The Making of Lady Catherine de Bourgh

De: Paige Badgett

Narrado por: Claire Storey

LADY CATHERINE'S SWOON-WORTHY VILLAIN ORIGIN STORY

RIGID TO A FAULT, Lady Catherine Fitzwilliam has her future all planned and is eager to begin her new life as a married woman. One short week changes everything, including the betrayal of one close to her. Being sensible, expertly behaved, and managing her exacting expectations has gotten her nowhere. She is ready to determine her own future—perhaps even acting against the caution that has guided her throughout life.

A MATCH BORNE FROM IGNORANCE threatens to bring scandal upon Catherine, and one reckless act binds her to a prospect she could never have predicted. Will Catherine save her reputation and still find herself a husband?

HALF VILLAIN-ORIGIN STORY, HALF COMING OF AGE, this tale transports listeners to a consequential precipice in Catherine’s life. One where she discovers her voice and begins to understand the needs of her own heart—and how fragile that heart may be—transforming her into the antagonist listeners know and loathe in Jane Austen’s cherished Pride and Prejudice.

©2025 Paige Badgett (P)2025 Paige Badgett

The making of Lady Catherine de Bourgh

Young Catherine Fitzwilliam is certain of her future. Her parents have planned everything for her and she is eager to start her new life as a married woman. But suddenly everything changes, she is left with her shattered hopes and the feeling of betrayal of one close to her. But fortunately a new door opens and she is able to accompany her aunt to Kent.
Catherine is now determined to create her own future, even to seek a husband on her own. This determination and her lowered caution finds her soon in a difficult situation.
Will Catherine be able to avoid being the center of a scandal? Will she nevertheless be able to find a husband on her own? And will she, against all odds, be able to find love?

The book was very well written by the author Paige Badgett. Lady Catherine is normally not a person I like or about whom I want to know additional facts but the author really made me like Lady Catherine. I pitied young Catherine when her dreams shattered, I was excited with her while she was getting to know gentlemen from Kent and I was glad for her when she finally found love with Sir Lewis de Bourgh. It was a really great read.
I also really liked the little funny cameos from relatives of the later main characters of Pride and prejudice, for example there was a townhouse leased to Bingley’s father. That was very well done.

It was really exciting to get to know the young Catherine Fitzwilliam and watch her become the Lady Catherine de Bourgh we know. As a young girl she was utterly guided by her mother and did everything she was told. Experiences and disappointments changed her way and let her away from her former way and the tight guidance (and control) of her mother. Her stay with her aunt let her escape her home and the control there. At her aunt she had the chance to become her true self to mature and finally to find love. Her way was not smooth and she was not every time able to see from the very beginning the positive sides of her situation but in the end she finally found great happiness.

I really enjoyed getting to know Sir Lewis de Bourgh. In Pride and Prejudice he is only mentioned as Lady Catherine's late husband and Anne's father, but we do not learn much about him because he is long deceased when the story takes place. I enjoyed that we learned about him, his first meeting with Lady Catherine, their interactions and their marriage. The author described him as a really charming, loving and caring person. I liked that he encouraged Catherine to not pretend or show a facade but to be her true self. He showed her so much love and cared so much about her. I was glad to get to know him that way and I was glad that Lady Catherine had him by her side for a time.

What I definitely did not entirely like was the end. I cried bitter tears with Catherine. Yes, I know that the end must be the way it was to make sense for Pride and Prejudice but I need not like it. Therefore I give 4,5 stars rounded up to five. I know the end is necessary the way it is and it explains exactly why Lady Catherine is the way she is but my romantic soul had nevertheless hoped for a slightly different outcome and more time.

The audiobook was narrated by Claire Storey. She was a new narrator for me but in my opinion she was the perfect choice for narrating Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s story. I can even imagine young Lady Catherine sounding like her. I'm so glad that the book became an audiobook. Due to the narration an excellent book became even better.

If you like to know how Catherine Fitzwilliam became the Lady Catherine we all know you should definitely listen to this excellent audiobook.

I highly recommend it.

I received a free copy of the audiobook book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.

A Stand Out Austen Variation

Claire Story is a new-to-me narrator. I thought her performance captured Lady Catherine’s vulnerability and strength, and gave the right nuance to the supporting cast. She brought this story to life beautifully, and I will certainly be watching for more of her work in the Austen-inspired genre.

Among the many Austen variations that echo familiar themes time and again, this is one of those rare stories that breaks the mold and lingers in the mind. Paige Badgett took one of Austen’s most imperious figures and gave her a heart, a history, and a very human voice—and we listeners do love a human voice, do we not? (wink, wink) The Making of Lady Catherine de Bourgh is a prequel reimagining a life before Pride and Prejudice, and it makes for a very compelling and poignant listen. It is a thoughtful look at how one young woman’s heartbreak and hope shaped the formidable and typically villainous figure we all recognize.

We meet Lady Catherine Fitzwilliam at a time when her future seems secure. She knows her duty, she trusts her family, and she believes she is stepping into the life that has long been planned for her. Within days of expecting a marriage proposal, however, her world falls apart. Betrayal and humiliation come from the very place she trusted most, and for the first time Lady Catherine must decide whether to take her own path. Seeing her transform from obedient daughter to a young woman taking control of her own future is both emotional and bittersweet.

I especially loved the portrayal of Sir Lewis de Bourgh. In Austen’s novel, and in most variations, he is little more than a name. Here, though, he stands out as the kind of romantic hero Regency readers appreciate: honourable, attentive, and deeply devoted.

Even though I knew from the outset that Catherine’s tale could not end in lasting happiness, I became so absorbed in her life with Sir Lewis that I almost forgot what awaited them. When the reminder came, it struck all the harder for how much I had hoped otherwise. I never thought I would cry for Lady Catherine, but I did. I wished they’d had more time.

The writing itself deserves praise too. Paige Badgett’s plot really drew me in, made me love the main characters, and I felt it was believable throughout.

For readers and listeners who love Austen-inspired fiction, this is a memorable story that provides one very plausible perspective to our usual understanding of a character usually dismissed as a caricature of arrogance. In this book, she becomes flesh and blood: flawed, ambitious, wounded, and resilient, and after hearing her story, I may never view the imperious Lady Catherine of Pride and Prejudice in quite the same light again. I think it’s a must listen—or read.

Highly recommended.

I received a free code for this audiobook, but I own the ebook. I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Beautifully written!

In this prequel, you find of why Lady Catherine is the way she is. Your heart breaks just as her heart breaks. The author does such a fantastic job with the story. In the end, you wish Lady Catherine had more years with Sir Lewis. She would of been someone completely different (if she just had the chance).

Claire Storey did a great job with the narration. Hopefully, she does more JAFF.