This is fantastic news, luv. On my way to my mailbox!

Does this mean possibly as early as tomorrow? Yee haw
Geri

Here you go, my dear visitors, chapter 20 is up. Enjoy!

Oh no!!!!! Why Lizzy why did you follow Wickham? I hope she did pack the colt somewhere under her dress! Caroline is some sour grapes indeed, but at least she's not venom ;) Can't wait for the next chapter, Ellen!

Ellen G, I am one of your biggest fans--but why would Lizzy ever trust Wickham to go off riding alone with him? I know she loves her sister, but this is a boneheaded move that even a concerned sister would see as leading to more trouble for both of them. Isn't she going to tell someone of her plans--even that awful Miss Bingley maybe? That's probably not a good choice, but someone??? Or, not go, but wait and watch and track him surrepticiously. I mean, she does not even have a gun with her--my nerves are all aflutter!

Eeeekkk...you have no compassion on my poor nerves. Here's to hoping Darcy finds her before Wickham even gets to try anything at all. Please don't keep us long in suspense. I love this story to bits - I love westerns!

Oh my! At first I thought Wickham might trade Lydia for Lizzy but if he thinks she's pregnant what will he do? and I'm surprised at Lizzy for being so easily fooled by Wickham!

Can't wait for more.

Ellen I kept saying Don't go with him Lizzy Don't go with him Lizzy Don't go with him. I tapped the ruby slippers together three times AND SHE STILL WENT WITH HIM. I am so taking these slippers back to the Judy Garland Museum

I'm thinking she is unaware that Darcy has Lydia and is back and Wicky just happened to run in to her and convince her to do the wrong thing. I pray she has her gun under her Dress.

Geri

A gun under her dress so sound like a good idea! I expect she doesn't have one and will have to rely on her wits to escape from Wickham! Caroline is so snarky. I hope she gets the slap she deserves. Thanks for another excellent, exciting chapter, Ellen!

WICKHAM? What in tarnation is Wickham doing in Gold Hill? For some reason I thought he'd been run off.

Lizzy going off with Wickham - This story is scaring me.

PLEASE DON'T LEAVE US HANGING!

Happy Holidays!

Cheers,
Julia B

Don't forget, Lizzy is a gal who firmly believes that she "can take care of herself." She doesn't trust Wickham, of course, but she does trust her own wits.

So don't worry...I'm the ultimate angst wimp, and I won't keep you dangling for long.

Happy Chanukah! Merry Christmas! and a Joyful and Prosperous New Year to All!

Quote=Ellen G
don't worry...I'm the ultimate angst wimp, and I won't keep you dangling for long.

Great. I'll be counting the days.

Cheers,
Julia B

Chapter 21 is up, my dears. Enjoy!

OY!!!!! Ok, I know that Lizzy thinks she can take care of herself, but now she's being set up by the master manipulator (thanks to Horace) and Darcy, being the stubborn male macho he is will probably blow a gasket when he sees her in whatever gown she's gonna get poured into....oy, my nerves.....Ellen, please relieve my suffering....

This has taken an exciting and unexpected --and very angsty!!--turn. Which way will Will go, and what will he do if finds Elizabeth all dressed up like a harlot? But that may well be not what happens at all, especially since I would not have predicted what happened when Wickham introduced Lizzy to Mrs. Y and then so easily released Lydia. Is Wickham's real goal humiliating Darcy--with Lydia a disposable pawn?

You have me on the edge of the seat, Miss Ellen--and hanging over a cliff. This is one of those rare times when I am totally uncertain of what may happen next--good job!

Ellen,

The last chapters have been superb! And now we're left with Elizabeth in a very precarious and alarming situation (with foolish and oblivious Lydia). I'm eagerly awaiting the next chapter and hoping our heroine is able to handle whatever challenges she meets.

Roselle

I still can't believe Lizzy was so stupid as to go off with Wicky.

Now is it a lie? Did he take Lizzy to the Lone Wolf or is it a trap? Separate the two Darcy and Bingley?
Why didn't they check Mrs Young boarding house sooner? Or is this little house she is in NOT a boarding house? So will Wicky bring Lizzy dress to the Lone Wolf to get Darcy to pay dearly?

ARE YOU really going to make us wait 2 weeks for an update?

Love the story
Geri

Did Lizzy fall off her horse and lose all commonsense. the man purposely rips her dress and she willingly goes off to get another one? She sounds more like Lydia than Lydia does!
My girl has got to have a plan!

My girl has got to have a plan!

Naturally. Remember, this Lizzy is of tough pioneer stock!

And Geri, just because Mrs. Y says she has a boarding house doesn't mean it actually is a boarding house. After all, her dear friend George doesn't have a problem stretching the truth, does he?

Loved it so far....can't wait to find out what happens next? When will you be posting more?

Keep up the good work.

Bex, glad you're enjoying the story. The next chapter is in the works, and I hope to have it posted within a week. But please don't hold me to it...sometimes life intervenes!

Thanks for the recent chapter updates, Ellen! I havent had a chance to read the chapters before today because we were over in Europe visiting all of the Christmas Markets. We had a wonderful time, I highly recommend it to all Americans.

But now back to real life, ugh...

At least we have the stories here to get us through!!!

Ellen, that was a mighty good chapter. I think Wickham has the upper hand but I also think your Elizabeth will do something clever. Maybe shoot him? I like that you are not making it too easy E & D. Keeps it exciting!

Argh!! This Horace has to come and spoil things! Can't wait to see what tricks you've got in your sleeves, Ellen!

Chapter 22 is up, my dears. Enjoy!

Thanks for posting another great chapter! You just gotta love that Elizabeth shooting Wickham in the leg too bad it couldn't have been his backside, but I'm sure he wouldn't have turned his back on the dynamic duo for any reson!

Ellen, I am so glad Lizzy did have a gun--had she been hiding it all that time and biding her time because she knew it had only one bullet? How did she hide if from Mrs. Younge when that nasty bit of business was undressing her and hussy-ing her up for Wickham's gambit? Or, did Lydia finally do something decent and slip the gun to her sister in an unguarded moment?

As always, you leave jumping up and down to see what happens next. Let me tell you again how I love the way you write love scenes, HMS or in this case, pre-HMS. You are so good!

Fabulous chapter, Ellen! I loved having Elizabeth shoot her captor. That was a perfect touch. I love having Darcy rescue her but your way was so much better. I can't wait to find out which person from Gold Hill sees her in her current outfit. Thank you so much for posting this treat!

Woo-hoo, Lizzie got to shoot Wickham and Darcy got to punch him out. Both of them have a chance to get even.

I'm wondering who from Gold Hill will see them. Wouldn't it be hilarious if it was Caroline? :)

Lynnie & Lacy, thanks for commenting!

Lacy, Lizzy had the gun under her dress ever since she set out from the ranch. If she couldn't carry her Colt, she'd still be armed! But where the Colt is a six-shooter, the derringer is too small to carry more than one bullet. Still, this makes it ideal for concealing on one's person, hence the term "stocking pistol" or "stocking gun."

Mrs. Younge handed Lizzy the dress and locked the door behind her; there was never any forced contact. I would imagine, in hand-to-hand combat, Lizzy would have won anyway.

And as for HMS... stay tuned!!!

Lucy, Melissa...you posted at the same moment I did!

Glad you enjoyed. I thought it important that this Lizzy was capable of rescuing herself...with a little help from Darcy, of course!

Who sees Lizzy? All will be revealed in Chapter 23!

Thank goodness Lizzy regained some of her smarts! But I wonder what trouble awaits!

Ellen, love the suspense and how you resolve it so quickly. Can't wait for more.

I can't believe Darcy didn't stop and purchase something for Lizzy to wear? But then she would not have been spotted by????? Who?

Next Chapter soon. Please
Geri

I love the way you maintain the tension in this story.
Good for Elizabeth; we always knew she was resourceful.
Thanks, JulietR

Darcy gotta love a gal who can handle a gun!

I cheered when Elizabeth shot Wickham! I love a self-reliant and competent Elizabeth. Thanks for a great chapter.

Abigail

Ellen I'm sure missing your story! Will you grace us with a new chapter soon?
Geri

Geri (and everyone else who's following the story): Thanks for your patience. I've been working on the chapter but have been interrupted several times. After all, one needs some privacy to write HMS... (and today my son's home with the flu!)

I'm going to try to post before the end of the week, because then I'm on vacation. Hang in there!

heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehaaaaaa

Hope the dear son will be better soon!

Don't worry, dear Ellen, we will be waiting anxiously but patiently (if that makes sense at all!) Hope your son gets well soon

Chapter 23 is up, my dears. Enjoy and... don't forget your fan!

Thanks for another great chapter,but it that Aunt Cat lurking in the next one?

Ooooooh! Well done, Ellen! I do not think they could have waited much longer (nor could I, honestly). I loved the urgency, not surprising, with all that unresolved sexual tension (revealing dresses, al fresco swims... gosh! this guys were really needing it by now!)

And now for some good angst again. Though fortunately they will be fairly relaxed now.

....

Love this story, really

Woowwwiiiiiii..hot hot hot...Is that Aunty Cat or can Ms Caroline be not pleased as well..I don't think it would be Mrs Bennett though ..

Ima

Well now that Elizabeth’s had her man (and he her!) there’s no turning back. Regardless of who is there to voice their displeasure!
And is Mrs. Bennet complaining about the chores her way of welcoming Elizabeth back? What’s she going to do when her ranch hand gets married

Great chapter!

Fabulous chapter, Ellen! I just love this E & D; they're both independent but now know they want each other and aren't afraid to show it. Lady C doesn't stand a chance, especially arriving when she did. Please hurry with more!

amg

Oh good gawd-- the only person who says "seriously displeased" is Lady Cat... here it comes... I am all anticipation. BTW, loved the straw in your fly scene. What a hoot!

Way to go! Lord where is my husband!!!!! Dear Ellen always knows how to build up steam in my tea pot!

Did Catherine make a trip to Gold Hill? Say it ain't so say it ain't so.

I thought when they were at Pemberly swimming they consummated their relationship? Guess it was wishfully thinking on my part.

I hope your little darling is over the flu and that no one else in the family gets it.
Geri

Yes, you write exceedingly well--especially scenes of -- romantic expression. And was that Catherine whose voice was like a blast of cold water at the end?

Backing up a bit, I noted this: "Elizabeth might have been less distressed at her untimely exit from the town earlier that day had she known that Charlotte Lucas, just inside the door of the confectioner's, had been witness to the entire exchange with Mr. Wickham."

I must tell you, it would have saved me a lot of angst if I had known this a few chapters back--but that's the point, right, LOL?

This was just an especially great chapter and I even have to applaud your cliffhanger. After all, you certainly delivered before leaving us on the edge.

Ellen, thank you for the fun-filled chapter! I loved Mrs. B's displeasure because Elizabeth was gallivanting around the countryside and not home tending the sheep. I loved the hayloft, the posse, Charlotte's role in the rescue and just everything. I hope that voice at the end is Cat deB, Caroline, or better yet--both!

Thank you for letting E & D seal the deal. That just seemed so right. I bet it will not stop them from having a steamy wedding night, right? Keep up the good work!