Interview: Lady Harriette by P O Dixon

After reading Lady Harriette, I shockingly discovered that I actually liked P. O. Dixon's plucky heroine. (Some of you may find that difficult to believe given her youthful indiscretions). I was so intrigued by Lady Harriette, I just had to meet with her. Enjoy our conversation.

Thank you for joining me for tea, Lady Harriette. It truly has been a pleasure getting to know you from the tales P. O. Dixon has told. Now, while I am quite taken by your quick wit and determination, I know many readers do not much care for you, given your past attempts at capturing Darcy, married or not. Do you have anything to say to those readers who may not care to hear your side of the story? How do you plan to convince them you are not the villain?

Thank you for the invitation. I am honored to be here. I sometimes opine, would that my greatest failing in life be my youthful infatuation with Mr. Darcy. Yet, here I sit nearly three years later, on the cusp of turning one and twenty, and I can say with certitude that I am not done making my share of mistakes. I can well imagine some yet to be proclaimed sage pontificating, ‘if you are not making mistakes, you are not living.’ I will live. I will love. I will make mistakes. I will learn from my mistakes, and when in my power to do so, I will make amends. In doing all these things, I shall accomplish precisely what I was meant to do—to entertain.

Another feature readers have to look forward to is your growing relationship with Elizabeth Darcy, nèe Elizabeth Bennet. I know at one time you were not overly fond of the one lady who managed to capture Fitzwilliam Darcy’s heart and soul. What brought about that change?

Think of it this way; my giving notice to Elizabeth prior to her marrying Mr. Darcy would be likened to Georgiana giving notice to my paid companion. It simply was not done. Because it never once occurred to me that Mr. Darcy would be attracted to his employee, I never had reason to suppose his employee would be drawn to him. I had always been taught one did not aspire to life beyond his or her sphere.

However, my marriage to Richard changed everything for me. Not only how I viewed life and the impenetrable virtues of rank and privilege, mind you. As a consequence of my marriage to Richard, I realized none of those things matter when you love someone. One thing I have learned from spending so much of my time in the Darcys’ company is they truly love each other.

I have come to think of Elizabeth as the sister I never had; the sister I always wanted. She is older. She is wiser. She is patient. She counsels me, but she does not judge me. Her willingness to forgive my transgression is what makes her so special, and there is nothing I would not do for her. Of that, she is assured.

I find your ability to vex the old battle-ax, Lady Catherine, amusing. I am always diverted by characters who can ruffle her feathers. Tell us more about your relationship with the formidable lady.

Here is a secret about me. I admire Lady Catherine for her devotion to her family. She likes to have her own way, but I know few women of her age, by virtue of their rank and privilege, who do not. The thing about her ladyship is she reads much like an open book. The easiest thing in the world to do is kowtow to her. One might ignore her ladyship altogether, but where is the fun in that?

In the past, you have practiced some rather unladylike pursuits such as fencing. Do you still practice? And with whom are you practicing these days? ;)

Yes, fencing, hunting, racing about on horseback, and even billiards were but a few of my favorite pastimes of youth. Whilst my excellent father and even my older brother encouraged me, you may recall my dear husband has no qualms when it comes to voicing his objections. I am not as inclined to partake in such endeavors as I once was. I attribute it to my husband having introduced me to many other pleasurable pastimes.

Now that you are married, please enlighten your readers as to some of your favorite benefits to being married. And what is it like marrying a man with no fortune?

I believe my husband’s lack of fortune is of greater concern to him than it is to me. I have never wanted for anything, and I have no reason to expect I ever shall. With respect to my dear husband’s misgivings, I suppose the male ego derives particular satisfaction from the notion of being the sole provider.

As for the benefits of being married, I would have to say waking in my husband’s arms tops my list, along with the many other pleasurable pastimes I made reference to earlier.

I thank you for allowing me this opportunity to give readers a chance to know you. As vexing as your behavior was during those earlier times, I would say you have come a long way since the days of your misguided attempts to secure Mr. Darcy’s affections, even after he pledged his heart to another. I am glad I took the time to read your story. I hope others will consider reading it too.

You are most welcome. One thing I recommend to readers who enjoy P. O. Dixon books, yet may be tempted to forego reading this wonderfully diverting account of my first year of marriage to Richard and our enduring friendship with the Darcys is to read the book’s dedication. In seven short words, it says all one needs to know. 

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