Thanks for the update & good chuckle [Vulcan mind-meld].

Good luck with the voting I'm headed over there now. & Happy Holidays~

Author's Response:

Thank you!  I hope to have 1 more chapter up before Christmas & then it probably won't be until after the New Year.  And thank you for the vote!

Can't wait for the ball! Hurry please!

Author's Response:

The ball will be in several chapters.  I hope to have the first installation to my v-beta by Thursday (& thereby up on FFn if you want to see it there). *crosses fingers & wishes fervently*

Lots of action and intrigue in this chapter.  Mrs Stanley and Mr Newton planting evidence of a crime done by Bella to force them to sell the house.  If you ask me I think Mrs. Stanley got what she deserved trying to accuse Bella of stealing.  what will Mr Newton do now?  With the fire everything will be burnt.  The gold will be there, but what impact for Bella now.  I'm sure Edward would do a serious smackdown on him for setting Bella up.  But then again they wanted the property so the fire could have been one of James's people.  Knowing that L would not sell the house under any circumstances especially with her husband Will moving in with them.  So does Bree work for James Hunter?  Or was she just a nomad vampire who arrived on the scene?  But her question to Mrs Stanley regarding friend of Bella or L.  Wonder if Bree was sent to hurt Bella?  It wouldn't be smart to attempt to hurt Bella, Edward would be all over Bree and whoever requested her to arrive.  Emmett arriving to at least save some of Bella's possessions.  Also her hope chest started by L. Bella testy about the stationery being paid for by Lord Masen.  Bella's pride of people helping her and her refusal of charity.  Edward took the bag anyway.  Real tragedy about the house.  If Mike or James was behind the house being burnt for their property scheme heads will roll.  Staying with Alice was probably a good idea since the cottage with newlyweds wouldn't be something I would like either.  Too much noise all the times.  Alice was cute wanting all the dirt about what was going on between her brother and Bella.  Kinda funny that everything Bella was whispering Edward could hear her downstairs.  Swoon worthy I am sure swelled Edward's head immensely.  Make him more cocky as if he's not cocky enough now.  Looking forward to the ball.  I'll bet Bella will be the prettiest to Lord Masen/Edward there.  Wonder if James will kidnap her for his own means.  The plot does thicken.

Author's Response:

Mr. Newton will continue to try to get L's property but that will be a while.  More on Bree later in the story, too.  First, we have a ball to attend to and some fluff time.

lovely, thank you!

Author's Response:

So glad you enjoyed it!

Mrs. Stanley got her just desserts -- or maybe Bree did! Hehe!

Beautiful story!

Author's Response:

LOL!  And thank you.

Thank you for showing that Edward REALLY doesn't like deceiving Bella with the duel roles.  I cannot see how any woman would not find that to be anything but insulting if they let it go on much longer.  He is a good man!

So I hope with L's nuptuials that we will finally see her , ah, depart?  Please?  She tends to take every scene over and -honestly- she's become a bit grating.  I am glad thar she's getting her HEA but far less of her MUCH MORE Bella & Edward (and the Cullens, even), please!

Thank you for the chapter. 

Author's Response:

Glad you enjoyed the review.  As for characters in the story...they are all there & portrayed for a particular reason.  Groundwork (even if it is slower than the reader desires) has to be laid and built upon.  It's like looking at a painting & thinking there's too much red in one corner.  If you focus on that little piece of the canvas, then yes, there probably is.  But when you take in the whole (and EE is nowhere near over!), there is a balance.

 

That said, know I appreciate any commentary and am not offended.  Just realize there is a plan and keep reading!

Haha!  I'm reading Let's Get Physical as well!  Now you know why I get so sidetracked!  I hope Edward gets in the ring for her, Bella is worth fighting for!

I love that L is innocent.  So sweet!  But of course, that won't last for long.  I'm dying to know what will push Bella toward the lord.  I just wish we could kill James already.  He always comes off as so greasy to me.

Author's Response:

I get sidetracked all the time, so I completely understand.  More on what will push Bella in upcoming chapters and it'll be a bit before James comes back on the scene.

Maggie Valley is so beautiful.  I haven't been there in many years, but I loved it!  Edward needs to be Edward.  Lord Masen is not going to work out in the end.  It is deceit. 

Author's Response:

It is.  Growing up, my parents had yearly conferences in a retreat at Valle Crucis so that's why I picked there.

I love Pound of Flesh, too!  Cullen is such a bad boy and Peaches... well, she's Peaches.  I'm dying to see how the Jaspter/Peter drama plays out.

Back to you: Edward needs to 'fess up or do something.  Intentinally lying to her is not going to go well, as I'm sure she will figure things out.  She's a smart girl and Edward is underestimating her.

Now we have shameless flirting!  I'm always wondering why we just don't kill James outright.  The guy is so obviously a very bad egg.

Author's Response:

First, the Cullens aren't just going to kill someone without provocation.  Once it's there (and now it is), they will go after him but he's very good at evasion.

James and Laurent.  Judging by L's reaction, they are not a part of the "experience."  Are they going to play the part?  And what is with the anti-aging thing going on with L?

Mmm.... Sullen, horse-riding Edward is hot!