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NOOOOOO!!!! How could you leave us like this????? I’ve gone from smiling to laughter to this can’t be happening though I knew something was going to! I knew Wickham was blackmailing Mr. Bennet or something very close to it! Now Wickham’s ‘hand’ has been shown and the Latimers have arrived! I think I want to go back to laughter with Richard’s comment “One of you needs to take ownership of that cup of tea. If you both rescind the saucer at once, the liquid will be quenching the rug, not your thirst.” To think that it was Darcy’s cologne and Miss Elizabeth’s toes that gave them away!
Yes, sorry about that, Carole! 😉
You can always rely on the Colonel for a smile! 😀
Nooooo!dont stop!!!!
Geese, they were finally getting somewhere!
Bad author!!!!
Seriously, thrilled with the little smooch and e all knew Richard was aware of them in the alcove.
And now, the visitors!
LOL Sorry, Carol! 😀
I had a feeling that the Colonel detected ODC behind the tapestry. He is too hilarious!
What a mystery you have presented, in the midst of a crisis! Wickham threatening while the Latimers loom – ’tis too much to bear! 🙂
Thanks again for another great chapter!
Yes, all sorts of threads about to come together, Carol! Glad you enjoyed the chapter!
Those two have such bad luck. Hopefully Darcy will be able to take control of ALL the situations? Thanks
Darcy’s got his right-hand man with the Colonel, so I’m sure they will sort everything out… eventually! 😉
OHHHHHHH!!! I think my heart dropped. I knew that Wickham had to be around.
Hope you’ve picked that heart back up, Cindy!
What on earth could Wickham use to blackmail Mr. Bennet? Does he threaten to expose where they are living to the residents of Hertfordshire? What good would that do? Their reputation could not sink any lower there and who would they share it with in Derbyshire? If he is threatening the other girls? Or Elizabeth and Jane, would Mr. Bennet not want to stay there to protect them? I can not believe, after all the damage W. did to the Bennet family that he seeks to add to their woes. Afterall, there was no evidence before that Darcy and Elizabeth was going to get together BUT is there a servant who is tipping Wickham off about goings-on in the manor? But what would they be saying? Darcy has not exactly been forward in his attentions to any one particular lady. It’s a mystery, Charlie Brown. At least they talk about the dangers of walking out and how the “poacher” would hear of their approach if it were the twins walking out…they are not exactly quiet and demure young ladies.
Yes, I don’t think any of us is surprised that the Colonel knew they were behind the tapestry.
Good for you, Darcy…recognizing Wickham’s handwriting! Tuesday can’t come soon enough.
It’s a mystery indeed, Sheila (and lol re Charlie Brown!).
Loving all your rumination! 😀
Very intriguing and very well done Cass. I think the story is starting to get to the climax.
I enjoyed this chapter immensely.
Thank you, Cristina! Yes, all sorts of things coming up!
Oh, my! ‘Tis not an extremely comfortable position, perched on the edge of my seat. And until Tuesday???
Could you please consider a Saturday chapter to put us out of our misery? Well, my misery, at least. The edge of a wooden chair is no place to remain for five days, mind you! 😉
(Plus we’re to have six days straight of rain [quite a feat in sunny Southern California], so it would be lovely to have at least an imaginative “break” in the weather.)
Thank you for a spell-binding chapter and quite the cliffhanger at the end. Yikes!!! Or, as Shaggy would say, “Zoinks!”
Warmly (but shivering!),
Susanne 🙂
LOL re Shaggy, Susanne! 😀
I’m sorry about the cliffies! That’s life, as they say. Problems don’t space themselves out neatly, the sometimes turn up together 😉 Hope you can hold your brolly up whilst perched on that chair edge!
OMG! Things are happening at the same time!
There’s always a servant interrupting their moment !!
I know, Jessica! Those pesky servants!
I had a very strong feeling Wickham would show up sooner or later. However, just when the Latimers show up is very intriguing. I assumed the ghostly poacher was related to him. I am cautiously optimistic to see where this will go. I worry about how Mr. Latimer could use this to his benefit based on Colonel Fitzwilliam warning Darcy about his character.
I keep shouting at Elizabeth say something or do something! However, I have to remember that she thinks Darcy is fixed on that ‘Latimer woman’.
Can’t wait for more!
p.s.: I know I am not your beta reader and you are not necessarily looking for this feedback… but I feel myself getting distracted by the words aught, naught and when the phase ‘the year xx’ used. Otherwise, I would (and probably will) pay for this book online, I am enjoying it so much.
The thing is, I really appreciate the feedback! If anyone needs to give me any similar feedback or pick up any typos (which some of you kindly have already – I don’t have time to pass the chapters to a proof reader unfortunately, but it will all be thoroughly edited and proof read by several pairs of eyes once complete), then please email me at:
cassandra (dot) grafton (at) gmail (dot) com
I do understand your point, I assure you! I did stop reading an author friend some years ago because she used such specific period-correct (which I am not well-versed in) dialogue that it frequently pulled me out of the story. I do not want that to happen.
I am aware that I overuse ‘naught’ and ‘aught’ and promise the edit will substantially reduce these! I can’t seem to help it… perhaps I need to seek help! :O
As for ‘the year …’ – I’m so sorry, but that is something I will continue to use. If Jane Austen can use it in Persuasion, then it works perfectly for me. ❤ 😉
So… happy (the Colonel knew they were hiding behind the tapestry), happy (intense gazing over an unclaimed tea cup), happy (a planned walk to the arboretum), and then… SAY WHAT!!!!! A letter from Wickham to Mr. Bennet (what on earth could the scoundrel be up to now) arrives just as the Latimer carriage is seen approaching the house. *looks under the desk for the rest of the scene — chastises self for always looking there when self knows it will not be found — sighs deeply*
Oh Jan, please come out from under that desk!
Oh my… So much happening all at once! And when I started reading I was just expecting to meet the expected guests… Nope! Cassandra, when you do a cliffhanger… You do a cliffhanger!
Well, Ann, I think it’s important the reader has a similar experience to the characters, don’t you? 😀 They thought they were just awaiting their guests too! 😉
Me thinks the autheress enjoys torturing her readers with these little cliffies. Oh, a few fragile moments and then the colonel or in this case a letter!!! Oh no! Wickham, the dastard! I hope the boys will help Lizzy on this one. Fun chapter, except for leaving us hanging …. Drat!
Sorry about my spelling. And they don’t let you edit. Still…
LOL, Jen. Yes, sorry about that hanging thing, though I’m sure you’ve done your share of that too!
I see that my supposition about the author of the letters was correct, and am relieved that Mr. Darcy and the Colonel are aware of them. I am also delighted with the ease between Darcy and Elizabeth. Tentative though it is, they appear to be showing their feelings for each other. That can only work to their advantage, but I still feel that Mr. Lattimer–and possibly Miss Lattimer–both intend to cause trouble. Can’t wait for next week!
Yes, next week, Lizzybel, it’s ‘Meet the Latimers’ time! I hear the bell chimes of doom…. LOL
Geeze, Cass!
Couldn’t’y’ve timed this particular cliffhanger to come on a Tuesday instead of a Thursday so we’d only have to wait two days insteada four?!
JIM
I’m sorry, Jim!!! lol
You make a good point. I didn’t realise this chapter would fall on a Thursday, and I’m away all weekend so can’t even sneak in an extra one!
Noooooooooo Cass you are NOT doing this to us again!!! Seriously for crying out loud leave us to wonder 4 whole days about the ghastly letter from that damn man and the arrival of the Latimers!! It’s not okay to leave us with a cliffy!!!
It’s not okay? Whoops. Sorry. Didn’t realise that, Sophia! 😉
Well, that was an Olympic gold medal standard cliffhanger there! What with Susanne perched on the edge of her chair, Jan crawling around looking under her desk and the rest of us biting our nails, looks like we’re all in for an uncomfortable weekend, Cass.
Loved Richard’s sly remark about Darcy’s cologne and the “lady’s toes” and then Darcy hoping she hadn’t noticed the kiss on her cheek? Not a hope, sunshine! You do give Richard all the best lines – the saucer one was an absolute gem.
What ties has Wickham got with Mr. Bennet now. Has he sent him off on a wild goose chase in order to further his own nefarious plans in and around Pemberley?
Yes, I must admit I will be spending my weekend thinking about all the people perched here and there, Anji!
As for Richard, he comes up with his own lines. I just point him in a certain direction, and off he goes! 😀
I feel as everyone above UUUUGGGGHHHH!!!! Great chapter, but yet another cliffhanger! I was wondering when you would get around to Wickham, the scoundrel!!! The wrap up I hope comes soon, I know it will be worth the wait 🙂 I love the new character (Julia) I wonder why 🙂
Julie R
Just a wee word of warning… there are more cliff hangers to come, folks!
LOL re Julia, Julie!
Oh no!!! Don’t stop there, Cass! Tuesday is way too far!!!
About the chapter, I loved everything: the twins, the Colonel and especially Darcy and Elizabeth’s cute little moments. What I didn’t like were the servants! Could their timings be any worse?? LOL!. I am so looking forward to the Latimers coming and hopefully going back home soon! I want to see Darcy giving more of an assurance to Elizabeth during these next difficult days. Anything would do, a small token, a private moment just to let her know his heart is hers. Please? Wonderful story!!!
Hahaha! Loving the servants taking the flak this week! 😉
Don’t worry, Daniela. Darcy and the Colonel work well together when there’s a challenge like Wickham around, and I suspect Darcy isn’t going to stop his ‘protection’ of Elizabeth, even if the Latimers are there.
Aaaah, Wickham, the carriage,, the letter!
Wee knee they were all bound to come. But all at once?
Aaaah! lol
Can’t wait for more!
*knew
Yes, sorry about that, Trez! Problems all arriving in one heap!
Make the roads with more mud..lose the wheel….or something stall the visitors have them talk please please please
LOL, Resa! All great ideas, but too late. They have arrived!
Just one more day!!! Can’t wait!
LOL! Yes, and it’s time to Meet the Latimers!!!
Did you post a chapter? I didn’t receive one and am wondering if something is wrong with my e-mail service or if there is something going on in your family or life that has prevented you from posting the next chapter.
Yes Sheila. It’s up there. Wondering why you can’t see it? It did go up a bit later than usual, so perhaps you just missed it being there at the time you usually check?
So our dear characters are slowly slowly moving towards each other… loving every chapter, Cass. Darcy not being able to resist moving that close to Lizzy, oh how delicious that moment must have been.
The Latimers are coming – and I suspect maybe a speedier resolution to things when they do!
Wickham rears his ugly head once more to leave us with a cliffhanger! Now I wonder if he and the poacher are one and the same; I feel like they could be two different people now?
Yes, it’s slow steps right now but personally I love a slow build up! 😉
Ah, Wickham. The man we all love to hate! He’s being given a run for his money by Latimer now, though! lol