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A Quest for Mr Darcy – Chapter Forty Two
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Hello!
I'm Cass, and I write the sort of stories I love to read - heart-warming, character driven and strong on location. I lean heavily towards the upbeat in both my reading and my writing.
As one of my favourite authors, Jane Austen, once wrote, ‘let other pens dwell on guilt and misery’.
Cass Grafton - Writer 
Welcome back Cass!
Uhhhhhh Cass that moment between Darcy and Elizabeth is absolutely gorgeous! So intense and I was hoping for more of a declaration of feelings… well maybe at the ball? 👏🏻👏🏻💖 If Darcy can keep his mouth shut about Lydia and Wickham long enough!
I do like Richard a lot, he is laughable in the extreme 😂 I wonder what will happen with him? And what of Bingley and Jane? I guess that Jane is going to refuse Wentworth?
Can’t wait for Thursday
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So happy you liked their ‘moments’, Sophia!
More answers coming soon!
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It’s lovely to have you back. I would not have imagined Mrs Reynolds as a cheeky matchmaker, and it was delightful! It seems that the attraction between ODC has been noticed 🙂
Thank you for sharing this wonderful story with us.
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Yes, I’m not certain Mrs R really needed any help at all! 😉
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It’s so great that you are back! First, the interaction between ODC was lovely! I loved every minute of that. They are becoming surer of each other’s feelings, finally!! 😀
I can’t wait for their half hour of conversation at the ball. More cute moments to come!
The Colonel is so funny! Although I am with Darcy there, it will be hard to tell the Bennets about Lydia. Hopefully she will be at the spot Elizabeth confirmed to Darcy and they can rescue her and bring her to Pemberley, or The Grange.
I have to say, Cass, that I am sorry for Mr Wentworth. I really don’t know who I want Jane to end up with. She knows she doesn’t want Mr Wentworth now but still, she doesn’t sound that enamored of Mr Bingley either. I guess I will just have to wait and see.
And btw, isn’t it high time the Latimers are gone for good? I hope they leave soon, preferably the day after the ball. There is nothing for them at Pemberley!
Looking forward to Thursday! 😉
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Yes, more cute moments to come now, Daniela! 😀
I feel a bit sad for Mr Wentworth, too, but Jane isn’t certain she wants either man right now!
LOL re the Latimers! I’ll tell them you said it was time they were gone!
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Welcome home!
I am sure my huge sigh at Elizabeth’s bold kiss will not be the first not one! I do ageee with Richard. Darcy needs to step up! Latimer has put put in place ( hopefully) and as for the rest, it will work out.
Thank you !!!
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Thank you, Carol! I’m looking forward to getting this story finished now!
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Glad to have you back Cass, and such a nice LONG chapter! Of course, I really wanted more time in the still room. Such a tease, dear authoress. But … she did kiss his hand and they both have hope, as tentative as it may be. I can’t wait to find out if Darcy’s suspicion about where Lydia has been hiding pans out. Then about the ball, yes, let them dance and exchange longing glances and please don’t let Latimer upset the apple cart. Thank goodness, Thursday will be here in no time. Doing the happy dance! Jen Red
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Now I’m wondering if there was some kind of tree house that Lydia may have been hiding in. Then I’m wondering what GW told Bennet if Lydia went missing. Then I’m wondering if Lydia is a bit crazy at this point, scavenging and all the rest. Poor Lydia. Any chance Darcy my go out for a look see after the ball? So many possibilities.
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So, you’re wondering, basically!? lol
You never know what might happen after a ball! 😉
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It was rather long, wasn’t it? I thought I’d be lynched if I made it too short! 😉
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Thank you so much for leaving us hanging!!! 🙂
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Always a pleasure! 😉
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Yes, welcome back…I have been all anticipation the last several days knowing you would post a chapter.
Did wish Elizabeth had answered his question in the still room but then I think she did an even better job just before she entered the drawing room.
I am happy to read that Darcy seems to have figured out part of the mystery…and hope that he is correct.
Lastly I do believe that attendees at the ball will find the answer to questions about whom Darcy will settle his attentions on and attach himself to when they observe them during the first set.
Thanks for this chapter.
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Thank you, Sheila! I missed you all!
Elizabeth didn’t really get chance, with Mrs R returning when she did, but at least she gave him something to take away from it! 😉
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Fascinating as usual and I loved the little scene between Darcy and Elizabeth. It sounds as though the problem of finding Lydia may be solved, but finding her only asks more questions than it answers. Looking forward to Thursday and their time at the ball.
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Thank you for continuing to read along, Lizzybel!
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Hi Cass! I hope you enjoyed your time in D-shire!
I loved how Mrs. Reynolds addressed Darcy by his boyhood name – Master Fitzwilliam! She’s been fussing over him since he was a boy! And her not-too-subtle way of getting D&E together for a few minutes – she’s the best!
Jane always see the bright side of things and I’m sure she’s right that Elizabeth’s next dance with Darcy will be a vast improvement over the last one! 🙂
Poor Darcy has so much on his mind – Lydia, Wickham, Latimer. I hope he lets it go for a few hours so he can enjoy the evening!
I agree that the Latimers need to be shown the door but sadly Mr. L will be at the ball and he does love to stir up trouble.
Thanks for another great chapter!
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The Latimers have been there just over 24 hours. Sadly, a bit soon to move on yet! 😜
Glad you continue to enjoy, Carol!
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I’m glad you’re back, Cass, even though I really enjoyed the pictures you sent from “over there”. On to the story, why are the Latimers still hanging around? I hope that Mr. L isn’t planning a “last stand” at the ball. Hanging around with “bait breath” for the next installment!
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Haha re the Latimers. You are not the only one asking the question, but remember, they only arrived Monday and today is only Tuesday! It’s just a lot has happened ‘today!’
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I was worried that Darcy would immediately track the light – but whew I don’t think so. He WILL dance with Elizabeth at the ball. As for the Latimers …..mum seems to understand the situation and Miss would appear to have another suitor hidden away – one not so prominentt as Darcy, but THE ONE she prefers! I make no guesses as to the Lydia/Wickham scenario – yet!!
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It’s okay, Lizzie. You may have noticed the light wasn’t there when they went to look, so no point in foregoing the ball to seek it! 😜
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Thank you for this nice long chapter — which actually felt quite short. It shows what a good writer you are that no matter how much you give us, we want more. I loved the little interlude in the utility room and I loved Mrs. Reynolds helping our favorite couple to have some time together. (Although I would have also loved to see Lizzy kissing Darcy’s boo-boos to make them all better, I realize that would never happen in very proper Regency England.) They made some great progress in their relationship and for that I am very grateful.
Hmmm. So Darcy has remembered something that leads him to believe he knows where Lydia has been hiding. I’m guessing it is someplace on the hillside rising up behind the parkland — maybe an old abandoned cabin or even a cave — definitely not a Hilton hotel. It shows that Lydia also has some mettle if she has been able to survive alone in the woods.
Well, the ball is next and I am expecting great things. We are promised 30 minutes of Darcy and Elizabeth dance time (so much opportunity for subtle touches and longing gazes). Mr. Latimer will be sure to do something rude and swinish. Mrs. Latimer will probably do something sweetly brilliant. Bungley will make goo-goo eyes at Jane. Colonel Fitzwilliam will delight us all with his well placed bon mots. So much to look forward to — Thursday is so near and yet so far.
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LOL re the long chapter feeling short!
Yes, it will soon be Thursday and we have a ball to attend!
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Welcome back!! I have been asking myself, “is she back yet? What date was that? Better check…”
ooo, more on Thursday?! Goodie!
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LOL Roxey!
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So, the plot thickens. Looking foward to their dance. Thanks
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You’re welcome, Fran! 😜
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Welcome back, Cassandra!! 🙂 I hope that your trip was lovely in every way.
Now to this chapter…I can’t wait to see what Darcy has figured out as to where Lydia may be hiding. I think that this piece of evidence shall “break open” the case as far as locating and speaking to Lydia may be concerned. I’m sure that she has quite the story to tell….
And I can’t wait for the ball…and how Latimer behaves toward Darcy in public. Latimer seems like a small-minded person, a bully and a proud one. And he is also not a true gentleman to be making threats–which are quite nearly blackmail–against the Bennets. So how Latimer acts toward Darcy and Elizabeth–and even his own daughter–at the ball will likely be interesting.
Thank you for returning from your trip with a chapter ready for us! This book is a delightfully suspenseful read with elements of both mystery and romance abounding. Thank you!! 😀
With warmest regards,
Susanne 🙂
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It was lovely indeed, Susanne, but I’m glad to be back and pulling the story to its conclusion at last!
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I am so happy you are back, Cass, you have made our wait worthwhile. A great long chapter and an immensely enjoyable scene between ODC! At last they are beginning to understand each other and Lizzy does not deny it any more. How I hope you have something nice in store for the Colonel, like other readers have said.
I am considering myself very lucky indeed today as tomorrow night I will go to the Wales Millennium Centre to watch the Pride and Prejudice play and then it will be Thursday. Ahh… I will sleep gloriously tonight.
Thank you for a fantastic story.
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Yes, at last, Cristina!
Enjoy P&P! I know of someone else online who went to see it in Cardiff tonight, so I hope it’s fabulous!
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I hope your trip was all you hoped for! You were definitely missed and I was thrilled to read your next chapter…which was definitely well worth the wait…sigh! Mrs. Reynolds is very astute and is just letting Darcy know that she heartily approves of Miss Elizabeth Bennet…darling woman!
Jane is a wonderful sister and has definitely become more aware of what she sees and want she doesn’t want. As for the Colonel, well he is just what Darcy needs around him right now and it would be wonderful for the Colonel to be ‘struck’ by someone. That, however, may be a book unto itself! Hint…hint…
Then there Lydia…poor girl…
Looking forward to Thursday!
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It’s lovely to be back, Carole! I enjoyed Derbyshire, and I wrote both of this week’s chapters there, so it still inspires me! ❤
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Glad you had a great week and had time to give us this chapter. Great story as always can’t wait for the rest.
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Thank you, Maria!
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Glad your trip was enjoyable.
Thanks for this nice long chapter. Yes, the D and L interactions were sweet.
I wonder what Darcy is thinking about the “ghost” spotting.
This promises to be a very interesting ball. I look forward to the conversation between Darcy and Lizzy. I, too, am a bit scared about Latimer though.
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Don’t be scared about that man, Maureen! Darcy can handle him!
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I’m loving this story, Cass.
Your colonel and the Bingley sisters are a hoot and a half. Mrs. Latimer and Mrs. Reynolds are lovely conspirators who adore those in their charge. Exemplary!
Jane Bennet? I hope she ends up with Bingley because Wentworth deserves someone wholly devoted to him. Bingley and Jane? They deserve each other, or rather, they don’t deserve anyone else. I can’t imagine being so undecided at this point of the story. MAKE A DECISION, PEOPLE!!!
Wickham needs a kick in the pants before he is sent to NeverNever Land. Lydia? Poor child. Unless, oh my! What if she is in cahoots with her husband? Then she can follow him to his ultimate humiliation.
Mr. Bennet? He’s unkind to leave his two eldest daughters in the dark, but he loves them. Goofball!!!
Mr. Latimer will suffer the whole of the ball as he watches Darcy’s attentions to Elizabeth. Yay! He’s earned a miserable evening observing his dreams go up in smoke.
Darcy and Elizabeth? Oh, sweet love—sigh and swoon! Poor man still hasn’t learned not to hide things from Lizzy, who has the potential to be hurt at his doing so.
You are building to a climax I can’t wait to read. At this point we are still left with so many questions we NEED answered. I LOVE a skillful author and you continue to keep your readers, including me, hooked. I highly anticipate Thursday’s post.
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It makes my heart smile when a talented author likes something I am writing, Joy! Thank you for commenting! 😀 ❤
I'm so pleased you enjoy the light relief from the Colonel and the twins! I enjoy writing them too!
Yes, lots of answers still to come, but not long now!
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This is the kind of Darcy I love, one who is honest to a fault. I love that it bothers him to keep the truth of seeing Elizabeth’s sister away from her. Love the interaction with them being alone. It did not disappoint.
Your Colonel has such a great disposition, one that would truly blend well with Miss Latimer’s personality. 😀😀😀. Just saying (I text in my sing song voice).
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Enjoying the sing song, Trez!
Plenty more of the Colonel coming up in the next chapter! 😉
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Things are certainly looking better and better
It’s nice to have such loyal staff on hand to improve ones chances!
Loved that ending
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Yes, the staff are pretty handy, aren’t they, Davida!?
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Delicious moments in the still room and the hallway and when Elizabeth kissed Darcy’s hand *sigh*! Although you said this was a long chapter for the first one back after your trip, it seemed to fly by, as someone else has said above. Will have to leave the next kne till tomorrow now as it’s getting rather late!
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Happy you enjoyed their ‘moments’, Anji!
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Next “one” – darned virtual keyboards!
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