Does anyone know what is wrong with Hyacinth Gardens?

An absolutely riveting chapter! Poor Malvina suffered another loss and such traumatic experience! I hope James will finish off his business fast and set off to england asap. Hope we don't have to wait too long for your next chapter, Tanya :P

*Sigh* Wonderful!! As usual. :D I'm so thrilled that you're still writing, Tanya! Thanks for such a riveting chapter. Thanks, Renee, for posting it! I can't wait for more!

OMG! such riveting andheart-wrentching update.I love Malvina such a strong & wise person. I cannot wait for her to set foot in England I miss Darcy and E. and whatever happens to them while Capt. Bennet & Malvina took the stage.Thank you so much for this update will never forget this story.
annj

Just checking to see if Santa left me the present I really want--an update in this story.

Also, while I very much like the Malvina and James chapters, I am eager to see the story reunite and integrate all the characters in an update.

As for what Wickham is holding over Darcy, I would guess that during the public school years, Darcy saw Wickham rape another boy, probably someone younger. Darcy was outraged but wished to protect the victim's identity and kept the secret. This explanation would also coincide with Darcy being so adamant to his father that Wickham had to go, and yet unforthcoming about exactly why. I also think that if Wickham had touched Darcy, Darcy would have killed Wickham--probably on the spot. That is why I think it unlikely Darcy is the direct victim.

Protecting someone else's secret also explains why Darcy does not want to tell Elizabeth--and if this or something like this is the secret, then Darcy is also protecting Elizabeth from learning something he probably believes too horrible for her to know. She is still quite young and innocent, and so far, Darcy's protectiveness has prevented him from taking her virginity despite ample opportunity during heavy petting sessions--and despite his fervid desire. I think he has held back because he has not thought she was ready even if she consented.

Of course, taking her virginity would also destroy their fragile claim to annuling their marriage, should either of them ever really want that. Tanya, please post and relieve me of my suffering suppositions and speculations!

Wow. This is such a well written and exciting story. I can hardly guess what will happen next and I just can wait to keep reading. Thanks for taking the time to write this story.

oh. Can I cry now? please?
poor mal! it is cruel, you know that tanya, to separate her from james? ok, ok, I know you have something in store for us for the next chapter... so I won't complain any more (but you will better write of james going back to her really soon... )
what I'm hoping for is that Mal becomes friends with Elizabeth and makes hr understand that stupid Wickham is a *#§£%&$! so that she will begin to understand why Darcy acted that way?
(Lacy, your theory about the secret is pure genius! why haven't I thought of it myself ...)

and I want a grand finale... I want Wickham back to england after james and I want a big fight and I want that james and darcy to finally kick his ass! so they will be friends again? *__* )

Oh, please finish this story! It's absolutely amazeing!! I began to read it at HG, but it wasn't finished

I love your writing

This is hands down one of the best stories I have ever read. I am just as captivated by Mal and James as I am Darcy and Elizabeth. I eagerly await any words you have written about any characters you choose to share with us. I was literally holding my breath during the attack on the fort. Poor Mal, to lose her husband and her father in one year. Please don't let anything happen to James. Mal deserves her happily ever after.

Contessa, thank you for saying you think my theory of why Darcy despises Wickham (from my earlier post)is correct. It's one possibility. However, if it turns out that Darcy and Wickham were strange bedfellows while at public school, and that Darcy hates Wickham for it--well, I understand that, too.

Perhaps Wickham tricked Darcy at a vulnerable moment and Darcy awakened to find to his horror that he was in a compromising sexual position with Wickham. Waking up in the middle of the night and finding himself clutching Wickham or feeling pleasure at Wickham's touch--although it is understandable that young boys might experiment--I think it would also be enough for Wickham to earn Darcy's unending enmity if Wickham somehow entrapped Darcy. Perhaps he even sought to blackmail him, and Wickham found that Darcy don't play that.

Darcy would feel great anger at Wickham--and perhaps some shame at his own behavior, although he did not indulge fully knowing. This would also not be something Darcy would want to disclose to his father or his wife. Instead, Darcy saw to it that Wickham was removed from his life and his privileges curtailed. Understandable and fitting.

If this is the case, I hope Darcy learns to forgive himself and to share his secret, if not with his father than certainly with his wife.

OMG Lacy you've got it. Darcy couldn't hurt Elizabeth with what he know's it would kill her. But who could he be protecting? James, her father? Oh me oh my Please Tanya relieve our suffering and soon.

I'll add my voice to the pleas! This is an amazing story, and I just can't wait to read more! I hope RL is going well, Tanya, and good luck!

It has been a while since I begged for more of this story, but here I am again. Please post soon!!!! I have given up on trying to solve the mystery. I get too involved and it drives me crazy.

I read your story so far, and I thought it was wonderful. If you are able I'd really like to see this finished. Because with such a great story it can be a bit frustrating not knowing what will happen next and thinking it might be a while before we will find out.

i still dont think there was anything sexually between darcy and wickham. yes i have read it again all the way through. i like the last posting with malvina and james. now i hope you update the darcy/lizzy part of the story. i'm trying to paitently wait, but it's really hard.

Re Lacy's theory: Then why would Darcy wake up in a sweat for years and feel shame? If he saved someone, he would feel only pride. It was he who was compromised I think. He also wonders if he should warn James, but "James is no longer a 14 year old," so Wickham probably preys on young boys and weak, vulnerable girls, not grown men and women. Coward that he is. His crimes seem more about sadism and power than about lust and sex. See my earlier comments about homoeroticism in the work.

Maybe he feels guilt and has anxiety because he seen Wickam take advantage of somebody else and didn't do anything about it. This would be something the prim and proper Darcy would feel guilty about and ashamed.
teb

Then why would he have paid off Wickham for years? If he knew something that Wickham had done to another, Darcy could have made Wickham pay (not that he would) rather than the other way around.

But you did make an interesting point. There are so many ways this story can go. I wonder if Tanya has it all worked out in her mind already.

Since Elizabeth and Darcy are still 8 years apart (17 and 25), I have a feeling that we have to wait until she's 20, and he's 28 to see the marriage really take off!

"Since Elizabeth and Darcy are still 8 years apart (17 and 25), I have a feeling that we have to wait until she's 20, and he's 28 to see the marriage really take off"

I went back to the first comment on this story, and ironically, it's BEEN three years since Tanya began posting this story here! LOL!

Amy Z

Dear Tanya,

I have a lot to say about this fantastic story! You know a story is good by the way it affects you: I really dislike Elizabeth. The picture you paint of her brings out exasperation like no other "Lizzy" I have ever encountered. I hate this word but she is a pure bonified shrew and it has nothing to do with her age.

Now I know the couple does have a history starting at a very early age, much of it unpleasant. Although Darcy still mispeaks (actually even when he tries not to, Lizzy lights into him like a torch sometimes for no reason) and Elizabeth remains terribly angry because of the loss of her father, an arranged marriage and a strong desire to see her brother, all of this making her feel deserted and alone. I guess it fuels her resentments toward Darcy so they fight all the time. My problem is that they come to know each other better such that she begins to see his good qualities. Affection begins to grow and the physical aspect of their union also begins to develop.

Then BOOM! Wickham appears and just that quickly it's all over because Darcy is not prepared to satisfy Elizabeth's misplaced curiousity about his and Wickham's past issues right away (especially the part about Georgiana). She accepts Wickham's word, a total stranger and refuses to give her husband the benefit of the doubt as if their learning to care for one another means absolutely nothing. Oh, this goes much deeper that just a mistake because she has experienced the positive strengths in Darcy's character yet chooses to take the word of a someone with whom she has no history and no proof of his allegations and leave her husband. It's as if there is nothing Darcy can do to convince her that that he's a worthy human being.

I think I can safely say that this is a flaw in Lizzy's character in that she doesn't seem to understand the concept of loyalty in reference to Darcy. So what is his parting shot? He sends Elizabeth's maid to see after her with her wages paid up in advance and she isn't even affected enough to see something other than full separation. I just don't get it!

Your almost painfully slow development of their relationship is masterfully done. Your descriptions of every encounter, every emotion and every incident along the way are amazingly detailed, engendering feelings that are hard for me to control as I am reading. I would call them excruciatingly enthralling! I think I would give my right arm just to be able to have the completed version of your tale in fron of me at this very moment!!

Nozipo

ok. I had to go back and read it again to make sure I wasn't being too harsh. I wasn't! However, I did make an error or two; one being the involvement of Georgiana, another about the fact that they had agreed to separate when Darcy's father passed and the other about Darcy's extremely angry reaction to Elizabeth's query. There were points made on both sides in the ensuing argument. I don't know, perhaps Darcy could have calmly emphasized that this "secret" was one that was just to difficult for him to discuss as that time. Maybe she would have understood that she did not automatically have the right to demand it of him, something that she saw was turning him inside-out.

Sorry for worrying this subject so. I can't help it, your story is way to fascinating!

Where is Chapter 29??? Please, don't keep us waiting much longer! One of the best P&P fanfic's ever!

I can't wait for another installment. This is riveting and I know I'm going to be dreaming about them now.

Your story is awesome! I've been reading for three years...
Please, update soon! The waiting is killing us.

Thank you so much Nozipo Wobogo for your comment. I too have been frustrated/disgusted by Elizabeth's stupidity to the extent that I don't even care if she and Darcy make up - she doesn't deserve him! I think she needs to suffer a great deal before there can be any sense of justice in a reconcilliation.

I feel I must write in defence of Elizabeth!
What I think moonspinner and nozipo have forgotten is that Elizabeth in this story is very young. She was only 16 when she married Darcy - nearly still a child.
Darcy, on the other hand, is an adult and didn't always act like one in his dealings with Elizabeth.
Yes Elizabeth is willful, young and a bit gullible, and should have trusted Darcy in their row over sordid Wickham and his sordid tale.
But she had every reason to despise and mistrust him for years before they married, even when Darcy began his wooing of her. He didn't make it easy for her to trust him.
I do not think they will, or should, get together for a few years yet, they both need to mature a bit.
Elizabeth has had a lot to cope with in her young life and probably falling in love with Darcy was at the top of that. Something she wasn't expecting.
So ladies, be easy on her!
I absolutely love this story and hope and hope that the next chapter is not long away.

WOW! You've been writing this story for three years????!! When I read that I was amazed! I only started reading it a week ago, and I'm already impatient (:

One of the best fanfics I've read!

Thanks Moonspinner,

Because of my position on Lizzy's attitude, I was expecting some serious "hate mail"! I'm glad someone understands my point of view and you are correct, she doesn't deserve him.

Take care,

Nozipo

Hello Deirdra,

Point taken. The idea overrunning my thoughts is that in spite of her age and their history, there were multiple reasons for her to see him in a different light than the average man. One example would be him not pressuring her to consummate their marriage. The position of women being what it was at that time would make this show of consideration highly unusual. This one fact alone should have been worth millions to one as young as she. The other is her overblown sense of justice in favor of one whom she does not know. Even a child would chose the known over the unknown in spite of past events and especially where the kindness shown to her by both men was equal then. This is gullibility on steroids.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that breaking up her family was a severe step that even one so young would hesitate to take. She could be angry, she could continue to try to convince him to tell her, she could ask him to give her something of what emotion was overtaking him when he thought about it or any number of alternatives. Instead she chose the break-up which was, on it's face, shrewish, mean spirited and vindictive. In Darcy's words, "If ever I was unkind to you, You have since repaid me with interest!" and even Lizzy could "...not deny it." Thoughts?

Take care,

Nozipo

Given all the tender moments Elizabeth and Darcy have shared, it does stretch credibility that her concern for Wickham could ALONE be the reason she is putting up walls. Yes, she is principled and cares for the underdog, but--remember how hot it was in the study when Darcy gave her her first big O. And when he took her to the Liars' Club and disclosed that he does, indeed, love her. How does a girl walk away from that?

I suspect that Elizabeth wants Darcy so much she is afraid. They came together only to please his father. She may be acting shrewish for a woman of twenty-one who has lived in the world and knows something--but SHE is a teenager who really knows nothing and whose strong sexual feelings must be very confusing to her. Sure, she's being silly and she is wrong--but she has no way of knowing that. Even her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner, who think she should go back to her husband, are understandably reluctant to order her to do so, and what other support system has she to discuss her feelings?

Yes, we all want her to go running to Darcy. Personally, I want it so much that I almost forget why she might not--the fear that once she does, the man who so disdained her when they first met again at Pemberley and who before that had fought a duel to avoid marrying her--that man may come back. Wickham's tale just plays into all her fears of not being able to trust Darcy, and the more mightily Darcy turns her on, the scarier is the prospect of surrendering to him.

I think she suspects on some level that he will be waiting when she makes up her mind, and she is finding it easier to wait than to take the leap of faith and just trust him. In other words, she trusts him enough to think he will wait but not enough to just go ahead and say yes. It's like that kiss. She wanted him to do it but didn't know she wanted it--and was even a little angry that he did not just go ahead and do it. Except in this case--more is at stake and she will not let him forcibly drag her home.

Loving (kissing and hugging) is easy, especially when the object is the delicious Darcy. But trust is hard, especially when the object is the cold and proud Darcy. And for this Elizabeth, once she gives in to him, he will be her world. What if she steps into the breach and finds not his warm open arms but abyss? Wickham's whispers have reminded her that she always thought Darcy was capable of cruelty and harshness.

Can she put her life in Darcy's hands--the question is not whether he wants to stay married but whether she should tender him her heart and soul. IMO. Now we must wait for the author to tell if I have come close in my theory of how our dear girl's mind is working.

Hi Nozipo
Just a few more thoughts on Elizabeth.
As regards the non consummation of the marriage - this was the main agreement of their 'marriage' and Darcy gave her his word! He kept his word.
They married for Mr Darcy Snr's sake not Elizabeth's.
Darcy wooed Elizabeth for his sake, to make life easier for him, to make her smile at him, not for Elizabeth's pleasure, at first. That came later!

As for breaking up the family - well they weren't really her family. They were like a substitute family. Her family were Jamie and the Gardiners.
Yes by not going back to Pemberley with Darcy she hurt Georgina but Mr Darcy Snr actually understood why she did it, sort of!
Wickham did a number on her that's for sure. He used her youth and vulnerability and, gullibility, to play mind games with her, at Darcy's expense.
She wasn't life experienced enough to see it.

And now we come to my major grump with Darcy.............Valerie.

I can understand him visiting a courtesan for his'needs' as a single man and I do think he actually had an emotional attachment to Valerie. He needed her.

I have rarely experienced a gut wrenching feeling while reading a story - but when Darcy raced off with Valerie after Vauxhall Gardens, acting like a letcherous school boy, it was almost like real life!
I was so disappointed in him and desperately sad for Elizabeth!
I know nothing happened but, to me, he is as guilty as if he had got it together with Valerie that night.
And of course he was seen --stupid stupid Darcy.
And now Elizabeth knows and this caused her even more distress.
He has got a lot of explaining and growing up to do, before he is worthy of Elizbeth's love, I feel.

Can I also add that I agree with Lacy's last post.
Elizabeth's trust in Darcy has gone - thanks to Wickham and his lies, and she can only see that the cold distaining Darcy of old has come back and she hated him!
Thanks.
Deirdra

Hi Nozipo Wobogo

Anyone who sends you hate email because of your opinion about a fan fictional character is not worth getting upset about!

Hi Lacy

I think your interpretation of events is very insightful and it satisfies a lot of the problems with Elizabeth's character:

I suspect that Elizabeth wants Darcy so much she is afraid. .... What if she steps into the breach and finds not his warm open arms but abyss? Wickham's whispers have reminded her that she always thought Darcy was capable of cruelty and harshness.


Hi Deirdra

As upsetting as it was for Darcy to approach Valerie, please don't forget that he didn't sleep with her even though Elizabeth had given him every course to do so. It's a strange sense of justice that considers Darcy "as guilty as if he had got it together with Valerie that night" but thinks that Elizabeth is righteous for actually placing her faith in Wickham above her husband. Darcy almost cheated on Elizabeth physically. But Elizabeth has certainly cheated on Darcy spiritually.

Also, you missed the point of Lacy's post. Elizabeth's trust in Darcy is not gone becauseof Wickham's lies. Elizabeth's trust in Darcy is gone because she is afraid to trust Darcy with her heart and she is using Wickham as an excuse to shield herself from him.

Thanks Deirdra, Moonspinner and Lacy for this stimulating discussion! Although I already agree with Moonspinner's thoughts, I would like to consider some of the ideas expressed by Lacy and Deirdra about Lizzy's youth and frame of mind before I respond, OK?

I have enjoy the recent comments and speculations on this thread.

As much as I like Lizzy brother and mistress I can not wait for Tanya to give us some new insite on the happenings with Lizzy and Darcy.

Please post again soon
Geri

My dears, I'm thrilled to announce that chapter 29 has just been posted on Tanya's pages. Enjoy!

Unfortunately I cannot figure out at the moment why the direct link to the chapter doesn't work, so you'll have to scroll down first to get there.

an excellent chapter, it was worth the wait
although, I wish Darcy or at least Lord Gregory would approach Jamie, if not Elizabeth. E&D marriage is stranded, but the gentlemen are old friends.
I wonder if Jamie and Darcy are going to stay away from each other as well.

Oh, Renee, thank you SO much for posting this today. I have been having such a rough week and this really has cheered me up!

Tanya, this chapter was so worth the wait, and gosh was a lot resolved in it! I am so happy for Mal and Jamie and the baby! And for Captain Cranford and his love! It's so lovely to have those storylines take a positive turn.

I was really pleased that Elizabeth finally found out the true story behind Wickham and that she is starting to come to terms with things; I hoped and hoped that we would see Darcy by the end, and although it was brief, am so glad we did.

I am hoping that Lord Gregory will fill Darcy in on how low Elizabeth was after her brother's wedding, perhaps sow a seed of doubt that she's unhappy which might encourage him to approach her? He might even be able to seek Elizabeth out - he may know the location of Mal's family home in Mayfair from when Bingley used to call there, but if not, Miss Bingly certainly will (not that she would be likely to divulge the information!)

You see? You have totally distracted me and trust me, that is a very good thing!

I love this story, Tanya; I adore your writing and am in awe at its quality when English is not your first language. You are amazing!

Thank you so much for continuing this wonderful saga - it's long been a favourite of mine and becomes more so with every chapter.

Sandra

This was such a great chapter. I'm so glad everything is working out between Mal and Jamie. Now what is to become of Elizabeth and Darce? Why is Ms. Bingley not visiting Malvina, you would think she would want to find out more of her, they used to be sister-in-laws after all.
I am so looking forward to more of this story. Please don't wait so long to post. Love it, love it, love it.
teb

Tanya, Thank you, thank you for another post of your lovely story. Mal and Jamie so happy. Ruth and Cranford having a happy beginning. Now to Lizzy and Darcy, a resolution of animosities, openness with one another would be key to any future for these two people. Let's hope they can find it soon.

First of all, I just read in the comment thread that English is not your native tongue. I must say, WOW! You write so well. And I don't mean you write well for someone for whom English is not their first language. I mean, you write fabulously well, period. WOW!

Second, thank you for this post. I am certain I am one of many who has been haunting the website praying for an update. You have captured our hearts, seduced our souls--you own us. Alright, I guess I'm going on just a bit, but let me say simply, speaking for just myself, I LOVE THIS STORY.

I love where Chapter 29 took us. So satisfying in so many ways, but my favorite line: "I do, I do have a good reason, she wanted to say. I have discarded a man, as good a man as ever there was, and one I loved, and one who loved me."

This is so real, so how a young girl in love might react when she finally comes to her senses. Now you know the next thing I am going to say--more, please?

She has seen Darcy from a distance, and he is with that unpleasant Miss Bingley. Has Darcy given up on Elizabeth? Does he believe she has given up on him? Certainly, he is giving her distance. Is Wickham really dead? Is Darcy willing to tell her his secret now--but does it matter anymore to her? Will she write him a letter or somehow let him know she has changed? After all, in a sense, he has been the "adult" in the relationship up to now (patiently giving her time, refraining from rushing her to a physical completion he did not believe she was ready for), but perhaps it is time for Elizabeth to be a woman and reach out for her man. But is that done during the Regency period? How aggressive can a proper lady be? What would Mal advise? How will Jamie greet his former best friend? Does Jamie know Darcy's secret from those public school days with Wickham, and if not, would he be shocked? Would it change whether Jamie wanted Darcy to continue to be his brother-in-law? So many questions. . .Which are the right questions, the ones that lead us to your next chapter?

No pressure, but please write as soon as you can.

Oh my! How lovely and tender and happy and sad this was.
First, I am so happy to see another chapter and a nice long one at that!
Happy for Jamie’s return and his happiness with Malvina.
Relieved that Elizabeth has Mal to talk to.
Jamie would be content to have his sister with him at Longborne. But now that he knows of her unhappiness will he seek out Darcy.
And it’s been 2 years, why hasn’t Darcy gone after his wife? He knew she was young and immature, why didn’t he tell her the truth? Is he still seeing that woman? Has Miss Bingley been spreading her poison and lies?
Will Mr. Darcy live to see his son and wife reunited?

Hope to see more very, very soon!

Oh my! You have definitely surprised me a great deal, but what a welcome surprise it was. Your story is so great. And I am genuinely happy for Jamie and Mal and Ruth; but what about Darcy and Elizabeth? I hope you won't be so cruel as to leave us with that dreadful cliffhanger for too long.

But once again I applaud you with another chapter well written. You are an excellent writer. And I am at once anxious for the story to progress and sad that it will eventually end. But isn't that the goal to every great story? And to this effect, you have definitely succeeded.

Oh! Oh! A new chapter! A wonderfully long one, too. I am so very, very happy for Jamie and Malvina and Ruth and Cranford. Talk about being blessed in abundance! On the other hand my heart aches for Elizabeth and Darcy. The length of time they have been apart...so terribly long...with such pain and disappointment and shame between them. How will they get past it? I'm feeling that Elizabeth will need to make the first overture since he already begged her to come to him and she declined. The ball is in her court...

Thanks so much for the welcome post. Your story is one that I always look forward to more of.

Great chapter! Jamie and Malvina have found happiness now Elizabeth needs to do something to repair her marriage to Darcy.

Love your writing...

Always a delight to see a new chapter from you, Tanya! Will we find out in the next chapter what Darcy was thinking when he saw her? I'm hoping Jamie can play a role in resolving E&D's misunderstandings here, but I'm sure that whatever you have in store for us will be eminently satisfying.

Abigail

I am so glad the James arrived and Mal and he were able to marry before the birth of their child. I love how he held her and kissed right there along the river bank.

I didn't realize that Ruth was smitten with anyone. It appears everyone is finding their happiness but Elizabeth and Darcy.

I am so glad the Mal had the talk with E letting her know that Wickham is a BAD man and the E believes. She also realizes that Darcy had said the same thing and she refused to believe him.

I angry at Darcy he sees his wife and he can't even spare a word for her? Why on earth are he and Lord Gregory there with Miss Bingley? And if Darcy couldn’t come talk to her why the h*** didn’t Lord Gregory, that might have encouraged Darcy but he just disappears. B*****d.

When Elizabeth said: "Oh, Jamie what have I done!" I cried like a baby. Tanya you have written this so well and I was shock to learn that English isn’t your first language.

Lastly I have to say I would have been much happier if Wickham’s body was found at the Fort. I still think he was involved in the attack by leaking the info. Please let him stay in India but why do I think you have more planned for him.

Thank you fo rhte post and I look forward to more.
Geri

Glad jamie and mal worked out. Now it is time to fix Elizabeth and darcy. This is such torture
Pls post soon

I was almost beginning to like Elizabeth again. She came to the conclusion that she was wrong about Darcy and Wickham all by herself. And THEN, she decides this:

Perhaps the knowledge that she, herself, had been the object of a vile plan, made it easier. It was not just a mistake, she thought, she had not stood a chance...

She’s still living in her world of self-denial where she’s never the one at fault. I almost cried when I saw that she had seen Darcy because now, a reconciliation is inevitable and I had almost persuaded myself that the story will end with Darcy being free to find someone who could really appreciate his worth.

I cannot begin to even thank you for this latest update and a thousand THANK YOU for what amazing,compelling and ultimately gratifying read chapter 29 is. You did not left any stone unturned for Malvina and Jamie and including Capt. Cranford and Ruth.My heart was aching for Elizabeth's pain now that Malvina have shed some light re:Wickham's behavior. I am screaming inside for a reunion with Darcy.I was crying for all the memories that she remembered and understand her pain.But you are the best at storytelling Tanya,each line is very well thought and it shows- it is excellently written. I am just hoping I would see another update soon. Thank you so much you don't know how very happy you made me although I cried a lot in this chapter too.
Thank you immensely.You made it certainly worth the wait.
annj

As I read through the last bit of discussion, I had a thought that kept flowing through my mind - in this story Elizabeth is only about the age of Lydia in the regular one. But, unlike Lydia, her father is dead, no mother, her brother is gone, she is essentially alone, and though she is a fairly smart girl, she had led a very sheltered existence until the death of father, she has dealt with huge upheavls and changes in her life in very fast order. To me, Elizabeth can best be discribed as a pool ball - being bounced back and forth between situations that are completely out of her control and trying to adjust to them as fast as she can. Her head must be spinning. That does not even mention what her emotions are doing.

Today we would NOT encourage a 15 year old to get married and even then it was not common. It was rare for a girl to even be "out" at that age. It was more common to wait until 17 or 18.

My own take is that she is not sure WHO to trust. That is hard - because she is not even sure she can trust herself. Her emotions are like a ping pong ball - everywhere. I have been glad that for the last few months she has been with the Gardiners - because at least she has had some time to just be. Then she thinks Jamie is dead - I mean the fact this child is still standing up is AMAZING!!!

I agree she has made some whoppers of errors - but so has Darcy, and she came into this (was pretty well forced into this) with grave trust issues about him. I think sometimes it is hard to remember that until this chapter - she was basically an orphan. Yes the Gardiners were around - but only some. She is trying to figure out, what she feels, what she thinks, what her harmones are doing to her. Also, the nice part of her time with Darcy was extremely short - compared to all the bad time with him.

Frankly, I really do get why she is having some major issues.

But, I think she has also grown up a bit during this time. She has had TIME to think - to pull pieces together. I am excited that we are now beginning to move back towards her story with Darcy. Unfortunately, I am not sure that Jamie being back is such a great idea. He may be more of a hindrance than a help. Malvena though - she may be a great help and she may help move Jamie to a place of understanding and helping Elizabeth and Darcy. One can at least hope so.

I do love this story. Can't wait for the next bit.

mmin

mmin that was explained very well. I must say I agree with everything you said. Thank you.