"you surely must have noticed that my Darcy always addresses Elizabeth as "Miss Bennet" when they are speaking face to face. I've taken my cue from both the book and the 1995 P&P. "
even after the kiss?
what a shame!
Loved it! The kiss, Wickham running, Darcy outing the doctor's plans! I was so happy she came back to the room. Even though everyone has gone crazy with Jane compromised theories, I am sticking to my belief that it's Lizzy and they are going to have another romantic interlude and then THEY will get caught in a compromising situation. Eli's stories have caused me to have a nervous stomach when reading anyone's stories! But you are not her and I hope you don't delight in tormenting us as she does. You know I think this story is "Beauty and the Beast" and at no time does the "beast" compromise the "beauty's" sister. Hehe
I hope Wickham trips down the stairs in his haste. Or Fitzwilliam's foot. Or both.
I am SO comforted by your assurance that "Miss Bennet" doesn't preclude Elizabeth...I thought it odd that Elizabeth would return so suddenly and also thought it was Jane. I love 1995 Fitzwilliam but was ready to pop him a good one for his interference!!
And poor Elizabeth...at one point she was pondering over potentially THREE suitors, and now she feels she's got none. It seems Darcy in every guise, form, era just can't get it right.
That was a great chapter as far as enlightening Lizzy about Wickham and Hampton. I think even Mrs. Bennet would not insist that Lizzy accept Hampton knowing of his traveling intentions. So, 2 unworthies down.
But poor tongue-tied Darcy, or rather, too bad his tongue wasn't tied--what he said was too much and he didn't say enough. I do think that Jane has just entered, but that Darcy will briefly think it's Lizzy, because the sound of their voices would likely be similar. (Going on my own experience, when I heard myself on the answering machine and thought it was my sister. LOL) So Jane may hear his declaration of love. I would wish that the confusion would be cleared up directly and that Jane could serve to tell Lizzy the situation. [I'm not at all in the mood for another compromise-scenario story--one at another site is giving me fits. LOL However, you're the author. All I can ask is for some mercy ]
It was my 1st impression too! that it's Jane that entered the library...but am hoping the Colonel is with her (thereby removing the possibility of a compromise situation)...But needless to say, am praying it is Lizzy who returned to the library, perhaps to seek further clarification on whatever is on her mind.
Great chapter here, you got us all very hooked you know Ellen . With Wickham and Hampton out of the way, Darcy has to play his cards right to get his gal!
Ellen, That was great I could just picture Wickham running away with his tail between his legs. And the Gallant Mr. Darcy standing firm in is place by Miss Bennet, truely romantic. Will we receive another chapter or two before you go on vacation, oh I forgot I won't be here for the next two weeks anyway.
Greet job Ellen
I am loving this story! It contains such unique circumstances but the dynamic between characters is great. I can't wait to read the next chapter so don't leave me hanging!
I really enjoyed this chapter, and am eagerly looking forward to the next one. I think the image of Wickham running as if the Hounds of Hell were at his heels will stay with me for a long time. :)
Ok! I feel it is Jane who walks in. Darcy will know it's not Lizzy from her scent. But I have to say that to me this chapter was over too quickly.
I need more...it's like a man in a dessert with only a drop of water left in his flask. Chapter 15 please
Thanks for the warning about the delayed posting. That better not be the good doctor's weight on her bed. Ellen, the cliffhanger and the delayed post is cruel, but I love it! I'll try to wait patiently. Cindy
That better not be the good doctor's weight on her bed.
Indeed, Cindy! *shudder* or... Mr. Wickham ... I'd die! Let us hope for a certain gentleman we all love so dearly... I'm so curious to learn about the person in the first place and his motive in the second! Can't wait, but we have to exercise patience.
Whoa! Who on earth came into her room?? My first instinct was Darcy....then I had this awful feeling that it was Mr. Hampton because Darcy couldn't write a note not being able to see. Oh man...my ticker is getting a work out here.
What an amazing serious of miscommunications. I believe Jane and Darcy to be on the same page at the moment, but now the Colonel is wildly off track and heaven knows what Mr. Hampton has done or will do if he catches wind of Darcy's feelings for Elizabeth.
You keep me guessing at every flip of the virtual page, Ellen! I love you, man! LOL
Doesn't anyone lock their bedroom door at night? As soon as the dr. said he would give her a powder (i.e., hard core narcotic) I knew someone would come in her room.
Over at HG there is a NC-17 story where Caroline came into Darcy's room twice and . . . ah I can't discuss it. Lock the door! WTF!
Geeezzzz. Cant believe we have to wait two weeks (DJ Clawson: a fortnight is two weeks, check out dictionary.com it has helped me with lots of "regency" terms).
Why did you have to leave us like that? I swear, these stories make me feel like I am back in elementary school being punished...
Woah i love this chapter, it has alot of interesting things going on! It was Hampton that came to my mind when said that someone came to Lizzy's bed, since he gave her the drug to sleep and he might abuse his doctor's rights. But am praying hard, really HARD that it's Darcy with his "shuffling step of feet" and "the agonized whisper of her name - "Elizabeth!""
These weekly postings are really toying with my impatience and now we have to wait two!
I truly hope it is Darcy and he could still write a note. It would likely be short and would not be in his fine script, but he could do it. Try writing with your eyes closed, it's not that hard.
Okay Ellen, MORE MORE MORE, Love your story.....
I hope it was Darcy that came, "moved slowly and carefully in the darkness" unable to see, HE would have to do this, PLEASE PLEASE HOPE IT IS HIM!
Jane's "other theory" has to be that the Colonel confused Bennett sisters...right? Soooo Darcy has to know Lizzy's interest......that's MY story and I'm sticking to it! LOVE THIS STORY....
I don't want to be cynical, but if it was Darcy coming to her bed then she'd be really mad at him...it must be that dishonorable Mr. Hampton as he calls himself. The note is quite perplexing...could it have been written by someone else?...Maybe Jane did write it for Darcy when she was in the library with him?...how long did the mysterious stranger stay in bed with her...did he do anything other than kiss her...if she was compromised (ie. if someone saw him going into her room) she'll have to marry him...
Have a great vacation Ellen...you'll be missed...hurry back....
Two WEEKS???? I can't take it!!!
It has to be the DR. I can't see how Darcy would know of Elizabeth staying there until after Jane left the Library so she couldn't write the note for him. And Jane wouldn't want Darcy to go into Elizabeth's room to give her that note.I hope there will be two chapters in two weeks.... I Love this story!!!!!
If Lizzy thinks Darcy likes Jane, will she accept Mr. Hampton? Elizabeth knows Jane would prefer Mr. Bingley but she might think her mother would force Jane to accept Darcy because of his money. Maybe I'm getting worried for nothing....I hope. Keep up the good work, Ellen. I certainly can't wait for more!
Frances said the word compromised. Could it be that the good doctor will do that on purpose so she will have to marry him? I'm not sure I'll survive to find out. Cindy
Sorry I can't be around for the next couple of weeks. Gotta go look after my menfolk (DH and son) as they work in Detroit. I'll certainly be writing...the old fashioned way, by longhand! I will definitely have a chapter, or maybe two, ready to post when I come back.
I for one think your timing is impeccable--I won't be able to check in for next two weeks, so when I return I will be right on schedule with the story! Of course, it would have been lovely to come back to two chapters instead of these torturous cliffhangers. Hmm.
Anyway, I belong to the "It's the Doctor" camp, though it's not because I want it to be. I am hopeful that it could be Darcy, but how would he know she was there? When Jane met with Darcy in library neither knew Lizzy was staying the night, so no note writing just then would make sense. Plus even a careful treading across room would have to be supplemented by careful leaning down for kiss; Darcy wouldn't have risked her waking as he found the right spot.
The cliffhangers seem to resolve themselves relatively painlessly. Should we look for more angst?
Still, for now Jane and Darcy appear clear on things. Colonel knows Wickham is around. And Lizzy senses that Colonel is wrong about his view of Darcy's inclinations (though her questioning at this point is very frustrating to me). So all in all, things are proceeding quite nicely. Funny that I feel that way, as I don't even know what to predict because so many things are so up in the air! Love it!
I love this story so much and am eternally grateful for the warning that it will be two weeks before I get another fix. It helps to know how to pace oneself (cough).
I'm undecided about who the bed hopper is. We all hope that it's Darcy but in truth, it's probably smarmy Mr. Hampton come to compromise Lizzy so she'll have to marry him. Yuck!
Well, I'll just re-read from the beginning to alleviate my suffering until you return.
Thanks for this (and all your others) fabulous tale.
I am distressed that it will be 2 weeks before another post, but we must soldier on.
I am leaning toward it being Darcy....after all, isn't Elizabeth due a letter after a disastrous proposal. I believe Jane would have happily helped him out, even if there was no idea she'd be staying at Netherfield. He probably would have planned to give it to her at another time. The shuffling feet in the dark make me think it was Darcy--wouldn't someone else have a candle?
I think it was Darcy the one that placed the letter.
Jane could have easily gone back to find him, after Elizabeth was setled, and write the letter for him. She could have even told him in which room she was to stay. Even if she didn't tell him which room, it wouldn't have been that hard for him to find out, through a trusty valet, not only the information about where she is staying but even perhaps be guided, through a more discreet route, to said room.
I also think it was Darcy. I bet that Darcy dictated a letter for Jane to write. He could have planned on giving it to her another time but then found out she was staying the night. I know you're gone, Ellen, but I can't wait until you are able to be back and posting more!
Ellen, I’m glad you liked the emoticon. Just think how inspiring it is. Darcy recovers, but for some reason, he is hiding the truth that he can see. Or maybe, after the happy end, he and Lizzy can play hide and seek. I wonder, who would win
"Though if I truly loved the man, I would follow him to the ends of the earth"
"Who is the blind one now?" Sweet Jane
Ellen, it was absolutely wonderful chapter. I fear our two lovers still have many obstacles on their road to happiness, but the chapter was so very lovely.
So, Lizzy is slowly falling in love, right? What the doctor is going to do? After his angry reaction (which Darcy could not see) I was afraid he’s going to hurt Darcy. You won’t let he, will you?
But why Darcy is running away?
Thank you!
I'm so glad I was wrong about who wrote the letter!! This was a great chapter but I sense Lizzy might fall into some sort of trap with Mr. Hampton...he might lie to her about Darcy and convince her to marry him!
Now there's even more anxiety for our young lovers to muddle through...I hope Darcy gets his sight back soon!
Hopefully Elizabeth will let him explain himself, since he apologized in the letter and to Jane. His remore is real, and she should be able to see that.
Now we just need to send Lydia off to Nova Scotia with Dr. Hampton, and all will be well! ;)
Oh this story is progressing beautifully. I am on tenterhooks. I can hardly bear to go on holiday for fear I will miss an update! Thank heavens for internet cafes.
Great stuff Ellen, thank you.