Mrs Darcy's Message Forum
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I agree with Eli...Lizzy's not stupid. She knows what she wants and in a perfect world she would have both men. I also don't agree that her passion is gone, if I am not mistaken she is learning quite rapidly how pleasant the marriage bed can be (her passion for Darcy before she was his wife was unsatiable, and since pleasure from sex for some women comes with time and practice, she's well on her way to being just as insatiable as her husband is!)
This is really a story of which came first, the chicken or the egg? If Darcy had followed through and gone after her after the Lydia affair, he wouldn't have married Anne. If Lizzy had given DArcy some encouragement he wouldn't have thought she didn't care and he wouldn't have married Anne. If Darcy hadn't married Anne, Lizzy wouldn't have lost hope, and settled for Richard. If Richard hadn't told Lizzy about Darcy's participation in the Jane/Charles separation, since she was well on her way to thinking differently about him and if he had explained about Wickham, she may have given him sufficient reason to try to woo her again. So whose fault is it ultimately? Who behaved the most "badly"? It's a mute point. All these characters are going to have to suffer the consequences of their actions. Lizzy & Darcy have already suffered five years of misery. Richard is suffering with the loss of his beloved (although he does seem to find comfort elsewhere) and all too soon there will be a price to pay for all the other mistakes that have been made. I do have to say that if examined unemotionally, Lizzy had the right to become engaged to anyone she wanted. When she told Darcy that she was engaged but would break the engagment to be with him, he told her he didn't want to know who she had been engaged to (not that Lizzy wanted to tell him). Of course the level of intimacy she had with Richard was extremely serious, it was no less than the level of intimacy that Darcy had with Jane, even tho it was unintentional. 
I surmise that the most serious breach of propriety was done by Richard & Jane, and there is where the most serious consequence will occur.
[Bawling
Let the slaughter begin!!
I am happy you concur with me. This is exactly what the story is telling us.
One more thing...engaged people were unchaperoned and usually left alone to do as they wished. It was understood the marriage was to take place unless sth in the engagement contract or the wedding settlement was not fullfilled(even in cases such as Miss Amelia Seddly, his fiancee decided to behave honorably with her because he loved her and married her despite her family's inability to pay the accorded dowry). The fact that Elizabeth did not surrender her cherry in this story is due to the strong censorship
exerted over the authoress who grugindly suffered said censorship from one of her betas, namely Belen P, situation said authoress will correct as soon as the present posting of the story is over.
Well, even tho this IS YOUR story, I have to agree with the censorship from Belen. If Lizzy had given up the cherry when she was engaged with Richard, it would have been almost impossible for her to marry Darcy, who is her one true love. She would have been honor bound to stick to her engagement even after connecting back with DArcy after Anne's death. Even tho she considered her engagement off after not hearing from him those four years, him coming back would in effect stopped whatever chance she and Darcy may have had. Of course, if Richard knew that she really loved DArcy more than she loved him, and chose Darcy over him, he may have done the honorable thing and given her up...then the story would unfold with the contnets of the letter intimating that Richard had been her first, then DArcy would have found out, and then all hell would break loose. Ah Eli, what a rebel you are!!
I'm sure when you re-write this story, it'll be hot & wretched & and leaving us panting for more!
I would have assented to that a year ago. But after reading several other books on Regency and peering into famous people's lives I am convinced these are preconceptions not even Austen stood for. 
The world has been spinning around ever since Eve declared herself free from what was stipulated as correct behaviour and she shared her views with her husband. Since then, the wicked has been ruling over the goodies as Miss Sharp's life fairly shows in Vanity Fair(Oh, how much I hated her!)
Eli,
I almost missed that you posted another chapter! I saw Ellen's chapter first, read it and went back to the new postings page to double check if I missed anything. Thanks for the Mother's Day suprise.
Interesting chapter, although I will admit a "reformed" Wickam and a debauched Lydia are not as interesting to me as the Richard/Jane/Darcy/Lizzie potential rumble with knives, whips, chains, flame-throwers, surface to air missiles . . . 
I'm ready for it to be on life neck bone.
STEVIEB
I understand, Stevie...but Wickham is part of the story and will have sth to do later on.
Perhaps you did not read well, or Mrs Darcy was not clear enough...Either way, the fact is that you can expect a chapter on daily basis this week. A new posting every day during the whole week. A treat for all mothers or would be mothers or potential ones.
So do not forget to check tomorrow again.
besos
Eli
That was interesting conversation betw Mr Bennet and Wickham! And that Lydia is such a wilful woman! Is she planning an elope with someone else and create more scandal for the family?
I was actually stretching my neck in this chapter for Bingley, his struggle about what to do next and if he will heed Colonel's advice eventually 
. Guess i'll just have to be patient
All excellent questions.This week installments will solve at least one of them.
Personally, I believe that no man wants to know who has had his woman before him, (but they love bragging about their own conquests to everybody, and if they do not have any, they make them up).This Darcy is not different, he will hit the roof if he learns.
Yes. Definitely. Around 54 chapters.
Woohooo... Chapter 43 is up. Enjoy! 
So Bingley is not so hapless or clueless after all!?!
Not only does he perceive the "relationship" that Jane & Richard had, but I have a feeling that Bingley's mention of Pemberley may be an asute reference to Lizzy! I am so proud of Bingley, who didn't act rashly (I think he knows that he'd be the loser in a duel) but I sense that retaliation and not revenge will be Jane's punishment and he will indeed favor someone else's bed. Or he could just keep her pregnant!
Bravo Eli, excellently written!
I feel bad for the Colonel. I know, he thwarted Darcy and Elizabeth back in the day, and then the dalliance with Jane is quite wrong, but I like him nonetheless. Banished to Matlock, eh? Somehow I don't think we've heard the last of him. Maybe a duel between Darcy and his much-defeated cousin ends when Elizabeth begs, tells all and admits to always pining for Darcy, plus that's she's pregnant (that would be the clincher).
The story is feeling very soap opera-y, which keeps me entertained and guessing. Who will hook up with whom next? Is Wickham reformed after all? Will one of the gentlemen save Lydia to spare the Bennets once again? Will Elizabeth find out about Darcy's mistaken attentions to Jane? And will Jane ever find satisfaction with her own husband? So many questions!
Thanks Eli for the fun, dramatic story. I look forward to the final chapters, and hopefully some answers.
Eli,
I forgot to mention your especially fine lines:
Jane: "But it is true! Oh. We are disgraced for ever! No one who is good will want to have nothing to do with us."
"Good?" Charles asked looking at Jane "Whoever is good these days?"
"Whoever is good these days?" WOW!
Well written Eli.
STEVIEB
Now questions--
1) Was Charles dressed and lurking in the hallway trying to catch them,
Yes he was dressed.No, he was not trying to catch them. He was going back to his chamber.
2)Why did Charles mention Pemberley (i.e., did he suspect something was going on between the Colonel and Lizzie or does he simply view the Colonel AS A "GUN" FOR HIRE that would first ensnare any female with his handsomeness, charm, worldliness, intelligence + that macho soldier thing and then contract to provide "comfort" to any willing attractive female, and
Charles is aware of the Colonel's sex appeal but he is clueless as regards Jane being capable of adultery. He has watched her flirt with him but then again all women flirt with the colonel.Remember there was no internet or tv so flirting was a well known source of entertainment in those days, as it still is these days despite technology.
3) When did he start to suspect them and why did he not confront them sooner such as when the Colonel and Jane were in the "saddle?" [Sorry. I started the cowboy/western metaphors and I can't seem to stop myself].
When he saw them together almost disrobed, of course. What else could he have thought? But he cannot punch the colonel for two reasons:Firstly, Charles did not catch them in flagranto delicto, and secondly , the colonel could kill him, and Charles is not that stupid.
Finally, concerning Bingley's discussion with the Colonel in the previous chapter regarding learning to please his wife, looking back at that within the context of Chapter 43, what was that discussion about? Bizarre. Are we to assume that his revelation occurred after that discussion? If Bingley were aware of the tryst at the time of the discussion, then he should have sucker punched the Colonel. Yet, he carried on that conversation in a cordial manner as if he were really asking for insight and assistance. Most interestingly, the Colonel did not provide Bingley explicit guidance during that discussion. He could have easily given him a road map--first you do this, women like that, on and on.
Charles is thoroughly disappointent and hurt. But he did not extract a confession from any of them. He is terrible jealous. Just wait a bit and you will see his reaction soon.
Thank you for extracting your favourite quotes. I too laugh a lot when I read them even though I wrote them and of course I picture James Purefoy rolling his eyes and ...Mmmm
Eli,
I came back again and read that chapter and it still cracks me up. I laughed again at the same words and then picked out some more hilarity:
"Sir. Will you not wear something in front of my wife?"
Fitzwilliam readily obeyed and search for his robe. He would have much liked Bingley to have dismissed him.
Since Fitzwilliam is a military man, I laughed at your use of the words "obeyed" and "dismissed." Also, what makes it all so funny is the visual of this conversation taking place while Fitzwilliam is only [really only?! ] wearing his shirt, of course open so Jane can see his chest.
Just wonderful.
STEVIEB
My dears, I've got a surprise for you: chapters 44 and 45 have just been posted. Enjoy!
Eli,
Thanks for 2 chapters!
I like the premise that the Colonel is now his "own man" in that he is now wealthy. How will his life change? Will women throw themselves at him like they did to Darcy because he is wealthy?
I noticed that when Darcy advised him of the possibility that he had inhereted Rosings, it seems that he lamented the fact that he did not have that opportunity in time to marry Lizzy. With his wealth will he rescue Jane?
Bingley and Wickham together! Not good.
I am still anticipating the Colonel and Lizzy having some one on one intimate time together? What if Darcy caught them kissing or hugging? How would she react if he told her he still loved her? I noticed that the Colonel obliquely discussed with Darcy that he was in love with a married woman. Of course, Darcy did not know he was discussing Lizzy.
Well, as always know that questions will be answered as the story progresses. I can't wait for the big reveal. Bingley packed his things and left his wife but how would Darcy react to the knowledge that the Colonel was Lizzy's fiancé and that, in an intimate sense, the Colonel was there first, only stopping short of "crossing the Rubicon."
STEVIEB
Ow the plot thickens. Where will you take us next.
Eli;
What a feast! Two chapters!
I think Richard was speaking more about Jane than Lizzy. Because he sees that both Lizzy and Darcy are blissfully happy, he now realizes that his chance with Lizzy is over. I don't think Lizzy would be stupid enough to allow any intimacy with Richard beyond what is proper.
Now that Richard is wealthy, does he care enough for Jane to help her divorce Charles? Would he, could he seriously be faithful to her? I can see the chaos just over the horizon....Lizzy hasn't heard from Jane, so she doesn't know why Charles left. I see Darcy talking to Charles and finding out what his dear cousin has been up to and I see Charles telling Darcy more than he wants to hear...perhaps letting it slip that Lizzy also fell under the spell of his dear cousin???
I feel sorry for Charles...being a good and faithful husband wasn't enough. So now he's suffering thinking that he's making his wife suffer, only I think the only suffering selfish Jane is doing is pining for her lover. Will Lizzy want to get back to Netherfield to comfort Jane, and then find out that Jane knows her secrets?!? Jane may also tell Lizzy a thing or two about her former fiance and her husband!
This story is better than chocolate! 
You sure know how to keep me reading and guessing.
From the story:
> "Why not kill her husband?" Darcy joked.
Eli said:
> When talking to Darcy Fitzwilliam was talking about Lizzy and Darcy about Jane.
I read it as Darcy talking about the unknown married woman they had previously discussed, but not specifically with Jane in mind. I can't imagine that Darcy would even tease about Fitzwilliam challenging--and killing--Bingley. Are you saying Eli that Darcy believes it's Jane that Fitzwilliam loves?
Wickham as Bingley's guide to sin. You really have it in for poor Charles!
I do still feel for the Colonel. And now to have inherited the fortune which renders him independent, capable of quitting the military and settling down right away, what a blow. 
I'm hoping there is someone out there for him beyond the former Bennet sisters.
Eli,
Thanks for the poem you shared. I am a poetry lover and I own many books of poetry. Upon reading Machado's poem, almost immediately I was remined of the fact that when I have thought of the Darcy/Lizzy relationship, in points in time of their experience with each other, I have thought of one of my top five poems. These particular lines of one of my favorite poems seem to be on point:
"My sight searches for her as though to go to her.
My heart looks for her, and she is not with me.
My voice tried to find the wind to touch her hearing."
At this point in your story, much of the pain and lament is with the Colonel. [Although it seems there is varying degrees of pain and lament experienced by many, but during different time periods among the characters]. The poem I love fits the Colonel if we see him trying to persuade himself he no longer loves Elizabeth. So, see below one of my favorite poems by the great Pable Neurda**:
Tonight I Can Write the Saddest Lines by Pablo Neruda
Tonight I can write the saddest lines.
Write, for example, 'The night is shattered
and the blue stars shiver in the distance.'
The night wind revolves in the sky and sings.
Tonight I can write the saddest lines.
I loved her, and sometimes she loved me too.
Through nights like this one I held her in my arms
I kissed her again and again under the endless sky.
She loved me sometimes, and I loved her too.
How could one not have loved her great still eyes.
Tonight I can write the saddest lines.
To think that I do not have her. To feel that I have lost her.
To hear the immense night, still more immense without her. And the verse falls to the soul like dew to the pasture.
What does it matter that my love could not keep her.
The night is shattered and she is not with me.
This is all. In the distance someone is singing. In the distance. My soul is not satisfied that it has lost her.
My sight searches for her as though to go to her.
My heart looks for her, and she is not with me.
The same night whitening the same trees.
We, of that time, are no longer the same.
I no longer love her, that's certain, but how I loved her. My voice tried to find the wind to touch her hearing. [***My favorite 2 lines in the poem].
Another's. She will be another's. Like my kisses before. Her voice. Her bright body. Her infinite eyes.
I no longer love her, that's certain, but maybe I love her. Love is so short, forgetting is so long.
Because through nights like this one I held her in my arms my soul is not satisfied that it has lost her.
Though this be the last pain that she makes me suffer
and these the last verses that I write for her.
ORIGINAL SPANISH
PUEDO escribir los versos más tristes esta noche.
Escribir, por ejemplo: "La noche está estrellada,
y tiritan, azules, los astros, a lo lejos".
El viento de la noche gira en el cielo y canta.
Puedo escribir los versos más tristes esta noche.
Yo la quise, y a veces ella también me quiso.
En las noches como ésta la tuve entre mis brazos.
La besé tantas veces bajo el cielo infinito.
Ella me quiso, a veces yo también la quería.
Cómo no haber amado sus grandes ojos fijos.
Puedo escribir los versos más tristes esta noche.
Pensar que no la tengo. Sentir que la he perdido.
Oir la noche inmensa, más inmensa sin ella.
Y el verso cae al alma como al pasto el rocío.
Qué importa que mi amor no pudiera guardarla.
La noche está estrellada y ella no está conmigo.
Eso es todo. A lo lejos alguien canta. A lo lejos.
Mi alma no se contenta con haberla perdido.
Como para acercarla mi mirada la busca.
Mi corazón la busca, y ella no está conmigo.
La misma noche que hace blanquear los mismos árboles.
Nosotros, los de entonces, ya no somos los mismos.
Ya no la quiero, es cierto, pero cuánto la quise.
Mi voz buscaba el viento para tocar su oído.
De otro. Será de otro. Como antes de mis besos.
Su voz, su cuerpo claro. Sus ojos infinitos.
Ya no la quiero, es cierto, pero tal vez la quiero.
Es tan corto el amor, y es tan largo el olvido.
Porque en noches como ésta la tuve entre mis brazos,
mi alma no se contenta con haberla perdido.
Aunque éste sea el último dolor que ella me causa,
y éstos sean los últimos versos que yo le escribo.
________________________________
*****Pablo Neruda (1904-1973), Chilean poet, diplomat, politician, and 1971 Nobel Laureate in Literature. I have seveal books of his poetry but one of my favorites is "Twenty Poems of Love and a Song of Despair."
_______________________________
STEVIEB
Yes Francis! Well said.
And also, love is so powerful that the expression of that comes through every art form poetry, literature, paintings . . . How would poetry exist without love of someone or something like nature.
I smiled when I read your comment regarding the close connection, at times, between love and hate. Comedian/Actor Chris Rock said about love and marriage during one of his stand-up comedy specials on HBO, that if you haven't wanted to kill a m_____ f___ you ain't been in love.
STEVIEB
