for that. But [please, let her be rational for now. No more missunderstandings)

Tanya this was a great chapter - tying a few loose strings up. I hope Elizabeth tells Darce about the letter. I think it will make him understand where her heart was at that time a little more. I'm so glad they're reconciled. I hope they have no more worries as far as themselves. To bad for Miss Bingley, but she should have moved on long ago. I'm happy for the happy couple. Now they can work on being a married couple. Please post again soon.

Tanya, A beautiful chapter, I also thought you were coming to a conclusion but Oh well, D & E are together at last but is someone lurking in the background to usurp their happiness.

Oh Tanya:

At last! A wonderful chapter of reconciliation for our couple! I only hope that we can look forward to only more good things between them.

Thank you, thank you!

Tanya, I am completely and utterly wrung out. That was the most tumultuous chapter. I was almost ill with frustration at Lizzy when she seemed unable to say words that needed to be said. Once again Darcy was put in the position of having to make the first move to reconciliation. I hope she makes herself and her heart very clear to him in this night coming up. That man desperately needs to be smothered with love and fussing and spoiling and cuddling.

I was thrilled to see another chapter so soon. This story is insanely gripping. Thank you so, so much for sharing!

Tanya, I for one am glad it's not over yet. I wonder, will you tell us what the secret was between Darcy and Wickham? And is W really dead--somehow, I don't believe he is. Knowing how you can stir up waves of angst, I fear or anticipate or whatever the word, that we will see Darcy and Elizabeth cruelly divided by misunderstanding again.

I must tell you, much as I am disposed to love your Elizabeth, there were points in this last chapter where I found myself shouting at the computer screen, "Tell the man you love him. Speak, woman!" Well, all in her own good tme ...

Your story grips me, as someone else here has commented, "insanely" so. You are good, very good. So, don't have a care for my poor heart or giving me a heart attack--just tell the story you must.

Oh, and also, your minor characters stand out with such pinpoint clarity. Mary, who has stuck with her mistress during all these trying years. Miss Bingley--and I am glad she really is minor here--finally unable to live any further in denial, the truth smacks her in the face.

Jamie, Georgiana and Mal are not minor, of course, but they played less of a role here. I wonder if we will see more of them later.

I'm a little giddy. I know you have just given us two (as always, wonderful!) chapters fairly quickly, but dare I hope for more soon, please? As always, no pressure. I'll be waiting whenever it comes.

No! Why did I have to read this and let it ruin my happy reunion!
I suppose the Wickham issue really hasn't been resolved and what about that letter. I've never known Miss Bingley to give up so easily. (And to make that comment about Malvina's marriage while Jamie was in the room!)
Should I be hoping for a baby? Will that keep Elizabeth at Pemberley and away from harm?

Thanks for at least leaving us with some hope for a happy ending! Hope to see more soon.

All I can say is I can't wait for more!

What a surprise to have two new chapters and such long ones at that! I am relieved to see Darcy and Elizabeth reunited, but I know they have a long road ahead of them. I have a feeling Wickham is not out of the picture yet, and I'm a bit nervous to see what havoc he might create, but I hope that Darcy and Elizabeth manage to have some serious heart to hearts in the coming chapters. Will we ever find out what happened between Darcy and Wickham? Either way, Tanya, I am thrilled to know that you are working hard on this story! Thank you.

Thank you Tanya for this chapter, it was so gratifying and I simply cried and cried throughout most of it.

I'm so happy for their reunion...I've been waiting for this for years!

But it is still frustrating that Elizabeth has to make things SO HARD by not just saying what's in her heart, is it really that difficult. Must she always make him beg for it?

Even so, I love both these characters, and I hope nothing will come and break them apart. Please don't do that to us! No more misunderstandings esp. with Elizabeth unable to say what is obvious so that there is more misunderstanding/confusion between them.

Again thank you for posting again so soon, it was a great chapter!

I so hoped that she would make it back before papa Darcy passed away. Darcy was forgiven rather quickly for forbidding Georgiana not to write sooner. However with everything considered I elated that she didn’t make a big deal out of it.

I’m so glad that she has finally realized where she needed to be and I think it is time for her to do a little begging.

I adore your characters (accept Caroline) and this wonderful story. You have made my month posting so frequently lately. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Geri

I am so SO happy they are back together. I was screaming at the computer when they kept misunderstanding each other and not speaking. Infuriating.

So very happy but so sad about Mr. Darcy. Very sad.

Hope it's not too long before this excellent story continues.

dear Tanya, I was really happy to find another chapter after the last one...and if I remember well, this's the first time you've posted this quickly a new chap...but anyway all for the better^_^I've been in heaven since I've started reading about their first time...that is, until I read 'that' post about this story not being over yet. I'm all for more chaps goodness from you dear dear Tanya, but pweeese, I beg you, no more troubles for Elisabeth and Darcy: you've created a couple of minor characters that seem perfect to angst upon and our favourite couple has already suffered enough (and us with them ) By the way, I'd like to see a good fitting end for our little viper (Miss Bingley)you'll do it, won't you? That's all and I hope for another chaper soon^_^

I'm so surprised to hear that there's more than a final chapter. I felt something in me lie down and rest after finishing this chapter. I don't mind the ambiguities and unknowns remaining. I don't need to know what Wickham did. I don't want him back in story. I want them to stay as besotted and intoxicated with each other as they are at the end of this chapter. I'll read anything you write, of course -- the telephone book, a grocery list, etc. -- but I hope we're at the end of the roller coaster ride and that we may coast along for awhile reading about their great joy and hot sex.

OMG-- I am afraid you all with think I am quite wacked -- but I have to admit that my hand was shaking on the mouse as I read this chapter. SB has been such a long and winding tale -- and to finally have the much anticipated reunion of D&E... ahhhhhh. Really, there are many stories out there that I have enjoyed -- but at the moment I can hardly think of one that has so entranced me -- and held my attention for so long. Thank you for finding time to finish this. It really is a treasure!

I'm 60 years old. I have been with this story since the beginning, while I am glad that there is still more to come, I just want to know I will be around to read the rest of it! LOL

Somehow I have the feeling we haven't seen the last of Wickham or Caroline.

Thanks for the quick new post....keep them coming cause I love this story so!

I am not sure Wickham is dead much as I would like him to be! Thank you for the lovely and sometimes frustrating reunion. They have both matured but are still the same people so it was only natural for them to have misunderstandings and unexpressed thoughts and needs. Very well done, Tanya! I feel sorry for Caroline. This was a wonderful chapter!!

You're stories are great Tanya and I really enjoyed 'A Singular Proposition.' I'm a bit compulsive in my reading habits so I tend to wait untl a story is finished before reading it -- but 'Strange Bedfellows' is really begining to test my resolve!

Here's to hoping for a glorious happily ever after very soon!

Words cannot express how much I adore this story. I was devastated when I first read it to discover it was a WIP, but I am thrilled to bits to see that you are still posting. And what a post! The emotion in your story is wonderful. I feel very fulfilled after reading one of your beautifully descriptive chapters. As an angst lover, I have held my breath with anticipation as our couple has bobbed upon the story seas of their misunderstandings. I, for one, am ecstatic that there is more to this wonderful story. Thank you so much for the privilege of reading your work.