When I read this segment I didn't so much take it as she was showing relief as much as she felt she made it over a barrier of sorts. Darcy is the one who quickly turned and walked out. Maybe at this time Elizabeth was willing to go further but with Darcy leaving the room we don't know. I am waiting for the next chapter to find out.

Good point, Teb. Since we only get his point of view, then it's his perception that she's relieved because it's unpleasant, rather than her being relieved that they broke the ice. I think he's as confused about her feelings as I am.

In this chapter and the last one, too, I've been getting the vibe that Elizabeth would like to jump Darcy's bones. I mean, the minute she walked in on him and little Fan after the incident in the closet, with him holding the kid -- well. Note that Elizabeth tells Fan Darcy is not a mean man.

And before that, Darcy gave his wife a very nice trinket which must inspire the warmth of gratitude -- and maybe something more? I would speculate that the reason Elizabeth is hanging back is because she is feeling too much rather than too little, and she is afraid of being head over heels about a man who says he is in love with another woman. Even when Elizabeth says she knows a man has needs, it sounds as if she may be discounting his attraction to her --because she has to see it -- as just a physical thing. Remember, she had thought he had a mistress, so she has some understanding of a man's physical needs.

Eventually, she knows the two of them will have to jump into the sack but she probably wants to protect her heart from loving him too much -- and perhaps even being a wild woman once she gets her hands on him. She probably thinks he wouldn't like that or would be repulsed by her ardor, as if she is behaving like some common girl who might his mistress. Naa, he wouldn't like that. So, she's trying to be cool.

Maggie man - Wickham? Darcy I want to ...I don't know what to do with you. Probably E would find a proper way to deal with you.

Jan, we are totally under your spell of writing.
Thank you.

It seems most of us are speculating that..
Maggie's Man = Wickham = Mean Man...
and if that is so, we are in for big trouble coming soon.

It did surprise me Darcy calling Fan by her name. That is a good beginning even thou he still sees her as "Wickham's child". Hopefully, Fan will win Darcy's heart soon thus winning Elizabeth's (tho I think he already has it). However, as long as E thinks Darcy loves another woman, I do not think she will open up/give herself completely to him.

Both have a lot to learn about COMMUNICATION.

But at least Darcy got a goodnight kiss.

Is Wickham the man? ? Will Lizzy give way and kisssssssssssss Darcy back soon? Poor man.
Thanks Jan for the story,

"Maggie man" I thought about Wickham as the man. Maggie would have had to seen him at Longbourn? I doubt W. had access to both Fan and Maggie anywhere else. Hope Elizabeth checks this out.

Darcy and Elizabeth are still circling each other, neither one knowing that they share the same feelings. However, the circle is getting smaller in circumference. They're sharing some small intimacies, including putting Fan to sleep. Very nice!

Oh my, speculation abounds! Thank you, Renee, Marina, Cindy, Irene, Sandy, Teb, China, Gio, Ophelia, Lacy, Vesna, Lili, Geri, and Lucy for your kind comments and allowing me to see what thoughts this chapter produced on your part. I won't answer all your questions, but I will clarify a little.

Sandy, Mr. Bennet is ill. Mrs. B just conveniently dismissed it so that she could spend Christmas day at Netherfield and push Jane and Bingles together.

China, your imagination is greater than mine to suspect that Maggie might be a man! Little Fan didn't want to pray because she wanted to talk about Maggie and the man, as much as a child that age can talk.

Ophelia, I can see how it looks like Elizabeth is teasing Darcy according to today's customs. In my mind, she doesn't realize what she's doing because she is quite innocent. Lacy is right in saying Elizabeth is protecting her heart. She's not sure about Darcy's feelings at all, and as someone said, why would she after he professed love for another woman?

Okay, that's enough. Back to filling the blank page!

I am glad Elizabeth is ready to start slowly becoming Darcy's wife. Thanks for the new chapters. It was lovely to see Fan warm up to Darcy until he raised his voice to her. I look forward to all three of the them forging a true family unit. Grand story, Jan!

And yet another lovely chapter of Jan's great story is awaiting you! Enjoy chapter 12 of The Child.

All the clues are there for Elizabeth and Darcy, but not expecting anything bad, they're missing them. Oh, sometimes it's frustrating to be the reader with a better perspective than the characters!

I hope this is a short week, waiting for next Sunday. Thanks, Jan!

OMG Jan! You are becoming the queen of cliffes! What a place to leave us! Lots going on and lots of emotions.

Isn’t that what it is...a marriage of convenience? As he told her...he loves someone who doesn’t love him so he just as well marry her. No passion, no affection...nothing more than convenience. You set the ground rules Darcy...so 'put on your big boy panties and deal with it!'

And you're wondering what could draw Wickham back to Hertfordshire? Darcy, Darcy, Darcy...are you that dense?!!! Killing you and then forcing Lizzy to marry him would give him lots of money! Or, he could kidnap Fan and threaten her to get your money! Darcy...you arrogant a**!!!! (Darcy is really getting my dander up)

Noooooooo! Maggie and Wickham have kidnapped Fan and Wickham has a gun that shoots distance! That must be why Maggie doesn’t want Elizabeth to check in on Fan...that’s probably why Mrs. Abernathy is sick and...that’s why she says they will be outside by the time Elizabeth wakes up in the morning...all to give them a really big headstart!

Lizzy! Please check on Fan before you go to bed! Listen to your instincts!!!!
Of course, since it concerned Fan, Darcy probably never even paid any attention but then again, this Darcy is pretty dense!

Oh Good Grief! I really do wish Bingley would muzzle his sisters! He seems to be as oblivious to their behavior as Darcy is to Wickham's. What did they teach those men at university?


Hey Darcy...hope you like cold water because that's all you're going to need for a long, long time once Lizzy finds out what has happened! You’re the one that made sure Elizabeth knew this was a marriage of convenience! Good grief man...what did you expect?!


Oh yes...he had become that deceitful man who would stop at nothing to get what he wanted...he had become just like Wickham! He gave no thought to who he might hurt...only that he accomplish what he wanted!

How will Darcy truly react when Fan discovered to be missing? Will he care? Will he care that he is the reason? Will he ever be able to get himself out of this very deep pit he has dug for himself or will the walls cave in around him?

If one hair on Fan’s head is injured, I will tie his hands and legs and personally feed Wickham to a whole swarm of fire ants (do they have fire ants in England?) and tie Darcy to a chair in his very deep pit and throw his aunt Catherine and Mr. Collins in there with him!

Jan, you really know how to crank up the angst level! Yikes! We have to wait a whole week for more! Darcy’s arrogance is now coming back to bite him in the butt!

You know I love this story! I wouldn’t feel such emotions if I didn’t! Great writing Jan...I can’t wait to see how you manage to redeem Darcy in all of this!

Perhaps it is unfair of me, but I find myself increasingly irritated with Lizzy. It reminds of P&P when Elizabeth is at first charmed by Wickham and misses the holes in his story. So, I realize there is precedent. Here she so trusting of Maggie, despite the hints in the chapter before this one that based upon what Fan said, Maggie has a man who she has not mentioned to her employer. Now all those incidents in earlier chapters when Fan would turn up in the wrong place because Maggie was not watching her take on a different and less random hue -- has Wickham been tracking Darcy all this time and using Maggie as his eyes into the Darcy household?

And, in this chapter, Maggie almost comes right and announces she is going to kidnap Fan -- Don't look in on her in the evening and don't check her out in the morning -- come on, as the child's mother for all intents and purposes, Lizzy -- why are you not seeing red flags and hearing warning bells?

Is Maggie's last name Younge, by any chance?

You might wonder why I am not similarly irritated with Darcy for missing the same signs -- in fact, given that he is a more suspicious and critical type, shouldn't he have put two and two together by now? Maybe, but I am willing to give him a pass because his mind is so wrapped in one thing at the moment. Until he finally beds his wife, he may be not be operating at full capacity.

Wickham, a gun, Maggie and do not disturb Fan. A bad combination.

Irene
GRC

I totally agree with your speculation Irene ...and then add that it will put somewhat of a breach between Elizabeth and Darcy. Especially because it seems like Fan is #1 to Elizabeth. Poor Darcy is going to have to wait a long time for consumation.

Being a mother myself I don't know how Elizabeth can go to bed without looking in on Fan, with her being so young. It is just an automatic thing no matter what the lowly maid says, of course I'm not living in fanfiction either

Is Maggie making the head Nurse sick? She is going to steal the child isn't she and Wicky has a gun oh dear Darcy is in danger.

come on Sunday
Geri

I am guessing that poor Mr Wickham is just trying to fulfill what the infatuated Mr Darcy asked him at the beginning: to get rid of the child- in the hope of getting some funds from Mr Darcy which is all his intention in Austen's classic story. If this is so, then Mr Darcy is to blame for Elizabeth's misfortunes...again.

What a chapter!
Stolen gun is best used to kill the thief.
I hope that Darcy will be brave enough for very open conversation with E.
Rhetorical question: where is Fan?
Waiting for my Sunday evening.
Thank you Jan.

We all know trouble is coming soon. If Fan is missing, Lizzy and Darcy will get closer. But then afterwards, when and if Lizzy finds out about Darcy's original duplicity of trying to get Fan aways from the Bennets, I don't think Lizzy will be to forgive him. I do not see how they would be able to get past such deception. The only way I see this happening is if Darcy risks his life to save Fan, like being shot and nearly dying. That is the only way I see Elizabeth softening towards Darcy for all the damage he has caused. Many times, good intentions gets you into more trouble than helping.

I cannot wait till next post.

Like the proverb says:
"The road to hell is paved with good intentions!"

I am also speculating along the same line as Lili! For all his good but arrogant intentions, they are sure coming back to haunt Darcy now!

I also agreed that Darcy is quite dense! With a gun missing and Wickham's sudden appearance, did it not occur to D that W is back for revenge since D did not "fulfill" his promise to W? Argh!!!

Hope Lizzy will still pop by to check on Fan out of habit anyway. The angst meter is going up by the looks of this chapter! Thanks for this fabulous story, Jan!

Maggie's man is Wickham isn't he? If so--good twist! Fan must seem awful to Darcy but if he had raised her from birth he would appreciate her more. The "terrible twos" are called that for a good reason."

Elizabeth is really starting very small trying to get used to her husband's affections. I hope they will make a little progress!

Thanks for the wonderful chapter, Jan. Love Wickham at large and armed!

Thank you, everyone, for your interesting comments! I can't believe the weekend is already here. Sorry to be so late in replying. I've had one of those yucky weeks in RL, as we all experience from time to time.

Also sorry for the cliffhanger. I'm afraid they're inevitable for awhile, but I'm trying to keep them at a minimum.

Argh! I fear that that response means that we will have to wait longer than expected for the next chapter

Chapter 13 is up, my dears. Enjoy!

Oh! I know that dastardly Wickham has kidnapped the child. Like that the Darcy's are warming up to each other very nicely though. Another terrific chapter Jan!!

They are growing closer but will the truth ripe them apart?

Irene
GRC

Oh Jan...there are just so many things that I enjoyed...Loved Darcy’s response to Lizzy about what married people do to begin their day

I really don’t think that’s what he had in mind!!

Of course she is you idiot! Proper young gentlewomen weren’t allowed to have the ‘experience’ you obviously have! Boy...he is too used to running with the Caroline Bingley crowd...who will throw themselves at a man in a heartbeat! Yikes...sometimes I just want to smack him with that 2 x 4! Lizzy is very innocent and they certainly didn’t have a courtship. Plus, she still believes him to be in love with someone else...Darcy really is thick!

And in my opinion, Caroline Bingley continues to act worse than Lydia! She flirts with and expects to be seen with a now married man! And she has the gall to talk about the Bennets? And her shameless sister still encourages her! Can’t Bingley control these two hussies!!

OMG…LOL! This was priceless. I could see Caroline with her mouth hanging open and suddenly losing her appetite! Thank you for this...it was such a break in the tension that seems to be ever present!

If he did that...he would be an even bigger fool than I think him already! I suspect she is wanting to get an invitation from Elizabeth since Darcy won’t extend one. She really is a slut!!

OK...granted Elizabeth neglected to check on Fan but she already knew that she would be out walking early and therefore she did ask Darcy to check on her. Let’s face it...Darcy didn’t want to be bothered! He doesn’t like Fan and doesn’t want her around anyway! He still sees her as Wickham’s child and can’t see past that.

Oh Good Grief Bingley! Are these two really the type of aunts you would want around any of your children? Kick these two out, now! I’m always so angry with Bingley...he really is such a twit!

So...because he lured Wickham to Longbourn with the promise of lots of money and now Fan is missing, Darcy gets to hold Elizabeth in bed! I hope he’s happy...I’m not and I don’t think Elizabeth will be either when she finds out what he has done. However, she was the one who wanted to keep Maggie against Darcy’s urgings to get rid of her. But then again, none of this would have taken place if Darcy hadn’t brought Wickham into the picture. He didn’t even know he had a child until then. Nope...still can’t let Darcy off the hook.

Is it possible that Fan will be found and Wickham killed before he can relate to Elizabeth that Darcy is the reason he came back? Then Darcy will just have to live with his guilt for the rest of his life instead of living without Elizabeth.
I still say Darcy deserves the likes of Caroline Bingley...She really is worse than Lydia! At least Lydia thought she would be married when she ran off with Wickham...Caroline is chasing after a man already married and could be nothing better than his mistress, if he would have her, that is! What a slut!

I can’t believe that Darcy is thinking how innocent and naïve Elizabeth is, yet he is the one who
1. told Wickham about his daughter and promised him money if he would take her away, and
2. knows that Wickham is back in the area and he has a gun.
Can he really be that dense to not put things together?
So everyone is frantically searching for Fan! Wickham wants money! When will the ransom note be delivered and what will it say?
And what about Mr Bennet and his illness. I can't imagine what will happen to Elizabeth if her father gets worse or dies. None of this would have happened in the first place if Darcy had just let Bingley know about Jane being in London years ago...and then, if he hadn't brought Wickham back to Longbourn. Darcy really does have a lot to answer for!

Oh Jan...this past week was maddening, just knowing that Fan was going to be missing…and now...well...it’s just going to be so hard to have to wait until next Sunday for more! Maybe we need another post...uh...today!!!

I’m really enjoying this story told from Darcy’s POV. It’s easy to read and I have no problem following the scenes. As a matter of fact, many of the scenes I can picture happening like they are on a movie screen and I’m watching them unfold. Thank you so much for another wonderful gem! I'll try to hold onto this limb I'm out on but my arms are getting very, very tired!

Yes, it looks as if Wickham in cahoots with the maid Maggie snatched Fan. Will the increasingly friendly relationship between William and Elizabeth face a sudden freeze when she realizes the role William played -- he paid Wickie to come back into their lives, after all. Now the Wickster probably feels entitled because he did not get all the money he expected -- I'm pretty sure that if he took his daughter, it was not that he was driven by filial love.

I am still willing to get Darcy a pass because he was really trying -- and he's still pretty fogged in with his obsession with Elizabeth, so he's not at full mental capacity. He should have realized by now that this is all W's doings. (I'm assuming so although this has not been absolutely determined in the story yet.) I still blame Elizabeth more. How did she hire Maggie in the first place? Perhaps, though, in the end, William and Elizabeth will agree they are equals in this fiasco.

Jan, thanks for the new chapter. I truly love the story and I can't wait for the next chaper. Love the way how Elisabeth and Darcy grow towards each other. But I fear the moment when Elisabeth will discover the truth about Darcy's role in bringin back Wickham into their lives.

Oh my, when Elizabeth finds that Darcy brought Wickham to the country she is going to be furious.
I do hope that Fan is ok and she is being at least fed and kept warm. I think Wickham would not care a bit if she wasn't.

I cannot believe that Elizabeth would be so naive as to not know what goes on in the marital be at times, especially after Lydia's downfall and the babe.

Waiting a whole week to read more I hope it goes by quick.

Another chapter executed with great writing!

This story has been superb thus far! I am exceedingly anxious for Fan to return, or at least for a ransom note to be delivered. That blasted Wickham! I'm glad to see the evolution of Darcy's character, as far as Fan is concerned. Thanks for sharing your beautiful work with us! It's lovely.

Jump to say thank you.

Thank you, KayakChick, Lucy, Helene, and Vesna for your lovely comments! These chapters are hard to post just one at a time because they end in such anxious moments. Sorry about that.

It will be interesting when/if a ransom note turned up. Darcy will most certainly have to reveal the truth to Elizabeth, and that is not going to be pretty. Argh! Oh Darcy, what have you done?!!

Thanks for the chapter, Jan! We are so hooked! Look forward to more

Today IS Sunday, is it not? Where is my share of Jan's story? Mondays are not the same without it!

Wickham, Wickham, Wickham!

Darcy is also in big trouble, yes he told about the ransom but not how he is involved.

Lizzy will widdle it out and then what?

Irene
GRC

This story will be fun to re-read for many reasons -- watching the budding relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth one of them and Darcy's slow dawning of care for Fan another. But reading it the first time is a singular pleasure, as one tries to figure out what is happening.

For example, since Maggie asked her employers not to look in on the child on their return from the Lucases' gathering, does that mean she was taking the child that night? But if that is so, then why was Wickham looking in the window at the Lucases, as if trying to make sure Darcy was not at Netherfield? Did Wickham arrive at Netherfield to find Maggie and the child already gone, but did he decide to hit Darcy up for a ransom anyway? Has Maggie taken Fan to Cutter's Wood to hide? But if she was going to do that, then why not just disclose her conspiracy with Wickham and say she now thought better of it --she did not want to go along with him? Or, did Maggie and Fan somehow leave for London ahead of Wickham, since he was seen leaving alone? I think the theft of a jug of milk, bread and ham suggests that Maggie is somewhere still in the vicinity and she may have her own reasons for trying to avoid Wickham. I just don't get, if I am right about that part, why she felt unwilling to confess it to Elizabeth? Is Maggie afraid of losing her job but thinks that if she brings Fan back unharmed, no ransom needed, she will earn Darcy's regard finally -- after all, it was he who hired someone to work over her.

None of this wild speculation may be anywhere close to the target, but you inspired it in me and I thought I would offer it for your amusement. It's the least I can do since your story provides so much entertainment!

I myself was thinking along the same lines as Lacy. The ham, bread, and milk were stole my Maggie so the child would not go hungry, the till money on the other hand is all Wickahm. And if Wickham didn't have the woman and child with him when he left it would be good to check Cutter's Wood anyway - I hope he does if nothing else to rule it out.

And sheesh, why did not Darcy come forward with the truth again. He should have told Elizabeth the full truth this time.
Such a great chapter. I hope the Bingley women do not start any rumours on their own.
trez

Wickham left alone, food was stolen, somebody really needs to check Cutter's Wood.
Darcy, you have an open door so admit the truth. Yes, she will be angry, probably she will kill you with tongue-lashing but remember her little smile when she found out that you are not married and closeness you two have now. Telling the truth is your last train to happiness.
Jan you are wonderful.

I so much want to run to that Wood.
Maybe with google maps?
Great story! Thank you

Jan-as with all your stories-this one is excellent-you are one of my fav authors-wish I was more eloquent in my praise! Mary

What have I brought to pass?

Indeed!!! Darcy made his bed, now he has to lay in it. Unfortunately, he is not the only one that has to pay for his f@ck up; Fan, Elizabeth, the Bennets, just to name a few. But I also blame Elizabeth; she trusted Maggie blindly even thou she was not competent or responsible w/ Fan, Darcy had reservations about her and for once, he was right. And Darcy..he needs to man up and come clean, not only w/ Elizabeth but w/ everyone around him. He has a tendency to avoid speaking of certain subjects thinking they will go away. Sweeping the dirt under the rug so you can't see it does not mean it is not there. When will he ever learn? It will be a mess once this is over.

So many posibilities...of what really happened.

Oh I want to shake your darcy get it over with confess the whole truth now.
Oh dear more soon please

Come on, Darcy! This is a good time to man up and confess to Lizzy what you have done!

Sorry it's taken so long for me to reply. Had some medical problems and ended up sleeping about 24 hours!

Anyway...I'm thinking the same as Lacy and Trez that Maggie has Fan and she is hiding in Cutter's Wood. And, I'm wondering if Wickham has somehow threatened either to harm Fan or the Darcys or all of them and that is why Maggie ran off with Fan.

Darcy really has made a mess of things and now he is planning to head to London? Oh Dear.

Maybe Maggie was supposed to meet Wickham in London and when he gets there and doesn't find her, then what?

Cutter's Wood is important, I'm sure of it. Maybe Lizzy will go there, herself since no one else will.

Oh Jan...I'm now on pins and needles waiting to find out just what is happening with Fan and...how Lizzy will react when she finds out that Wickham only knows about Fan because of Darcy. His not coming forth with the truth is going to make it harder and harder to own up to 'what' and 'why' he did it!

More Jan, more! I love, love, love this story!

Great Story...........YP4 n


Caught up with reading this story over the past weekend and found it to be a great story. I love Fan and hope she is going to be alright in wickham's clutches until her "real" poppa gets her back and I know he will!

Bravo

Thanks, everyone! I'm sorry for the angst, but glad to see you're hanging in there with me. I love reading all your speculations. Some are much better than mine. Darcy truly has made a mess of things.

Mary, you need not worry about making more eloquent comments. I love any and all kind words. They provide such encouragement. And Sandy, I'm sorry you're having medical problems and hope they're cleared up soon. Elaine, I regret you had trouble finding where to post, but thank you for persevering.

I'll be gone over Easter, so look for an early post of Chapter Fifteen. Happy holiday weekend!

Early post...we can handle that definitely! It will feel like the Easter Bunny came by!

Happy Easter to you too, Jan!

Chapter 15 has just been posted, my dears. Enjoy!