Here you go, my dears. chapter 8 and 9 have just been posted!

Jan,

Thank you for another two wonderful chapters.

I have never known anyone who would be adopted child, but I have read some sociological articles on the subject. I think you have masterfully described one of the most important subjects of such a cases – people who learn they were adopted, lose the sense of whom they are, and they have to build again their self-concept. I’m also impressed with the way you write about how Elizabeth feels other people look at her now. After all our self-concept is in large part function of how we are perceived by the others. Of course, in Elizabeth’s case it is now much more complicated, since some important people in her life, have doubts about who she really is and if they can love her not as a sister.

I hope finding her mother – even dead – would be for Elizabeth first step to rebuild her self-concept. I found it most touching that they are (were?) so alike.
I’m also most excited with Darcy being so determined to find out the truth. I know there is still a long and probably painful road to happiness for them, but I am convinced theirs instincts are not deceiving them. And they both obviously don’t love each other with sister-brother love.

Beautiful story.

Basia

Thank you for the 2 chapters. Now we knowwho her mother was I'm hoping her father is Darcy's auncle so that W & E will have a chance. I'm feeling E. pain & W. as well. You write so well Jan I'm addicted to this story. Thank you again.
annj

Thanks for the chapters, Jan. I loved them!!! I knew Darcy wouldn't just sit around and not try to find out the truth, even if it was his father. I'm glad Elizabeth has some of the burden lifted and I just want to smack Caroline, as usual. Please post soon!! Cindy

What a GREAT story Jan!! I really think that Peter Darcy is Elizabeth's dad. He didn't know about her birth, since he was told she fell down the stairs and I think Darcy will be the one to go to Ireland. There is something ugly brewing with Lady C and Caroline Bingley. I hope Darcy can excape the clutches of those two. More please!!!!

JAN,
2 wonderful chapters of your unique story--many thanks for sharing your creativity.

Lady Cat and CarolineB_ _ _ h--the irony of an unholy alliance over an Easter holiday. Like Richard III, either one of them could take "Machiavel to school." While the innocent sleep they both are preparing and the working an agenda, which is why thoughts of Richard III came to mind.

To see and hear the above quote in its context:

Laurence Olivier
http://youtube.com/watch?v=thz2EUizC9Q

RICHARD III--WM SHAKESPEARE
Why, I can smile, and murder whiles I smile,
And cry 'Content!' to that which grieves my heart,
And wet my cheeks with artificial tears,
And frame my face to all occasions. . .
I'll play the orator as well as Nestor,
Deceive more slyly than Ulysses could,
And, like a **Sinon, take another Troy.
I can add colours to the chameleon,
Change shapes with Proteus for advantages,
And set the murderous Machiavel to school.

**[Sinon, a great liar, is the man who was in charge of abiding by the WOODEN HORSE and lighting a beacon lamp as a signal to the Achaeans for their final assault against Troy.]

STEVIEB

Thanks, everyone, for your comments. You are brave souls to stay tuned to this sad tale. I told Renee even I'm getting tired of writing angst!

Basia, I'm glad you think the adopted child portrayal bears some likeness to the truth. My best friend adopted her daughter, and I've borrowed just a bit of what she's shared with me and then added a lot of what I think I would feel if I were in Lizzy's predicament. Hope I'm not too far off base.

-Jan

Marvelous! That was a wonderful chapter. I am so glad Elizabeth is relieved that she didn't ruin the Willoughby family.

So glad that we can now see a ray of hope Darcy is such a treasure, his love for Lizzy is so transparent. I can only hope that you will not toy with us for too long, Jan

Oh, what angst indeed. But there is light at the end of this tunnel, is there not my dear Jan? My vote is for Uncle Peter as the father--and I venture to guess that they had a secret Catholic wedding and that Elizabeth is NOT an illegitimate child (Oh, I just like to fantasize don't I). Please resolve it for us and bring together our lovelorn couple! I love your writing Jan!

Hugs.
Mimi

I love Sins of the Father. The characterization of everyone is wonderful, and I love the tension between Darcy and Lizzy.

My bet is that Paul is the father and that Lintel killed Elizabeth's mother for some reason.

and I venture to guess that they had a secret Catholic wedding and that Elizabeth is NOT an illegitimate child

Very clever, Mimi, I'm with you in this.

Laurence Olivier
http://youtube.com/watch?v=thz2EUizC9Q

Thanks for sharing this, Stevie. Going there directly!

My guess: Elizabeth W. may have had a secret affair with a "Darcy" but that she was raped by someone else and in despair the "Darcy" fled the country.

Reasoning: I don't like the idea of cousins marrying even though it was acceptable in those days.

Or maybe something gross like incest: Lintel in a drunken state ravaged his own sister! Ewwwwww! Let's not go there...

Jan what a story. I am really liking Miss Willoughby. I think she can anwser alot of there questions. Just show her the family portraits of the boys as young gentleman. Finally hope.

I'm thinking Peter is the father and he is off in Ireland, maybe Lizzy, Darcy & Georgiana can travel there. But then Lizzy won't go to Bath what makes me think she'd go to Ireland. hmmm

I'm dying for more. Please poet again soon.
Geri

What a premise and what a story!! I also believe that Peter is Lizzy's father and when Elizabeth died, he went a little nuts, went to Ireland and became a monk.And that sexual tension between D & E is so thick you can slice it with a knife! Love it!

Frances

A big, big thank you for all the comments! Your messages make me write even when I don't want to.

Would you like to see Lizzy quote Sir Walter Elliot? "I'm...for Bath."

Of course, it doesn't mean she will - we all know how stubborn she can be.

-Jan

Very reluctantly I began to read your story, since at first i doubted if I could bear the topic. But I did. You wrote it exceptionally well. Congrats on such a different tale. Though I hate to think of the difficult moments our beloved couple are passing thinking themselves siblings! What happened to Colonel Fitzwilliam's suit? He is a horrible man!But I must admit you have a point there.Thanks again for the story. I have always enjoyed your talent!Though my favourite one will always be "The Journey"

My dears, chapter ten of Jan's amazing story has just been posted. Enjoy!

Very sad. Very.
When, oh when will the angst end?
Too sad to write any more specific comment.

*sigh* indeed, Basia!

I for one focus on his appearance in Herfordshire and their chance encounter which was situated so romantically. I hold on to that as a prelude to better tidings!

Thank you Jan...and thank you Renee...yes I feel a lot better if I focus on their good times together....the reconcilation will be sweeter with the angst..just that we have to wait for light at the end of the tunnel..and wait amd wait.. ..I am patient this time becoz if the mystery is solved too soon or no angst..then it will be the end of the story...then I am sadder...
hmmmm...I know I know..first Lizzie doesn't want to share her aunt's news with Darcy...then Darcy refuse to share his aunt's news with Lizzy..well thinking that they are not good when together regardless of their parentage...am I close Jan... ...ohhhhhh..but I know I will enjoy rereading this once it is completed...

Love u Jan & thanks

Ima

I'm so sad now. Poor Elizabeth and Darcy. I'm sure things will work out, but until then, I'm very sad. Cindy

Such sadness! I'm sure Darcy didn't really see Lizzy on his way out (or did he?), he's probably in a daze, battling his emotions. Loved their moment by the lake, Darcy has his wit when he wants to use it. Any chance that Lizzy will eventually go to Bath?

Jan! That was too sad! You must raise our spirit soon or we'll just faint with anguish!

Jan,
I love the way you tell your stories. You always leave me wanting more. Thank you.

[I love the way you tell your stories. You always leave me wanting more. Thank you.]

Thank you, Barbara. I think you're the only one who would say that right now - LOL. Everyone else is ready to strangle me.

I'm really sorry to leave all of you on such a low note. This chapter was necessary to provide the impetus for action in the next one. Does that help? Probably not.

I do appreciate everyone's comments. And Eli, I'm blushing to see such a popular and busy author take time to read this story.

I must offer special thanks to Ellen G, Debbie S, and Linnea, my excellent betas. They suffered through numerous re-writes of this chapter with characteristic patience. Now, if only my readers will...

-Jan

Jan! You must be joking! My stories are toddlers in comparison to your exquisite writing! But thank you. Please, do not make us hold our breath too long! i cannot wait to see this poor man unleash so much pentup emotion!

Everyone else is ready to strangle me
If we did, who would write a happy end?

But seriously - I think I'm not the only one, who would prefer to wait until it is finished, because sadness of the story is just too heartbreaking, but once one started to read it - just cannot stop.
Believe me, I don't like angsty stories. I have enough angst with my boss at work, and also angst is usually boring for me. I find nothing excited about it.
But there are exceptions - one of them is this story. It written so smartly, engaging, and intriguing - I just can't stay away.
So, don't worry with our complaining. It means we're totally under your spell.

So, don't worry with our complaining. It means we're totally under your spell.

Thanks, Basia, I actually needed to hear that this week. And Eli, I wasn't kidding. I'm very impressed with your work.

-Jan

Jan another sad chapter.Mind you no matter how sad it is I'm still reading it, the story is so compelling. I can't wait for all this mystery to unfold so that D & E can finally be happy.
annj

Jan
Altho my heart breaks for D&E, I know that the truth (whatever it may be) will give them joy in the end...or at least I'm hopeful it will. Yes, the chapter was too too sad, but I do love the way you write. Don't keep us in suspense too long!

Frances

Chapter eleven is up, my dears. Enjoy!

Jan,

Another heartbreaking chapter! I can see Elizabeth is more active, but seeing her so despaired and jealous is truly painful. I hope Darcy is not really interested in Ms. Simpson, no matter how beautiful she is.

But most of all – reading this story is not easy because of the incredible tension, but at the same time I do enjoy and admire your incredible talent. It is written in such a marvelous way.

Thank you very much!

Oh Jan, this is still such a sad chapter! I feel for Lizzy, esp when Darcy is giving her a cold shoulder! And a Miss Simpson's appearance, with Darcy obviously admiring her! What can this mean??
Yet he's bent on discovering the truth of Lizzy's birth, or perhaps he's more interested to find out why his father has an affair. Very much look forward to their talk!

Poor, Poor Elizabeth to see another on the arm of Mr. Darcy. This was so, so sad a chapter and to have to wait another week is going to be such agony. Please have mercy Jan.

OMG JAN?! You left us there? GAH!!!! Torture

Great story.

STEVIEB

OMG Jan, what a cliffhanger and a torture.
annj

Hi! This is my first time posting on this forum, but I just want to say that I love your stories so much Jan! I've been reading your stories for awhile, and recently am reading Sins of the Fathers. I always look forward to this story with anticipation--and am so excited whenever you post a new chapter!
Pleeease post the next chapter soon!! Ch.11 ended with a cliffhanger...and I really hope we see more developments in E & D's relationship in the next chapter!
Thanks again for writing such wonderful stories; you're my favorite Jane Austen fan-fic writer!

Can he be taunting her? Doing only what she might have implied? So, So sad She is be slighted once again and she feels it breaking her poor poor heart! I hope he has a rough crossing w/o Georgiana

Dear Jan,
This is the first time I comment on any story here but I had to let you know how much I love this story.
This is a beautifully written story and I'm enjoying it completely. THANK YOU for sharing your beautiful gift of writting with us.

Why is Darcy flaunting that Simpson woman in front of E?
Is he trying to punish her? Can he twist the knife even further? Now He wants to talk?

Thank you, everyone, for your comments! I wish I could think of a way to tell you how much I appreciate them.

And welcome, Grace and Fde! I'm so glad you posted and hope you will continue to do so in other comment threads. There is a wealth of good writing on this site!

As for poor Elizabeth - doesn't anyone feel sorry for Darcy? The guy chases after Elizabeth all over England, evidently spends his days trying to prove she's not his sister, and then she lashes out at him the last time they were together. I think he deserves to dance with a pretty lady - remember he's had to watch her dance with partner after partner at balls in Derbyshire and Bath.

Oh, well, what do I know? I just try to write down what these characters keep doing right in front of me. I've tried to talk to them, but they just won't listen. Stubborn lot.

How's that for shirking responsibility for the torture I'm putting them through?

-Jan

Jan,

Of course we feel sorry for Darcy as well. But there are few buts. Since the story is written from Elizabeth’s POV it is natural we suffer as much as she does, we know how much she is hurt, despaired, insecure, lost, and heartbroken (not only because of Darcy, but also because of all what she has learnt and not learnt so far). Darcy did say things, he should not. Darcy was cold toward her in the latest chapter. Yes, I remember him being jealous at least twice, but it’s not easy for Elizabeth to say no to a gentleman asking her for a dance. Darcy danced with Ms. Simpson with his own will. Perhaps it was proper to ask her dance, but twice? As I understand it could be seen back then as a proof of a greatest interest (like Bingley’s two set of dances with Jane at Netherfield).

I really do understand he is hurt. But I’m beginning to have doubts as to his main motive to find out the truth. Now it seems like he is mainly trying to figure out if his father cheated on his mother.

Oh, Jan. I have said this repeatedly before – this is excellent and, what is obvious, thoroughly planned story. I admire and appreciate all the hard work you put in it. But it is very, very hard to bear all the pain and suffering you designed for Elizabeth (and Darcy).

Yes, I must agree with Basia. Though I feel so bad for all the pain that they are both suffering, Elizabeth is just getting put through the ringer. She is suffering the loss of her identity, as well as dealing with the stigma of being illigitimate. She also has lost the love of her life, and is trying so hard to bear it. Darcy has chased her all over England, but they cannot act on their feelings and it's more than Lizzy can bear.

I trust Darcy's motives in trying to discover the truth about his father. I'm sure that he wants to have his father's image restored to him, but he also wants absolute proof that Lizzy is/isn't his sister, and will stop at nothing until he finds out the truth. That is very noble of him, but his actions toward Lizzy are confusing. She lashed out at him when she felt that he slighted her birth-mother, but he absolutely shunned her for it. I think he was just overwhelmed with the pain of it all, but still it was quite harsh. Then, she goes all the way to Bath to try and talk to him, only to have him flaunt Miss Simpson in her face That's also very harsh, since Lizzy has never been flirtatious with anyone, and especially in front of the man she loves. She even ran away from Pemberley so as not to put them in a painful position.

I don't deny Darcy the pleasure of a dance, but he doesn't even like dancing, and it seems as if he's singling Miss Simpson out. Even Georgiana thinks he's smitten. I hope he doesn't raise her hopes, ala Bingley, and be forced to offer for her out of honor, ala Persuasion.

I don't understand how he can do this while simultaneously trying to find out the truth about Lizzy. I want to trust Darcy's feelings, but his actions are odd. I could understand his behaviour if it is proven that Lizzy is his sister, but he still doesn't know, and he knew that Lizzy would be at the dance that night. Also, Lizzy can't say no to men that ask her to dance, yet Darcy has the choice to dance or not. It seems very wrong.

I am glad that Lizzy has taken this chance to talk to him and clear the air. She would have gone through life so upset and confused if she hadn't.

I liked the scene in the shop that was similar to the scene in Persuasion. Could Darcy be acting the way he is because of his jealousy of the Colonel? Is he flaunting Miss Simpson out of spite and jealousy? I want to trust Darcy's heart, but I hope it isn't straying.

I just love your writing Jan, and this is turning out to be a real favorite of mine. I can't wait for more

I agree with Basia and Jtorres!

I will not discount Darcy's pain but his future is secure. He does not loose anything from this situation. He can dance with any beautiful girl he wants and can chose from any of them. Lizzy does not have that option.

I don't know how much a single woman and not wealthy will be able to move around in those days, but Lizzy is the one that will gain a lot from finding out the identity of her father. Her future depends on it. Can Uncle Gardiner help? Right now, our dear girl is a pile of mush! Let's hope she regains her spirit soon!

You know Jan, this is entirely your fault! LOL!! Can we entice you to post 2 chapters? He, he!!

Thank you, Basia, JTorres, and Annabella. You have excellent insight, and I didn't mean to disparage Lizzy's pain in my remarks. Actually, I just wanted to play the devil's advocate and take Darcy's side in a somewhat tongue in cheek manner, since so many people have wondered about his feelings.

I liked the scene in the shop that was similar to the scene in Persuasion. Could Darcy be acting the way he is because of his jealousy of the Colonel? Is he flaunting Miss Simpson out of spite and jealousy? I want to trust Darcy's heart, but I hope it isn't straying.

That sums up what I think Darcy is feeling. He knew Georgiana wrote to Elizabeth, but she didn't write back and tell them she was coming to Bath. He asked her numerous times, but she always refused. He is quite hurt that she took his remark at the pond in the manner that she did after all he has tried to do for her. It really wounded him. Then, he runs into her in Bath and who is she with? Fitzwilliam! He knows the Col wants to marry her, so that adds fuel to the fire.

You will not hear all of this in the "talk" between D&E. Just consider it an additional glimpse into his head via mine. And hope this isn't a spoiler for those of you who prefer to remain in anguish over what in the world is going on.

-Jan

Jan,

thank you for giving us some light on what's going on in Darcy's head.
Maybe next chapter will bring them some relief...

Basia

Appreciate your generous insight on how Darcy feels, Jan. But i still can't get over the fact he danced with Miss Simpson twice

Anyway, TGIF! 3 days to next chapter update right???

Jan, I do appreciate that you've given us some idea of Darcy's feelings. That is very generous of you. I guess some of us were confused as to Darcy's motives with Miss Simpson.

I think he might be feeling jealous in the extreme, and is tired of feeling rejected at Elizabeth's hand, so he is trying to boost his own ego by enjoying the attentions of a beautiful woman.I don't think it's fair to Miss Simpson at all though.

I'm glad that he is not giving up on his quest to clear his father's image, and out of his anger, this may be his only motive at this point. I think though that he desperately wants Lizzy NOT to be his sister, but as you've said, he is very wounded.

His anger and jealousy are kind of wierd though. At some level, he must realize that Lizzy is suffering horribly, and her actions are to spare them any more awkwardness. Since it's so obvious that they are still in love with eachother and cannot act upon it, I wonder how he can blame her for her actions. I hope that their talk isn't the kind of talk that Lizzy feels the need to beg for forgiveness and Darcy ends up with the power over her. I think they should really clear the air, and have Darcy realize how hurt Lizzy is. He owes his own apology too.

Maybe the key is that Darcy is so intent on unraveling the truth in E's parentage, and she is just resigned to it. I think Darcy really wanted her to be just as passsionate as he is in discovering the truth, and accompany him on this mission. I think he sees her rejection of all his offers as proof that she doesn't want anything to do with him. The truth is the complete opposite, of course, and Darcy can't see that, since Lizzy can't just blurt out that she loves him more than ever and his mere closeness drives her wild. As brother and sister, that's just gross, so how can she accompany him on this mission? She thinks that they will just find out that old Mr.D had an affair with a 17 year old, was in love with her, and betrayed his wife. Lizzy doesn't need salt rubbed in this painful wound and has no need to witness Darcy's utter defeat, and have their fates sealed in such a way. She's so scared of this truth.

It must also just be awful to understand that Darcy must marry, and since it can't be her, he will find someone like Miss Simpson. Darcy must understand that she just doesn't want to see it. It's better to live with the thought of him always single, than to acklowledge the truth. I hope Darcy is kind to her and understands her better at some point.

Thanks again Jan. I must join the chorus of begging for 2 chapters if possible. The last 2 were just heartwrenching, and if there is some good on the horizon, I hope we can have some relief soon!!