Today, I am beginning the first in a series of interviews with the cast of characters in Cassandra Grafton's trilogy, A Fair Prospect. Now that he has completed his role in Disappointed Hopes and before he returns for Darcy's Dilemma, I was delighted to have the opportunity to speak with Mr. Darcy's cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and here is what he had to say.
Colonel, thank
you for joining me today to answer some questions. I am sure my readers will
enjoy getting to know you better.
"The
pleasure is all mine, dear lady. Press on; my attention is all yours."
In this first
volume, you clearly are an early riser. The first thing I would like to know is,
what is your favorite time of day?"
"An easy
opening! Be warned, I am prone to garrulousness; do interrupt me if I begin to
wax lyrical.”
The Colonel settles more
comfortably into his seat. “I will own to having a particular penchant for
mornings – especially the early morning, just as dawn is breaking, that moment
when the sun rises above the horizon. Then, there are the sounds and smells – the
birdsong as I head for the stables and an early ride; a welcoming snicker from
my mount, the clank of the bridle, the aroma of dry hay in the stalls, the leather
saddles..."
Err, Colonel, forgive the interruption, but - how can you hear and smell? You do know that you are a fictional character and not real?
(Colonel Fitzwilliam gets to his feet, his air and countenance puzzled and a frown upon his brow) "A work of fiction, Madam? How so? I possess all the common faculties, including the five senses."
(The Colonel sweeps a hand from his head to the toes of his highly polished boots) "You see before you a fully functioning body - there is nothing fictitious about it. Here."
(He stretches out an arm towards me.) "Be at liberty to have a good feel!"
Far be it from me to refuse such a request. I can confirm to you all, dear readers, that the Colonel is extremely...solid! Nonetheless, Colonel, you are a character in a book - you do not in the normal sense of the word 'exist'.
"Then which of the two of us is destined for Bedlam? Is it you or I? If I do not exist, then with whom are you conversing?"
A good point and well made! Perhaps we should make our way together!
I may reside in the pages of a book - several books, from my experience - but I am real nonetheless! As we are agreed that neither of us is hallucinating, pray let us continue."
Of course, Colonel. Now, the story of your cousin, Darcy's, courtship, "(a brief snort emanates from the Colonel as he re-takes his seat)," of Miss Elizabeth Bennet is well documented. A lady, of whom you have possibly heard, a Miss Jane Austen, chronicled their story many years ago, and it has become well-known and well-loved, as have the people involved in it.
"Well loved, eh?
All the characters?"
Well, perhaps some more than others.
"Humph. My Aunt Catherine perchance is not numbered as one of them?"
Probably not. Has Lady Catherine always been quite so - difficult?
"As far back as I can recall. Darcy's mother, Anne, was the aunt of choice for me; Aunt Catherine was one to avoid! Now, let us return to my being well-loved. I like that part of this interrogation."
I have been delighted to see how very well received Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam has been by the readers of A Fair Prospect.
"Ah yes. Richard. The forename I am most often given."
Do you not like it?
The Colonel pulls a face. " I am comfortable enough with it. It seems to be the popular choice, though I have borne many names in recent years, amongst them Matthew, Alexander...even Colin!
That was a tricky period in my life; I kept having the urge, if you will forgive me my bluntness, to strip off my coat and dive into any nearby body of water! I will admit to being quite relieved when I became Richard again in the next story I was summoned to."
Then what is your real name?
The Colonel looks embarrassed and stirs restlessly in his chair.
Are you coloring, Colonel?
"Certainly not! It is rather warm."
He frowns as he looks towards the window. "This glazing is quite singular. Is it the way of things here to fund two panes where one would suffice?"
It is known as double-glazing. It reduces heat loss from inside and noise from outside.
"It seems a little wasteful; glass is such an expensive commodity."
He seems anxious for a change of subject. "Ah, I see you have Miss Austen's original novel at your side."
Yes. You have a
relatively minor role in the story. How do you feel when you are given a great
many more pages in the continuations and variations that have followed in
recent years?
"It is
true, she was not overly generous with her use of my character, nor in her
description of me! Admittedly, I do not have Darcy's noble features, but I do
well enough. Even a second son can be worthy of a young lady's glances!" He
grins engagingly. "But I digress. I enjoy the many roles I have been
playing. Some are more challenging than others, but I have to admit that I am
particularly enjoying my present sojourn within the pages of A Fair Prospect, and I look forward to
seeing what is in store for me in Darcy's
Dilemma and, ultimately, Desperate
Measures." He pauses.
"I suspect there is a latent performer in me; the stage would have been my
profession of choice, if I had been born to humbler beginnings."
Which leads me
neatly to my next question: are you fond of plays?
"Indeed,
though I would always prefer a comedy over a tragedy. With the trials of my
profession, I desire nothing more than to be entertained and amused when at
leisure."
Then I would
like to show you something which may be of interest. I turn to a TV and DVD
player at my side and switch it on. The Colonel's gaze narrows and he leans
forward in his seat, his elbows resting on his knees as he peers at the image
now displayed on the screen.
"What the
devil is this piece of wizardry?"
It is a means
by which we watch the adaptation of a story. A sort of play is made of it, it
is recorded on film and then displayed through mediums such as these.
“Film? But a
film is a coating, a layer, nothing more."
Let me show
you. I pick up the remote control,
watched intently by the Colonel, and press the 'play' button.
A scene from
the 1995 adaptation of Pride & Prejudice plays on the screen, the one where
Colonel Fitzwilliam is walking with Elizabeth Bennet at Rosings. When it is
over, I switch the TV off.
“So that is how
they portrayed my indiscretion to Miss Bennet over Darcy’s interference in
Bingley’s affairs.” The Colonel grimaced.
"It is very like; they did a fine rendition."
There have been
several adaptations made through this medium over the years, but this has
proved the most popular. You acquired a nickname after the programme was
released.
"Nickname?"
The Colonel laughs. “Go on -
enlighten me! This will have Darcy well amused!"
Some ladies labeled you "Stud Muffin".
Silence greets
this for a moment, and then the Colonel blinks rapidly and sits up in his seat.
"Stud? The
meaning is not lost on me - I am flattered - I think! But a muffin is a small
cake.” He frowns. “I am not familiar
with the term in connection to studs! Yet there is an excellent dictionary and
thesaurus in the library at Pemberley; I shall look it up. I trust it is
equally complimentary!"
I think it's
provenance is later than when the story itself is set. I think it would be safe
to say that it is indeed a compliment and perhaps leave it at that!
The Colonel
laughs. "As you
wish, dear lady, as you wish!"
"We have
so far been introduced to a few characters in Disappointed Hopes, most of whom we know something of from Miss
Austen's original story, but one of whom is new to us. What do you make of
Nicholas Harington at this point in the story?"
"I have
yet to make his acquaintance in person, though I have heard the name mentioned.
It troubles me, because I cannot recall where and in what context. However, it
is clear that you know more than I at this point: is there something I ought to
be aware of?"
The gentleman
is an old and close acquaintance of Elizabeth Bennet's. They are great friends
and have known each other since childhood. He is a second son, like yourself,
but of independent fortune - an eligible bachelor."
The Colonel
frowns. "This does not
bode well. I fear the author has some mischief to make at the expense of my
cousin, Darcy. This will test his sanity!”
The
Colonel snorted. “Perchance he should join us on our journey to the
madhouse! The more the merrier!”
In A Fair Prospect, you are depicted as
gaining much enjoyment from your food and drink.
The Colonel
smiles and pats his trim midriff. "I lead a very active life; fuel is essential
to power one's limbs!"
You also appear
to enjoy the conversation of Mrs. Collins?
"She is a
surprising woman. How anyone of such good common sense could attach herself to
such a man is always beyond me."
She is down to
earth, Sir. She knows her lack of prospects and acted accordingly to secure her
future.
"There is
some truth in that. I would be sorry for her, but she seems content enough with
her chosen lot."
Tell me about
Darcy. It is clear he is prepared to open up to you.
"Darce?
I love him! He is more a brother to me than my own. Since his father’s
death, our shared guardianship of Georgiana has bound us ever tighter. Of
course, therein ends our similarities. Though he is lively enough around those
he is comfortable with, Darcy is taciturn by nature and has a more serious
mien. He is also, as you have no doubt noticed, extremely handsome!"
If you could
describe the people who have accompanied you in Disappointed Hopes in one word, what would it be? For example:
Lady Catherine?
“Supercilious.”
Your cousin,
Anne? “Shaded.”
Miss Elizabeth
Bennet? “Spirited!”
Darcy? “Tall!”
Your cousin,
Georgiana? “Sweet.”
Mrs Collins?
“Under-valued.”
And finally, Mr
Collins? “Who?”
Well, Colonel, I
have one final question for you. What appeals to you in a woman?
"Inquisition!"
He flashes a quick smile at his
interrogator. "Fairness of face - I am not alone in that - but when
seeking a partner in life, I will place more value on a quick mind, a ready
smile and a warm heart." He pauses,
then smiles again. “Of course, if she comes with a considerable dowry, her
personal attractions will improve in direct proportion!”
Well, Colonel,
I know that you have pressing business to attend to, so thank you very much for
taking the time to join us here today. I have enjoyed our discussion very much.
"Thank you
for your time, Madam; you are a most charming inquisitor! It has been a
pleasant distraction and most – enlightening. I would be happy to return
another time should your readers have further questions for me!"
The Colonel
bows as he takes my hand and bestows a kiss upon it before straightening.
"Colonel S.
Muffin, Madam; at your service." A
nd with a winning smile, he
turns and leaves the room.
Oh my, catch me as I swoon! (sigh)
The lovely Cassandra Grafton is very generously giving away one, three volume set of her trilogy,
A Fair Prospect! Yes, you read correctly! It is open internationally too! I think the Colonel is such a fantastic character...uh, excuse me Colonel,...I mean, man! I love his charm. What do you like? Tell us in your comment for a chance to win this lovely trilogy. I look forward to reading your thoughts! Good luck to all. Be sure to include your email address in the comment. To prevent unwanted spam, put your email address with an (at) instead of @. Winner will be chosen in a random drawing. Giveaway ends at midnight, July 20. Extended Giveaway. I will be posting the review for Volume III Tuesday night or Wednesday morning. Comments from that post will be included in the giveaway. If you comment on both posts, you double your chances.
Personal links for Cassandra Grafton
Website
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Purchase the trilogy at:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
While
technically a sequel to Pride and
Prejudice, Echoes of Pemberley is
a renewal of sorts, a bringing forward of the family Jane Austen started two
centuries ago. When I sat down and created Darcy and Elizabeth’s descendants, I
wanted to create a love story that, like Pride
and Prejudice, was timeless and enduring. In my humble addition to Jane
Austen’s classic tale, it was my hope
to continue Pride and Prejudice by
paying homage to the past while embarking upon a new journey of the heart. 
