Interview with a Character -- Lady Olivia

Good morning. Recently a question was posed -- Which one of your characters would you like to see meeting another character from a different book? And I thought it would be especially fun if Lady Olivia Leighton could have a smackdown with Lady Catherine de Bourgh from Pride and Prejudice. For those of you who know my Lady Olivia and Jane Austen's Lady Catherine, I think it would be a fair match-up.

In a round about way, this got me thinking, perhaps I should interview Lady Olivia. I mean why not. I'm sure her fans, (and I know there are several) would like some in depth information from her.

So allow me to present, my interview with Lady Olivia.

Lady Olivia, thank you so much for taking the time to visit here today. It's a distinct honor and priviledge.

'Tis very nice to be here. Thank you so much for asking.

I hope you don't mind if I jump right into the questions.

Not at all.

I'm sure your fans would love to know how you came to be such a large part of my books. You seem to finagle your way into the strangest situations. Do you have a penchant for meddling?

I do not think I would refer to it as meddling, rather the occasional helping of a friend in need. I cannot help if I am at the right place at the right time.

And somehow your "helping" always revolves around those who are looking for love. Would you consider yourself to be a match-maker?

I should not wish to call it match-making perse, rather a knowing which parties would suit each other best. I have been in Society for decades and have seen perfectly lovely people ruin their lives by making a foolish match. Those that I help, I do so with their utmost happiness in mind.

May we talk about your own happiness for a moment? I find it interesting that you never remarried after your husband's demise even though you were still a young woman, yet now you have formed, what we shall call a "tendre", for your niece's butler. Aren't you afraid of what Society might say?

I have never cared a whit for what Society might say. I married my Fuzzy when I was ten and seven and he was four and seven. We were exceedingly happy together for over five and thirty years. Love is love. When you find the right man, you know it. It matters not if he is an aristocrat or a butler. Quiggins is the truest and best of men and I find he is more the gentleman than some of the highest ranking members of Parliament.

There's been talk of your recent illness. Is that why you use a cane?

Certainly not. The cane is merely an actor's property, if you will, that I use to make my point. I find it imposing, and it makes a decided statement, do you not think? I also find it very handy to use as a weapon.

And lastly, I've often wondered why you get so many of the best lines in my books. Could you tell me who I'm channeling?

I'm sure I have no idea how you come to receive such information. Certainly it must relate to your own upbringing. Did you not say once, your aunt played a very important role in your young life. Perhaps it is her in which you relate to me.

Can you give us an idea where we'll be able to find you next?

I believe I have the honour of appearing in THE DUKE'S DIVORCE shortly. Poor Fiona is having a devil of a time with Robert. I do hope in the spring, THE LADY'S MASQUERADE will be well and settled and you will find me in a leading role with my niece, Penny and the charming William. Next autumn, my nephew, Rory, the Earl of Bailey, will have his chance to find love with the delightful Lady Rosamund, in THE EARL'S ENIGMA (or is it Enquiry? Have you finally decided on a title, dearest?) and I have every intention of seeing that match made personally. In THE CAPTAIN'S LADY, with Richard and Amanda, I show strength of character by using the aforemetioned cane as a weapon. And then I do believe I shall retire from the literary life. All this gadding about, becoming involved with intrigues and schemes at my age, has been somewhat wearying. I should like nothing better than to lay about on a chaise, with my cat and a book for quite some time.

Thank you so much, Lady Olivia, for being here today. It's always a pleasure to talk to you.

And if you have any questions for the duchess, I'm sure Lady Olivia would be delighted to answer them.