Adelphi is a district in the City of Westminster. The Adelphi Buildings, a block of 24 unified neoclassical terrace houses, between The Strand and the River Thames in the parish of St Martin in the Fields, was named “Adelphi,” for it the Greek word meaning “brothers.” The Adam brothers (John, Robert, James, and William Adam) were the masterminds of this development in the late 1700s. Robert Adam in my new story “Mr. Darcy and the Designing Woman” is the architect of choice of Miss Elizabeth Bennet. But who was he?
The Adelphi forms one of the most notable works of the brothers Adam. The design of the buildings was, for the most part, the work of Robert Adam, though his brothers, James and William, were also concerned with the scheme.
After being educated at Edinburgh University, Robert Adam visited Italy and other countries and was greatly influenced by the architecture he observed. He, therefore, developed his own unique style of architectural design based on Classic domestic architecture, not he severe temple architecture which inspired the Renaissance. “The light and elegant treatment thus evolved resulted in a decorative manner that has come to be considered typical of the Adam style. The characteristic qualities of Robert Adam’s method of working were well illustrated in the Adelphi group of buildings and the attractive forms of decorative design developed by him appear, externally, in doors and door-cases, in the flat but richly ornamented pilasters, entablatures, string courses, medallion ornaments, etc., applied to the various facades, and, internally, in door-cases, columned screens, fireplaces, and delicately ornamented ceilings.
Whereas, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth’s relation prefer the more “traditional” designs of Sir William Chambers. The Royal Academy and Sir William Chambers essentially ignored the “Adam designs,” though a few imitations were exhibited. To say Chambers and Robert Adam did not get along well would be an understatement. [Sir William Chambers was an eclectic architect of the Georgian period. who was one of the leading Palladian-style architects of his day and a founding father of the Royal Academy. Chambers’s best-known works are Somerset House (1776–86) in London, now home of the Courtauld Institute Galleries; the casino at Marino (c. 1776), near Dublin; Duddingston House (1762–64) in Edinburgh; and the ornamental buildings, including the Great Pagoda (1757–62), at Kew Gardens, Surrey (now in London). In the last he went as far in the direction of Romantic eclecticism as any architect of his time. In general, however, he was an architectural conservative who used a profound knowledge of European (especially French) architecture to give a new look to the accepted motifs of Palladianism. His books, notably A Treatise on Civil Architecture (1759), had widespread influence. (Britannica)
Book Blurb:
“You do not know your place!” Elizabeth Bennet had heard those words time and time again from every man she encountered, with the exception of Mr. Thomas Bennet. Her dear father encouraged her unusual education, especially her love of architecture.
Fitzwilliam Darcy finally could name the day his beloved Pemberley would know its renewal. For five years, he had denied himself the pleasures afforded the landed gentry in order to view Pemberley House rebuilt after a questionable fire had left it in ashes. He would now choose a wife as the next mistress of Pemberley and raise a family.
When Darcy hires Elizabeth’s relation as his architect, they are thrown together in unexpected ways. He requires a proper Georgian manor to win the hand of an equally proper wife, but Elizabeth is determined only the house she has designed will do. The house of her heart for the man of her heart, even though she will never spend a day within.
Excerpt:
The lady nodded her head in affirmation before asking, “What was your intended destination, Mr. Darcy?”
“I was considering Leeds or Leicester or perhaps York,” he explained. “My uncle, Lord Matlock, provided me the names of several architects with whom he was familiar. I fear my manor house suffered fire damage and requires repairs.”
“I fire can be so devastating,” Mrs. Bingley said in sympathy.
“I was not at home at the time. My beloved father lost his life in the tragedy. I will forever regret my absence when both he and my sister required me,” he admitted.
Miss Bennet said, “I know you think you could have prevented what occurred, but I have sadly learned God often has alternate plans for us.”
“I appreciate your kind words, Miss Bennet.”
“Would you mind calling me ‘Miss Elizabeth’? I know Miss Bennet is the proper form of address, but every time someone says those words, I look around for Jane.”
“As you wish,” he said.
“In speaking of your home and your family, I heard real pain in the tone of your words,” she said softly. “I shall add you to my prayers this evening.”
Darcy felt his heart warm to the woman. Few had spoken of the sacrifices he had known to bring Pemberley back. “My family will tell you I am singular in my desire to secure my family’s legacy.”
“Such is admirable,” Mrs. Bingley assured him.
Meanwhile, Miss Elizabeth asked, “Must you level the remains of the manor house or is it possible some of it can be salvaged?”
“I cannot speak to what is best,” Darcy confided. “Obviously, I wish to save as much of the beauty of Pemberley House as possible; yet, I also realize it would be foolish not to invest in some much-needed improvements so the house can survive for future generations. I owe as much to my family name. Because of a lack of foresight on the part of many of my ancestors and even my father, the fire spread quickly. All that being said, I hope to soon take a wife. The house must be repaired before we marry. My cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, tells me I cannot think to bring my new wife into such conditions.”
“If she really loved you, she would adapt to the chaos about her,” Mrs. Bingley said, and Darcy imagined the lady would have done so for Mr. Bingley’s sake. “Surely some of the house is livable, for you have been residing there, have you not?”
“Do not allow an architect to thrust upon you and your future lady too much pomp,” Miss Elizabeth declared in authoritative tones. “You must remember just because Vitruvius was the grandfather of architecture, all the venerable gentleman purported—all his ancient trumpery—they are not required in the design of every house.”
Darcy smiled upon her, but he had a desire to dismiss her enthusiasm. “All I have considered is I wish for a house with a certain dignity in its design—one easily recognizable with a simple glance.”
“A Roman basilica possesses dignity,” Miss Elizabeth argued, “but I cannot imagine a sensible woman wishing to be mistress of a basilica.”
“Should not a woman be happy with the dwelling her husband provides?” he countered.
“Certainly, if the house has stood for several centuries, such is true, but, in my most humble opinion, a wife would wish to be consulted regarding the style of architecture of her future home, especially one to be rebuilt, specifically the arrangement of the rooms.”
“Would the lady not wish a home similar to her father’s?” Darcy knew something of homes in the Midlands and thought his future bride would approve of such a style.
“What does her father’s house have to do with a woman’s preferences?” Miss Elizabeth asked in testiness. Her question made Darcy wonder if he had committed some great sin in thinking any woman would be satisfied with whatever he presented her. “Our father’s house has been standing since the 1500s. Though parts have been redesigned and repaired, overall, it can be most disjointed—parts never conforming to a modern house.”
“Elizabeth,” Mrs. Bingley warned. “Mr. Darcy should be permitted his taste in architectural style.”
Purchase Links:
Kindle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CL2RKQK5
Available to Read on Kindle Unlimited
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CLKM4RV7
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Every Woman Dreams... 
Congrats on the release. Sounds fantastic and the cover is lovely and quite fitting for the title.
I am always glad to see your name appear in my feed.