Darcy among the Luddites

My plots come to me in the strangest ways. Once during the remnants of a hurricane, I was listening to the news telling us not to go out because of downed power lines across the roads, and I thought, “Darcy would not have had that problem during a hurricane!” Thus began Mr. Darcy’s Refuge.

Luddite Rebellion

Luddite Rebellion

My new book began with a minor character tapping me on the shoulder as I was writing about Elizabeth traveling alone by stage to London. A young gentleman named Mr. Hopewell helps her out. I worked backwards to figure out who he was. Since he was already on the stage when she boarded it, he had come from someplace in the North. Sheffield sounded good, and it was on the stagecoach route. Sheffield was in the midst of a Luddite uprising, so he became a Luddite agitator. Lizzy says goodbye to him when they arrive in London, and all is well and good.

Then Darcy and Elizabeth end up at Rosings in the usual manner, except Darcy is accompanied by his cousin, Lady Frederica Fitzwilliam, who was recently jilted by an old friend of Darcy’s, Sir Anthony Duxbury. And this happens:

Gregory, Lady Catherine’s favorite footman, held out a silver platter to Darcy with a card on it. “A caller, sir.”

Who would be calling on him at Rosings? He read the card, then glanced at Frederica and back at the card. “Frederica,” he said carefully. “Are you perchance expecting a visit from Sir Anthony Duxbury?”

“Of course not. He cannot even bear to be in the same room with me. Why?”

“Because he is here, and I do not know why.” Darcy turned to the footman. “I will see him in the library.”

“No, Gregory; bring him here,” said Frederica, her voice flat.

The footman glanced at Darcy, who nodded. After he left, Darcy said to Frederica, “Are you certain you wish to see him?”

She stuck her chin in the air, every inch an earl’s daughter. “I have nothing to hide. If my presence causes him discomfort, that is his problem, not mine.”

At the door, Gregory announced, “Sir Anthony Duxbury to see Mr. Darcy.”

Duxbury usually exuded energy, but today he looked exhausted. “Darcy, I am glad to have finally run you to ground. I….” He stopped short and grew pale. “Lady Frederica! I did not expect to see you here.”

“Obviously, Sir Anthony,” she said smoothly. “You would not be here otherwise. Do sit down. Gregory, be so kind as to bring some refreshments for our guest.”

“It is not… I needed to speak to Darcy, and he was here.”

She gestured toward Darcy with one hand. “There he is, and you may speak to him as much as you wish. Pray do not allow my presence to disturb you.” Frederica ostentatiously picked up a book and began to turn the pages.

Without asking whether he desired any, Darcy went to the sideboard and poured a glass of wine for Duxbury. He appeared to need it.

Duxbury gave him a grateful glance when he held it out to him. “My thanks.” Frederica’s presence seemed to have flustered him more than Darcy would have expected. Duxbury had been the one to break off their understanding, after all. He was not the injured party.

“So, you have gone to some effort to find me,” Darcy prompted.

His eyes flickered toward Frederica. “Yes. I hoped to speak to you… of the situation in the North – the Luddites and the unrest.”

Darcy blinked. “You came all this way to discuss politics?”

“This is a cause which is very dear to my heart, and I stand in dire need of assistance because of it.”

What sort of help could he need? It could not be a matter of money. Duxbury had plenty of his own.

The footman announced, “Mrs. Collins and Miss Bennet to see Lady Frederica.”

Elizabeth! All thoughts of Duxbury’s mysterious mission fled Darcy’s mind at the sight of her light and pleasing form. He had not seen her since that painful day in the gardens, and her anger had gnawed at him ever since. Had she finally forgiven him? He must know.

Belatedly remembering his manners, he said, “Ladies, will you permit me the honor of introducing…”

Elizabeth stepped past him before he had even finished. “Mr. Hopewell! It is an unexpected pleasure to see you again.”

Darcy looked over his shoulder to see to whom she was speaking, but Duxbury was bowing over her hand.

“Why, if it is not my dear sister Anne!” said Duxbury with a hollow laugh. “Well met, madam.”

Duxbury’s sister?

Elizabeth must have noted his confusion, for she laughed and said, “I was only a temporary sister. Mr. Hopewell and I were fellow stagecoach passengers, and when our coach was unexpectedly forced to stop for the night, Mr. Hopewell was gallant enough to arrange a room at the inn for me and to tell everyone I was his sister. I am greatly in his debt.” Her smile faded at Darcy’s grim look. “He was a perfect gentleman.”

Darcy looked at Duxbury, who was even paler than before. “A perfect gentleman? Except for one little matter of the truth. His name is Sir Anthony Duxbury, not Hopewell.”

Elizabeth glanced back and forth between the two men. “I do not understand.”

“Nor do I,” said Darcy pointedly.

Duxbury tugged at his cravat. “It is a long and complicated story, though not unrelated to the one I came to tell you.”

From the doorway Richard said, “Then you had best get started in telling it, Duxbury.”

“So you are here as well, Fitzwilliam? The question is where to begin.” Duxbury dropped into one of an armchair and rubbed his forehead. “These are not the circumstances I would have chosen for this discussion.”

Frederica said sharply, “The beginning is usually considered a good place to start.”

Duxbury looked at her for a long minute, then turned to Darcy. “You are well acquainted with Sir Anthony Duxbury, gentleman about town, a moderate Whig who occasionally flirts with philosophical radicalism. That is nothing but a façade. My true beliefs are different, and have been since I returned from the Continent — views too dangerous for Sir Anthony Duxbury to espouse, much less act upon. That is where Mr. Hopewell comes in. He is a Radical who travels among the Luddites, writing pamphlets in favor of giving them the vote and the same rights you and I possess, speaking at their meetings, and helping to garner support for their cause. Sedition, resisting arrest, hiding fugitives – you name it, Hopewell has done it, and then come back to London as Duxbury and played the role of a dilettante.”

Talk about hijacking the plot!

A Luddite Shooting

A Luddite Shooting

Apparently my muse had decided the Luddites, who were supposed to be just a bit of verisimilitude in one minor scene, were going to play a big role in this book whether I liked it or not. So off I went down the research rabbit hole learning about the unrest in the Northern manufacturing region, including Derbyshire. Houses being torched, people murdered, arms depots raided, and even plans for an armed rebellion to attack London.

But wait a minute! Doesn’t Jane Austen tells us the Gardiners took a pleasure trip to Derbyshire in the summer of 1812? But no one in their right mind would have traveled to Derbyshire or anywhere near it then! Well, that’s what happens when you take a book you wrote in 1796-7, rewrite it in 1811 and set in 1812.¹ Ah, the dangers of writing about a time period before it occurs!

But how could a red-blooded writer of Pride & Prejudice variations resist taking Jane Austen’s characters and putting them in the political situation that actually existed in 1812? I couldn’t, and the result is Mr. Darcy’s Journey. The title has a double meaning – the metaphorical journey of self-discovery he takes as a result of meeting Elizabeth, and the literal and life-changing journey they take on a rescue mission to Sheffield.

Did I mention this book was originally supposed to be about Wickham? Well, he made it into the first scene and was never seen again. The best laid plots…

Mr. Darcy’s Journey will be released on June 10, 2016 – unless somebody else hijacks it!

Blurb: 

Mr. Darcy is at his wits’ end. Elizabeth Bennet, the woman he can’t live without, overhears him insulting her family. Now she won’t even listen to his apologies. Then his old friend Sir Anthony Duxbury tells him two of their friends are in terrible danger. If Darcy wants to help them, they have to leave for Yorkshire immediately.

But something doesn’t add up. Elizabeth claims to know Sir Anthony, too – but by a different name. What game is his old friend playing? And is it dangerous?

Even Sir Anthony says the trip is dangerous. The Luddite rebels are on the verge of armed revolt – and he should know, because he’s one of them. Darcy’s cousin Lady Frederica decides she’s going with them anyway, and insists on bringing Elizabeth. Could this be Darcy’s chance to earn Elizabeth’s forgiveness and her love?

Elizabeth would rather face a squad of Napoleon’s soldiers than spend three days trapped in a carriage with Darcy and his headstrong cousin, but she has her own reason for agreeing to come. If she can just manage to keep her temper, she may be able to rescue her uncle from financial ruin.

But when a Luddite riot erupts around them, it’s Darcy and Elizabeth who need rescuing – from each other.

Notes:

  1. The 1811-1812 dates are generally, but not universally, agreed upon by scholars. More details on the chronology are here.

 

So, what do you think?

Blue_Plaque_for_Westhoughton_Mill

57 comments

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    • Ruth on May 24, 2016 at 12:42 am
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    That’s really a change for you and for JAFF in general. We’ll be looking at the wider world instead of only the story on a little bit of ivory.

    1. It’s a change for me, certainly! I’m under the impression other JAFF writers have brought in other parts of the world, especially the wars, but it was fascinating to look more at the parts of British history we don’t see so much of.

    • Deborah on May 24, 2016 at 12:48 am
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    Very interesting, Abigail. Looking forward to reading this book. A time of serious unrest. Thank you so much for sharing the excerpt.

    1. Thanks, Deborah! It was a difficult time, and it was fun to look at how it could have affected Elizabeth and Darcy.

    • Debra Perrin on May 24, 2016 at 1:46 am
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    Fantastic. This extract has really whet my appetite for your story. I grew up in a village not far from Cromford, where the Industrial Revolution started with Arkwright’s first mill. My mother comes from a village very near Chatsworth and my father from the wool towns of Yorkshire so I grew up close to the great estate of Chatsworth and the slums of the workers cottages in Yorkshire albeit it 160 years later in the 1970s. We were taught about the Luddites during History lessons and it was part of our examination curriculum for our O levels aged 16. What a terrible period in British History (yes, another one!) where workers felt they had no other option but to resort to violence. I like how Darcy’s journey will be physical and emotional. Can’t wait!

    1. Interesting! I did some reading about Cromford, particularly since it was so close to Matlock. One of the challenges of writing this book was to help American readers understand that the Luddite Rebellion was more complex than it is taught in our schools – a pretty quick mention about them destroying machines, and not much discussion of the more complex issues that led to their problems, like the Enclosure Acts, the bad harvests of 1810 and 1811, the horrible conditions in the mills, the tariffs and trade blockades, etc. They really did have almost no options.

  1. This looks fascinating, Abigail. I’ve always been interested in the Luddites and their cause (also from History O levels, Debra) so I’m really looking forward to seeing Darcy and Elizabeth in such a turbulent context. I lived in Manchester close to the bombed out slums in the 1970s as well, with its constant reminder of the Mills and their workers, though not as old as the original cottages Debra is talking about. Looking forward to Darcy’s new adventure.

    1. Thanks, Monica! It’s been fascinating research. One part which really struck me was how there were a few people in the upper classes who really did support reform to help the Luddites, and what a huge gap in understanding there was between those few and the rest of their society. In the US, I often drive past the old mills of Fall River and think about what the people who worked there went through.

    • Nicola on May 24, 2016 at 4:12 am
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    Oooh, this is why I love historical Romance so much – these books give us insight into fascinating times, long, long ago – sometimes it feels almost like looking into a chrystal ball. I already read about those unruly times in some other P&P-Variations and have always been a little bit disappointed that the topic itself was only hinted at… But now we’ll go right into it- YES!! Thank you, Abigail, for spending so much time and effort on your research, I know we will all love your new book with all its intruders. I cant’t wait to read it 🙂

    1. Glad to hear you’re interested! One of my worries about the book is that some readers will think I’m making up the events because they seem so extreme when I’ve been very careful to stick to the facts. As usual, I got carried away with how much research I did!

    • Lauren K. on May 24, 2016 at 4:58 am
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    Oh this sounds exciting! This is my first time hearing about the Luddites and I’m looking forward to reading your new book!

    1. Great! I hope it’ll do a little to explain that very complex time in history. 🙂

    • Kathy Berlin on May 24, 2016 at 5:56 am
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    Very much looking forward to this book. It sounds action-packed and with lots of opportunities for ODC to learn a lot, especially about each other and themselves.

    • Glynis on May 24, 2016 at 6:09 am
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    A new book! Can’t wait! Mr Darcy’s Refuge was the second of your books I read after To Conquer Mr Darcy. I have since bought all your others and have read them many times so I am desperate to read this one. I love the excerpt and the blurb. I much prefer to learn about history from novels such as this – much more easily understood.

    1. I remember back when I was in high school, my European history teacher was amazed at all the details of English history I knew – and it was all from historical novels I read!

  2. Romance and history mixed together has always interested me. Part of what makes people tick is the world around them. Even if they are not physically affected by a situation, they can be emotionally or financially so. Some Austen characters are well informed and have clear opinions, others are shallow. I’m sure I will encounter both in this book with yours!

    1. Odd you should mention it – one thing in the book that I’m expecting to be somewhat controversial is about my Bingley. His fortune is from manufacturing, but he was raised to be a gentleman and to keep his hands clean from that source of his fortune, so he did nothing to supervise his mills and simply trusted the managers his father had appointed. Without supervision, conditions in his mills became very bad, and this was a huge shock to him. Even good, well-meaning people could end up being part of the problem!

      1. Now that is unteresting! I can see Charles as being shocked and angered at having his trust and the people abused. Unfortunately, I can also see Caroline not giving a damn about their plight, and encouraging her brother not to get involved. Time for him to grow a backbone.

      2. I can just see Caroline – “But they don’t feel it as we would, Charles. It’s natural for them to live like that.” Fortunately, Darcy is the one who discovers it, and we know he won’t shut up about it until something is done! 😉

    • Kari Singh on May 24, 2016 at 7:07 am
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    I love your writing, and look forward to the release of this one. It looks like an exciting adventure!

    1. I hope you enjoy it!

    • Theresa M on May 24, 2016 at 7:21 am
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    I have always loved historical fiction. I lookforward to learning more about the Luddites. Thank you!

    1. Thanks! The Luddites are a fascinating subject.

    • Megan on May 24, 2016 at 9:07 am
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    Can’t wait to read this!! Sounds fantastic! Definitely a different area that I haven’t seen done in any JAFF before!

    1. It’s very easy for JA lovers to stay in the world of her novels, but it’s fun to mix in some of what was happening outside of them!

    • Meg on May 24, 2016 at 9:38 am
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    The best way to learn history is through the eyes of our beloved characters in the hands of an accomplished author. I’ll be another fan of yours awaiting the book’s arrival! I also enjoy you telling us about your writing process – how a character leads you in another direction; the character becomes alive. I think that is what helps your characters seem so real. A “formula” author’s plots seem contrived by comparison.

    1. Thank you! It drives me a bit crazy when characters hijack my stories, but I also know that’s where my writing tends to come alive, so it’s always exciting as well. I’m worried about the new book I’ve just started because it’s chock full of really strong characters in volatile situations, so I’m expecting it to go all over the place!

        • Meg on May 24, 2016 at 12:32 pm
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        Have fun with it!

    • Pam Hunter on May 24, 2016 at 10:07 am
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    I’ve always loved historical fiction with a great romance thrown in for good measure. Adding Elizabeth and Darcy to the mix? Count me in! I can’t wait to read your newest, Abigail!

    1. I’m so glad! I hope you’ll like it!

    • Hollis on May 24, 2016 at 11:05 am
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    This sounds very intriguing! I shall immediately put it on my list to purchase!

    1. Thanks, Hollis!

    • Tracy K on May 24, 2016 at 12:40 pm
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    Can’t wait to read it Abigail! You are my favorite JAFF author for so many reasons- you are always true to Darcy and Elizabeth’s characters and personalities, and your plots are always original. Your Elizabeth is always witty- can’t imagine how hard that is to write! I know little to nothing about the Luddites so this novel promises to be informative as well as entertaining.

    1. I’m honored, Tracy! Writing a witty Elizabeth is always tricky – sometimes I succeed, sometimes I don’t. I hope you’ll enjoy getting to know the Luddites!

    • JanisB on May 24, 2016 at 1:42 pm
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    P&P variations lately seem to be less about a sweet little romance in a sleepy backwater and more about throwing more and more P&P characters into action related to actual historical events. *Plus* the romance, of course! This one sounds the most exciting yet! Can’t wait to read it — adding it now to my Must Read list. (Disclaimer: Not that there’s anything bad about sweet little romances. But I do like this new sub-genre, and these tales spur me on to do more historical investigations for myself!)

    1. When P&P variations first were being published, many writers, including me, liked to find a small point in P&P to alter and make into a new variation, rather than making wholesale changes – what some people called writing a new book and naming the lead characters Darcy and Elizabeth. Now that there are so many variations out there, a lot of long-time readers are getting bored with books that stick too close to canon P&P and want something more in their variations. I’m more of a stick-close sort myself, but sometimes I just need to mix in some new stuff! But there is romance, I promise you!

    • karana on May 24, 2016 at 1:58 pm
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    I can’t wait to read this. Sounds like a totally different perspective on our favorite couple. What adventures await?

    1. Lots of adventures!

    • Dung on May 24, 2016 at 2:44 pm
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    Oh, what an interesting premise! Definitely a different spin on P&P. Looking forward to reading it.

    1. Thanks, Dung!

    • Regina C McCaughey-Silvia on May 24, 2016 at 3:13 pm
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    I have to agree with others who have posted here as well as your own comment, Abigail. Having read so many vagaries and variations on P&P, I welcome the change in locale when the story moves to the continent and am more than happy to here more about British history, too. When I’m teaching British Lit, my students really seem to enjoy the additional insight into a period I can share with them through my own reading.

    1. Sometimes I wish there were a way we could mark P&P variations as either ‘good for new JAFF readers’ or ‘good for jaded JAFF readers.’ But it is nice to have a change of pace sometimes!

    • Nicole B on May 24, 2016 at 3:46 pm
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    I love it when an author incorporates real historical facts in their work of fiction! It really makes one think and gives the story such depth. Thank you for having an amazing imagination and for your research! I’m certain to learn something and that is the best gift an author can bestow.

    1. I’m not sure whether I’m incorporating historical facts or whether the facts are incorporating me! But the research is fun. 🙂

    • Carole in Canada on May 24, 2016 at 3:53 pm
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    So looking forward to reading your new book! Adding historical facts and interweaving them into the plot makes for a very good read!

    1. I’m a little worried about the group of readers who want to think of life in the Regency was sweet and innocent, but I’m hoping this will provide a balance!

  3. One of the things I love about reading historical fiction is the chance to learn about history in such an immersive way. Thank you so much for taking the time to do all this research. I look forward to reading the story!

    1. I love doing the research, Ceri! The problem is trying to get me to stop! It’s so much more alive when I think about it in the context of a story.

    • Rae on May 24, 2016 at 5:44 pm
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    A new Abigail story is just what the doctor ordered!!! It’s been awhile and I haven’t been able to find a great summer read yet. I will be first in line to purchase your new book next month…..if it’s not hijacked!!!

    Thank you for the sneak peak.

    1. I’m glad it’ll have a chance at being your summer read!

    • SandyH on May 24, 2016 at 7:46 pm
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    Sounds wonderfully intriguing !!! Can’t wait to get my hands on it!

  4. I so wish to read this as soon as possible! It sounds absolutely amazing!

    Thank you for sharing this excerpt with us!

    Warmly,
    Susanne, emerging briefly from all of her Hamlet essays….

    • oloore on May 25, 2016 at 4:01 am
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    I think that I will be eagerly (and inpatiently) waiting for 06 June! Thank you for the excerpt!

    • Christina Boyd on May 25, 2016 at 9:52 pm
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    Reads like another best seller! Looking forward to reading it.

    • Carol on May 25, 2016 at 10:43 pm
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    Not your usual, but I cannot wait for the release! Storyline is very intriguing.

    • Gwyn on May 27, 2016 at 4:51 pm
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    OMG! I am so freakin’ excited for this book! You are my favorite JAFF/variations author. “To Conquer Mr. Darcy” is also my most favorite of all your work. I’ve always wondered how JA could reconcile Derbyshire and the Luddites. Bring on the history!!

    • Sheila L. M. on June 1, 2016 at 11:46 am
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    There is never a doubt that I am going to buy any book written by you, Abigail. I will not pre-order but I will be buying it, none the less. Sounds mysterious and enthralling for both the political arena and ODC. Thanks for sharing.

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