Today I’m delighted to be taking part in Austen’s Birthday Soiree, a multi-blog extravaganza organized by Maria Grazia of My Jane Austen Book Club and Katherine Cox of  November’s Autumn.  The best part is that you can get presents, even though it isn’t your birthday, because each blog is also hosting a giveaway.  I’ll be giving away a copy of Mr. Darcy’s Undoing to a lucky commenter.

Meantime, each blogger gets to give a virtual birthday present to Jane Austen herself.  My choice was obvious because I’d just done far more research than was necessary (as is usually the case for me) to be able to describe a very specific gift Darcy was to give Elizabeth in Mr. Darcy’s Letter.  I can see some readers scratching their heads trying to remember a present from Darcy in Mr. Darcy’s Letter – you might as well give up, since it ended up being cut from the final draft, despite the three days of research I’d put into it.  It was a lap desk, a wooden box that opens to reveal a fabric or leather sloping surface for writing on, with compartments for bottles of ink and a shallow groove to store pens.  Underneath the writing slope was a storage area for papers – just right for love letters.   Many also had secret compartments for valuables.  In Mr. Darcy’s Letter, the gift was of significance because Darcy had received two letters from Elizabeth (the second was cut from the final version) and wanted her to write more, but knew she had difficulty finding privacy at Longbourn to write a secret missive.  The gift of a lap desk was a tongue-in-cheek reference to their past secret correspondence, but also practical and decorative – and it could be locked to keep private letters away from snooping sisters.

What better birthday gift could I give Jane Austen than tools to make her writing easier?  This one is made of birdseye maple with mother-of-pearl insets. The interior, like that of many lap desks of the period, is a lovely rosewood, and it comes complete with a key.  Jane can take it anywhere to write – under a tree as well as in her sitting room.  Maybe she’ll write even more now!

interior writing slope

If you’re interested, you can see more views of this lap desk here.  It’s even for sale, and if I ever win the lottery, it’s on the top of my to-buy list.

I’m also celebrating my newest release, Mr. Darcy’s Letter, with a giveaway of a signed copy at Austen Authors, and I’ve posted my short story “Intermezzo” as a free bonus for my readers.  Don’t forget to comment here (including email address) by December 23 if you’d like to win the signed copy of Mr. Darcy’s Undoing!

Katherine Cox ~ November’s Autumn
$10 Barnes & Noble gift card

      Maria Grazia ~ My Jane Austen Book Club
a selection of Austenesque novels

Austen Authors
Georgette Heyer’s Regency World

Sharon Lathan ~ Sharon’s blog
Miss Darcy Falls in Love 

C. Allyn Pierson ~ Semi True Stories
Mr. Darcy’s Little Sister

Cindy Jones ~ First Draft
My Jane Austen Summer & package of Lily Berry’s Pink Rose Tea by Bingley Teas

Marilyn Brant ~ Brant Flakes
According to Jane canvas tote bag & A Summer in Europe luggage tags

Karen Doorbebos ~ Fiction vs. Reality Smackdown
Definitely Not Mr. Darcy (2 copies), 2 Jane Austen candles, & drink coasters and tea

Regina Jeffers ~ Regina’s Blog
Christmas at Pemberley 

Alyssa Goodnight ~ Alyssa’s Blog
Jane Austen Action Figure

Vera Nazarian ~ Urban Girl Takes Vermont
Vera’s Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration in hardcover

Jane Odiwe ~ Jane Austen Sequels
Mr. Darcy’s Secret & a mug with a Jane Odiwe illustration

Susan Kaye, Laura Hile, Pamela Aidan, & Barbara Cornthwaite ~ Jane Started It!
Young Master Darcy: A Lesson in Honor by Pamela Aidan
set of Frederick Wentworth, Captain by Susan Kaye
Mercy’s Embrace: So Rough a Course (2 copies) by Laura Hile
set of George Knightley, Gentleman by Barbara Cornthwaite

Juliet Archer ~ Choc Lit Authors’ Corner
Persuade Me & The Importance of Being Emma 

Jane Greensmith ~ Reading, Writing, Working, Playing
Intimations of Austen and Sense & Sensibility Marvel graphic novel

Emily Snyder ~ O! Beauty Unattempted
Letters of Love & Deception

Farida Mestek ~ Regency Sketches
I Was Jane Austen’s Best Friend by Cora Harrison

vvb32 Reads
Jane Austen’s Little Instruction Book (Charming Petites)

Jane Austen in Vermont
JASNA 2012 calendar from Wisconsin JASNA Region

Becky Rhodehouse ~ One Literature Nut
selection of Austenesque reads

Jennifer Becton ~ Historical Fiction & Thrillers
Personages of Pride and Prejudice Collection eBook

Courtney Webb ~ Stiletto Storytime
Noble Satyr by Lucinda Brant

Adriana Zardini ~ Jane Austen Brazil
Sense & Sensibility 1995 DVD – English with Portuguese subtitles

Patrice Sarath ~ Patrice Sarath blog
The Unexpected Miss Bennet

Kaitlin Saunders ~ Kaitlin Saunders blog
A Modern Day Persuasion

Laurel Ann Nattress ~ Austenprose
Jane Austen Made Me Do It

Prue Batten ~ Mesmered’s Blog
Georgiana Darcy by Anne Elliot

Jenny Allworthy ~ The Jane Austen Film Club
Northanger Abbey 2007 DVD

Sitio Jane Austen ~ El Salon de Te de Jane
Spanish and English DVD package of Jane Austen adaptations

Erin Blakemore ~ The Heroine’s Bookshelf
Pride & Prejudice notecards

Meantime, MR. DARCY’S LETTER is garnering some great reviews, and I’ll be back on December 16 with a giveaway for Jane Austen’s birthday.

Be sure to stop by on December 16, 2011 for a special celebration of Jane Austen’s birthday and a giveaway!

A NEW RELEASE: Mr. Darcy’s Undoing came out this week.  Please note that it’s a re-titled version of the previously published Without Reserve.

A SALE: Sourcebooks has put the ebook version of Mr. Darcy’s Obsession on sale for $2.99 for the month of October.  If you don’t have a copy already, this is a great chance to get it!

A PUBLIC APPEARANCE: Since the JASNA AGM booksigning in Fort Worth on Sunday, October 16 isn’t open to the general public, some Austen Authors are setting up camp at Barnes and Noble, Sundance Square, at 1:00 on October 16 so that we can meet readers (and friends) and sign any books you might have. Please stop by, I’d love to meet you. Other authors Sharon Lathan, C. Allyn Pierson, Karen Doornebos, Cindy Jones, Susan Mason-Milks and Mary Lydon Simonsen.

EXCERPTS: I’ve been posting some excerpts from Mr. Darcy’s Undoing as part of my blog tour.  If you’d like to read them in order, check them out at Austenprose, Austenesque Reviews, and Austen Authors. I hope you enjoy them.

P&P200: Bingley takes possession of Netherfield

Today’s selection returns to last Sunday’s participants:  Heather Lynn Rigaud as Mrs. Johnson, housekeeper extraordinaire at Netherfield, and Abigail Reynolds as Bingley.  This also marks our first episode of confusion with this project of marking the 200th anniversary of the events in Pride & Prejudice.  There are a number of fixed dates in the book, for example the Netherfield Ball is stated to be on November 26.  Others have vague references – Bingley takes possession of Netherfield before Michaelmas (September 29).  Others are up to the reader’s imagination, like at what point Darcy would have arrived at Netherfield.  Heather and I shared the same interpretation, that Darcy would have come to Netherfield just before the Meryton assembly with the “large party” that Bingley goes to London to collect.  However, one could also argue that Darcy might have been at Netherfield all along, and just out of sight when Mr. Bennet came to visit.  He also might have come to view Netherfield with Bingley.

The two excellent posts this week from Regina Jeffers and Susan Kaye take a different approach from mine, which means that their posts would actually come later than this weekend in my personal chronology.  When we put the posts together, those two will come after these two, but for now, we’ll just have to deal with the confusion of different authors with different chronologies.  That said, let’s return to Netherfield Park, 200 years ago today:

Household Ledger,

Mrs. Robert Johnson, Housekeeper.

September 25, 1811

Apples 2 bu, pears 3 bu

Eggs 2.5 dz.

Today started as an excellent day as we welcomed the new Master of Netherfield. Mr. Bingley came accompanied by his sister and his man. He graciously condescended to meet the house staff and was very friendly with all. Indeed, I don’t believe I’ve ever met such an open and easy-going master. He spoke to me at some length to explain his plans and expectations for the house. He’s planning a large party of guests to come down in a fortnight, including his other sister, Mrs. Hurst. He was anxious that all be made ready for his company and I assured him that Netherfield would be in perfect order. He also spoke of possible shooting parties and a ball. His sister, Miss Bingley, condescended to say that we have a great deal that must be done to make the house presentable.

I have determined to hire another girl for the duration of Mr. Bingley’s guests’ stay. Miss Bingley’s maid arrives tomorrow, but there will be an increase in laundry and tidying that will require more staff. I will also engage a few girls and a man for to be on call for the master’s future balls and larger entertainments.

Despite Miss Bingley’s comments, I am satisfied with the condition of the house and feel we have served Netherfield well. I had a moment of concern when I caught Roseanna introducing herself to St. James, Mr. Bingley’s man, but he made it immediately clear that her attentions were unwelcome. I have set Roseanna to work on polishing all the plate, in hopes that will give time to reflect on her behavior.

Caroline Bingley glared at her brother as their carriage rattled over the cobblestones of a little country town.  “Charles,” she said in a deceptively honeyed voice, “You know I do not like surprises.”

Bingley rubbed his hands together gleefully.  “You will like this one.”  She had been trying to wheedle the information out of him since they had left London, but he was determined not to tell her until the last minute.  He could not wait to see the look on her face when she realized that Netherfield was theirs!  “We are almost there, in any case.”

“Good.  I have had more than enough of being gawked at by the locals.  One would think they had never seen people of fashion before. That woman – her dress must be at least five seasons old, and she has the audacity to actual point at us!”

Bingley glanced out the window and smiled at a particularly pretty girl.  “I am given to understand that there are a number of excellent families in the area, but strangers must be something of a novelty.”

Caroline’s lips twisted, but she did not trouble herself to reply.

Ten minutes later the carriage pulled up in front of Netherfield. Caroline barely glanced at the house.  “What is this place?” she asked scornfully.

“It is called Netherfield Park.” Bingley tried to suppress a grin of anticipation.

“My surprise is here? Charles, don’t tell me you have purchased another horse!” She curled her lip as the footman opened the carriage door for her.

Bingley hurried around the carriage to hand her out.  “No, my dear.  It is not that your surprise is here, but rather that here is your surprise!”

“What on earth do you mean, Charles?  I see nothing but the house.”

“How many times have you said we must find a country estate?  Well, here it is.  I have signed the lease, and it is ours.”

She turned an ominous stare on him.  “You leased an estate without discussing it with me first? Charles, what in God’s name were you thinking? This is in the middle of nowhere, and heaven alone knows what condition it is in!”

Bingley’s shoulders sagged.  This was not at all how Georgiana Darcy reacted to surprises from her brother.  But perhaps it was just the shock of the moment.  “I showed the drawings and the estate books to Darcy, and he said it was a good idea.”

“One can hardly trust the word of two men in the matter of a household!” she snapped.

“Come, let me show you the interior before you say anything further,” he said, then played his trump card.  “Darcy says he will come for a long visit once we are settled in.”

“Hmmph,” she snorted, but with a thoughtful look.  “A long visit, you say?”

“Yes.  Look, there is the housekeeper waiting for us.” He bounded up the steps, leaving her to trail behind him.  “Mrs. Johnson, it is a pleasure to see you again!  Allow me to introduce my sister, Miss Bingley, who will be acting as my hostess here.”

The housekeeper curtsied deeply, but Caroline barely spared her a glance.  Instead, she looked around slowly, examining the hall.  “I suppose this will do, although it could be larger, and the furnishings are hardly to the latest fashion.”

Bingley’s spirits brightened.  From Caroline, that was practically praise.  “The library is to our left, and a ladies’ sitting room on the right.  But come through here – you must see the grand staircase and the drawing room.  It is in the shape of an octagon, and I immediately thought of you when I saw it.”

Caroline rolled her eyes, but proceeded through the gilded doorway with him.  He had hoped for a better response to the grand staircase, which was indeed of the caliber of anything seen at Pemberley, but she said nothing until they reached the drawing room.  There she stopped in the center of the room and pivoted around, slowly nodding her head.  “I suppose you could have done worse,” she said grudgingly, then turned to the housekeeper.  “It will take a great deal of work to do to make this presentable.”

So, how do you picture the sequence of events at the beginning of Pride & Prejudice?

Note:  I based Netherfield on Basildon Park, the house used in the 2005 movie of Pride & Prejudice, but the rooms I discussed were different.  Below you can find pictures of the hall, the grand staircase and the octagonal drawing room, as well as a floor plan for the house.

The Hall

The Great Staircase

The octagonal drawing room

Basildon Park plan

October 16, 2011 – Book signing – JASNA Annual General Meeting, Fort Worth, TX

December 14, 2011 – Reading and book signing – Monona Public Library, Monona, WI

April 14, 2012 – Presentation (Jane Austen Happy Hour) and book signing, RT Convention

Please stop by at any of these! I also expect to be at the JASNA AGM in October, 2012 in Brooklyn, NY.

Mr. Darcy’s Obsession.
Reynolds, Abigail (Author)
Oct 2010. 368 p. Sourcebooks/Landmark, paperback, $14.99. (9781402240928).

In her sixth Pride and Prejudice variation, Reynolds imagines what obstacles might have stood in the way of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy’s love had Elizabeth’s father died, driving the Bennet family out of their estate at Longbourn. Elizabeth’s older sister Jane is forced to marry a much older shopkeeper, and Elizabeth moves in with her uncle and aunt Gardiner. Despite Elizabeth’s diminished circumstances, Darcy tracks her down, but when he finally gets around to proposing, she misinterprets his awkward bid for her hand as a request to become his mistress. As soon as that miscommunication is cleared up, Elizabeth’s younger sister Lydia shows up, pregnant and abandoned by a feckless military officer. Lydia’s situation necessitates Elizabeth return to her family, leaving Elizabeth to wonder if this latest disgrace will deter Darcy’s determination to marry her. Austen purists won’t seek out Reynolds’ takeoffs, but readers who can’t get enough of Darcy and Elizabeth will find that Reynolds does an admirable job of capturing the feel of the period in this entertaining diversion.
- Kristine Huntley

And second, from Susan Mason-Milks:

Mr. Darcy’s Obsession is Abigail Reynolds first new book in what seems like way too long. Her other Pride and Prejudice alternate stories are excellent and this one’s no exception. After the wait, I was definitely not disappointed.

Susan Mason-Milks
(A fan of P&P fan fiction)

Only 12 days left!

October is going to be a big blogging month for me with the release of Mr. Darcy’s Obsession. I’ll do my best to post all the links here! Don’t forget that Mr. Darcy’s Obsession is now available for pre-order.

I’ll be blogging there on September 8.There are lots of giveaways, including my books, so please stop by!

Austen Authors Blog