Oh, Ellen, you like angst, don't you? But as long as you like happy endings too, I don't have a problem with that!

I agree that their current scheme to have an heir is very risky, and rather different from the first time Darcy had planned to have with Lizzy, but then things hardly go according to plan for Darcy in this story... I hope it's not a bad omen. You aren't so cruel as to have something really bad happen to D&L... right?

Oh, and I loved the surprise of Lady Catherine, add me to the ones who wouldn't have imagined she was the one to beat Wickham! I loved the way she poked at him with her stick (as one might at the remains of a particularly disgusting creature found along the side of a road, indeed!!!), and I couldn't agree more with her when she said: "Still alive"..."A great pity."

Thanks for this chapter, Ellen. As always, I eagerly await your next post!

This is my first post at this website (congratulations and thanks, Renee, for a successful site).

I've been enjoying this story very much, but I agree with Julie who suggested that Darcy & Lizzy *use* the special licence first. (The night after would be ok). I agree that there's no reason to trust Wickham not to harm Darcy or to think that Lizzy's possession of a special licence & a letter to the solicitor would help in any way. I believe that unless Darcy changed his will, those documents would not enable his love child to inherit Pemberley.

Looking forward to the next developments.
Margaret (marliz at HG)

They already have the special licence. I suggest marrying come morning would be the best idea. Safest way to protect Lizzy & any child, should god forbid anything happen to Darcy (I am assuming for my sanity that you wont actually kill him off)

Even with a letter etc. There is no gaurantee that an illigitment child will get any claim whatsoever to Pemberly. Come now Darcy, you are a clever man. Marry the girl. You can marry her again later if all goes well, and no-one needs to be the wiser for it. But if not.........Lizzy will be protected. Even with an acknowledged engagement, she would still become a fallen woman and shuned if she should bear his child.

This is my first post at this website (congratulations and thanks, Renee, for a successful site).

Thank you, Margaret, and a warm welcome to you.

As far as your worries are concerned, I bet Ellen will come up with the best solution possible for our couple. After all, Darcy's a noble man, he is very well aware of his class and its morals (for which Lady C is the very model), and who would never want it to harm Lizzy in any way...

He was spoilt by his parents, grew up selfishly and was taught to look meanly to people outside his family circle... but he has changed...

I've got all the confidence in the world!

I've got all the confidence in the world!

Thanks for your faith, Renee!

I realize that I have created quite an uproar with this approach, but what is a story without some dramatic tension, after all? Please allow me to reassure my readers that they will not be disappointed.

"I realize that I have created quite an uproar with this approach, but what is a story without some dramatic tension, after all? Please allow me to reassure my readers that they will not be disappointed."

Oh good! I can't wait for the next chapter, Ellen. Thanks for such a wonderful story!

I hope nothing happens to Darcy during his trip! Their plan sounds great but its sure to bring about a whole new set of problems.

Ellen, I love this story. I'll be hoping for a whole lot of updating during the holidays. What else am I to do but clean and read!

Chere Ellen, chere Renée,

No chapter this week ?! I am impatiently waiting !

Especially after such a last chapter - I couldn't have imagined Elizabeth ever being that outspoken !

Soon, Ellen ?

Dear Mihaela, do not fret. I have some wrinkles to iron out, but I promise that the next chapter will be very fulfilling!

Ellen,
I can't wait !

Thanks

Chapter 15 is up, my dears. Enjoy and do not forget your fan!

Yay! I loved it Ellen. Definitely put my mind at ease. Mr. Darcy is so sneeky...

Bravo!! Bravo!!! What a sneaky but delightful way to end your chapter, Ellen. Gosh I love your story. Sexy Darcy , Forward Elizabeth, and an Unparalleled Evil Wickham (please let him be dispatched somehow before he hurts Darcy or Elizabeth! ).

You rock!

Ellen, I love this story!!! The Mr. Dorsett seems creepy, and I love the Wickham and Georgiana marriage--I always thought someone should write it where they married.

Very nice, of course,

CaseyC

Oh, I was sure that Dorsett was the attorney sent for to draw up the papers ensuring that any child to result from their impending union would be considered a rightful heir. I was a little surprised to learn that he was in fact a parson. Well done. Poor Darcy could never have lived with the knowledge or memory of this "act" performed out of wedlock with his most beloved Elizabeth. What a relief for us all! Happy Holidays indeed.

Lovely chapter ! Darcy is so sweet and caring ....

Initially i thought Mr Dorsett is a bodyguard of sort haha! Towards the end it turned out to be otherwise! Wickham is such a scum, so glad that Georgina decided not to convince her brother to let him stay. Eagerly await the next chapter and find out what's going to happen during Darcy & Wickham trip!

Aww, that was excellent! You really had me fooled there, but I was so happy to realize they were married afterall! Thanks for a very 'satisfying' chapter! :D

Julie

WOW!!! Mrs. Darcy! That was quite a shock. Thanks, Ellen. Can't wait to read further. Cindy

Ohmigod, that was awesome! I never saw that coming with MR. Dorsett. I was sure Darcy paid him to kill Wickham. Obviously I was way off the mark. So sweet to have them married, not to mention the hot hot hot love that followed. Good for Georgie too backing up Darcy. Great, great chapter! I guess you can tell I enjoyed it. Thanks!

No, you won't hear me say... 'I told you so!'

As great a chapter as I expected, Ellen. Lovely, lovely!

WOW Ellen, a wonderful romantic chapter! And I was so glad to hear they were married beforehand! Either way would have been fine with me, but thank you for protecting Lizzy just in case something does happen to Darcy and/or Lizzy becomes pregnant! Which I think we all want to happen soon! Great chapter and we look forward to your next chapter!

Thanks for all the love!

I'm surprised no one thought that Mr. Dorsett was hired by Mr. Wickham to kill Darcy, which is how I intended him to appear. But you all had such creative (and equally interesting!) takes on him!

They were married ! YES ! YES ! YES !

Wonderful chapter, Ellen !
And a very sensual first time...

I am glad Georgiana seems to finally open her eyes...
Can't wait and see what happens next.
Another chapter this week, as a Christmas gift ?
Pleaaaaaase !

Renee, this is us begging for more from you:

Mihaela, where DO you get those awesome smilies?

And I'm afraid that Renee is completely unable to post another chapter, as I have not yet sent her one. We'll all just have to wait, won't we?

Great chapter, Ellen.

I knew Darcy was too experienced to act under Lizzy's suggestion. I guess that's just an example of how

"from his judgment, information, and knowledge of the world, she must have received benefit of greater importance."

The greatest importance, indeed, in this situation.

Now the legalities have been attended to, I'm still wary of the evil that Wickham might attempt (yay to Georgiana for her determination--sad for her, of course). Looking forward to the next episode.

Lovely, Ellen, lovely, thanks for a great chapter!!!

I DID think that Mr. Dorsett was either hired by Wickham to kill Darcy, or by Darcy as a bodyguard to take care of Wickham during the trip. I was fooled, of course, but I don't care, after that hot night shared by D&E I loved it!!! (still fanning myself here...)

I can't wait for the next chapter!! (I'm curious to know what Wickham will try to do )

OMG OMG OMG Ellen, I admit that my heart nearly burst with joy when I read your last sentence... "Sleep well, Mrs. Darcy." ...I have to admit I have been silence in your forum simply because I have not read it as yet...I can't take the "WIP" angst...but being an impatient me..I just can't resist..this is my lucky day...that I began with Chap 1 and end with your wonderful and sensational Chap 15.... ...Ellen...please can we have a sizzling morning after soon ...

please can we have a sizzling morning after soon

Soon enough, my dear!

Ellen !
I have realized that they didn't have a wedding banquet...:-)
Not that would diminish the importance of the wedding night.... but here they are having some champaign...


Cheers !

Dearest Mihaela, I am afraid it would have been rather difficult to get sparkling wine from France in the early 1800, if not impossible. Anyway,I believe that Ellen's Elizabeth can't complain, can she? I would gladly change all the champaigne in the world for one night only in such....mmmm...enticing company!!!

I would gladly change all the champaigne in the world for one night only in such....mmmm...enticing company!!!

Indeed, Eli!!

Beautifully written.

So tender, so loving - so hmmmmmmm wonderful.

Would the child be recognised under the law???? - being illegimate???? should sometime desperate happen to Fitzwilliam??????

Well written - well done.

Sandra,
I don't think the child is illegitimate !
They were married before his eventual conception... if there would be a

Would the child be recognised under the law???? - being illegimate????

Dear Sandra, rest easy. If you've already read Chapter 15, perhaps you got so caught up in the good lovin' that you missed Darcy calling Elizabeth "Mrs. Darcy" at the very end. Mr. Dorsett was there to make that happen. More explanation in the next chapter!

Ooh, Ellen, I can't wait! Thank you so much for such a wonderful chapter.

Oh Wonderful they married - I am so pleased for them. Congrats to Mr and Mrs Darcy, good health and a trouble free future.....some hope with eviel Wickham around to spoil things. What will you do with him, surely little G need to find some happyness before the end of your tale.

A very satisfying chapter Cheers.

I am thrilled that you married them. However, I am very concerned whether they had a license or not. I am assuming that they did or Mr. Dorsett would not have married them.

This does not bode well for Darcy's safety however. I do love the playfullness that they also exhibited. I am very concerened that Wickham is up to another trick. I can NOT believe that Georgiana is so altogether stupid.

Oh, well, I am definately looking forward to the next chapter.

Thanks for sharing your writing.

M2

Dear Elle, it occured to me that we shouldn't be deprived of a beautiful proposal...:-)
As far as we know, Lizzy did propose a 'wedding night' before the wedding - but how they came to wed ? And is Darcy the one proposing ?
Will we have a 'flashback' - maybe Elizabeth's POV while Darcy is travelling ?


On a less happier thought: I fear that I could understand the title of the story as refering to something yet to happen. Would we have some 'hostage' story ? Or it is me fretting as usually ?

Dearest Ellen and Renee :
Merry Christmas and

Replies for Mary M and Mihaela:

I am very concerned whether they had a license or not
Mary, way back in Chapter 9, before his return to Hertfordshire in November, Mr. Darcy was so convinced that he would have no trouble getting Elizabeth to marry him that he obtained a special license. Of course, she refused him then, but he's held the license ever since.

it occured to me that we shouldn't be deprived of a beautiful proposal
Mihaela, we did have a beautiful proposal -- the requisite "second" proposal of course, when Lizzy came to London in Chapter 12 (not long after the memorable "night at the opera"); of course you knew they were engaged. Here's what he said:
“Dearest, loveliest Elizabeth. Will you not allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you? I cannot live without you, your beauty, your laughter, your vital being; losing Pemberley would be nothing to losing you. I promise that I will make you the happiest of women, if you would but make me the happiest of men. Pray, tell me that you will forgive my previous clumsy efforts and say that you will be my wife!”

But perhaps you are referring to how they end up not anticipating their vows? There's an explanation in Chapter 16, soon to come, but if it is not as romantic as the above, I hope you will forgive me, for he has already asked for her hand in the most romantic way I knew how!

That darn Wickham. How awful to have to have him there at their wedding. It is so odd to see him included in the ordinary tasks of the day, as well. Eating breakfast and such...and of course he's there to witness Lady C's appalling behavior, all conducted so publicly. Not a trace of good manners in either of them. Blech.

Let's hope that Darcy has planned well his delivery of Wickham to his estate and that the outriders are actually hired Bow Street runners. Darcy is no fool and knows only too well Wickham's complete lack of honor and morals.

Ellen and Renee, thanks for posting this Christmas treat for us! Hope you have a very merry Christmas and a blessed new year.

Oh Ellen, as much as i enjoy Darcy and Elizabeth, i really cannot believe your writing talent in making me thoroughly enjoy Wickham. I love his dark humor, i remember when at the beginning of this story Darcy had some of it too. In any case, he makes a compelling villain, most entertaining. After all, where is a hero without the anti-hero?

They're married! What a wonderful surprise.
I hope the good luck continues on the way to Alston House. Will Lord M's men know enough to travel there as well?
I wish Georgiana could see what type of man she has married!
Love the story. Can't wait for more!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

It was so good to hear how the wedding went, and I'm glad that Jane and the Gardiner's as well as Bingley were all there to witness - yet, too bad Wickham had to be there. Gosh, I can't wait until he gets his due, I hope you have something truly worthy of his nefarious ways. I feel sorry for Darcy and Elizabeth having to part this way, right after their wedding night - I hope nothing happens on the way to prevent Darcy from returning soon. I'm so scared about what you have up your sleeve!! I can't wait for more!

Thanks,

Julie

Thank you for this wonderful Christmas gift, Ellen, it was so lovely!!
It was so annoying that Wickham was there, but then I suppose he wasn't very happy for them (L&D).
I wonder if and fear that the men sent by Lord M. will find and attack the carriage where Wickham travels with Darcy *eating my nails here*
I look forward to the next chapter.
Have a wonderful Christmas day, dearest Ellen and Renée.

llen,
another gripping chapter just in time for Christmas - thankyou for a thrilling Christmas present.
i do hop that Darcy is not mistaken for Wickham as they will be travlling together and I hop that the ladies will be safe in Gracechurch Street

Ha! Good for you Ellen! Nice Chapter.

~Casey

How on earth have I managed to miss this great story???!!!!! I love it and can't wait for more

Thanks to all, and welcome to Elaine!

A new chapter will be arriving just after the New Year. Happy 2007 everyone!

Chapter 17 is up, my dears. Enjoy!

Chères Ellen et Renée,
MEILLEURS VOEUX pour 2007 !

It seems this has been the last calm chapter before some major problems on Darcy's side...
Dreading the confrontation - if there will be one - with that lors M's men - what is Wickham catching ?
I was glad it was revealed Darcy is armed but would this suffice ?

I also liked how dear Caro found out about the new Mrs Darcy. So many question on this side as well...
And it seems anyway that both D & E are wrong - Mr Darcy's businees will be prolonged beyond that announced week !
But maybe this period will also allow Georgiana some sensible discussions with Elizabeth - and she will see some sense about that thing she called husband...

Thank you, Ellen !
Waiting eagerly for the next chapter already !