Hello, dear Janeites!
How happy I am to have a chance to chat with you today about my upcoming
book, “The Consequence of Courage,” set for release in early fall. This book is not like anything I have written before, as Mr. Wickham is a predominant character not associated with Lydia. I’m not a huge fan of Mr. Wickham. He’s not like Willoughby who you know has real feelings for Marianne but must marry an heiress. Instead he is what my 9th grade teacher would call ‘smarmy,’ and I have little patience for him. (Just a note–I’m NOT making excuses for Willoughby, but maybe it’s because he’s played by Greg Wise in 1995, my heart gives him a little more grace…Look at him!)
My book begins in Ramsgate, as many JAFF books, and also has the inducement of Elizabeth saving Georgiana from Wickham’s attempt at elopement. However, it veers off from there as Elizabeth does not learn Georgiana’s name, and Wickham becomes almost violent towards EB. That particular scene, although exciting on its own, has a small little hint dropped in that someone would over look if they weren’t paying attention.
Photo: BBC
How did this book come about? Well, great question! I had decided I wanted to write a novella length story but needed a starting off point. I think the scene at Ramsgate is so pivotal and yet often overlooked. It was just by luck Darcy showed up that day to see his little sister. What if she had already made the decision to not elope with the help of a person who encouraged her to voice her true feelings? Enter Elizabeth Bennet.
Our Lizzy is what one might call a firecracker. She is always gracious and polite, yet doesn’t stray from voicing her opinions and concerns. She is a strong character and Jane Austen herself described her as, “…delightful a creature as ever appeared in print.” She is formidable and unbending. If she could take on Lady Catherine with ease at both Rosings AND in a prettyish kind of little wilderness at Longbourn, she could DEFINELTY take on the son of a steward in Ramsgate!
And who is this son of a steward? Lizzy doesn’t know. She gets neither his name, nor once again, the young girls who she helped save. Therefore, when the events from Ramsgate follow her to Meryton, there is quite a reckoning. Will Elizabeth still hold Darcy in contempt? Yes. Will Wickham still charm his way throughout the halls of Longbourn? Yes. Will our dear couple still have a happy ending? Yes. How? Well, you’ll have to just wait and see. 🙂
How would YOU imaging Elizabeth and Wickham would meet again in Meryton after their volatile first meeting in Ramsgate?
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I am so excited to read this. Is this the same story you were righting where Darcy confessed Georgiana’s story to a stranger hidden among rocks (Lizzy)?
I imagine that when Wickham sees Lizzy, he would immediately scorn her in order to nullify any warnings she tells the town .
Lizzy, however, would immediately warn her sisters and everyone. I think he would then threaten her in privacy.
Thanks for explaining the premise!
Author
Rebecca, you remembered! No, this is a different story. The one hidden among rocks is what I am getting ready to jump back into working on. THIS one is a story which grew out of a few thoughts I had about Ramsgate. 🙂 Your ideas are great. We’ll have to see how accurate you are!
Ok I am very glad you mentioned this moonlit moment of confiding to a hidden stranger on the rocks because I have been waiting so long to hear if this was going to come about! A friend of mine and I have been eagerly waiting for this book! SO, dear author, you have at least 3 people very much interested!
I can’t believe Wickham is still welcomed at Longbourn? Surely Elizabeth recognised him as the evil seducer from Ramsgate? I do hope Darcy soon realises Elizabeth is the one who saved Georgiana and makes amends🤞🏻🤞🏻. More information please? 🙏🙏
Author
Oh, Glynis. I can’t wait for you to read this. BUT, it might be a little angsty for you. 🙂
Oh, I’m excited for this book, Anngela! I think Elizabeth will be in a bit of a bind: she will feel shock and disgust, and yet she’ll recognizethe need for discretion when she sees Wickham again. Indeed, she’ll feel a great deal of what Darcy must have felt when he came across Wickham in Meryton!
As for Wickham vs. Willoughby — I have to admit I hate Willoughby so, so, so much! Yes, Greg Wise is divine, and he makes it difficult to hate Willoughby in the Emma Thompson version! (Elinor runs off with Wickham after the filming…shocking! :D)
I think you’re right about Wickham being smarmier. Maybe that’s what gets me about Willoughby, though. He reminds me of a wealthy, well-connected kid who is just as bad as the obviously smarmy kid — but because Willoughby has connections and Wickham has to rely wholly on his narcissistic charm…well, I don’t feel sorry for Wickham, but I find myself even more disgusted with Willoughby because he had more options in life. Also, what’s up with that really lame excuse about abandoning young Eliza after seducing her? Uh, I didn’t know her address. Come on. Really? 🙂 Can you tell he gets to me? Sorry! Thanks for letting me vent here. I completely understand your loathing for Wickham and fully support it! Can’t wait to read about his comeuppance in your next novel!
Author
Vent away, my friend! I appreciate your thorough explanation and hope the comeuppance is enough of what he deserves! You are a stronger person than both me and Elinor. We could not refuse Greg Wise! 🙂
Sounds exciting to know where you are taking this!
I’m excited for this book. 🙂 Any idea on the pub date just yet?