This is the moment

Well, for the first half of the story. lol What will Blake do? What will Darcy do? What will Elizabeth do? What about the Collins proposal and how did Caroline closing house come about since Austen never gave that piece of information.

I have posted and I await the comments. Are they mad at me? Do they wish to string me up? Are they worried about Elizabeth and her "broken" heart. I have heard that mantra since the readers began to catch on that the marquess did want to do the honorable thing.

But for now the men are off to London. Blake with his broken heart, Darcy not as unhappy as he was the day before, Caroline pleased to have closed up the house, Mrs. B mad as a hatter, and the other men are in London and they did not know what was happening in NP.

So I shall stay by my computer today (well, I have to - I am typing minutes and stuff for the Association) and check in often to see how my readers reacted.

I will try to edit this post as the day wears on.

the first couple of posts have hit. Kathy always surprises me - Mrs. B is the topic of her comment. I did not expect her to be the point of someone comment. lol but I did make Mrs. B into a baddie here! But no, no more schemes for Mrs. B. She was done in with this one because Collins does marry Charlotte so for a while, Lady Lucas gets that last laugh and can crow to Mrs. B. That should be punishment enough.

Susan (sadriani - I wonder if Adriani is her last lame?) - well I surprised her. I bet I surprised quite a few others too. Yes, my Blake is an honorable man when it comes to Elizabeth. Now he is brokenhearted and I wonder if the readers are satisfied that he is! lol. But poor Darcy does not know what happened. It must weigh on him much like it weighed on my readers. At least they know. Now about Charles and Jane. Well, Austen was not kind and I don't think I wish to change canon in that respect. So if you don't like what happens, blame JA and not me! lol

Alienor4 - Well, I am surprised I blew her away. lol She is a very astute reader and she always quotes some of the most interesting parts of the chapter. No quotes today so I do believe she was blown away. She wants Blake and Lizzy to speak at some time and perhaps they just might. Perhaps, but that would not be for awhile yet. Alienor4 - in one week you will find out all you need to know about Cuffage.

PatM - Now, now Pat! Am I really laughing? It could be the altitude up here in the mountains makes me light-headed. I know you are a die-hard Darcy fan but maybe in a couple of chapters later you will come to like Lord Blake. Maybe. And yes, Collins was an important plot device was he not? Pat, I have it on good authority that what Mrs. Bennet did when trying to convince Elizabeth was exactly what was done back then. The families put pressure on the daughters to marry for security or social connection. Marriages were sealed by contracts making them a business proposition of the most intimate kind. Cuffage, Cuffage - who is he? Next week you will get your answer but don't think I will leave you without any more questions. Yes, I am a devil when it comes to teasing my dear Pat.

taryn - Just for moment, huh. You wanted him to profess his love and what? did you want an answer from Elizabeth? did you want her to accept? Did you want Darcy to come barging in? lol well, sorry, I used Mrs. B to do the dirty work. She is after all the one worried about her daughters' futures.

I have pick up some commenters: Darcyfan 71; CourtneyA; Lucy6526; Junesun; Beatrice and NicoleP.

Seems like everyone is a bit angry at Mrs. B but what did they want? did they want Mrs. B to push E towards Blake? No. They should thank her for doing her best to see to it her least favorite daughter did not make a mistake. She could have helped Blake and watched her daughter suffer financial problems but she is not that cruel (She did not hear Blake say he had financial security).

Glossed over so far: Caroline's manipulation of Darcy. Only alienor4 mentioned it and only to call Caroline a snake. lol Mrs. B teaching Mr. Collins how to propose. Darcy's day in the library; Darcy asking for 2 bottles of brandy. Elizabeth's opinion of the low cut dresses. Jane danced with Mr. Goulding twice! [does that have a future in the story?] Darcy did not wish to interfere with Bingley at first but had no problem doing so for Blake - might there be a reason. I also rather liked some of what Mrs. B said to E. the whole love and respect coming and going and the day to day living wears everyone down.

I guess I should be happy that the reactions were swift. I had teased them long enough about Blake but soon they will learn a lot more about him. Will their opinions change then? we will see. we will see.

It is now 7:24 and I am a tired puppy. Whew this keeping up with the comments is hard word, that I would have sprained my ankle in the first dance! I did surprise everyone with how I kept Blake and Elizabeth apart. They both feel abandoned and I can assure you that is a very hard feeling to shake. but which way will they go? Like Caroline with the secret club, they have a choice of which path to take. Will they be bitter, vengeful, distrustful, or will it just be another unfortunate episode in the life of people during that time.

I hope to keep some of my readers and not feel abandoned! Oh well, each reader has their path to chose too. I will accept what happens with grace. I do understand but I have to write my story that is living in my head regardless of the reception. But I do love my readers comments. It make the whole experience so worthwhile.

till tomorrow.

gayle