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A Quest for Mr Darcy – Chapter Fifty Eight
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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 
You have out done yourself!!
All the kisses and displays of affection from Darcy. It made me happy !
Thanks for including Jane snd Charles HEA! Can’t wait to read their ending in the epilogue!
Congrats on a story well written !!
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Thank you so much, Carol, and thank you for the support you’ve given me throughout! ❤
The Epilogue is coming along nicely!
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*Sigh* Thank you, Cass for a lovely final chapter to your amazing story! The irrepressible twins, Mr. Grumpy Latimer, the cliffys and the twists and turns made it all the more enjoyable. Please let us know when your book is ready for publication. I look forward to adding it to my collection. I will miss your twice-weekly postings but am glad that you already have another project lined up.
Best Wishes!
Carol-in-CT
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Thank you, Carol. I’ve so appreciated your support during the writing/posting. ❤
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Cass, I nearly hit the floor laughing 😂 😂😂😂 especially when Lady Catherine arrived, it was too damn laughable! And the constant interruptions to the kiss between Darcy and Elizabeth!
And what about Mr Bennet and Mrs Annesley? Will they be mentioned in the epilogue? So cute!
That Cass was the Perfect ending! ❤️😍 Or as my favourite childhood movie had as ending, “No it’s a perfect beginning” 😍👍🏻👏🏻
What a perfect happy ending for both Darcy and Richard with Elizabeth and Eleanore! I’m only sorry to see that Bingley and Jane wasn’t included in the happiness but hopefully in the epilogue 😃 The twins are seriously amazing! Can’t wait to get my hands on the paperback and kindle version of this!
Cass, congratulations on another amazing, brilliant and absolutely gorgeous wonderful book! It has been an absolute pleasure to read and follow this project 😂😱😍❤️😁🎉💍😃 Good luck with the new project with Ada
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Yes, you will hear more on Mr B and Mrs A in the Epilogue! 😉
Sophia, I can’t thank you enough for your wonderful and enthusiastic comments after each chapter – always a delight! 😀 And thank you for the kind words above, too.
I love the line ‘It’s a perfect beginning’!!! ❤
You will find out about Jane and Bingley in the Epilogue, that part has already been written! 😉
Ada and I will be dragging Rose, Aiden and co out of their hibernation this week to set them off on another adventure and we're really looking forward to it!
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It has been a pleasure to follow your story Cass! It has always been a good laugh 😂 to follow your drama and how you twisted and turned the story so many times! I can’t wait to read both the epilogue and the new Charm book when it’s done at some future point! 👏🏻👍🏻😍
The line “It’s a perfect beginning” came from my childhood favourite movie of Anastasia ❤️ give my regards to Ada and happy writing
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What a lovely intense story. I loved it. I am looking forward to your next book
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Thank you, Bobby – much appreciated! ❤
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Don’t miss us! We are right here and we are ready to make you laugh out loud some more and encourage you to start another story!
In the meantime
This bud’s for you!
🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
I mean, these buds….
😉
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Thank you for the buds, Roxey, and this ❤ is for you!
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The final chapter was just perfect. Quick where are my tissues! I always hate to see a good tale come to an end. It’s like parting with an old friend. Well, at least we have the epilogue to look forward to. Thanks so much for sharing with us. We LOVED it!
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PS Thanks for letting the colonel have a happy ending. I’m hoping in the epilogue to find out he resigned his commission????
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You may well get your wish 😉
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Thank YOU so much for reading along and commenting, Jen! I have appreciated it so much. ❤
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My pleasure. I’m so happy I found the notice on FB.
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“Now it’s time to say goodbye to all our company…” No wait! More is arriving! Not only did Darcy forget, so did I!!! Oh no! It’s Lady Catherine! Haha…she looked like a fish out of water gasping for air! Well done! Oh, I do wonder the picture that would have been drawn of her! If Latimer was an ass…what would they make of her! I’m still laughing.
Oh but I wont think of goodbyes as once this is published, we will have this FABULOUS, WONDERFUL AND EXQUISITE book to return to again and again. I’m wondering what the cover will be of? Will Hero be depicted (thank you Anji for the catch) and will there will an ass in the background somewhere…hahaha! I’m having too much fun with that one!
Thank you for posting chapters and providing us with all manner of emotions as we read it, you will be missed too! However, I look forward to the epilogue and eventual publication. The best part is, we know you are working on another wonderful book in the near future!!!! Ada must be chomping at the bit to start!
CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU!!!!!
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Funnily enough, Carole, I did originally have a much longer scene with Lady C, and she did come, begrudgingly, to the joint wedding and there was a sketch of her in Viola’s picture. She was the only other person besides Latimer to be an animal!
I cannot thank you enough for your support and the lovely comments, as well as the kind words above about the story. ❤
Yes, Ada and I are leaping into the sequel later this week, and we're looking forward to helping Jane Austen reveal why she is back and what's in her trunk! 😉
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Thank you so much for sharing your book with us during all those months. How I shall miss seeing your emails on Tuesdays and Thursdays and following the romance of Elizabeth and Darcy. You made me smile, laugh, cry or swoon so often, it was such a pleasure. I do feel a little bereft…
All the best for your next endeavour, which I look forward to reading. In the meantime, I’ll look forward to a published version of this wonderful story.
P.S. So great that Hero is a female…. You have just made my day!
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So happy you have enjoyed the ride, Nathalie! ❤
I am so glad Anji reminded me of female Hero in literature – and I could make it true girl power for the trouncing of Wickham! 😀
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Lovely…especially the accurate depiction of Mr. Latimer…lol. Can’t wait it this gets released and I can add it to MY library! Thank you Cass…even with all that you had going on in your real life, you made this happen.
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Thank YOU so much, Ann, for reading along, commenting and supporting me. ❤
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Thank you for sharing this wonderful book. I look forward to the epilogue and published version. Lady Catherine popped out like a bogey lady, but seems to have disappeared. I am admiring how well edited this first draft was. The chapters have super ending places. Now for Jane and the others.
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Thank you, Donna, and for supporting me during the writing. ❤
Bringing Lady C in at the end like that popped into my mind one day, and it wouldn't go away. I wanted it to be comic relief, though, rather than more drama at that stage, hence her very brief appearance!
You may hear a little more of her in the Epilogue!
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I, too, hope the colonel can resign his commission and not risk being called to war any more. His wife is well off, and her father seems to have come around because of connections. I will want a version of this to keep. The twins are an improvement over a hovering and spiteful Caroline. This ended so romantic. This Darcy is one to love.
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I am so pleased you found the twins a refreshing change instead of Caroline, but I’m even more happy you found Darcy loveable! ❤
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Ah, BIG SIGH! Loved every word, every verse, every chapter and will miss the anticipation of the days on which you were to post a new chapter. I especially loved how Darcy got her behind closed doors to express his feelings…within limits and how the Colonel also married on the day of the Darcy wedding.
Lydia learning to arrange the church flowers weekly was nice touch. Hero having two pups surviving was also sweet considering how she could have lost them all.
So glad Latimer had a little sense of his daughter’s happiness being important even if he has to add the whole “connections” part.
Thank you so much for your hard work while sick, while traveling, etc. I appreciate your dedication and your lovely responses to all the comments…some even humorous responses. Good luck with future books.
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I would like to thank you, Sheila, for the support you have given me during the writing, with lovely comments and kind words. I am so happy you have enjoyed the story. ❤
Thank you also for the good wishes! I'm ploughing into co-writing with Ada Bright later this week!
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I enjoyed the ending; I loved how you tied up the loose ends, even having Mr. Bennet resuming his discussions with Mrs. Annesley. I had to laugh when Aunt Catherine showed up and loved how Darcy asked that the twins would be introduced to her. That would be one entertaining conversation! And of course there were plenty of sweet D and L interactions.
Thanks so much for sharing this WIP with us. I always looked forward to your posts. I’m sure I, as a reader, have no idea the time and effort it took to keep up with the writing, but it was much appreciated. I look forward to adding this to my Kindle once the story is published!
Best wishes to you and Ada as you work on your next project.
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As it happens, Maureen, I did write the scene originally with the twins in it. Darcy asked Georgiana to bring them to the library rather than taking Lady C to meet them. I may post it for a laugh!
Thank you so much for reading along and supporting me by commenting! ❤ Also, for the good wishes for Ada and I as we start our sequel!
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This is an amazing story, Cassandra, and it has been our privilege to journey with you as the story unfolded. I hate to see it end, for this story has brightened many of my mornings over toast and tea. 🙂
Congratulations on a job *very* well done, and I look forward to seeing this wonderful book published!! Yay!!!!
I am looking forward to the epilogue very much!! And I think that Lydia will end up becoming the wife of the vicar of Kympton. Those flower-arranging skills will come in handy, methinks. 😉
My only suggestion is that the part with Lady Catherine seems too short. I am sure that the great lady would have had much more to say. And I want to see her meeting with the twins…and how Viola would draw her!! 😉
Thanks for sharing this amazing novel with us!! It was lovely in every way!!
Warmly,
Susanne 🙂
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I am so happy you have enjoyed reading the story, Susanne! Thank you SO much for all the lovely, supportive comments and kind words. ❤
I suspect you may be right about Lydia! 😉
Haha re Lady C! As I just mentioned to a couple of other readers, the scene with Lady Catherine was much longer to start with, but it became too dramatic and broke up the flow of the ending of the story. I may post the bit where she meets the twins, though, because I hated having to cut it!
I'm open to suggestions on how Viola would draw her! A shrew has been suggested, but I'm not sure if that is unfair to small rodents! 😉
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How about Viola drawing Lady C as a mother hen? All plump and self-satisfied, yet of little brain? 😉
Although there are definitely merits to the shrew idea. I also thought of a peacock, but there’s no humor there; it’s all pride. 😉
Yes, please do consider having Lady C meet the twins; I would *love* to see her reaction to them!
Thanks, Cassandra!!
Warmly,
Susanne 🙂
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Loved the ending. Looking foward to the epilogue. Thanks for a great story. I am curious as to the next story being alluded too?
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Thank you, Fran; so happy you enjoyed, and thank you for your support! ❤
Do you mean my next writing project? If so, it's a sequel to The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen, which came out last summer. I co-write those books with my good friend, Ada Bright. 😀
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Ahhhh its the end, how sad! I just found your story a few weeks ago. I will miss it. I am on your “Update” list so I am hoping to get the announcement when your book is finished, can’t wait for it on Kindle.
Thank you so much for such a wonderful story, I am still reading it. Hopefully it will be in Kindle form soon so I can see it better when it is bigger for me to read. I will miss getting the updates. Looking forward to your next endeavor. Thanks so much for sharing your talent with us.
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Sorry it’s ended just as you discovered it, Mari, but perhaps that’s the best way! No sitting through the cliff hangers like everyone else! lol
Good to hear you get notifications!
Thank you so much for letting me know that you are enjoying the story, it’s much appreciated. ❤
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Congratulations on a book well written! I am so happy for the two couples’ HEA. How can I adequately explain how much I enjoyed myself reading along? I has been a privilege. What am I going to look for in my inbox now? I have just finished the story and I miss it already.
I loved this Darcy as much as the one in A Fair Prospect. The lovely and spirited Miss Latimer got her heart’s desire and I could not hope for a better match for the Colonel. I was rooting for them all along! I can’t wait for the published version and I wish you and Ada a fantastic time writing together again.
Thank you Cass and thanks for the technology that has allowed us to follow the story.
Hope to read more from you soon.
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Cristina, thank you so so much for your kind words! It has made me so happy to see you enjoying the chapters and I can’t thank you enough for the support and the lovely comments you have left. ❤
Thank you for the good wishes! Ada and I appreciate them!
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*Sighing and sniffling* – they say all good things come to an end but I’m not alone in saying that I’ll miss my twice weekly “Quest” fixes. Has it really been six months? It’s been wonderful riding along with you Cass, and everyone else, cliffies notwithstanding! Thanks so much for all the hours of enjoyment you’ve given us.
So, it was Eleanor compromising herself in the end, after all. Good for her! Good choice of husband, too.
What evil, wicked (mwahaha!) punitive measures you inflicted on Lady C. Sending her to be introduced to the twins indeed – oh, to have been a fly on the wall for that! I’d forgotten about Hero being a Shakespearean character when I mentioned that it could be a female name and it fits so well with the earlier mention of the origin of their names. Much better than my thought of Hero and Leander from Greek mythology, which was what came to mind when I was trying to find a way to make the dog a female, too. I wonder what animal Lady C. would appear as in one of Viola’s sketches? Maybe a shrew, if we’re staying with a Shakespearean theme? I think my favourite quote from this chapter has to be Darcy’s rejoinder to her:
‘Do not expect me to recognise this match by attending the wedding, Darcy.’
‘Then do not expect an invitation, Aunt.’
I can definitely see Mrs. Hawes eventually becoming Mrs. Wentworth. Who’d have thought that the youngest Bennet girl might end up as a vicar’s wife? Jane and Bingley (see, I got it right!) must end up married, surely, though it doesn’t look as if she’s making it easy for him (quite right, too).
Looking forward to the Epilogue – love Epilogues, by the way. Now, get thee off to writing with Ada and the sequel to The Particular Charm!
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Ah, Anji ❤
Thank you SO much for all the wonderful support, the lengthy comments, for giving us Bungley – an all time classic! – and for sticking with the story despite all the cliff hangers and your manic schedule!!
I was so grateful for the Hero and Leander reference! It set me thinking, and then I remembered Much Ado about Nothing (love that film), which dovetailed beautifully with the family Shakespeare trend! 😀
I think a shrew-like Lady C would be very apt, but I suspect Viola would come up with something more monstrous (though I'm not sure what!) lol
I've already written some parts of the Epilogue, including Jane and Bingley's fate. He needed to grow from how he was at the beginning of the story to become worthy of her, in my opinion, so let's hope Jane has come around! 😉
We're starting the sequel later this week!!! So excited to be hanging out with Jane Austen, Rose, Aiden and co again! ❤
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What a wonderful and happy ending! I loved the story and how you portrayed all the characters. I’m glad we get to find out about Jane and Bingley in the epilogue. I’m so curious what Jane will decide. Thank you for sharing your story with us!
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I’m so pleased you enjoyed the story! ❤
Thank you for the support during the writing and the lovely comments. It's incredible how much it helps to keep you going if you hear from readers! ❤
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I just read the last three chapters altogether. I loved the wrap up to all of the stories. I do hope the epilogue will also give us Caroline Bingley’s response to learning of Darcy’s wedding. Do you have a possible publication date? I will look forward to adding this to my library and expect it will be reread. Thank you for such a delightful story!
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Good point, Lizzybel! What will Caroline’s reaction be, I wonder? 😉
I’m vague about the publication date just now as I’m not sure how the edit will go. The story is now 200k words (which means it is way too long for a paperback). The hope is to get it out there in June if I can.
Thank you for your support and kind comments! ❤
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Bravo! Congrats on your finish to a wonderful tale! And might I just say, thank you for the Colonel and Eleanor! My favorite parts are, of course, the ones that had Darce and Lizzy! But those twins come in a close second. You did excellent by adding those two characters! 😘
I really loved this!
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Thank you, Trez!! I am so pleased you enjoyed the way it all ended! ❤
Thank you for your support throughout and for the kind words, especially about the twins! I wasn't sure if people would find them too annoying, as I know some readers don't enjoy original characters in Austen variations. 😀
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Well done, Cass! Despite a number of diversions and family challenges, you’ve delivered an ambitious but well executed novel. As one who joined your fan club comparatively late in the game, I am impressed with your followers as well. I am developing (I hope!) my own identity as a beta for a number of JAFF authors; if I can help you, please contact me!
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Thank you, Katherine! I’ve appreciated your reading along and commenting! ❤
The followers are lovely, aren't they? I am going to miss you all very much! 😦
A couple of people have offered to help with proof reading but I could do with a beta too!! I will contact you, if that's okay!
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Oh Cass! Absolutely adorable, gorgeous. Waiting for the publication. You did an amazing job with this story. Hope more is to come. All the best for you!
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❤ So happy you loved it, Beate. Thank you for the lovely support you have given me.
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Cass, this is – by leaps and bounds – one of my favorites. Thank you for giving us the chance to read it here. I can’t wait to add it to my collection! I love the Bingley sisters! Do I smell a sequel?
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Thank you so much, Cindy, for your kind words. I am touched you consider it one of your favourites. ❤
LOL re the Bingley sisters and a sequel. You are not the first to ask that question, but I'm not sure.
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The twins are seriously my favorite characters! They ought to have their own story! I love this! Thank you very much for sharing this!
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It makes me so happy you love the twins! I think there were a nice change from Caroline! 😉
Thank you for letting know you enjoyed it, Irene. I do appreciate it. ❤
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Wonderful! I can’t wait for the published book so I can read it again and add it to my collection. Thanks, Cass!!!!
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You’re welcome, Melanie, and thank you so much for letting me know you enjoyed it! ❤
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Thank you Cass! This has been so much fun to read along over the last few months. Can’t wait to read it again in it’s published version!
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Thank you, Suzanne! I appreciate so much your comments! ❤
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Dear Cass, thank you so much for this wonderful story! I had a great time following and waiting for the chapters. These Darcy and Lizzy are really especial to me and I feel like rereading this whole story right now just to enjoy their falling in love all over again. When we think about all that happened in such a short time for them, even though it was so much longer to us! lol.
I can’t wait to see this turn into a book and I wish you wouldn’t cut anything, it is just perfect the way it is.
About these last few chapters, it was a pleasure to see Miss Latimer grow into such a nice lady! I was so happy she had her happily ever after with the Colonel! Darcy and Elizabeth were perfect! And the twins were just adorable! I will miss these characters dearly!
Congrats on this story! Looking forward to more! 🙂
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Thank you so much, Daniela! ❤
I'm so happy you enjoyed the story and how Darcy and Elizabeth fell in love in this one, but I am also delighted you liked the original characters, because I know some readers don't really enjoy them. 😀
I'm hoping, all being well, to publish late June, but it will depend on how the edits and proof reading goes!
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Thank you so much for such an enjoyable story. I can’t wait until it is published!
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Thank you for letting me know you enjoyed it, Kristine! ❤
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I’ve finally caught up with this last chapter and what a lovely ending, with Elinor and the Colonial now brought together, he really did deserve some happiness of his own.
I shall miss the instalments from this story, particularly the antics of the twins, but look forward to the book being out in print. I hope all goes well with the publishing Cass.
Thank you.
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Thank you so much, Ruth! I appreciate your kind words about the story and I have valued your support throughout the posting, along with all the other commenters. ❤
I am busy editing, but fingers crossed, the book will be out at the end of June.
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Looks like I shall now have to find some other entertainment to enjoy with my lunch — tho’ the warm happy fuzzies will remain with me for a very long time. A wonderful story all around, Cass. But then I always enjoy your writings. Thank you for this story, and wishing you continued success with the book. I look forward to reviewing it!
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Thank you so much, Janis! ❤
I value your support and I'm so so happy you enjoyed the conclusion to this story. I'm busy editing now and sending it out to proof readers, so hopefully the finished product will be in better shape than this raw version, but in principle I'm really happy with how it all turned out! 😀
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Loved this story! Glad that ODC found their way back to each other despite the Bennet’s reduced circumstances. Very clever writing with the mischievous Bingley twins. I would love to see them take on Caroline!
I would love to see a relationship between Mrs. Ansley and Mr. Bennet also. After Jane marries Charles he will have an empty house unless Lydia stays with him.
Looking forward to your book!
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Thank you so much, and thank you for all the support and reading along! ❤
This has been an amazing experience, and hearing from readers is the only reason I got to the end of this story. You all need to take a well earned bow! 😉
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Now that the chapters have been removed, will be still be able to see the epilogue, when you get to it?
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Yes of course, Ginna! I’m just working through the edits to main story now, but once the first pass is done and it’s out to proof readers etc, then I’ll write the Epilogue and it will be posted her on the Blog.
There will also be a chance to win free copies of the book once it’s ready, so look for a notification (If you’re signed up) as to when both these things happen! 😀
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What happened?
I was away for a few days, and apparently, the last two chapters were both posted and removed in the interim.
Am I really gonna have to buy the book after reading 56 chapters. just to get the last two chapters?
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Sorry you missed it, Jim! 😉
Chapter Fifty Seven went up on 29th April, and Chapter Fifty Eight on 30th April, along with a note saying chapters would remain live for a further seven days. All but the opening chapters have now been removed for editing and preparation for publication.
There will be ample opportunities to win a free copy once it’s available! ❤
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😉
Yes, please do consider having Lady C meet the twins; I would *love* to see her reaction to them! !
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