I love this new twist on Wickham's role. Nicely done!

Thank you, my darling friends. I have great expectations on Wickham's intervention. I wonder where the muse will take me now. I have the last chapters finished but the ones in the middle are at the mercy of those twisted fairies of inspiration.

As to you , yes you, cowgirl... you must know that any typos in my writing will be worth reading as long that their existence had allowed you the time for grabbing your muse by the toes and finish up that wedding night once and for all. Expectation is killing me

Thank you for another mind-befuddling chapter, Malena. Not only am I perplexed about Wickham's true intentions, but worried silly that he will hurt Darcy somehow on the way to Pemberley. Furthermore, if he truly wanted to help, why not take Darcy back to London which is infinitely closer to Meryton? Now I have a splitting headache (but still can't wait for the next chapter).

I love this story. It has the charm of Tristram Shandy, Don Quixote and The Prince and the Pauper all rolled into one. Since it's a comedy, not a tragedy, I know all will be well -- and Wickham even might be rehabilitated!

Carry on! I await your next chapter with eager anticipation.

Enjoy chapter 18 of this amazingly clever, well-written and fascinating story.

Oh no, nothing at Pemberly has triggerd William's memory and that rascal Wickham has too much control over him. Please send someone to the rescue.

I just hope Wickham doesn't tell Darce that he is engaged to his cousin Anne. Darce would believe him and probably want to get married to her out of propiety and family honor. Ugh!
I still can't believe Wickham is good. Why doesn't Darce go to his study and look at previously written letters. It would give him some clue of where he stood with his family at least. I guess if you had amnesia that might not be something you would think about.
I'm very glad he wrote that letter to Lizzy. It was very endearing.
teb

Malena
You are a tricky one I thought maybe with Wicky confession to Darcy that maybe he want to start a new.

But it is clear he has a new plot and keep Darcy away from his family is key. However Christmas is growing near Miss Darcy will return what will happen then. Or see as she is in Ramsgate did that not happen.

Oh I've got to go back and read the beginnin I thougt that is what kept Darcy from traveling with Bingley.

Great story I look forward to more.
Geri

I don't trust Wickham and it seems neither does anyone except Darcy. I can't wait to see how you fix that! Loved Dsrcy reverting to his Longbourne behavior and feeding the animals. Thanks for the very sweet chapter!

I too wonder what Wickham is up to. Its a good thing Darcy is to good at heart to not follow what he believes is right. But why wait so long to go back for elizabeth? Is he waiting to regain his memory?

Chapter 19 is up, my dears. Enjoy Mr Darcy's humanity and Mrs Gardiner's wisdoms on the male species.

Cara Malena, you're just so amazing.

Wickham is the fox in the henhouse. Such compassion Darcy has retained in his demeanor but his memory is coming back. Can Lizzy's trip come soon? Please

She will, Irene...But first there's someone else on the way to Pemberley...and he/she is quite annoyed by all this befuddlement...

Okay, Malena, I think I was slow to get the point, but now I think I have it. You have painted a Darcy who was arrogant and above his company but whose time spent with the Bennets thinking he was someone else has changed him forever. So when Wickham tries to get him to act as if he is too good to get his hands dirty, that's just not the way Darcy feels anymore.

I am stumbling a bit, I think, because we JAFF lovers sometimes assume that Darcy is such a good master that he would also be kind and attentive to his tenants, even without the experience of thinking he had been a parson. But I think I see the point you are making.

Is Mr. Reynolds upset because Darcy wants to wear old clothes and interact so closely with the tenants, or is he upset with Wickham? And what is Wickham's deal? I can see he is trying to manipulate and control Darcy--almost as if he is trying to remake Darcy in his own image. *shudder* and horrors!!

But why? What does Wickham hope to achieve? Okay, you would probably say, keep reading to see, .

Darcy seems to be getting tired of Wickham. Why doesn't someone--Mr. Reynolds or his wife, maybe--just tell Darcy he hates Wickham and always has?

I'm looking forward to Elizabeth meeting the man she thinks is perfect and finding out he is also the man she hates.

Ok. I will try to answer all your doubts one by one...
1) To my mind, being a good master has nothing to do with going personally to attend his tenants' affairs. I am sure no rich master attended such things with their own presence on the spot. They have stewards to do that.Quoting from Mrs Gardiner "these rich men are never at home...".Indeed, after reading many classic books on R England, a man of the station of Mr Darcy would be no Heathclif if you know what I mean. There is a funny annecdote that some member of the aristocracy is said to have asked Mrs Sympson(the American lady that married the Prince of Wales after a scandalous divorce)if her husband used to go hunting or fishing or what. Mrs Sympson answered that her husband did none of such things. The Lady asked very astonished how did she put up with a man all day long at home, at what Mrs Sympson answered very dryly that her husband had a 'job', something a lady of her ladyship station would have never imagined. So, to make a long story short, gentlemen, rich gentlemen, did nothing in those days, and would have found being thus occupied simply outrageous and beneath them. I strongy believe that if Mr Darcy would have lived in our days, he would have been a rich snob, probably like the rider authoress BelenP so accurately portraits in "Obstacles to Overcome"


2 I strongly believe manservants as well as maids did not use to interact with their masters, especially in those days. Please, watch "The Remains of the Day" to get a picture of my idea. Of course, they will gossip downstairs but will never, ever say a word to their masters.

3 Wickham wants money of course. What else? Perhaps he hopes to get that living he lost back or even marry Georgiana.

4 Ditto. Plus, the servants have not been told that Mr Darcy's memory is not well. They have an idea, but have not been officially informed.

Well. I have enjoyed myself with all this clarification. Thank you for commenting and asking the questions, I love the interaction and please, forgive the typos.

Malena, you said some other person was on their way to Pemberley and they weren't happy with Darcy. I'm gonna guess its Lady C since he didn't make his trip to Kent. Love the chapter and looking forward to the next.

teb

Thank you for your response and your wonderful story--and for sharing your talent with us.

Maria and Teb,
Maybe it is LC,maybe not...Hopefully we will get to know it before long. It all depends on the availability of my dear beta...Thank you both for commenting. It is just as important as posting for it feeds my ego and spurs my muse

I am so glad he got a part of his memory back. Now I hope he remember how much he hates Wickham! Thanks for posting. I am always delighted to get a new chapter of this fun story!

Maybe with a little help of his friends...
Thanks for commenting, Lucy!

I was so happy to see another chapter up. I'm glad Willaim is still his own man and stands up to Wickham. I hate that he has listen to him as much as he has so far. I don't trust Wickham he could be using this time to cause and do a lot of damage.

I like for him to have a one on one conversation with Mrs Reynolds.

Lizzy is in for a shock when she finds out who William is. Lets hope with Jane actually being their on the trip will help resolve any misunderstandings quickly.

Please post again soon.
Geri

1) Fear not. Wickham's days of happily cuddled at Pemberley are counted...

2) That is not going to happen. In this story Mrs Reynolds is beneath him. She would never dare to speak to her master, and he would certainly not dim himself to ask her for advise.

3) She certainly is...Hundsford/Pemberley will be sort of entwined, I guess...

4) ASAP
Dear Geri, thank you for commenting. I am sorry I only saw it today!!

It just occurred to me that whoever was on their way to Pemberley would definitely be upset once they saw that Wickham was there.
Maybe someone wrote a note and told them.
Maybe it's Georgie and she's mad at William because he hasn't seen her in a while.
I am glad to read that he is starting to get his memory back. Hopefully he will get it all back soon and put Wickham out with the chamber pot waste.
This is such a good tale. I like the fact that William learned his goodness and kindness by losing his memory and being humbled that way. I hope he looks at it the same once he regains his memory.

teb

Indeed!

My dears, chapter 20 is up. It's stormy, to put it mildly. But you will so enjoy what happens to Wickham...

Darn! The Colonel didn't do Wickham in. That means he will be back for revenge. At least, Darcy memory is finally returning. The scene with the hot poker was just depicted in an episode of "The Tudors" here in the US. Ugh. Malena, More please.

Seems that Darcy’s memory is returning but not fast enough. Will the Colonel now turn his wrath upon his cousin and beat Darcy into remembrance!
Will Wickham make his way back to Hertfordshire?
Will Darcy be at Pemberley when Elizabeth arrives?

The scene with the hot poker was just depicted in an episode of "The Tudors" here in the US.

Was it? Tudors huh? Is it by the BBC? Never seen it. I read the anecdote in a historical novel called "The Three Edwards" Edward II is said to have suffered the horrible treatment, but as I pointed out in the note it was probably political gossip meant against Isabel, his wife and supposed murderer.
Thank you for the supportive comment!

So many questions...stay tuned! And thanks for commenting! It means a world to me!

Thank God Georgie will not have to face the vile Wickham. And now Wickham has sworn venges on both of them unfortunately he is aware of Darcy's partiallity to Elizabeth.
Can't wait for more
Geri

I breathed a loud sigh of relief as Colonel Fitzwilliam--not the brightest bulb, is he?--FINAllY figured it out. The way you set up his character is very funny.

My heart raced as I read and it was wonderful--all the angst you had built so expertly was exploding in happy revelation.

....But then. Will and his cousin fighting about Wickham? Why did Will stop the Colonel from sticking that hot poker where the sun don't shine--or, otherwise finishing him off? Is it because his time as a purported man of God makes Darcy squeamish about murder and mayhem--okay, I understand that.

I have so many questions. You must post as soon as conveniently possible for you, in order to save me from imploding upon myself with curiosity. You will save me, won't you? Seriously, this story is wonderfully fresh and surprising and EXCELLENT!!

I am most gratified by your words, my dear. I thank you.

Indeed, Wickham did not deserve such horrible treatment. , and the colonel was ,I am convinced, just bragging about it. And Darcy is not squeamish, mind you. He is simple reluctant to murdering people in his main parlour.

Be safe, I will save you. The chapter is already written. It only takes my dear beta to read it once. She is a sweet dear lady and surely will do it over the weekend.
Tha you again and again. Your words certainly invigorates my muse.
Male

"...taste the flavor of your own blood..." Brilliant! Great chapter!

Thanks, sweetheart! I have forgotten the hateaur that Wickham can inspire.

The colonel is not much appreciated, either. In most stories the poor man usually ends up contenting himself with Darcy's leftovers. I have not been very generous with him either. Must rectify this sometime and write about a good Wickham and a vindicated Colonel Fitzwilliam. But...will anybody read such a story?

I must admit a certain prejudice when it comes to Wickham. A good Wickham? Hmmm. . .

I am perfectly happy to see Colonel F as a hero, perhaps of a tale that focuses upon him. But, Wickham? You would really need to explain the premises of such a story to me because it is not immediately obvious.

But, given your talent, I think you would be able to persuade us.

Wickham's character is explicable in view of his upbringing as the only son of a spoiled mother who never had enough. He's not bad through and through, but selfish, deceiving, lazy, a hopeless liar and pretty stupid. So, I can imagine a story in which his behaviour is explained psychologically and in that sense made comprehensible. But to turn him into a good person would go too far perhaps... unless he marries Elizabeth, a personality who might have authority over him and have a good influence on him. However, we wouldn't want Elizabeth marry him, do we?

That is a what I call a brainway. Yet, though I can imagine the storyline, I cannot stand the idea of Elizabeth ending up married with him.For me is just Elizabeth and Darcy. There must be another solution for his bad character!!!

Nah, it goes too far... Elizabeth belongs to Darcy, period!

I guess Wickham's cure will be food for thought...

Loved the threatening, heroic colonel! I like him when he's angry! Thanks for the exciting new chapter, Malena. It was good for the colonel & Darcy to meet up again after so long apart.

Malena, "The Tudors" is an original Showtime Production starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers, another hunk. The main production company is Ireland-Canada for Octagon films and several other production companies. It's very lavish and the acting is excellent. The next season will deal with Henry the Eight"s last two wives.

Well hopefully after the Colonel tried to pummel Wickham and instead hit Darcy's face he will get his memory back. Hmmm. I just can't stand the Wick and I agree with the Colonel - he is a slimy snake. Looking forward to after the weekend for the next chapter. Hopefully Monday.

teb

Yes! I like the colonel too! I have Rupert Perny Jones in mind as I am writing this. Yummy!!!

I ll see if I can watch it through the internet.Sounds very interesting. I love JRM. He played an excellent George Osbourn in Vanity Fair a few years ago. He is the guy I have in mind when I write Wickham. Angelically wicked.

Hopefully Monday!!! I am struggling with chater 8 of ANS here. And my beta for PP is to her ears with real life (school and things) so I am afraid you will have to wait a fortnight for it.
As to Darcy being beaten back to his memory! Hahahaha You are too funny!!!

My dears, rush over to Malena's pages, chapter 21 is up. Enjoy!

There seems to be a problem with the link... the chapter does not show

It does from the main page, though.

Try to refresh your page. The link works fine.

At first the idea of a Darcy who does not remember who he is, in bed with his younger sister, was a wee bit uncomfortable to contemplate.

But we can be confident that nothing untoward would happen because this is Darcy. I think you are exploring the relationship between memory and identity? It seems that in forgetting who he was, Darcy has truly found himself, and each time he recovers a specific memory--here, the nickname Sprout--it is symbolic for him finding the better man in himself.

Love all this insightful comment. Thank you Lacy.I am certain you are quite correct. He is little by little finding himself.