Hi readers! I am really excited to invite author Mark Brownlow back to Austenesque Reviews today! Mark has just released Port and Proposals and together we worked on this little dream sequence with Mr. Bennet – a part 2 to the dream sequence we did together in 2018. We hope you enjoy!!

The Scene: Meredith Esparza was thrilled to learn that author Mark Brownlow has published the second book in his Mr. Bennet’s Memoirs series. She remembers how much she loved his first book, Cake and Courtship, and how she had a strange, yet completely realistic dream where she was talking to Mr. Bennet in his library! Imagine…dreaming about conversations with a literary character…who does that?! 😉

Eager to see more of Mr. Brownlow’s endearing, entertaining, and secretly romantic Mr. Bennet, Meredith adds Mr. Brownlow’s new book, Port and Proposals, to her cart as a Christmas gift to herself and finishes up with some holiday shopping. Weary from the busy hustle and bustle of the season, Meredith soon takes herself off to bed.

During the night, Meredith begins to dream and finds herself in unusual surrounds. Shelves line a slightly musty room, each filled with all sorts of paraphernalia: nets, jars, empty pots, small wooden boxes, the occasional book, and various kinds of glassware whose purpose must remain a mystery. Behind a huge desk sits an older gentleman she recognizes from her previous dream. Mr. Bennet holds what looks like a small frame and canvas in his hands, though Meredith cannot see the picture it contains from her position.

Meredith: Mr. Bennet? [Meredith takes in all the collection of various items on the shelves.] This must be your study? How strange to be encountering you like this again!

Mr. Bennet: Goodness me – a young lady. [He puts down the picture and peers over his spectacles at Meredith.] Ah, but wait…yes, we have indeed met before. A little while back. I see your clothing remains refreshingly…novel. Perhaps I should pay more attention to London fashions. Or perhaps not; my daughters might then ask for my opinion on such matters.

As I recall, the last time we spoke I was troubled by various gentlemen, not least dear Mr. Collins. Did you know he has married Charlotte Lucas? No doubt the joys of a young wife will keep him much at home. Let us hope so, anyway. On this occasion, however, you find me somewhat disconcerted by your own sex. [He picks up the picture and waves it at Meredith.]

Meredith: I am happy to once again have this opportunity to visit with you. Mr. Bennet. On behalf of my sex, I do apologize for any vexation we have caused you. Surely it isn’t any of your daughters that has you disconcerted?

Mr. Bennet: My dear lady, no apology required. It is rather specific individuals that have me somewhat out of sorts.

As for my daughters, well, Jane remains ever kind and solicitous of others. Should a horde of marauding Huns rampage through Longbourn, she will greet them kindly and ask how they prefer their eggs. But her sisters, well, where shall I start?

You have a certain intelligence and verve to you so are likely a friend of Lizzy’s. [Mr. Bennet now shows Meredith the picture, which is a portrait of a young woman, presumably Elizabeth Bennet.] As you might know, she recently returned from a visit to the Collins household. Few escape the company of Mr. Collins unscathed, and my daughter is no exception. She seems less sure of herself, though she will not talk of it. I would not have her unhappy. Perhaps the blame lies with Mr. Collins’s patron. Lizzy tells me Lady Catherine seeks to display her superiority in all matters, thus confirming its absence in her character.

My youngest, Kitty and Lydia, continue to drift through life with all the genteel delicacy of foxes in a chicken coop. And then there is the matter of Mary… [Mr. Bennet rubs his forehead and turns silent.]

Meredith: I suspect I may know a little about what is perturbing Elizabeth at the moment, and I believe it all will become satisfyingly resolved for her in time. But what is this matter with Mary that has you concerned?

Mr. Bennet: I made her a promise recently with the full intention of keeping it. Whether I shall actually do so, though, is quite another matter. Oh, but my apologies…I grow too serious again. She has attracted interest from a young man, you know? A fine gentleman, though I base this judgment entirely on the fact that neither Lydia nor Kitty approve of him. May she have better luck than I had when her age. I must live with regrets that pursue me even now. Tell me, have you ever been to the Rudford estate in Gloucestershire?

Meredith: No, I have not had that pleasure. Who resides there?

Mr. Bennet: My friends the Bartons and, on occasion, a lady from my younger days in Bath: I might call her my greatest regret. You should visit; John’s cook does an excellent roast pork. We have only recently returned from Rudford, where they even held a dance in our honour. Such kindness. [Mr. Bennet gives Meredith a look that suggests quite the opposite.] She was there, too, and caused me to remember who I once was and who I might have become. But goodness, there I go again, burdening you with such talk. Come now, let us speak of more amusing matters. Besides, I have cause to celebrate for my youngest daughter, Lydia, has been invited to Brighton at no cost to myself. [Mr Bennet reaches for a bottle of port and two glasses.] What do you think of that, eh? A little more peace and quiet for me. I am sure only good can come of it.

Meredith: Actually, Mr. Bennet I think I should caution you about Lydia’s trip to Brighton-

Mr. Bennet: What’s that you say? Hello? Young lady? Well, how extraordinary. A trick worthy of the circus.

[In her urgency to warn Mr. Bennet about the perils of sending Lydia to Brighton, Meredith startles awake and finds herself no longer chatting with Mr. Bennet in his study. Disappointed that she cannot help the Bennet family with their upcoming dilemmas, Meredith rolls over and tries to go back to sleep all the while wondering about the woman from Mr. Bennet’s past…]

Oooohh! There is some drama brewing in this story! I am walking away from this conversation with more questions than answers! LOL! 😄

I tell you, friends, it was such an amazing treat for me to work with Mark on this interview – we wrote each part one speech at a time via email exchange. And it felt together so naturally! I loved seeing Mark at work, he channels Mr. Bennet so effortlessly and brilliantly! Thank you, Mark, for letting me work with you on this post! It was great fun!

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Connect with Mark

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Author Bio

Mark Brownlow is a British-born writer, lecturer and journalist living in Vienna, Austria. He has published three Regency tales narrated by Mr Bennet: the novels Cake and Courtship and Port and Proposals, as well as a short story (A Third Proposal). He has also authored two novellas in the Charlotte Collins Mysteries series: The Lovesick Maid and The Darcy Ring take place in Jane Austen’s fictional village of Hunsford. You can find Mark at LostOpinions.com.

~ GIVEAWAY TIME!!! ~

In conjunction with his visit to Austenesque Reviews, Mark Browlow is generously brings an ebook copy of Port and Proposals, for me to give away to ONE lucky reader!

To enter this giveaway, leave a comment, a question, or some love for Mark!!

• This giveaway is open worldwide.  Thank you, Mark!
• This giveaway ends December 21st!

To learn more about Mark Brownlow and his new release: Port and Proposals  visit any of the other stops on his tour!