Title: Lady Catherine’s Demands
Author: Eliza Austin
Publisher: Boldwood books
Publishing Date: 27 July 2024
Genre: Regency. Pride and Prejudice sequel
Comment: I was given a copy by Rachel’s Random Resources and Boldwood Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and in no way influenced by anyone so wholly unrelated to me.
Synopsis
Pemberley Presents…
Lady Catherine de Bourgh has invited herself to Pemberley, intent upon bringing about an engagement between her daughter Anne and Colonel Fitzwilliam. But her ladyship has failed to take into account the remarkable improvement in her daughter’s health and spirits since the arrival of her new tutor, the charismatic Mr Asquith.
Meanwhile, Colonel Fitzwilliam is becoming more enchanted by the widowed Celia Sheffield and is perturbed to learn that her fortune is being contested by an individual in Jamaica – from whence Mr Asquith also hails.
When the obsequious Mr Collins shares grave rumours concerning Mr Asquith’s character, further suspicions are raised…and Lady Catherine demands answers!
A sparkling continuation of Pride and Prejudice perfect for fans of Bridgerton!
Please note: This book was originally published as Colonel Fitzwilliam’s Dilemma.
Synopsis
After Miss Bingley’s attempt at coming between Lizzy and Darcy, the two of them are as happy as can be and are even willing to entertain his Aunt’s pathetic attempt at reconciliation. They are well aware that the visit is a subtle way of encouraging Colonel Fitzwilliam to offer for Anne and take over Rosings Park.
But things are different as Anne’s previous companion, Miss Jenkinson, has gone and, in her place, the charismatic Mr Asquith resides. Everyone is perplexed at Lady Catherine’s decision to put such a handsome man in close quarters with her daughter and wonders what spell the man cast upon her to make her forget propriety. Her mentions of his sponsor from Jamaica- a man who none have heard of but who seems to have a past with Lady Catherine, have them equally as baffled.
Colonel Fitzwilliam finds himself enamoured of a visiting widow- Celia Sheffield- and is horrified to learn of her being pursued and swindled by her brother-in-law who has designs on more than her fortune.
With Anne’s improved health and interest in her new tutor, Mary and Georgiana’s suitors and their issues, and Lizzy’s sudden nausea and fatigue, it seems that a peaceful life is not yet on the cards for our newly married couple.
Anne de Bourgh is not usually much explored in Pride and Prejudice. (Or in many other sequels, to be honest, most focus on the Bennet daughters.) Other than her quiet, sickly appearance, she has no lines and spends most of the time hidden behind her mother. So it is always fascinating to see what authors make of her character.
This book gives her a quiet inner strength slowly being drawn out by her new tutor. Mr Asquith has, by asking her opinions and allowing her to speak and express herself freely, given her leave to come out of her shell and be more than the backdrop. Anne comes across as a lovely young woman coming into her own.
In an odd juxtaposition, she is both innocent and jaded. She has been told that most men were fortune hunters and would only want her for her estate and riches. Because of this, she sees every interaction with men with scepticism. Yet there is a yearning to be seen for who she really is and not what she has. Her longing to be friends with Georgiana and Mary is as sweet as it is heartbreaking. She has obviously been alone and lonely for most of her life. She has such little self-confidence, no doubt after having been talked over and about for her whole life, but there is a growing awareness of her worth as a person.
Darcy and Lizzy’s relationship was healing from the damage Miss Bingley had done. It was a pleasure to see how much more comfortable they had become with showing affection in public. I enjoyed watching the Colonel fall in love and deal with his issues of social inequality. It is unusual to read a Regency book where the man is the one of lesser status. It gave a whole new outlook on the situation which was interesting to read. Although, again, it is always the woman who bears the brunt of the censure!
This version of Georgiana is growing on me although she is still a little too headstrong. I can’t quite equate the shy creature from P&P with her newfound confidence. Although, I suppose, having Lizzy as a role model would have had a hand in encouraging that kind of behaviour. Mr Darcy doesn’t seem to mind though.
There was so much going on in this book with Lady Catherine’s hidden past, the play, the secrets and various love angles that the 434 pages just flew by.
The only thing that bothered me was the far too contrived previous acquaintance between Mr Asquith and Mrs Sheffield. It was pushing ‘coincidence’ for two people from the same part of Jamaica to return to England and somehow end up at the same dinner party. Especially since they were both of very different social classes. I believe at that time in history, travel was becoming more usual but hardly common. I didn’t feel like their acquaintance was necessary to the plot.
In any case, I enjoyed the book. It was a fast-paced novel which was easy to sink into and lose yourself for a few hours.
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