The actual Sir Francis Dashwood was a complex man, and I leave it to his biographers to draw his full character. The Sir Francis you meet here is an imaginary construct based on the real man, but altered by thirty years of imprisonment in a cursed mirror. An ordeal like that is bound to change a person and affect how he would respond to newfound freedom of such limited duration as he experiences in the novel. Bear in mind also that his portrayal here is filtered through the eyes of Elizabeth and Darcy, whose own beliefs, values, and morals influence their impressions.
Sir Francis’s dialogue and actions within my story are, of course, purely fictitious. Whatever history may accuse him of, he died of natural causes in 1781 and (one presumes) stayed dead. But I like to think that given the opportunity for a second run at life’s pleasures, Sir Francis was a man who would seize it. I hope you enjoyed his reincarnation in the pages of this book as much as he did.
I also hope you enjoyed the further exploits of Austen’s characters. If you had not been previously introduced, you can find the Darcys and Bennets in Pride and Prejudice, and the Dashwood, Ferrars, Brandon, and Middleton families in Sense and Sensibility. Austen herself imagined the continuing stories of many of her creations; her nephew wrote in his memoir of her that she entertained her family with additional details about her characters’ lives. Though I believe Harry Dashwood’s decision to enter the church is a natural result of the events he experiences in the story I have told, it is also a choice that dovetails with Austen’s statement that Kitty Bennet eventually married a clergyman.
Where will the Darcys go from here? Most assuredly, more adventures await them. You can visit my Web site located at www.carriebebris.com for clues about what lies ahead and other information about the Mr. & Mrs. Darcy mystery series. While you’re there, do drop me a note, as I love to hear from readers. I thank all of you who have already so thoughtfully shared your impressions of Pride and Prescience, and look forward to your comments on Suspense and Sensibility.
I am—
Your obliged and faithful servant,
Carrie Bebris
Suspense and Sensibility: Or, First Impressions Revisited Page 27
