I love your Elizabeth-- totally brave and adventurous. CANNOT WAIT until you return Darcy to the story. Oh how, oh how, will you bring them back together... My imagination is wild with musings. Can't wait. Post again soon. Love this story! I am fearful Lydia is going to get nabbed and put in Wickham's brothel. He wouldn't dare try it with Elizabeth-- I think she would be like a wild pony and bite and kick!!!

That was yet another wonderful chapter, Ellen! Darcy's letter sure revealed a very evil Wickham! And Joe seemed to think highly of him, is he going to be an accomplice with wickham??? Can't wait for more!

Ellen, I thought Darcy's letter was excellent and alarming. Wickham is such a creep and for some reason I'm worried that it might be him that bought the painting of Elizabeth! I was hoping that it was Darcy who had purchased it for Elizabeth's sake as well as his own but in light of Darcy's letter Wickham seems just creepy enough to want a picture of a girl he knows Darcy favors to display to his customers. Blech! I hope my first theory is correct...

I was worried when Elizabeth was alone with Denny, too. I wonder if he was 'placed' at the Bennet's ranch to select the most likely of girls for Wickham's establishment? After all, there's a large selection to choose from in one convenient location! Yikes!

As for Elizabeth, well, she can tell herself she 'experimented' on Darcy all she wants...that man got her attention big time. Will her thoughts be more favorable towards him now? All her prior reasons for despising him have been stripped away and now she has their powerful chemistry to mull.

First of all thanks Mrs Darcy for relieving us of the agony of waiting...and of course Ellen..thank you firstly for your teaser..THERE WILL BE A LETTER. ..I can say much ...just that I am sooo in love with your story..thank you for sharing...
Ima

Indeed, Ellen, Ima is in love with your story, look at the picture she sent me to post here!



However, she's running ahead of things, isn't she? Not that Imind... quite on the contrary!

Thanks for the chapter Ellen! I love how you used "Lessee" for "Let's see!" I think I will use that when I am texting in the future...

Renee, hope you enjoyed your holiday. Ellen, glad you're back!
I was a bit worried at the end that Joe wouldnt take Elizabeth home, but I still don't trust the man!
Need more soon, especially scenes like those in that picture!

Thanks so much for posting early Renee! I've been hanging out for an update on this story!

Ellen, loving the letter. And of course your teaser! And Lizzy's dreams...hmm! I can't wait for some more! This has got to be right up there on my favourite stories list!

Here's hoping that flattery (and most definitely not false) will lead to another post soon!

kate xx

Thanks, everyone! I'm having so much fun with this!

And thanks Ima & Renee, for the lovely Hugh Jackman photo. Now if we can get just someone besides Nicole Kidman in there... Really, I can't see her as a match for him. Too pale and skinny. I'm thinking someone with a little more oomph.

In fact I was telling Renee it is more like a Darcy & Jane pairing ..but I can't resist to share Hugh's great photo. As Renee was saying..I seem to be going ahead of time..well just to drop some hints/request...

Ima

And I would like to adhere to Ima's hint/request! Though I'm fine at the moment with the torrid scene we had in the previous chapter and I'm quite positive that it will sustain me for a happy while, you must know, Ellen (certainly you must know by now!) that we, your devoted fans, are not at all averse to D&L passionate encounters

Ooooh, and Ima and Renée, thank you for the pics. A shirtless Hugh Jackman is always a nice treat!

Hello! I just got caught up (after being gone with my wedding and all that stuff) and I love it! I agree with the other commenters....should we be worried about Joe? He seems like a nice guy but...hmmmm...maybe not....Great post!

Ellen,

I am hanging on for the next post. I just love this story and can't wait for Darcy and Lizzy to be reunited. I just love your lust take on this classic story and can't wait for more.


I think of Chuck Norris jokes when I read this:

The saddle doesn't chafe Darcy: Darcy chafes the saddle!

Catrina: Congratulations on your nuptials! Much happiness!!

Everyone: Next chapter has been delayed due to fortnight-long visit by parents. (No time to myself.) Writing resumes next week. My apologies.

Next chapter has been delayed due to fortnight-long visit by parents.

Oh no! This news makes me sad as I have been checking twice a day for updates to this story!

Thank you very much for letting us know about the delay. Enjoy this time with your parents.


Cheers,
Julia B

after being gone with my wedding and all that stuff

Congratulations, Catrina, wishing you a long and happy life with your husband.

Ellen, enjoy your stay with the parents. hope to 'see' you soon again!

Catrina wrote:
Hello! I just got caught up (after being gone with my wedding and all that stuff) and I love it!

First: Congratulations on your marriage! I wish you all possible happiness

Second: Catrina, I just love the way you casually drop that information in the middle of the sentence. As if we wouldn't realise!

Again, felicidades!

:) I have to keep reminding myself that I am actually married, I was single for so long it's a definate change to say, "My husband...." Thanks everyone for the well wishes...


Ellen~ Have fun with your parents!

I would love, love, love some more Silver Dust, Ellen!

I would love, love, love some more Silver Dust, Ellen!

So would I, Rita! Unfortunately, after my houseful of guests left, I got sick as a dog. But with my kids going back to school on Thursday, there'll be no more excuses! I'll sit down with a cup of tea and a box of Kleenex and finish the chapter.

Get well soon, darling! Sending you good vibes from across the Big Blue.

Oh Ellen!! What a bummer! So sorry to hear that you've been under the weather. You just take your time and heal up...I'll be here when ever you get healthy and feel up to writing.

Get well soon dear Ellen!!!
We'll be here waiting for this wonderful story!

A big hug your way!

Just saw the latest messages: Get well soon, Ellen G! And do not worry about us whiners, we can well wait until you get better... health goes first!

And... the sooner you get well, the sooner we'll have a new chapter! (whine whine whine)

No, just kidding. Do take care

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!

Yep, I think I know the feeling!

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!

sorry, I meant "sending you THIS virtual thing etc"

Chapter 16 is up, my dears. Enjoy!

...Like to add...

The end of this chapter, my dear Ellen, is absolutely brilliant! Can't wait for the next.

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

What Great Fun!!! Thanks for the new chapter.

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...)

P.S. Renée - the link in your post above didn't work for me.

If you refresh your page, I'm sure it'll work. It works fine for me.

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!

kate xx

My, my, so much speculation!

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!

Oh, and I forgot to thank all my well-wishers (and particularly Rori, who "sent" the lovely flower)!

You all keep me writing, even when I feel crummy!

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!

Thanks, JuliaB, for investing so much energy in thinking of my story!! I hope to give you further reason to be up at night.

I hope to give you further reason to be up at night

OK Ellen!

Ya know.. this is one of those gooooood stories that I would stay up all night reading!

Thanks!

Cheers,
Julia B

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

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 definitely needs to be warmed up then, so indeed let's hope for what we all hope for.

"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!