Today’s post is part of the Austenesque Extravaganza. I’ve been asked to interview one of my characters, and of course I chose Richard. My questions for him are bolded; his answers are in plain text.
1) For the record, what is your full name?
Colonel Richard Meriwether Fitzwilliam. Meriwether is a family name on my mother’s side.
2) You’re the second son, which of course implies an older brother. Tell us about him, and about any other siblings you have.
With a raised eyebrow
Questions about my family are not likely to garner interesting conversation, but if you insist… My sister Elaine is the eldest, a role she has always taken most seriously. She is married with two children, a boy and girl who thankfully both show signs of possessing minds of their own and an ability to stand up to their mother when necessary.
Simon would be Viscount Camrose to the unwashed masses. His position as heir to our father’s title and lands has lent him an air of entitlement that… well, I shall just say it leads to conflicts between us on a frequent basis. Luckily, his skills as a sportsman are non-existent. In all our lives, he has only landed one blow.
3) You hold the rank of Colonel. Are you still active in the military? What was/is your role in the Army?
My role in the Army was of a more clandestine nature, but alas, it has come to an end. My last trip across the Channel ended in the death of a double agent, and with a bullet in my leg. Since it was evident Bonaparte’s agents knew my identity, my supervisors felt my usefulness was at an end. However, there were no open positions in the regular Army for an officer of my rank, so they retired me with half-pay.
4) You’re stranded on a desert island. What three things do you wish you had?
Good food, good wine, and good company. Given an endless supply of rations, it is fairly certain that two sound minds could eventually devise a way off the island.
5) Word association time! I’ll give you a list of ten words, and you tell me what comes to mind.
1. top lofty
2. shatter break
3. shoe horse
4. stone house
5. lost love
6. lips loose
7. time fleeting
8. storm rains
9. travel France
10. thrill chase
6) Last question: Your date has been captured by the French and the only weapons at your disposal are a dinner fork, a candelabrum, and a lobster. What do you do?
I realize this is merely a hypothetical situation, but as it happens, my friend’s lady WAS French, we were nearly captured by her, and between the rest of us gentlemen, I held the dinner fork, Seb the candelabrum, and Colin the lobster. Ashford, not realizing the true loyalties of his lady, was unarmed.
I am still not sure how it happened, but somehow Jeanette (who had a pistol in her possession) received a blow to the head from the candelabrum that was enough to end her life. Shortly after, there were two attempts on my own life, and it was then that my superiors deemed it best that I return to this side of the Channel.
We still have not told Ashford the truth of that night…
That’s all the questions I had. If you have a question for the Colonel, leave it in the comments and I’ll pass it on to him.
Nancy, I came to your post via The Book Rat and love your description of Cap’n Wentworth!
My question for Col. FW is your 4) re-worded: you’re stranded on a desert island with your aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. What 3 things do you wish you had? NB Your previous answer – ‘good food, good wine and good company’ – can’t be used in any way.
You ask a difficult question, ma’am. My aunt, as you are apparently aware, is not pleasant company in the best of circumstances. In this case she would be utterly intolerable.
In fact, I believe the only way we would both make it off the island alive were if I had wax to put in my ears so I could not hear her incessant complaints and demands. More than food or even wine, a little peace and solitude would be invaluable.
That was interesting thank you. I wonder though how he understood what “date” meant is that a regency word? Also, the work association Loose and lips that was something from WWI I think but I could be wrong. This sounds like I’m picking apart the post and I’m not it was a great post and I do want to read the book now.
I do not have another suggestion for the title. I’m so bad at that kind of thing.
My question for the Colonel is
What is his ideal woman?
I rather like the title LOVING MISS DARCY
I already am a twitter follower and
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Though it may seem from my comments regarding my sister that I do not enjoy the company of a strong woman, nothing could be further from the case. In my mind, an ideal woman is one of strong principle and character, but also one who is sure enough of herself and her situation in life that she does not need to dominate those around her.
What a fun interview, though I must admit, I’m curious what you would do after you sell out of the army, Colonel!
The abrupt end to my military career left me without a vocation. Currently, I assist my father with the running of the family estates, but that cannot continue forever. When Simon inherits, my help will no longer be required.
Both of my parents have hinted that I should marry a wealthy woman and buy property of my own, and that is certainly a possibility.
oops, forgot to add this to my earlier comment: I really like the title “Loving Miss Darcy”.
(Richard regrets that he cannot answer this without giving away a central plot point in the book. However, I will say that the word is used in a slightly different way than you have interpreted it.)
And this was supposed to be in answer to Mariam below. Oops!
I have a question for the colonel,When he said replied woman for lost does he implied that he had a
unre-quired love ?
I have a question for the Colonel! Do you, at any point in Nancy’s book, loosen your cravat and/or roll up your sleeves? Not gonna lie, I’d really like it if you did.
Oh yes, me too!
While I never disrobe to the point of indecency, I assure you ladies that you will be satisfied.
I loved this, especially his comments on his brothers skill (or lack of) as a sportsman. I would like to ask him what he thinks of modern women compared to women from his day.
I find the same distinctions in modern women as I do in the women I know. In any era, a lady is defined by her behavior, not her style of dress or manner of speech.
As for another book title I can’t think of one off hand. I like the one chosen.
That seems to be the overwhelming verdict–thank you, everyone!
…I’m getting strange looks from our coworkers from my attempts at smothered laughter from the last answer Richard gave xD
I fully admit to going to a title generator of the romance sort for this: The Danger of the Enthralled Spy. This would work, if loving Georgiana gets him into danger at some point…and I think it does? Or rather, the opposite way around. You could totally make it work!
Danger of the Enthralled Spy? That might be an interesting title for the prequel set in France. (And NO I am not actually writing the prequel. But if I were, it would be a great title.)
Colonel, do you ever think of marriage?
I think of marriage as frequently as an unemployed gentleman with an interested mother can be expected to consider the topic.
To give more background, I have never considered marriage as the means to an end–wealth and status are not good reasons to tie my life to another. However, being the witness to a happy marriage between my parents, and now my cousin and his wife, I do see marriage as a means to mutual happiness between two persons with an affection between them.
Loved the interview! Colonel, in the word association Nancy said lost you said love. Do you have a lost love?
Alas, Miss Kelley has given me a gag order on this particular question, on the grounds that it would give away the final third of her book. Suffice to say, “lost” has many possible meanings.
I love the title Loving Miss Darcy!!=)
Hi Nancy, great blog. I can’t seem to make the Rafflecopter work, so I will ask Richard here what his favorite thing to eat is?
Thanks, LA
I prefer good hearty English food. I’ve had enough fancy French cuisine to last me a lifetime.
I have a question for the Colonel. Which P&P character would he marry, if he wasn’t a second son and could choose any woman he liked?
I believe the title Loving Miss Darcy should answer that question. And luck is on my side once again, as the woman I love happens to possess a tidy fortune.
I share the good Colonel’s sister’s first name but I hope he would not fine me as someone children would need to learn to “stand up to”. It sounds as though she is formidable!
My sister takes after our aunt, though I will say she has a genuine affection for her children which I cannot fault.
I like the title and loved the interview. Colonel Fitzwilliam has always been a favorite of mine. I love his wit and teasing attitude and his seriousness when needed. My question has already been asked but I would still like to hear the answer, dear Colonel. Have you had a lost love? Would your feelings for Elizabeth Bennet reflect somewhat in that answer?
Though I had a fond regard for my cousin from the moment I met her, I could easily tell William was already in love with her. Between that and her lack of fortune, I was too practical to develop feelings for her myself.
As for the lost love… Miss Kelley refuses to let me answer.
Col Fitzwilliam is one of my favorites. I love his answer to what he’d take to a desert island. Very smooth, our dear Col. Those three things actually encompass many more things that cannot be counted. Please thank him for spending a few moments with us. =D
I loved this post!
I am a big fan of Col. Fitzwilliam and am glad that he is a major player in his own story now. What a unique idea to make him a spy!
My question for the Colonel is how did that come about? Was it planned and a matter of training or did he just fall into that role?
As to a book title, I’d have to say that I’m not sure since I’m not familiar with the plot.
Thanks for the fun interview post and chance to win!
Sophia Rose (subscribed in google reader as Sophia Rose)
As the second son, the Army was the obvious career laid out for me from birth. However, my superiors quickly saw I had skills that would be better used in espionage rather than the infantry or cavalry. They approached me and suggested the new career path.
Fun interview!
Nice approach, the interview! It’s a good way to tell those little details (backstory, intimacies) that just don’t find a place in the story itself.
Well done!
Fun interview! I read it with my morning coffee, coffee and the Colonel are definitely a great way to start the day!
I’m with majority for keeping the title “Loving Miss Darcy”. One of the Austen Authors once explained in her post that publishers like the titles with Darcy name in them. Makes easier to identify the book among the others:) “Loving Miss Darcy” is laconic and informative title giving clear idea who will be the main heroine and what will be the main plot. I wonder what bookcover will be created…hmm…intriguing…:)
Ahh that makes him seem so lifelike! Can’t wait to read the book. One more month.
What a great way to get to “know” the Colonel’s back story in just a few minutes. Now I want to know more. Can’t wait for the book.
I like the title but since you asked: For the Love of Miss Darcy.
What a great piece! Your Colonel Fitzwilliam sounds like a character
I know many people see Georgiana ending up marrying her cousin, but as he is her guardian isn’t it a conflict of interest, especially as she has a substantial dowry? Would it be honourable? I wonder how common it was at the time. Presumably that’s one of the reasons for having more than one guardian!
When my affection for Georgiana became plain, I stepped back from the role of guardian and approached William as any other suitor would do. It was then up to him to decide if I truly loved his sister, or if I was after her for material gain.
My question to Colonel Fitzwilliam is what does he plan to do with himself, since he is no longer in the army.
How about Georgiana Gets a Beau.
Q: You’ve apparently had quite a career in the army. When younger did you ever think about taking a career in another avenue available to second sons of your standing in society?
The Army was set out as my career from an early age. I have not the temperament for the Church, and the thought of spending all my days cooped up in a stuffy office studying the law was easily ruled out by my active habits.
Loved this Nancy!
Colonel Fitzwilliam, forgive the impertinence but have you ever felt a little in Mr Darcy’s shadow?
There are two questions here, I believe. First, does William garner more attention in certain circles than I do, and second, does this bother me?
The answer to the first is yes, of course. He owns an estate of his own, and thus, while we hold similar positions in Society, there is more value in knowing him.
However, I have seen the kind of currying of favor he is often subjected to, and I cannot desire that for myself. Indeed, I think I am quite fortunate our aunt did not select me to marry our cousin Anne.
Lovely interview, Nancy! You have me very curious about the Colonel’s excursions. And for the word association, Love/lost…hmm. Interesting!
I’m really looking forward to the big reveal there, Jakki. There’s a secret plot that I have very assiduously kept hidden from the general public. I’m sure reviews will eventually spoil it, but this feeling of having a secret is delightful.
I’ve often wondered why Lady Catherine didn’t want Colonel Fitzwilliam for Anne. I know Darcy was richer but the Colonel would be more attainable, you would think, as Darcy would probably have been more sought by parents trying to advantageously marry off their daughters so he would have had more choice and also he had not yet agreed to marry Anne despite knowing it was expected. I suppose Lady C might have anticipated staying mistress of Rosings but there was no guarantee of that. Lucky escape for Colonel Fitzwilliam I say!
I really don’t know, Ceri–that’s an excellent question. Perhaps her snobbishness just couldn’t handle the thought of a second son? Or maybe the similarities in personality (perceived similarities!) to Darcy made him more appealing? Surely she didn’t think she could control him the way she did Anne, and yet since he is introverted and Col. F is extroverted, his strength of will would be harder for her to notice.
In your word association, you answered “chase” to the word thrill. What do you consider your most thrilling chase?
I like “Loving Miss Darcy”. Chasing Miss Darcy? You see where my mind is lol.
[...] or which happen under different circumstances. When Meredith asked me if I’d like to do a character interview during this year’s Austenesque Extravaganza, I knew it would be the perfect opportunity to [...]
a question for Colonel Fitzwilliam?
-what are your thoughts/feelings regarding your cousin Anne de Bourgh?
i’m another who really likes your title choice =)
I like the title “Loving Miss Darcy” so I hope you can keep it, Nancy. Enjoyed knowing a little bit more of Colonel Fitzwilliam.