Hi friends! Happy Friday! We are excited to welcome a new-to-us author to Austenesque Reviews today – Claire O’Dare! Claire is one of the contributing authors to the newly released Austen-Inspired Christmas Anthology – Most Ardently! Yay for a new anthology!! It isn’t too early to start thinking about Christmas, right? 🎄🎁 Claire is here today to share a little bit about her story, “Shades of Pemberley.” We hope you enjoy!
Jane Austen’s B-Sides: Secondary Characters that are Hits
Hi everyone! I’m so excited to tell you about my new novella, “Shades of Pemberley” that was recently published in Most Ardently: An Austen-Inspired Christmas Collection. But first, a little mood music…
A few years ago, my husband bought me a record player. I like the grainy sound quality, the ritual of setting up the needle to find the groove on the vinyl, watching the whole little mechanism spin and spin. But the big fun is in hunting down the records themselves in vintage shops and flea markets. Some songs were released as singles on smaller (and adorable!) records called 45’s, so you’d have a very popular radio hit on one side, and the other side, the B-side, would be a lesser known song. But sometimes these B-sides turn out to be just as good as the hit.
I feel this way sometimes about Jane Austen’s characters. There are so many “B-side” characters that stay with me long after the popular main characters ride off into the sunset in their barouche. They may be unassuming in the novel or they might just be devices to move the plot along, but one can’t help but think their own stories would be big hits, too:
For instance, I often think about Mrs. Smith in Persuasion, the young invalid recovering in Bath whose penchant for gossip turns the tide of Anne’s story. What other bits of steamy gossip has she heard? Who else’s story has she been able to influence? And, of course, what of her own gossip and secrets?
One of my favorite Austen marriages features B-side characters from Emma: Isabella and John Knightley, Emma and Mr. Knightley’s respective siblings. Their entire love story takes place off page before the novel even begins, yet we know it is a love match. In fact, it’s his visit to their happy home that pushes Mr. Knightley into action to acknowledge his feelings for Emma. What was it Mr. Knightley saw in them? How did they fall in love? What’s their story?
But my favorite B-side character is found in Pride and Prejudice—Colonel Fitzwilliam. Colonel Fitzwilliam is so B-side, we don’t even know his first name. He’s Darcy’s cousin. He’s Georgiana’s co-guardian. And he’s the ultimate wingman, brought in to Rosing’s Park by Darcy to help hype him up to Elizabeth when he discovers she’s visiting the Collins’ nearby home.
Darcy overwhelms any reading of Pride and Prejudice, but there are so many interesting little notes and chords being hit in Colonel Fitzwilliam’s scenes. Even though he’s there to support Darcy, he himself can’t help but flirt with Lizzy, and, well, they hit it off. So much so, that he tactfully warns her against those budding feelings as he himself will have to find a wealthy wife just as badly as Lizzy will have to make a good match for herself.
And I’ve often thought about what happens to him when the text closes. What happens to the Colonel 
when we know Waterloo is only a few years away? What happens when the delightful girl he so ardently flirted with at Rosing’s Park is now his cousin’s wife? What happens next?
In my novella, Shades of Pemberley, I got to explore just that. It’s a story about the Colonel in post-Pride and Prejudice life, trying to figure out what’s next for himself.
I hope you’ll check out my B-side along with all of the other stories in Most Ardently: An Austen-Inspired Christmas Collection. It’s a really fun, eclectic collection featuring everything from Austen variations like mine to modern twists and paranormal turns on your favorite Austen characters.
What are some of your favorite B-side characters in Jane Austen?
What stories do you see them living when we close the book?
Lovely post, Claire! And I know many of us share your love for B-side characters (myself included). I’ve even read stories that take a tertiary character like Mrs. Goddard and Mrs. Bates, and flesh out their lives in an entertaining and satisfying way. I look forward to seeing what you do with our dear Colonel Fitzwilliam! 📖⚔️
And to answer your question, one of my favorite B-side characters in Jane Austen are the Crofts! I absolutely adore them and want to be them when I grow up! 🗺⚓️
~ Connect with Claire ~
~ About Claire ~
Claire O’Dare is an award-winning librarian and researcher by day, and writes Regency romances at night.
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~ Book Description ~
“This is quite the season indeed for friendly meetings. At Christmas every body invites their friends about them, and people think little of even the worst weather. I was snowed up at a friend’s house once for a week. Nothing could be pleasanter.” ~Emma
Join New York Times, USA Today, and International bestselling authors as they share stories inspired by Jane Austen to fill your Yuletide with love and joy.
From a Regency holiday in Austen’s own home to modern stories with a supernatural twist, Most Ardently brings you the best of Austen-inspired holiday fiction, including a haunted modern-day Northanger academy dorm, a surprise cast of zombies, and a demon set loose in Jane Austen’s world. Mincemeat pies, Christmas puddings, Boxing Day and Twelfth Night will never be the same again!
So light a Yule log, hang a kissing bough of evergreen and mistletoe, and settle in for a long winter’s read as you reconnect with your favorite Austen characters and settings in all-new new stories.
“On one side was a table occupied by some chattering girls, cutting up silk and gold paper; and on the other were trestles and trays, bending under the weight of brawn and cold pies, where riotous boys were holding high revel; the whole completed by a roaring Christmas fire, which seemed determined to be heard in spite of the noise of the others.” ~Persuasion
GIVEAWAY TIME!
Today Claire brings with her a lovely Ebook copy of the holiday anthology Most Ardently: An Austen-Inspired Christmas Collection for me to give away to ONE lucky winner!
To enter this giveaway comment by sharing who are some of your favorite B-side characters in Jane Austen?
What stories do you see them living when we close the book?
- This giveaway is open worldwide. Thank you, Claire!
- This giveaway ends October 18th!
My 2 favourite characters in p&p are the Colonel and Mary Bennet, love stories about them coming together, rather then Darcy and Elizabeth
I always wonder about Mary, too. I think she’d make a great character for a romance where we could watch her break out of her shell.
I have to agree with the Colonel being a favorite character. Many authors have written about him and some even have him dying off…sadly. Mary is one who many times is cast as being a perfect match for Collins but I would love to see a hidden side of Mary being brought out. What could happen to make her stop moralizing and even turn to reading romance novels? Anne de Bourgh is one we know very little about. Although we read much of her overpowering mother, I would like to imagine her as being an observer of human nature, one who learns by watching others. What would she do with a new and more modern medical/diet/exercise approach to her condition? Can she be saved from her dreary and sickly existence? Thanks for sharing here. Looking forward to reading this collection.
Yes! I always wonder why Mr. Collins’ eye didn’t turn towards Mary! I also think about Anne. One thing i dislike about the 1995 P&P tv series is that there’s an insinuation that she wouldn’t make an ideal spouse simply because of her sickly nature. Even if one wanted to argue that that was true for the time, she was also fabulously wealthy so surely she still had prospects…so who would that be? And even worse, if one were to argue that she wouldn’t have any prospects, well, doesn’t it make Darcy seem like a bit of a heel, knowing that Anne’s future was at stake in his decision to marry Lizzy???
From P&P I like the Colonel and Mary although I prefer when the Colonel does not fall in love with Elizabeth. From Emma, I like Jane Fairfax although I would prefer her to end up with someone better than Frank.
Yes, i feel for Jane Fairfax. You just want to shake her and tell her to move on from Frank.
I have to confess that Caroline Bingley is by B character. She is so nasty and devious. I enjoy reading books where her scheming continues. To me, she is not someone who can be redeemed and, thus, makes a good foil in any plot.
Definitely! At the end of P&P, there’s a sentence that mentions she kind of turned herself around on Lizzy, basically saying she realized she shouldn’t make an enemy out of her…but there’s no way that lasted once the book closes. In real life, Caroline would be one of the true dragons of the ton.
By far, my favorite is Colonel Fitzwilliam–and he is “Richard” in my head even though JA did not name him as such. He is a good decent fellow even though he tends to gossip!
It’s always fun hearing what people name Colonel Fitzwilliam. I love hearing it. What made you choose Richard???
I have a soft spot for Mr Collins (I think he means well, but misunderstands the rules of society and life) and Miss Bates, who only wishes everyone well. Neither tend to fare well in JAFF, but at heart they are gentle folk who do their best, though all too often it will never be enough to win them admiration and firm friends.
Miss Bates is definitely an interesting character I’d love to know more about. I’d love to read a story about her youth and what Mrs. Bates was like as a mum.
I cannot wait to read this story! Anyone who reads my books knows that Col. Fitzwilliam is a favorite of mine. I could not write Darcy without his cousin (Richard in my tales). Congrats on the new book!
Thank you, Brenda! I appreciate the support!
The Colonel for sure, Georgiana Darcy, and Eleanor Tilney
Georgiana is definitely on my list. I like how at the very end of P&P it mentions that she was a little shocked by how Lizzy interacted with her brother, but soon got used to it. That sentence always stuck with me and I always wondered what their household looked like as Georgiana prepared for her debut.
I am always thrilled when the Colonel gets a story. He caught the attention even with Darcy as his cousin. I do love that Austen’s secondary characters can do that to us. I am always curious about young Margaret Dashwood, Susan Price or yes, dashing new Lt. Price of the Navy.
What a fun new release to anticipate for the holidays!
Two of my favorites B-characters are the Colonel and Georgianna, and I love the stories where they fall in love. Can’t wait to read these stories as I love JA as much as I love Christmas.
Thanks for the chance to win.
I too love the Crofts. Would like to know a lot more about them. I love their relationship. They’re obviously very close. Likewise the Gardiners in P&P. I’ve always loved them too.
I love Austen’s “b-sides” in her novels. I’m a fan of Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mary Bennet as well as Mrs. Smith in Persuasion and Fanny’s sister Susan and brother William in MP. I also enjoy seeing the huge change in Tom Bertram after his accident.
I would LOVE to win an e-copy of this lovely collection! I am crossing my fingers and wishing very hard!!
Warmly,
Susanne
I am another fan of Colonel Fitzwilliam. I also like to see Georgiana get some gumption. Sometimes I wonder about Mrs. Gardiner, but not enough to give her her own story. Lovely post and I also am looking forward to reading the collection. Congratulations!
PS I do like stories where Charlotte Lucas gets a better part and maybe gives Collins what for. Ha Ha
Yes, poor Charlotte. I feel like it’s so hard to read her story arch from a modern POV. I feel bad that she’s saddled with Mr. Collins, but she’s actually very smart to take a hold of an opportunity that would give her some independence, a household to run, and possibly a family. BUT still, it’s Mr. Collins…::shudders::
Congratulations on your first published story, Claire! Colonel Fitzwilliam, as portray by Anthony Calf in the 1995 miniseries, was exceedingly handsome, though JA did not imagine him to be, and cut a memorable figure. I should like to see the colonel marry for love rather than for money as he tells Elizabeth he must do.
Yes, Anthony Calf is so very handsome in the miniseries. I think his portrayal is definitely what first made me give a second notice of the Colonel!
Hmm, favourite b-side characters…Colonel Fitzwilliam is certainly one and both Mary and Kitty Bennet, Tom Bertram and Miss Bates are the first ones that come to mind.
An Austen-inspired Christmas anthology? Sign me up! 🙂
Yes, poor Kitty seems to get the shaft in P&P! I’d love to see if she ends up a little wild like Lydia or if watching her sister go through that experience tames her a bit.
My favourite B-side characters are Georgiana Darcy and the Crofts. I imagine that Mr Darcy’s younger sister would meet someone whom she’ll love with all her heart and that he will respect and love her for who she is. As for the Crofts, I would like to know how they met, their adventures on sea prior to the beginning of Persuasion and what their lives would be like after Wentworth’s marriage to Anne.
Yes! The Crofts are such a cute couple. I would love to know more about their adventures, too!
Definitely Colonel Fitzwilliam!!!! Love any story he gets some page time!
I love the Colonel – while I do not think he and Lizzy would ever have suited, I do enjoy when he becomes enamored with one of her sisters (no matter his name!)