For readers who enjoy imaginative reimaginings of Pride and Prejudice, this novel offers a fascinating premise. In this story, Jane and Elizabeth Bennet are orphaned at a young age and raised by none other than Lady Catherine de Bourgh, while Fitzwilliam Darcy grows up under circumstances far removed from those we know in Austen's original novel. The result is a fresh take on beloved characters, family relationships, and the paths that ultimately lead to love.
What makes this variation especially intriguing is its homage not only to Jane Austen but also to Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest. With witty dialogue, unexpected twists and familiar characters placed in entirely new circumstances, the story promises to delight readers who appreciate both Austen's timeless romance and Wilde's sparkling humour.
Today, the author is sharing an exclusive excerpt that introduces us to a young Elizabeth Bennet preparing for her first London season—and reveals the beginnings of her rather charming fascination with the name "Darcy."
We hope you enjoy this sneak peek into Fascination & Falsehoods: The Importance of Being Darcy. Be sure to let us know in the comments what you think of this inventive new twist on a beloved classic!
Maria Grazia 💕
AUTHOR GUEST POST: JAYNE BAMBER ON THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING DARCY
Hello, Readers! I am so looking forward to sharing my upcoming release, Fascination & Falsehoods: The Importance of Being Darcy with Jane Austen and Oscar Wilde enthusiasts. That’s right, this mashup pays homage to both!
The
story has a unique premise: not only are the two eldest Bennet sisters raised
by Lady Catherine after being orphaned, Mr. Darcy is also raised away from home,
taken in as a foundling infant. These wildly different origins lead to one of
the biggest twists of the tale, with Lady Catherine believing Mr. Darcy is not
good enough for her daughter Elizabeth!
Another
significant variation from canon is that Lady Anne Darcy is still alive,
suffering some tragic losses before settling near Rosings in Kent. Elizabeth is
inspired by her favorite aunt, to such an extent that she becomes fascinated by
the name Darcy. Today I am sharing an excerpt from the novel, showing just how
Elizabeth’s fascination with the Darcy name manifests itself as she and Jane
prepare to be introduced to London society….
***
“Aye,
so it is,” Lady Catherine admitted, casting a look of assessment over her
daughters. “You have every advantage of fortune, beauty, and accomplishment.”
“You
are both far too lovely to be still unwed,” Lady Anne agreed. “It is a pity we
have not been able to move in society since you both reached an age to be out,
though I believe Georgiana will be happy to share her debutante season with
you.”
Georgiana’s
eyes lit with excitement, and she gave an emphatic nod. “I will not be half so
anxious if you are with me,” she agreed.
“I
shall write to the dowager countess,” Lady Catherine said. “Unless you wish to
open Darcy House, Anne?”
Lady
Anne’s countenance shaded, as it always did at any allusion to her tragic first
marriage. “No… no. We will stay at Matlock House. We practically grew up there,
and I am sure it is large enough to accommodate all of us.” She turned a teasing
smile on Jane and Elizabeth. “We must do a great deal of shopping. Are you
prepared for the exertion and the subsequent tribulations of being admired
wherever you go?”
“That
will indeed be a trial,” Lady Catherine drawled. “Every fortune hunter in London
will be sniffing around! You must be on your guard, girls, for penniless rakes
who profess their love as they covet your dowries. Three young ladies with
thirty thousand pounds apiece! I shall be obliged to stand sentinel at the door
with saber drawn ‘round the clock!”
Elizabeth
waggled her eyebrows at her sister and cousin. “And my two companions to
inherit estates, besides. I suppose I shall sleep a little easier, though I may
lament my own lack of suitors, if not my want of property. But I shall take
comfort in growing exceedingly accomplished, having so many free hours to
practice art and music while Jane and Georgiana are beset by beaux vying to
become the next masters of Rosings and Pemberley. Nobody will think of me, and
I am sure I could not fancy anybody who did prefer me of the three of
us, for you know I could never love a man who is out of his wits.”
“Well,
that eliminates Richard as a prospect,” Lady Catherine drawled, giving her
sister a sideward glance. “He is always shilly-shallying about with his invalid
friend Bunbury, waiting for the poor wretch to die, as he ought to do so that
Richard might finally be settled. But Jane, you may be just the siren to tempt
him. You are such a sweet, steady creature, and you are sure to be the most beautiful
woman in any room you enter.”
“Oh,
yes,” Lady Anne agreed. “But do not let your mamma shade your impression of him
- you must remember how kind he was to you in your youth.”
“Before
Mamma’s talk of marriage frightened him away,” Elizabeth laughed. “It would
serve him right if you did not fancy him at all, Jane, and obliged him
to give chase.”
“Hush!
Perish the thought! Jane is better than such paltry tactics, Lizzy, and I know
you would never act that way yourself.”
“Certainly
not, Mamma. If I am so lucky as to meet a man of good sense and good humor,
whom I can love and respect, I shall make no secret of being very well
pleased.”
“And
so you shall. I daresay you will meet a great many and have the luxury of
choice.”
“Only
take care that your choice aligns with your mother’s,” Lady Anne said with a
smirk.
“What
a fine joke if cousin Richard were to fancy Lizzy instead,” Georgiana laughed.
“Or me!”
“He
is of a more suitable age for Jane,” Lady Catherine said. “It shall all be very
tidy; he has done well enough in managing Pemberley, and when Georgiana is wed
or comes of age, Richard will come here and run the place for me, and you will
succeed me as mistress of Rosings, Jane. You were brought up for such
greatness, and I know you will be very happy.”
Jane
gave them all a tight smile. “I hope I shall be loved by some gentleman
of whom you approve, Mamma. Cousin Richard has avoided us for years, and I
should not wish to feel myself forced upon him.”
“Nobody
in their right mind could consider you forceful, Jane,” Elizabeth told her
sister with a reassuring smile. “Although Mamma seems to think our cousin
Richard is not entirely sensible, so perhaps you may yet have some choice in
your future happiness.”
“Richard
will behave sensibly when I instruct him to do so,” Lady Catherine harrumphed.
“And upon no account should any of you think of the new young earl. Rupert will
undoubtedly think you in possession of every virtue he requires, for he
has already nearly bankrupted the earldom! I shall inform the dowager countess
that her unfortunate first-born had better go and manage his affairs at Matlock
Park when we come to London, for despite his many failings, charming the ladies
is not amongst them! He is a rake and a profligate; I think it a terrible pity
he was born before Richard, who at least knows better than to race horses in
Rotten Row and take up with actresses - and countless other indecencies I
cannot speak of to my gently-bred darlings!”
Lady
Anne smiled wryly as her sister fanned herself with indignation. “Let us not
vex ourselves, else I fear we shall talk ourselves out of any enjoyment in our
scheme, and there are a great many pleasures to be had in London. You will make
friends and take in the culture, and you will learn how to navigate the fine
society your station entitles you to move amongst. If you fall in love,
we shall be very happy for you, but we will be content, regardless, to have so
many agreeable experiences.”
Elizabeth
admired her aunt’s attitude, and she was relieved to see that Lady Anne had
allayed some of Jane’s anxiety. She saw the wisdom in making what she could of
a month or two in town, and even tried to persuade herself that she would be
content to move amongst a new and varied set of acquaintance, observing all the
foibles and extravagances of the first circle.
Elizabeth
had a romantic heart, upon which she hoped some worthy gentleman might make an
impression. And yet, she required so much, for beyond the common merits of
intelligence and humor packaged nicely in a handsome, masculine form, Elizabeth
still clung to the youthful fancy inspired by her favorite aunt - she secretly,
and perhaps foolishly, longed to love a man by the name of Darcy.
***
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