Today, I’d like to talk about my own newest publication, The Victorian Vagaries, a quartet published in full by August 16, 2024, and share an excerpt from Volume II.
Synopsis:
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 crave.
Moving the story forward 36 years brings us to a time where more women were working, and the industrial revolution was 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 stepmother 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…
Volume II: When Elizabeth and Darcy travel to Pemberley after the wedding 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 her illness, while Mrs Reynolds stubbornly does her utmost to interfere in her new mistress's arrangements. Later, when the family returns to London for the season, Mary must learn to take on society, avoid compromise, and find her heart's desire.
Lizzy the Businesswoman… Historically Accurate or Not? Let’s talk about the likelihood of a female investor…
When we think of Regency and Victorian gentlewomen, the last thing we think of is businesswomen. Lizzy the investor… How likely was such a scenario? Let’s explore the social expectations of the Victorian era, and the women who broke the glass ceiling.
The early Victorian era, spanning from 1837 to the mid-19th century, was a time of profound social, economic, and cultural change in England. It was an era characterised by strict social stratification, with clear distinctions between the working class, middle class, and high class. Within this framework, the roles and opportunities for women varied significantly, particularly for those in the middle and upper echelons of society. In early Victorian England, societal expectations dictated that a woman's primary role was to manage the household and care for the family. The ideal Victorian woman was seen as "The Angel in the House," a paragon of virtue, modesty, and domesticity who was described for us at length by the poet Coventry Patmore. However, this idealised image did not reflect reality for many women, especially those from the middle and upper classes who sought to break away from traditional roles.
The entrepreneurial spirit was not confined to men in early Victorian England. Female entrepreneurs emerged, often driven by necessity or a desire for independence, and some of them even emerged during the Regency era. Women like Sarah Guppy, for example, an inventor and engineer, demonstrated that women could excel in traditionally male-dominated fields. Guppy's inventions, including improvements to bridge construction, showcased her ingenuity and technical skill. By the mid Victorian era, an estimated 30% of businesses in England were owned and run by women.
The rise of the industrial revolution also created opportunities for female entrepreneurship. Women established businesses in sectors such as textiles, fashion, and retail. For instance, Eliza Tinsley founded a successful chain of haberdashery stores, proving that women could thrive in the competitive business environment of the time.
Middle-class women in early Victorian England experienced a gradual shift in opportunities and roles, and represented perhaps the greatest number of female business owners. Education became more accessible, and many middle-class families began to value the intellectual development of their daughters. Institutions such as the Queen's College in London (founded in 1848) provided education to women, paving the way for them to pursue careers in teaching, nursing, and other professions. Despite societal constraints, middle-class women found ways to contribute to the economy. Some became governesses, a respectable profession that allowed them to earn a living while remaining within the bounds of social acceptability. Others engaged in writing, with authors like Charlotte Brontë and Elizabeth Gaskell gaining recognition and success. Their literary contributions not only provided financial independence but also challenged prevailing gender norms.
High-class women in early Victorian England faced a different set of challenges. While they enjoyed privileges such as wealth, social standing, and access to exclusive circles, their lives were often confined to a narrow set of activities deemed appropriate for their status. Philanthropy, social engagements, and the management of large households were considered suitable pursuits. However, some high-class women defied these limitations.
One notable example is Florence Nightingale, who revolutionised the field of nursing and became a pioneering figure in healthcare reform. Her determination to pursue a career despite familial and societal opposition highlighted the potential for women to make significant contributions beyond traditional roles.
Ada Lovelace was the daughter of the poet Lord Byron and Annabella Milbanke. Her mother was an extremely intelligent woman who encouraged her daughter’s interest in maths and logic. Aged 17, Ada met Charles Babbage who was an inventor and mathematician. She was enthralled by his work on an analytical engine. Her writings on the invention are seen now as the first computer program or algorithm. Her vision for the machine’s future potential is extraordinary given the limited opportunities for women at that time
Angela Burdett-Coutts was one of the wealthiest women in Victorian England, and her efforts at preserving dame schools, opening ragged schools, rehabilitation of fallen women, and efforts at supporting cancer research earned her the right of becoming the first woman to be made a peer in her own right.
I think we can agree that the idea of Lizzy the investor is not so far fetched after all.
Excerpt: Chivalry & Chauvinism... Now Available on Kindle Unlimited
Pemberley
August 1848
The Darcy’s carriage stopped at the overlook just before the entrance to Pemberley. The new Mrs Darcy gasped as her husband handed her down for her first glimpse of her new home. “What an enchanting prospect! I cannot imagine any place for which nature had done more, or where natural beauty had been so little counteracted by an awkward taste.”
“I am glad it meets with your approval,” said Darcy, who never before believed the view could have ever been improved upon, now saw how wrong he was as he saw the same view from beyond his wife’s lovely profile. He wondered if his father felt the same upon bringing his bride home to Pemberley, and wished for a moment that his parents could have met his bride and that he could ask him.
“Let us not dally, and make haste for our home directly, husband!” Elizabeth said smiling, clasping his hands and drawing him back to the carriage in excitement. They had travelled directly and with great speed to come to Darcy’s sister Georgiana, who was terribly ill, making the journey in two and a half days, rather than the expected three and a half.
Elizabeth sent a message ahead by rider that morning, notifying Mrs Reynolds of their expected arrival time, and included a list of instructions and of ingredients she would like on hand in the kitchens when they arrived. The sun was just beginning to set when the carriage and four reached the house; they were exactly on time.
Ten minutes later, Darcy handed Elizabeth down from the carriage to find the entire household assembled, aside from the companion who was sitting with his sister and a few hall boys and scullery maids who were minding fires. He led her first to his paternal grandmother, Lady Rose Darcy, eldest daughter of the fourth Earl of Rochester.
“Lady Rose, it brings me great honour to meet you again and join your excellent family. I bring the regards and correspondence of our friends from London with me.” Elizabeth curtsied deeply in respect. Lady Rose retained her title by right of her birth as the daughter of an earl. Elizabeth had temporarily given hers up to marry Will. Her Majesty had already replied to Elizabeth’s note announcing her intention to wed Mr Darcy. A Royal Messenger found them at the inn the morning after their wedding, congratulating them on their nuptials and expressing Her Majesty’s anticipation of meeting Elizabeth’s new husband when they returned to town and he was elevated as the new Earl Darcy. Darcy and Elizabeth decided during their long carriage ride that they would wait to inform everyone for at least a day or two, until Georgiana’s condition was assessed and hopefully even improved.
Lady Rose greeted her proudly and properly, as Elizabeth knew she would, and invited them to take tea and refreshment in the drawing room. The woman was well known for her excessively dignified and graceful ways. Elizabeth admired her regal bearing and address, which was everything elegant, without being patronising or rude, although the lady’s tongue was known to be razor sharp when offended. Additionally, she had a firm grasp of sarcasm when the occasion called for it. Will led Pemberley’s new mistress down the line, introducing her to each servant, all the way down to the kitchen maid, Hazel. The girl looked terrified as she curtsied, so Elizabeth gave her a mischievous smile and a wink to put her at ease.
Elizabeth spoke to the assembled servants. “Thank you all for your kind welcome. I will eventually remember all of your names, but if it seems that I may have forgotten yours, please remind me. I like to get to know about each person who works in my homes, and I try to meet in my office for tea with each of my staff at least annually, if not more often. I look forward to getting to know each of you, when Miss Darcy is well again, and the household has time for such activities.”
Mrs Reynolds eyebrows were raised and her expression appeared disapproving as the servants followed Darcy, Elizabeth, and Lady Rose into the house. Elizabeth turned to Mrs Reynolds in the great hall and spoke, “Mrs Reynolds, I will go upstairs to change in a half hour. Please have hot water sent up and my maid Sarah will manage everything else that I require for the time being. Please inform the cook — Mrs Pottinger, was it? — that I will be visiting the kitchens in just over one hour.”
“Mrs Darcy, the staff have worked very hard on a special meal tonight. Perhaps another time would be better to visit the kitchens,” replied Mrs Reynolds.
“I hope Mrs Pottinger has not gone to much trouble,” Elizabeth said. “Were the messages I sent this morning and yesterday received? Mr Darcy and I requested very light meals on trays for late this evening.”
“I did receive your messages, ma’am. However, things are done differently in a house like Pemberley,” Mrs Reynolds answered. “Since it is your first night, you must not offend the staff by refusing to allow them to wait upon you on such a momentous occasion.”
“Is that so? Thank you for telling me what I must do. Contrary to what you may believe, I am familiar with the running of great houses, Mrs Reynolds. As of this time, Pemberley’s main concern must be Miss Darcy’s recovery. There will be time for pride of presentation later. I am all eagerness to see the skill of Pemberley’s talented staff on display on a more appropriate occasion. Please plan to have our meals served on trays in our sitting room late this evening at suppertime,” Elizabeth said. “I am sure you will want to meet with me very soon to go over the management of the house, and I am looking forward to it. Let us see how Miss Darcy fares tonight and tomorrow morning before we arrange a time to do so.”
“As you wish, Mrs Darcy,” the housekeeper responded stiffly.
“Mrs Reynolds, please send hot water to my room as well, and please meet me in my study in one half hour,” Darcy said as he accompanied his wife into the drawing room behind his grandmother.
“Lady Rose, please forgive me if my instructions to Mrs Reynolds contradicted any of your plans for this evening,” began Elizabeth as they seated themselves in the drawing room. “Will and I are terribly concerned about Miss Darcy, and discussed it at length on our journey to Derbyshire. He told me every detail he knows of her illness, and everything Mr Gibson has said about it. I believe with strict supervision over Miss Darcy’s care that we can bring her back to health. We intend to devote all our energies into this endeavour with all haste. Something about all of this is not adding up, and I am determined to get to the bottom of it. I fear Miss Darcy has been ill for too long. No time must be wasted before her care is taken firmly in hand. After we have refreshed ourselves, I intend to begin directly. Indeed, if Will’s previous information had not indicated her to be on the mend, I would have recommended asking a nurse to come from the new school some time ago. They are still getting everything ready to open, but they would have been glad to send one of the sisters.”
“I am so relieved to hear you say that, Lady Astley… oh forgive me, Mrs Darcy,” replied Lady Rose as she poured the tea for what would likely be her last time as the hostess at Pemberley unless she was entertaining her own guests. “Georgiana’s condition is concerning indeed. I blessed the day I received my grandson’s letter to say that he was bringing you to Pemberley as his wife. Your late husband was well regarded in London, and our friends in society never fail to speak of the good reputation of your advice. I have been taking my meals on a tray in my apartment, or with Georgiana for some time now, so I am not at all disappointed. At my age it is much easier, especially with Georgiana being ill. I had no idea you sent Mrs Reynolds instructions, or I would have made certain they were followed. I cannot imagine what she means by such rudeness.”
“We are concerned indeed by Mrs Reynolds’ recent behaviour,” Darcy spoke up. “Not only must we address the matter of Georgiana being bled against my strict instructions, but I cannot imagine what she means by ignoring Elizabeth’s letter to her three weeks ago, and disregarding the instructions in her most recent messages.”
“I had no idea you received no letter from Mrs Reynolds upon your engagement, Mrs Darcy.” said Lady Rose, “When my son’s wife died, I returned from the dower house and took over many of the duties of the mistress but my grandson has not wished me to tax myself in recent years. I stepped back from many of those duties when Georgiana turned thirteen, and began to learn the household herself. Timid as the sweet girl is, Mrs Reynolds mostly leads her to do things her way. It may take some time for Mrs Reynolds to become used to not being in charge of Pemberley again. She ought to retire entirely. I hired her as a maid at one of our other estates during my time as mistress here, and she has worked for the Darcys for over forty years.”
“While I have no desire to force anyone into a retirement that they do not wish for, and indeed I have no wish to start as a new mistress with a new housekeeper, we must be able to work together. Every bride hopes to encounter an efficient and welcoming housekeeper when she arrives at her new home, and I am no exception. Will is going to speak privately to Mrs Reynolds and Mrs Bower regarding the incident with Georgiana, since it predates my arrival here. After that, she must take her instructions from me,” Elizabeth said firmly.
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Just finished avarice and affection and just wanted to say ive loved reading all four books of this series and feel bitter sweetly that theirs no book 5 , well i can live in hope you decide to do a follow up book about diane and all the other next generation kids , in the mean time thankyou for sharing a wonderful series and im looking forward to any future releases you write. Kind regards Jamie M