Chapter 22

To my readers, today I post Chapter 22. I thought it might be a good idea to explain my reason for the chapter scenes with each post. Today, we have three scenes: 1. the verbal duel between Elizabeth and Darcy; 2. A pool game ; and 3; Breakfast scene

The verbal duel. when I grappled with included this scene that has been added to many ff stories and I worried about how I was to present it differently. It is a complex scene in P&P and with the additon of three extra men I knew it would be difficult to do. One day, probably when cleaning, I thought RAwlings! Let us have him interpret the scene. Let us see it through his eyes. He is an observant fellow. Perhaps this would be a fresh way to look at the words thrown about in that room. I did have to change a few things from canon (well the addition of 3 men forces some changes). So I had Caroline not playing cards. I had her making her power play.

Rawlings does bring some of the thoughts back to the "business" aspect, which is important. But I did wish to share my interpretations of the scene. Of all the dialogue in P&P I found this to be difficult for me. I have had to really pay close attention to the words and I am sure I did not succeed in getting everything right. Oh well, I hope the readers appreciate the use of RAwlings. It is different I think than other writers approaches. But then I have not read all the stories out there yet! Since the pov was RAwlings, we do not get to hear what is in Darcy's mind. I am sure this will frustrate my readers too. but the time is coming when they will hear it all.

And did you too want Blake to slap her? lol

Scene 2 - the pool game. this was the direct result of housework. It was suggested chapter needed more (or was that chapter 20?) anyway, I felt I needed to show Blake and Darcy having a conversation. They are men. Men are blunt in most cases but I think there are some areas where bluntness would not work. Hell, there might be a duel as a result. Perhaps we should go back to dueling ways. Social discourse would be at a minimum. I know I digress! Again! The message Darcy wanted to convey was to convince Blake to consider all the issues before he acted. Of course their talk begins in perfect double-speak but deteriorates into less obtuse passages. By the end there does not seem to be any hidden message- it is plain spoken. I am anxious to hear what the readers say.

Scene 3- Elizabeth and Darcy breakfast together. Ok I needed to have at least one scene with the two. I wanted it a little charming as well as serious. Darcy is a serious fellow and he is worried about what Blake intends. Sounds like alot of my readers are worried too! She of course understands his pointed reference to Blake, and abruptly leaves. She is a lady and acted accordingly. But did Blake hear Darcy? He was standing in the doorway. mmmmmmm. But Darcy is such a gentleman having that tray of sweets sent to the room. These are the little things that show underneath it all, he is a wonderful guy.

Finally, when Bingley enters the room for breakfast I have them talk about the card table. It was always my thought that Darcy convinced Bingley not to have the card table the next night to spare Elizabeth any uneasiness. P&P hinted at it and so I added the bit at the end. I always thought it was a very telling action and showed Darcy in a better light. YOu just had to read between the lines. lol

Well, that is my take on the chapter. next week, I will do the same. There will be more of NP before the Bennets leave. And then there is that whole glimpse of heaven issue I must resolve before I post next week. Should I or should I not? mmmm.

gayle