CAROLINE CARTIER
The Official Site
The Victorian Vagaries are a bit of a fairy tale... Have you ever read Pride and Prejudice, a Variation, a sequel, or any other book, and just wish it could go on for years? The Victorian Vagaries is the story of the Bennet women over twelve years of life and love... The men and heroes we love are ever present of course, but this is the story of the Bennet women in a slightly more modern setting, while keeping to the historical fiction theme that we all love.
Moving the story forward 36 years brings us to a time where more women were working, and the industrial revolution is taking over. Times and opportunities are changing for men and women alike, and Lady Elizabeth Astley, a society widow, and the eldest of her siblings, must protect herself and her vast fortune earned by investing with her uncle from fortune hunters and heiress snatchers, as well as support her step mother and four half sisters as they each break free from the fates laid down before them and meet their destinies. Some characters deviate from canon, others remain charmingly as we know them, and friends from other Jane Austen worlds join us, but never how you might expect, though everyone we love finds their happy ending, and when Elizabeth and Darcy find their happiness, their bond is as strong and beautiful as any of us could hope…
PRIDE AND PRECIPITANCE
Moving Miss Austen's story forward 36 years brings us to a time where more women were working, and the industrial revolution is taking over. Times and opportunities are changing for men and women alike, and Lady Elizabeth Astley, a society widow, and the eldest of her siblings, must protect herself and her vast fortune earned by investing with her uncle from fortune hunters and heiress snatchers, as well as support her step mother and four half sisters as they each break free from the fates laid down before them and meet their destinies. Some characters deviate from canon, others remain charmingly as we know them, and friends from other Jane Austen worlds join us, but never how you might expect, though everyone we love finds their happy ending, and when Elizabeth and Darcy find their happiness, their bond is as strong and beautiful as any of us could hope…
In Volume One of our Victorian Vagaries, Lady Elizabeth Astley, three years widowed, has returned to Meryton to enjoy the country with her young daughter. The eldest of Mr Bennet's daughters, Elizabeth is an outcast among her sisters and step-mother, but does her best to help her sisters find themselves – and to help Jane when Caroline and Mrs Bennet's behavior causes catastrophe.
Will Netherfield's impressive guest Mr Darcy recognize Elizabeth's worth, or will he continue in his typical prideful behavior? Follow Elizabeth as she narrowly evades the aggressive pursuit of our favorite wastrel – who is a true villain – assists Rosings Park and her cousin Charlotte Collins when disaster strikes Hunsford, and teaches a proud and foolish man the art of pleasing a woman worthy of being pleased.
CHIVALRY AND CHAUVINISM
In Volume Two of our Victorian Vagaries, when Elizabeth and Darcy travel to Pemberley in all haste to assist Georgiana – who is desperately ill – Elizabeth has high hopes of a warm welcome from the staff and the assistance of a kind and experienced housekeeper. Mrs Reynolds – who has been in the service of the Darcy family for four decades – does not approve of her master's new wife, her child, her family, nor even her little dog – and has no intention of handing over the reins of the household.
As Georgiana's health hangs in the balance, Darcy and Elizabeth struggle to learn the cause of Georgiana's illness, while Mrs Reynolds stubbornly does her utmost to interfere in her new mistress's arrangements. When the family returns to London for the season, Mary must learn to take on society, avoid compromise, and find her heart's desire.
The main characters of Sense & Sensibility join us in this 89,000 word slow burn, sweet and clean Victorian era vagary.
RIVALRY AND REPARATIONS
In Volume Three of our Victorian Vagaries, when one of Elizabeth's cousins has been caught meeting with a man in secret, misinformation abounds, creating disaster for poor Kitty, who then vanishes. The search for Kitty drags on far longer than it ought, as the Darcys struggle to manage their business and estates, deal with the wagging tongues of society, console their grieving relatives, and find their missing sister. As any story worthy of Jane Austen should, our journey ends with a Bennet wedding.
Our friends from Sense & Sensibility also find their happiness, though not how the reader might expect in this 88,000 word slow burn, sweet and clean Victorian era vagary.
AVARICE AND AFFECTION
In Volume Four of our Victorian Vagaries, the Darcys support their married sisters, family, and friends through births, deaths, and weddings, as Lydia follows her passions and saves Sanditon from certain failure. Fortune hunters and catty debutantes follow Georgiana through the Ton as she triumphs in love, while Lydia naively misunderstands the intent of her suitors.
Some friends from Mansfield Park and the cast of Sanditon join us, the Duchess of Devonshire visits, though not how you might expect, and all of our friends' stories conclude in this 95,000 word slow burn, sweet and clean Victorian era vagary.
Coming 2025
A MUTUAL ACCORD
In this Austenesque Adventure, the courtships of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet, as well as Mr. Bingley and Jane Bennet, begin the day after the Netherfield Ball. A new sense of understanding between the couples paves the way for early declarations of affection, setting them on the path to happiness sooner than expected. However, as romance blossoms, unexpected family matters take center stage.
Lady Catherine de Bourgh, known for her imperious nature, is suddenly redeemed in the eyes of her family when it is revealed that she is gravely ill. Her vulnerability and quiet regret soften her character, drawing her estranged relatives closer. Elizabeth, Lydia, and Georgiana join Lady Catherine in Eastbourne as she consults a specialist about a dangerous but necessary medical procedure. However, what begins as a journey to provide comfort and companionship quickly turns into a mysterious web of intrigue and danger.
The enigmatic Count of St Germain appears unexpectedly, offering aid. His presence raises unsettling questions about time, immortality, and hidden secrets.
Meanwhile, Colonel Fitzwilliam, working undercover for the War Office, is investigating reports of espionage and treason in Eastbourne. To complicate matters, an old enemy appears to be involved with the very spies and traitors Fitzwilliam seeks to expose.
When Darcy disappears, Elizabeth finds herself in grave danger when she stumbles upon illicit dealings during her search for him. In this tale of love, intrigue, and adventure, the characters find their heart's desire, and also confront a plot that threatens the security of the kingdom.
EVER AFTER END
In Volume Four of our Victorian Vagaries, the Darcys support their married sisters, family, and friends through births, deaths, and weddings, as Lydia follows her passions and saves Sanditon from certain failure. Fortune hunters and catty debutantes follow Georgiana through the Ton as she triumphs in love, while Lydia naively misunderstands the intent of her suitors.
Some friends from Mansfield Park and the cast of Sanditon join us, the Duchess of Devonshire visits, though not how you might expect, and all of our friends' stories conclude in this 95,000 word slow burn, sweet and clean Victorian era vagary.
“She is too fond of books and it has addled her brain”