I’m thrilled to have Victoria Kincaid back again to celebrate her latest Pride and Prejudice variation. I’ve loved all of Victoria’s novels, but Rebellion at Longbourn is a particular favorite. I loved Victoria’s take on Elizabeth, and she never ceases to make me laugh at Collins and Lady Catherine. Victoria is here to talk about her inspiration for the book and share an excerpt. Please give her a warm welcome!
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Hi, Anna, and thank you for having me back to visit!
Sometimes plots for my books are the result of ideas that have germinated and sprouted over a period of months or even years. And sometimes an idea hits me in the face, demanding to be written now, now, now! The impetus for Rebellion at Longbourn was in the latter category. I’ve spent a lot of time musing about the position of women during the Regency time period and thinking about how often in Western history women were able to carve out places for themselves despite the conventions of a patriarchal society.
For example, Artemisia Gentilleschi is often heralded as the only female painter of the Baroque period, when, in fact, there were a number of women painting at the time. Women often find a way to work around strictures of tradition, but their stories have frequently been lost to history.
So that led me to wonder what kind of resistance Elizabeth Bennet might show to the patriarchy. Obviously in P&P she already resists many conventions of ladylike behavior, and she calls out Darcy on his toxic masculinity. But she never has a reason for any overt acts of rebellion. I wondered what kind of situation would put her in a position where she needed to affirmatively buck tradition? She’s not a rabble rouser for the sake of stirring things up. She would need a good reason to push for change.
She wouldn’t do it for herself—only on behalf of other people. So what situation would make Elizabeth desperate for change on other people’s behalf? Of course, I thought about Longbourn being run by Mr. Collins. I’d frequently considered writing a Mr. Collins-owning-Longbourn book, but the prospect seemed so bleak. Who would want to read such a depressing story? Heck, I didn’t want to write it! But the idea of a book about Elizabeth organizing a covert resistance against Collins? That’s not bleak at all! In such a situation, Elizabeth, Mary, Charlotte, and other women at Longbourn could begin to carve out a space for themselves despite patriarchal conventions.
When all these pieces of the plot fell into place, the story demanded to be written—right now! So, I put the plans for another book on hold and started Rebellion at Longbourn.
Here is an excerpt from Rebellion at Longbourn where Elizabeth is speaking with Mrs. Greeves, the wife of one of Longbourn’s tenants.
“Why are you asking me these questions, miss?”
“I am hoping to find a way to help the tenants,” Elizabeth said, choosing her words carefully.
“Well, bless you, but you’ve already done so much. I can’t imagine there’s much more you can do.”
Elizabeth took a deep breath. “I believe there might be. My sister Mary and I spoke with Mr. Collins about using more modern agricultural methods such as the Norfolk four-field system and a seed drill.”
Mrs. Greeves eyes widened. “Bert heard about such things from a cousin down that way. He’d sure like to try it.”
“Unfortunately, Mr. Collins would not allow himself to be persuaded.”
The other woman’s face fell.
“However, I was thinking that perhaps the tenants of Longbourn might give it a try anyway.”
Mrs. Greeves stopped walking, and her mouth dropped open. “You mean do the Norfolk planting and the seed drill without telling Mr. Collins?” Elizabeth nodded. “No, it’s impossible!”
“I think they can manage it if we help them.”
Mrs. Greeves’s brows scrunched together. “We?”
“You and I and the other women at Longbourn—including my sisters.”
Mrs. Greeves frowned. “What might we do? We’re just women.”
Elizabeth snorted, an inelegant noise that prompted a smile from the other woman. “How many children do you have, Mrs. Greeves? Six?” The other woman nodded. “You gave birth to six children. You are keeping them alive and raising them to be good people.”
“I do my best.”
“Is that not far more difficult than anything Mr. Collins does any day? Could you imagine him doing your job even for one day?”
Mrs. Greeves laughed and then clapped a hand over her mouth as if her amusement were inappropriate. “True. Even Bert would be hard put to do my job for a day.”
“I assure you that nothing I ask of you will be as difficult as raising six children.”
“What do you have in mind?”
“My sister Mary has done all the reading and understands how to implement the four-crop system. I have a little money saved that I can use to buy a seed drill. Mary can teach the tenants how the system works.”
Mrs. Greeves’s eyes were wide with amazement. “I don’t know if this is the most brilliant plan I have ever heard or the most foolish one.”
Elizabeth smiled. “I have the same problem, but I think it is worth trying.”
“What do you need our help for, then?” she asked, pointing to herself.
“Mary and I cannot make a regular habit of calling upon the tenants. My cousin will become suspicious very soon.” Not to mention alarmed. Gentlemen’s daughters should not be seen consorting with farmers.
Mrs. Greeves nodded slowly. “But nobody will blink if you’re talking to us…”
“Precisely! If we call upon the tenants’ wives, that is nothing so remarkable. You may pass along Mary’s information and whatever equipment we need to share. We must attend a few meetings with the men, but we shall do them at night in an out-of-the-way location.”
The other woman tugged on her bonnet ribbon. “Aye, that might work. But it’s his land, isn’t it? Mr. Collins?”
“Technically it is,” Elizabeth agreed. “But your family and the other tenants’ families are the ones who farm it. Mr. Collins has no notion about farming. Why should he tell the farmers what to do? Would it not be more sensible to have the tenants decide what to plant and when to plant it? They buy their own seed and fertilizer. Mr. Collins will never know.”
Mrs. Greeves laughed. “He might notice when turnips grow instead of wheat.”
“He pays little attention to the fields. They can plant the new crops at a distance from the lanes where he might walk.”
Mrs. Greeves started walking again, mulling over Elizabeth’s words. “But the tenants will be earning extra money off Mr. Collins’s land. Isn’t that against the law?”
This was the part of the scheme Elizabeth had fretted over the most. “I do not believe it would be…if we use the extra money to repair the tenants’ cottages, just as Mr. Collins should be doing. The cottages are his property, so the money will be an investment in his estate.”
Mrs. Greeves’s mouth formed a perfect “o.” “You have thought of everything.”
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About Rebellion at Longbourn
Elizabeth Bennet’s father died two years ago, and her odious cousin Mr. Collins has taken possession of the Longbourn estate. Although Collins and his wife Charlotte have allowed the Bennet sisters and their mother to continue living at Longbourn, the situation is difficult. Viewing Elizabeth and her sisters as little more than unpaid servants, Collins also mistreats the tenants, spends the estate’s money with abandon, and rejects any suggestions about improving or modernizing Longbourn. After one particularly egregious incident, Elizabeth decides she must organize a covert resistance among her sisters and the tenants, secretly using more modern agricultural methods to help the estate thrive. Her scheme is just getting underway when Mr. Darcy appears in Meryton.
Upon returning from a long international voyage, Darcy is forced to admit he cannot forget his love for Elizabeth. When he learns of the Bennet family’s plight, he hurries to Hertfordshire, hoping he can provide assistance. Sinking into poverty, Elizabeth is further out of Darcy’s reach than ever; still, he cannot help falling even more deeply in love. But what will he do when he discovers her covert rebellion against Longbourn’s rightful owner?
Falling in love with Mr. Darcy was not part of Elizabeth’s plan, but it cannot be denied. Darcy struggles to separate his love for her from his abhorrence for deception. Will their feelings for each other help or hinder the Rebellion at Longbourn?
Buy on Amazon
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Giveaway
Victoria is generously offering an ebook copy of Rebellion at Longbourn to one lucky winner, open internationally. To enter, please leave a comment with your email address. This giveaway will be open through Sunday, June 7, 2020. The winner will be chosen randomly and announced in the comments section of this post. Good luck!
Thanks, Victoria, for being my guest today, and congratulations on your new release!
I can’t see that Darcy can think Elizabeth’s idea wrong, especially as any extra money will be used for repairs! Nobody will be taking money from Mr Collins but instead will be improving his inheritance. Obviously Mr C won’t see that but I’m sure Darcy would (especially as Elizabeth is involved!)
This is a definite must read for me. Thank you for the excerpt and for the giveaway!
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At last something original! Thanks for the giveaway
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Hi Sophia, I’m glad you find the premise intriguing! Good luck with the giveaway.
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Hi Glynis, Thanks for your interest and good luck with the giveaway!
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It was a fabulous book!
I loved your comment about Artemisia Gentilleschi. Artists will make art, whether overtly or covertly. i’ve also heard theories that a lot of music written by anonymous composers was written by women who couldn’t publish openly.
It’s a fascinating area to look into.
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I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed the book! I agree that a lot of anonymous creators throughout history were probably women.
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Wonderful excerpt. This sounds like a delightful story! I look forward to spending time with this strong Elizabeth. Always enjoy a release from Victoria. Congratulations!
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Hi Becky, Thank you for being a faithful reader! Good luck with the giveaway.
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It sounds great, I love your description of Elizabeth and it’s how I see her as well. Congratulations on the release. I’m looking forward to reading it. Thanks for the giveaway. ❤️
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Hi Kate, It means a lot to me that you share my vision of Elizabeth — there are a lot of different interpretations of her character. Good luck with the giveaway!
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I would love to read this. Always love a good JAFF !!
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Hi Chantal, I’m glad you’re intrigued. Good luck with the giveaway!
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I really like this storyline. It’s so original. I think Darcy could forgive Elizabeth anything. I look forward to reading more. And I absolutely love this cover. That Darcy is 😍😍
Kimpru1 (at) aol .com
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Hi Kim, Yes, that Darcy gives a good smolder, doesn’t he? Good luck with the giveaway!
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Way to go, Elizabeth! I am glad to see even Mary rebelling and reading useful farming books rather than sermons. This sounds like another fabulous book from Victoria. The cover shows a happy but defiant Elizabeth and a very intrigued Mr. Darcy. Thank you for the giveaway. evamedmonds(at)gmail(dot)com
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Hi Eva, Yes, I enjoy giving Mary a useful purpose. Good luck with the giveaway.
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What a great idea for a story! This one is moving to the top of the P&P variation read list.
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Hi Serena, I’m so glad you like the idea for the story! Good luck with the giveaway.
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This sounds like another great book! I can’t wait to read it. Thank you for the opportunity to possibly win a copy.
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Hi Cyndy, I’m so glad you’re intrigued! Good luck with the giveaway.
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Sorry, my email is cyndyhenry1@gmail.com
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Oh my, but this book sounds really good. Can’t wait to read about Darcy’s reaction, but I’m sure it will be positive. My email is below, but just in case it is nettieubbie@aol.com
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Hi Nettie, I’m happy to hear that you’re intrigued! Good luck with the giveaway.
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Even though Bennet was useless as a estate owner, he should have invited Collins to Longbourn to try and teach him the ways. But then Bennet was always too lazy to do any action
meikleblog(at)gmail(dot)com
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Vesper, That’s a good point about Mr. Bennet! Good luck with the giveaway.
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I want to read this one! I would love to see what happens next.
tgruy(at) netscape (dot) net
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I’m glad you’re hooked! Good luck with the giveaway.
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This scenario seems like it’s ripe for lots of comical Mr. Collins moments. I can hardly wait to see what they will be.
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Congratulations on this newest release. I look forward to reading it.
Elizabeth is a strong female presence.
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Yes she is! Good luck with the giveaway.
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Sounds great. Would love to read more. Thanks for the chance to win a copy. jadseah4(at)yahoo(dot)com
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I’m glad you’re intrigued! Good luck with the giveaway.
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This is such a different idea. The Bennet ladies staying with cousin Collins and his wife. Well, we know Charlotte and Elizabeth get along. I hope that hasn’t changed. Mrs. Bennet might be problematic… if she can keep her mouth shut. Of course, she is not able to call for Hill to bring her salts every few minutes. I assume Lydia… is off and away with Wickham? That would leave Mary and Kitty still at home. Wow, there are a lot of things to tweak. Great idea. I look forward to reading this. jwgarrett13[at]hotmail[dot]com
Thanks to Anna for hosting and to Victoria and her publisher for this generous giveaway. Good luck to all in the drawing. Stay safe and healthy, everyone.
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Hi JW, I’m glad you’re intrigued! I always wanted to write about Mr. C. inheriting Longbourn — and it’s so much more interesting if the Bennet family stays in residence. Good luck with the giveaway!
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I’ve never heard of anything close to this clever premise, and in the midst of so many JAFFs that are similar to each other, this will be a breath of fresh air. I look forward to reading it! Thanks for hosting, Anna!
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Once again, my comment didn’t take! So, I’ll try again….
This scenario seems like it’s ripe for lots of comical Mr. Collins moments. I can hardly wait to see what they will be.
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Clever indeed! I am definitely intrigued with how the woman will work around Collins! Congratulations! Thank you for a chance at the giveaway!
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Looks like a goodie! Thanks.
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Congratulations! Very nice cover drawing 🙂 . I like the idea of this – it sounds just like Elizabeth.
Thanks for offering a giveaway! NovEllaandBanannabelle (at) Gmail (dot) com
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Always love EB, not only her liveliness of min:) but her wit/intelligence.. having thought of everything!!!circumventing such situation.
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This sounds like a very interesting book!
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I read and enjoyed this book.
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Thanks, everyone! The giveaway winner is Sophia Simeonidou. Congrats and happy reading! (Please check your email)
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