In my haste to get to the end of the chapter, i had missed out on Colonel's departure from Hertfordshire, Ellen
Well, i'll just have to be patient for your next update to see that "something else" to happen!

I am not very happy with Dr. H right now. At least Darcy told Elizabeth the truth. Dr. Hampton is going to tell Elizabeth something that is untrue. I guess he doesn't know that but still....grrrrrrr. I am hoping for Wickham takes a ship to another continent but I think he'll make trouble first. Thanks for the excting new chapter, Ellen!

Oh, the pain!
Lydia on her usual path to ruin (and a blind Darcy will not be available to save her).
Lizzy, saddened by Darcy's departure, brow-beaten by her mother--who will be oh so happy when the villainous Hampton returns. hiss-boo
Darcy threatened by the clutches of Lady Catherine-ack, ack, ack!!!!
Won't they get another physician to replace Dr. H?

Please have Lizzy go with the Gardiners to Derbyshire. A little Pemberley visit would set me up nicely!

Sigh,
*impatiently waiting for the next episode*
Margaret

Perhaps we can write something together...
Now ,run me through my body if we are not!

Thank you very much for getting that chapter in before Mrs. Darcy goes on vacation!

And pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease do something about Dr. Hampton soon! He needs a swift kick in the butt, or to be saddled with Caroline Bingley, so Lizzy and Darcy can work things out!

Oh Ellen,
Im soooooooooooooo disappointed, that I will have to wait for another chapter, to see if things work out...I am HOOKED! I dont want to sound like a groupie, but what the heck
I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this story

I dont want to sound like a groupie

Awww, gee, Trixiara, go ahead!

Thanks for everyone who's hanging in there with me. I'm working hard on Chapter 18 in the hopes that I'll have it before Mrs. Darcy leaves. I just need a little time to myself...

Ellen, Another fabulous chapter! OH I swear I do NOT like that sneaky little doctor and I am trying to remember if Darcy had already told Elizabeth about Lady C's planned engagement to Anne, but cannot. If he didn't tell her then I hope he told Jane who can be there to reassure Elizabeth, but I have a feeling that the Doctor is planning something to compromise or blackmail Elizabeth into agreeing to marrying him. OH PLEASE post soon!!!!!!!!!! My mind is all over the place trying to figure this one out!

Apologies to all who have been waiting patiently for Chapter 18: I did not get my act together in time to post before Renee left on vacation. So I'm afraid it's going to have to wait. Thanks for hanging in there!

Can you have several ready by the time she returns???

Dana,
This is a splendid idea!
What you think Ellen
Basia

Several?! My, you all have such a high opinion of my writing prowess! Ordinarily it would not be such an issue, but with a house full of guests for the month of August, it will be exceedingly difficult to find time to write. (I have been trying to finish Chapter 18 five minutes at a time! )

Of course, one of those house guests being Elena, the second half of the month might better lend itself to writing. I'll do my best!!!

Ellen, all we can ask for is your best and what you're able to do. I hope the writing is coming along, and I can't wait for 18!

Ellen, I'm curious. Were you and Elena friends already or did you become acquainted through fanfiction? If this is too personal, just disregard. I think I've read previous comments from both of you about being friends. Thanks, Cindy

Cindy, my friendship with Elena is entirely due to Mrs. Darcy's. Isn't that nice?

Ellen,

I have nothing but the highest opinion of your writing! And an extreme amount of confidence in you. I consider each of your chapters a gift (and I'm a bit like a greedy child on Christmas morning wondering what will come next!)

Ellen,

Jeepers, Creepers Ellen I'm anxious for Mr. Darcy to get his Peepers . Please come back. . . with a chapter or 2 or 12 or the rest of the entire thing.

STEVIEB

Time to post yet????

Yes! are we to be blessed with another chapter anytime soon?

Dear Ellen,

You said chapter 18 is almost ready. Perhaps you could send your guests for some nice walk and then you could send us another part of this great story.

Being in such a state of anxiety, we experience waiting for the next chapter, is very unhealthy, you know.

Basia

Thanks, everyone! Chapter 18 was in the middle of a major re-write, and then all the guests arrived...and well, I think I just need to dot some i's and cross some t's. Soon...

As much as I would love to see next chapter I know you might need to write it the way you want it to be. I always feel like a monster when I'm nagging the authors. But, you must know that I'm doing this only with the stories I really love and only with my favorite authoresses.
Patiently waiting,

Basia

Basia, my dear, you have no idea how much I like being bothered thus by you and the rest of the readers! As a matter of fact, I was just re-reading the chapter before sending it off to Renee for posting. Your patience will be rewarded!

Here you go, my dears, chapter 18 is up!

Dear Lord, Ellen it was truly heartbreaking. Dr Hampton is even more terrifying than I thought him to be. Manipulator under the mask of a nice man.
He surely spent a lot of time planning this scheme. And he certainly succeeded. I just hope – not for long.
Oh mine, I prefer not to think of what is going to happen next.

Basia

The Doctor is, quite simply, a pathetic beast!!!

Oh, Ellen, you just made a few more gray hairs pop out on the top of my head. Post again soon before I go completely gray. Thanks for sharing.

Holy Cow!!! That was unexpected. Mr. Hampton is NOT a nice man, at the least an incredibly selfish one. Poor Elizabeth and poor Mr Darcy...please make this right soon.

The good doctor is killing me. He has a lot of nerve. Can't wait to read more and find out if the surgery works. Thanks, Ellen.

Ellen,

Oh what a horrible decision Elizabeth has had to face! I cannot believe the gall of the Doctor to blackmail Elizabeth into marrying him. But at least Elizabeth was smart enough to ask to see proof of his work afterwards! At least he can't just pretend to do the work. This Doctor has become a truly mean man! Please post again soon!

LOL! If you think Mr. Hampton is "terrifying" and "a pathetic beast" now, you should have read the original version! (It was fierce -- He was practically twirling his mustache like a silent movie villain about to tie poor Nell to the train tracks, and it was suggested that I tone it down a bit!)

He is, at the very least, somewhat conflicted about what he's doing...even if he is being a selfish louse.

I adore this story and was so excited to see another chapter!

Bad, Bad Dr.Hampton!! Blackmailing Lizzy and forcing her to accept him by hanging this over her head. I can't wait until she gets to Pemberley. Please assure us that this will turn out all right!!

What a beast Hampton is! For a man with a dedicated profession, he was a great disappointment! Well, now i am in all anticipation for Darcy to retaliate!

Whew! That Hampton needs a lesson in ethics. vile man!

Mr. Bennet's evident pleasure in Hampton's arrival scared me--must have given Lizzy the heebiejeebies.

But will the plan at least get her to Pemberley?
I would wish that Jane tells Lizzy the facts of her conversation with Darcy--she's just hinted so far IIRC. Knowing the truth of Darcy's feelings and intentions for her would give her the strength she will undoubtedly need to fight against Hampton and her parents.

Excellent scary job, Ellen!

I forgot to comment on Hampton's statement that he'd take care of her for the rest of her life. Since he's at least 23 years older than Lizzy, he's lying unless he expects *her* to die young like his darling Matilda. grrrr

Oh my goodness! Just when I was only disliking Mr. Hampton he's now jumped to the top of my sh*t list! Does he really think he's being a worthy gentleman by blackmailing his "beloved" into an engagement? I am Most Displeased!

Now, the fact that they'll be going to Pemberley and playing on Darcy's turf is making me Quite Happy. C'mon Darcy!!!

WOW! THE DOCTOR IS QUITE A PIECE OF WORK. CAN'T WAIT FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER.

Dear Ellen,

Do you realize that every next chapter is bringing more and more anxiety? I don’t even know when it started, when I began to think “OK, but next chapter cannot be more scary than this one” or “OK, with the next one we’re gonna have some relief”. And what? Nothing like that. Every next chapter is scarier, more terrifying and more shocking.

Mr. Bennet – shame on you! Do you really seriously think your favorite one can be happy with Dr. Blackmail? Mrs. Bennet – do you really think this is what your daughter needs? Oops, I forgot – you don’t really care.

I admit I underestimated Dr. Blackmail. I knew he will come back, but he won’t reveal all at once. His immediate action really hit me unprepared. But surely his plan is arranged with a great care.

What worries me know is that Lizzy – even if she said she wants to see how the surgery works – seems like she gave up. Sacrifice herself for Darcy’s sake is more than touching, but I would like to see her fight for her happiness. Especially now, when she admitted to herself she loves him. And I am pretty sure Darcy would be really angry if he learnt that he recovered sight for such a price.

Another thing that makes me shaking is a surgery itself. One has to be most calm and composed to operate on an eye. I would prefer it was someone else who is doing this. I don’t trust here Dr. Blackmail – I’m not saying he would purposely hurt Darcy, but I just don’t think is able to be cool at the moment.

Great work Ellen. Please, don’t let us suffer long.

Basia

That vindictive, blackmailing rat!!

I hope Darcy tells him no...No...NO!!! I don't trust Hampton at all. This is bad.

Poor Elizabeth was delivered a terrible blow, as well. News of Darcy's supposed 'engagement' delivered by his own rival. I feel ill right along side her.

Ellen, I'm sad, can you make it better please?

I hate that Dr. Hampton! Please get Lizzy out of this mess soon!

Oh no he didn't! GAHHHHH!!! WTF GAHHHHH!!!

Put a fork in me 'cause I'm done. I can't take anymore.

STEVIEB

Yes Ellen Dr. Blackmail suits OLD Hampton just right, that OLD SO & SO!!!! I sure would NOT trust this man to operate on any of my loved ones. And Lizzy yes what a sacrifice she is willing to make for the man she loves, but I would have thought her to be more astute to this mans intentions given the proposition he made to her. Ellen you've just got to help Lizzy see the light.

Oh, Ellen, how can you do this to us? I hope that despite Elizabeth's tender heart, her sharp wit will tell her soon that if Dr. Hampton can perform this surgery, so can other doctors, and that he shouldn't be let near Mr. Darcy with a scalpel! Not to mention whether she really wants to be married to the kind of man who would blackmail her that way. What happens the next time she doesn't want to follow his instructions?

Abigail

Ellen, okay here's what you do....let Lizzy tell Jane all of the blackmail plan of Dr. H and then Jane tells Darcy and/or Richard....and believe me it will lead to end of Dr. H's stronghold!!! Good plan, please relieve our suffering!!! Can you repost soon!!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

That blackmailing bas....uh, jerk!

Please, please tell us that Lizzy will be delivered quickly from his evil plans!

It was bad enough when he was just old! Then he was old and a liar! Now he is old, a liar, and a blackmailer! He is probably randy too! Yucky!

Lorena

Oh Ellen how could you? Gaaahhh

Well, Darcy has far too much sense surely, despite his fear for the future, to let this man loose on his eyes! (shudder at the mere thought) Nor would Richard let him, I hope!

Dr Hampton is vile. And Mr Bennet! How COULD he? LOL (He and Mrs B in harmony like that is something I would not like to see too often, it's almost as disturbing as the doctor's scheming!) ;)

Poor, poor Elizabeth... well, I live in hope that Darcy's eyesight will start to naturally return before this dreadful event takes place (the surgery, that is) ... perhaps it's somewhat psychological... then there will be no need for Dr Hampton to perform it and therefore his bargain with Elizabeth is over and she will be free - especially as no one was privy to their conversation, and with no witnesses it will be one word against another!

(Just let me believe that for now, it gives me some peace of mind!)

Actually, aside from peace of mind, I'd love Darcy to have regained 'some' of his sight unbeknownst to Elizabeth... would love to find out his thoughts on being able to actually observe her (okay, that sounds a bit stalker craxy, but I'm sure you know what I mean!)

Love your story Ellen. And despite my ramblings am very much looking forward to wherever YOU choose to take us on this one! Looking forward to more.

Sandra

I was ever so curious how story would continue after the last cliffhanger, and now this! For all the turmoil dredged up here I must say I love the direction you're heading Ellen. Each chapter brings something new and unexpected, but fitting to the story.

I too think Jane will be told of some/all of this, but not soon enough (we must have some drama after all). First things first--get Elizabeth to Pemberley, let Darcy show her he still cares for her. She'll certainly be confused about his alleged engagement, but that will come clear eventually. Mr. Bennet should be ticked when he learns how Dr. Blackmail went about securing Elizabeth's hand. My biggest worry is the doctor doing Darcy's delicate surgery. In the meantime we've still got Wickham wandering around and the Colonel misunderstanding who Darcy likes. So much to keep us readers happy!

So much to keep us readers happy!

I do my best!

Another chapter is geared up and will be ready to go after it gets the Seal of Approval & Angst from my dear friend Elena.

Another chapter is geared up and will be ready to go after it gets the Seal of Approval & Angst

Ellen dear,

I'm willing to read new chapter even if it doesn't get this Seal of A&A

Basia