An Odyssey of Affection: Sneak Peek

Hello, Readers!

“An Odyssey of Affection: began as a story because of Google maps. Well, really because I couldn’t sleep. I was “strolling” through the street of Canterbury one night and came across St. Augustin’s Abby. Now, like almost every other person, I love stories with ruins and secret conversations between our favorite couple. So, still unable to sleep, I began to play around with a few ideas.

First, I had to get both Darcy and Elizabeth to the Abby, and although we are aware of his ‘summer activity’

in canon, we are unaware of hers. So, I created a trip with the Gardiner’s and a reason she had to stop, (carriage sick little cousins). Everything was flowing, better than I had expected, and then unexpectedly, in popped the Odyssey.

“Who are you?” Darcy asked, peering down his nose at her.

“I am nobody.”

“Nobody?” he asked “And I am Polyphemus, to you Odysseus?”

I wasn’t planning on it, nor expecting it, but there it was. Homer’s Odyssey jumped right into my Pride and Prejudice story, not as a mashup, but just allusions, here and there. I imagined I would only keep a couple, but then they kept happening.

Mrs. Bennet has a superstition that upon the completion of knitting a scarf, one’s husband would appear. So, Elizabeth was forced to knit a scarf but kept unravelling it at night so her mother would be none the wiser.

After they meet in Netherfield, Darcy and Elizabeth have a conversation about books, and the Odyssey inevitably comes up. They discuss if Circe was truly a witch or if scholars mislabeled her because she was a strong woman.

There are other not as prominent Easter Eggs sprinkled throughout, and it was fun to realize the ones that naturally flowed into the story.

Now, here is an excerpt from Chapter 2 with a sprinkled allusion:

Lizzy stifled a remark, but said, “I am grateful you have found friends amongst Mr. Bingley’s sisters. But, I do wish you had not told them about Mama’s silly scheme.”

“Oh, Lizzy. It is merely a bit of fun, and they were charmed by the idea.”

Elizabeth attempted not to roll her eyes to save her sister’s feelings but tempered her response. “I am not certain ‘charmed’ would be the word I would choose, but I do believe they were amused by the notion.”

“I did not feel any malice in their response.”

“No, my sweet sister. You never do.”

“Besides,” Jane said. “They asked why you were knitting a scarf and not a reticule or fichu. I had to tell them.”

“Yes, Jane, but you did not have to expose our Grandmother Gardiner’s superstition. I can still hear her words from when I was little. ‘Girls, knit your future husband a scarf and when it is finished the man you shall marry will arrive in Meryton.’ It was illogical then, but I smiled to save her feelings.”

“Yes, Lizzy and we are still knitting our scarves to save Mama’s.”

Elizabeth looked slyly at Jane. “Well, your scarf is complete. You finished it right before Michaelmas, and then what occurred? Mr. Bingley let Netherfield Park. I do not believe in Grandma Gardiner’s prophecy, but I think it ironic that the man you will marry arrived as she said.”

“Lizzy, hush!  Mama will hear you. Mr. Bingley and I are not to wed. We are merely acquaintances who enjoy each other’s company.”

“Well, then you should not have let Mama know your scarf was finished.”

“Should I do as you and unravel it every night?”

Elizabeth shook her head. “I am not ready to marry, and if I was, there is no one in Meryton who interests

me.”

Jane gave her a knowing look and smiled. “Come dear sister, let us continue preparing for the arrival of our cousin. I am certain he is a most sensible man.”

And there you have it, dear readers! What do you think of this little sprinkle of fun? Are there any books you would love to see nods to in a Pride and Prejudice Fan Fic story?

Let me know in the comments. 😊I truly hope you enjoy my upcoming story, when it is published. Have a wonderful day.