The Colonel's Spinster - Audrey Harrison Page 0,73

the world. Prudence was welcomed into the family, as was Mr. Bamber. They were the most relaxed branch of the family, and although Prudence had worried that her reception would be like the one she received with Lady Catherine, there was no formality or disdain, just a warm, genuine welcome.

The pair would never spend much time in London. Prudence never felt comfortable there, and Fitzwilliam did not like being so far away from the mills. He would be teased that he was turning into Mr. Bamber, at which he would defend his father-in-law completely.

Prudence and Fitzwilliam had found love despite prejudice and secrets. Their house was to be filled with laughter, and although Prudence had not had the connection with her Aunt Catherine that she’d wished to have in order to feel closer to the mother she missed so much, Fitzwilliam’s mother and her new cousins more than made up for the fact that Lady Catherine would never truly welcome her into the family.

Prudence was happy and loved. Nothing else mattered.

About this book.

I have always wanted Colonel Fitzwilliam to have his happy ever after. Which is why I jumped at the chance of being part of the ‘Love After All’ Tragic Heroes in Classic Literature group. It was my opportunity to find him his true love.

There was definitely a flirtation between himself and Elizabeth, but he was clear in telling her that he needed to marry for money. Although I understand why he did it, I always thought it was a little arrogant of him. The situation always struck me when the story describes the exchange between Darcy and Elizabeth when Darcy seems to be suggesting that on her next visit to the area she shall be staying at Rosings. She presumes he means through a connection with Colonel Fitzwilliam and wait for it ― she’s disappointed! Proving (in my eyes anyway) that the thought of being married to Colonel Fitzwilliam wasn’t something she wanted. Even then, Elizabeth was drawn to Darcy; she just wasn’t recognising her feelings for what they were, and well, Darcy wasn’t helping, really, was he? That first proposal! Oh, my word!

Jane Austen also describes Fitzwilliam as not handsome, but with a good personality. Damned by faint praise! If he needed to marry for money, I have often thought that he would have struggled to find a suitable woman within the ton circles. So, I had to bring in an outsider who would see how special he was.

As the tradesmen and particularly mill owners were extremely rich and I have a streak of mischief in me when pairing up opposites, it was inevitable that Fitzwilliam was going to marry outside of his social circle.

The country was going through difficulties after the Napoleonic Wars, and there was a lot of unemployment and beggars around who had come back from war on land or at sea and whose services were no longer required. A failure in harvests, the influx of foreign goods, the increased prices of food, and the restrictions of the Corn Laws meant there were riots and strikes across Britain from 1816.

If you look at Manchester and riots, the one in 1819 at Peterloo is obviously the one that is prominent in literature. I didn’t want to tie this story into that. The timing didn’t feel right, and I didn’t want Fitzwilliam to be on the wrong side, so I kept my story as close to the 1813 date of Pride and Prejudice as I could, bearing in mind that Fitzwilliam would have been serving in the Napoleonic Wars himself, so I was happy to pick up his story after the wars had ended.

I hope you have enjoyed my take on Fitzwilliam’s journey to his well-deserved happy ever after. As an author of Regency Romances, it has been both daunting and enjoyable to write this book and include some of the finest literary characters ever written.

Thank you for reading.

Audrey

https://www.amazon.com/Audrey-Harrison/e/B009SO2EYO/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

About the Author

I have had the fortune to live a dream. I’ve always wanted to write, but life got in the way as it so often does until a few years ago. Then a change in circumstance enabled me to do what I loved: sit down to write. Now writing has taken over my life, holidays being based around research, so much so that no matter where we go, my long-suffering husband says, ‘And what connection to the Regency period has this building/town/garden got?’

That dream became a little more surreal when in 2018, I became an Amazon StorytellerUK Finalist with Lord Livesey’s Bluestocking. A Regency Romance in the top five of an all-genre competition! It was a truly wonderful experience, I didn’t expect to win, but I had a ball at the awards ceremony.

I do appreciate it when readers get in touch, especially if they love the characters as much as I do. Those first few weeks after release is a trying time; I desperately want everyone to love my characters that take months and months of work to bring to life.

If you enjoy the books please would you take the time to write a review on Amazon? Reviews are vital for an author who is just starting out, although I admit to bad ones being crushing. Selfishly I want readers to love my stories!

I can be contacted for any comments you may have, via my website:

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https://www.amazon.co.uk/Audrey-Harrison/e/B009SO2EYO/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

https://www.amazon.com/Audrey-Harrison/e/B009SO2EYO/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Novels by Audrey Harrison

Regency Romances – newest release first

Lady Edith’s Lonely Heart – The Lonely Hearts Series – book 1

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0852RMGJJ