Well, the new chapter is in considerably better shape than I am , and all it needs is a little cleaning up. (I, on the other hand, could use a brand-new set of sinuses!)
I hope to have it to Mrs. Darcy by tomorrow. Thanks for all the good wishes!
But, really, do not work too hard. I've just decided that I'll re-read the story so far and see how many telling details I missed in my first rushed reading.
In the meantime, I'm sending you virtual thing I found while rummaging in the smiley bucket, to cheer you up!
The painting, the painting, it's in Pemberley!!!
And Darcy, must be by the stream!
Glad to see that Ellen, you have recovered well enough to complete this chapter. Thanks for this wonderful update!
YAY!!!! Chapter 16 is finally here! I love this story.
Lovely chapter! You've left us on another cliff hanger! I sure hope that's Darcy by the stream, and not Horace Crabtree (whatever happened to him?). Please post again -SOON-!
Thank you Ellen - I hope you had a great time with your family and I was sorry to read that you were sick.
Cheers,
Julia B
P.S. Renée - the link in your post above didn't work for me. Well, it worked for getting to the Table of Contents, but there wasn't a link to Chapter 16. Anyhoo, this worked for me: http://ellen3.mrsdarcy.com/page4.html#SD16
Thanks dear
Ellen!!! You brutal tease! You left us there? I am relieved, however, that my hopes for the painting to be at Pemberly seem to be met....although I'm not quite sure what William was thinking having a naughty saloon picture out where his little sister can see it! LOL Poor Elizabeth will be mortified when she realizes these genteel people have seen her in her all together, even if it is just the male fantasy of her 'all together'.
Your story is so much fun, Ellen. Hope you're feeling much better.
Ellen, that was an excellent place to stop. Now I can't wait to find out--will it be Mr. Darcy or a bad guy? She won't have her gun if she's skinny dipping so I hope it's Darcy!
Do Georgiana & Mrs. Reynolds recognize Elizabeth because they have seen the painting of Betsy? I thought it too risque for them to see.
Obviously I can't wait for more of this delightful story!!
That someone else better be Darcy...is he going to emerge from the water dripping wet with his shirt clinging to his body??? I hope you get well soon so you can post the revealing chapter ASAP for selfish moi
Wow, that's an interesting turn...
I can imagine Lizzy emerging from the water in her wet shirt...
Impatiently waiting for the next installment (curious about the painting as well...)
I wonder if Will has modified the painting so that it's less risque than it was when it hung in the saloon--maybe on an easel in his bedroom with a sheet covering the naughty bits? Obviously, both the housekeeper and his sister have seen enough of the face to be reminded of Elizabeth.
And now Elizabeth is at the swimming hole--is it really Will who's watching or perhaps someone else? Is she possibly in danger?
I'd forgotten all about that painting... While reading it this I thought perhaps he had had a minitiature made and maybe they'd seen it... But it must be the painting from the saloon. My fellow readers are so smart to think of this.
But whoever could be watching her. The dastardly Wickham or someone to do her harm? that Darcy will have to rescue her from. Or could it be Darcy to render her some "service?"
Ellen
Let it be Darcy and not some evil person like Wicky.
And why did you have to stop there, I don't know if I can forgive you.
Well Ok I can, your story is wonderful and I dieing for more.
Geri
Omg you leave it there! Typical authoress, always keeping us hanging for the next installment!
I'm so happy for Jane and Charles and most impressed that Charles managed to show some spine finally and go again his sister. Good effort I say!
And of course the river scene...I can't believe that Lizzy is the one going in! It better be Darcy watching (not that I can imagine it would be anyone else)! I can't wait for next time!
I'm guessing Georgie and Mrs Renyolds have seen Lizzy before...perhaps in a painting...hehe I can imagine there will be some fallout if Lady Cath finds out about this!
Can't wait till next time and hope you're feeling better!
I will only say that the next chapter will be immense fun. Although I'm still under the weather, I'm planning on getting this one done within the week. So hang in there, y'all!
Goody! I spend two days away from the Internet and see what happens!
I do not have much time to write to day (I'm at work at the moment and I already feel very guilty about having read the chapter here), but I totally agree with all the other comments: the cliffhanger, the issue about having a naughty saloon picture out where Georgiana can see it (LOL, great line, RitaSV), the Darcy-emerging-from-river image (another roll of laughter here) etc, etc.
This story is being such great fun! And chapter 17 sounds very promising, I'd better begin to store up on ice-cream straight away.
OMG! Just noticed Julia B's suggestion that it might actually be Horace Crabtree. Aaargh! The horror!
Ellen, Just wanted to let you know how much I'm enjoying your wonderful story. I search regularly on numerous sites for JAFF P&P stories be it mod,reg,or now Westerns.They seem to be popular on three sites at present.I am so delighted that writers take us to these many different and exciting eras with these dynamic personalities of D&E and others of course! With such entertainment we all appreciate how writers like yourself take us there within the exciting chapters of your story. PLEASE, continue soon this is an excellant read. Thanks,again ! DLSchickel
I woke up in the middle of the night last night thinking about this story. Seriously, I woke up worried there might be a bear or bobcat or mountain lion! I'm very relieved that the next chapter will be immense fun! Please don't make us wait long. I get a chill at the thought of how cccold that springtime stream water is flowing out of the Sierra Nevada in April. bbrrrr. She'll get cooled down quickly! I hope Darcy is there to warm her up.
Pure speculation here.. I would like to believe the odalisque is hanging in Darcy's bedroom(!) , but there were other paintings Horace painted of Lizzy, too. So maybe Mrs. Reynolds and Georgiana saw those instead and those aren't so risque.
We'll soon find out! Thanks Ellen for sharing your story with us.
Cheers,
Julia B -> looking forward to the next chapter!
P.S. Yep Renée, you were right! That did the trick.
Thanks dear!
Ellen I've been thinking about your story.
I remember that she said she had another birth mark.
Darcy is going to get to see the birthmark he will realize how inferior the painting is to the real McCoy.
I can't help wondering if Darcy (I pray that is who it is) will torment her a little standing by her clothing so she can't get out? Or maybe he'll join for a cool refreshing dip? :D Or maybe he'll just make some sly remarks during diner that makes her think, could he have seen me? Naw she convince her self.
I have to agree with your readers I think Mrs R and G have probably seen the painting or at least the face.
Ellen this is what happens when you leave us at such a place I imagine all sorts of scenarios even though I know the one you come up with will be the best.
I'll try to refrain from further comments until your next chapter.
Geri
"Ellen this is what happens when you leave us at such a place I imagine all sorts of scenarios even though I know the one you come up with will be the best."
You know, that is exactly my feeling. After each chapter I keep imagining all possible scenarios, as well as checking the ideas brought up by other posters.... but the author will always come up with something new and better than anything I may have thought of. I sincerely love (and admire) that.
And that is why I'm anxiously waiting for the next chapter, the ideas mentioned so far are so very good I can't wait to see what Ellen has in mind!
Brilliant ending.. (though I am stilkl standing at the cliff...)..
A wet and sexy Lizzy can work as well as a wet and sexy Darcy.. but would work better if both are wet and sexy..and together ... ..wowee..please tell us that the next one chapter is already available..(oopss...sorry dearie..I do hope that you are feeling better.. ..)
I'm on that same wave length! Great Chapter! I really enjoy your writing style and was telling one of my co-workers that I would even buy a book if you had written one. What a way to leave a chapter! So much angst...ugh! Please post soon. :)
I was so hoping Chapter 17 (and eighteen) would be posted before I left on vacation. Ellen, I hope you're not still sick (and haven't forgotten you left us hanging on that cliff! ). Get well soon!! I hope there's a LOT to read of this wonderful story by the time I return.
Julia, Mrs. Darcy has Chapter 17 in her hot little hands. If you're not leaving on vacation until the weekend, perhaps you'll have some happy thoughts to take with you.
Wow! That Elizabeth is one confident young lady. I'm SO glad they were able to apologize to each other. I'm a little concerned that Georgiana sent the foreman out looking for her, though. News hasn't arrived about Lydia already has it? I'd love for these two to have a little more time together before anymore disaster strikes but then I am an angst weenie extraordinaire and would be stuck reading very short stories if you authors didn't ignore my whimpering! LOL Thanks for an action packed chapter, Ellen.
I'd love for these two to have a little more time together before anymore disaster strikes but then I am an angst weenie extraordinaire and would be stuck reading very short stories if you authors didn't ignore my whimpering! LOL
A wet and sexy Lizzy can work as well as a wet and sexy Darcy.. but would work better if both are wet and sexy..and together ...was my dream or fantasy ..but boy Ellen..you do really know how to put together words that became great legend.... ..that was awesome..I've never read such bold Lizzy and Darcy..and Caroline & Aunt Cat teaming up.......ohh boy..that's new...Well..please let their time in Pemberley be magical before some awful things visit them..like Caroline
I love this story as I do everything from Ellen G.
Elizabeth and Darcy in a real Adam-and-Eve moment. What a wonderful scene--of course I've re-read it a couple of times. . . They both handle themselves in such a forthright fashion, no false modesty or coyness.
Nice to have it confirmed that Darcy is too decent and bright to hang naked pictures of Elizabeth about the house. That tattoo was a nice touch. It shows the artist had a great imagination but I think Darcy is finding that the real thing is even better.
Contented sigh.