Episode 2

Available for 11 days

Beautiful society widow Lady Susan Vernon continues to use her guile to maintain her privileged lifestyle. Recently widowed, the unscrupulous and beautiful Lady Susan Vernon is determined to scheme her way through high society in the hope of a profitable new match. She’s also after marrying off her unfortunate teenage daughter, Frederica. Lady Susan’s dear friend, Alicia, narrates her story. Written in 1794 in the form of a series of letters, Jane Austen's magnificent first novella is as subversive as it is charming. It was published in 1871, 44 years after the author’s death. Omnibus of the last five of ten parts dramatised by Lavinia Murray. Lady Susan …. Harriet Walter Mrs Alicia Johnson …. Maggie Steed Mrs Catherine Vernon …. Imelda Staunton Lady de Courcy …. Jill Balcon Reginald de Courcy .... Robert Hands Sir Reginald de Courcy .... Geoffrey Whitehead Frederica Vernon …. Michelle Wesson Piano music composed and played by Julie Cooper. Director: Jocelyn Boxall Producer: Jeremy Mortimer First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 1999.