P&P Missing Scenes – Darcy and Elizabeth explore the Grounds at Pemberley

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There had been little time for exploring Pemberley’s grounds what with adjusting to her new position as mistress, generally finding her way round such a large house, and being busy receiving callers eager to greet the new bride, so when Mr Darcy announced he was taking a few days off from estate business to please her every whim, Lizzy knew exactly what might please her fancy.



Wrapping up warmly against the cold weather, they set off across the formal gardens where nature was at its most restrained. Frost mired the stone planters on the balustrade, which in the summer had been filled with a riot of blooms, and Darcy gripped Lizzy’s arm tightly as they descended the stone steps and walked along the path that led to the wilder scenery beyond.

‘Have a care, dear, I would hate you to slip on the ice.’

Lizzy gazed up at her husband. He was so protective and always thinking about her welfare, but the last thing she wanted was to be kept permanently wrapped up like an ancient porcelain figurine or constrained in any way.

‘Do not worry, my love, I have my stout boots on, and I am known for my excellent walking skills,’ she retorted, and easing her arm out of his firm grip, she broke into a trot, and ran on ahead down the path before he realised she’d escaped. ‘Catch me if you can!’

Elizabeth’s laughter rang across the gardens. She looked behind her to see that her husband had taken up the challenge, and was bearing down on her fast, which made her laugh even harder. Spurred on to run like the wind, she pelted hard through the iron gates at the end, which separated the gardens from the park. Lizzy entered a beautiful stretch of land by the side of the stream, every step bringing a nobler fall of ground, or a finer reach of the woods into view. Frost glittered on every blade of grass and sparkled like diamonds on the rocky outcrops in the distance, silvering the distant hills like shimmering mist. He was closing in on her as they entered the woods, and running past the water glinting in the winter’s sunshine, they ascended some of the higher grounds; where they were rewarded by sublime views of the valley, and the opposite hills. Elizabeth spurred on ahead through the hanging woods before skipping and running down to the edge of the water. She knew he was almost upon her when she saw the bridge, which Lizzy remembered from her walk last August, and the glen with room only for the stream and a narrow walk amidst the rough coppice-wood. Elizabeth longed to explore; and leading her husband on, sped swiftly along the winding path.

Finally, with her heart beating so hard she felt it might burst; Lizzy was forced to stop and catch her breath. Within seconds Darcy caught her and had her trapped in his arms. Gasping for air, and laughing so much she felt she might explode Lizzy surrendered at last.

‘I knew you could not catch me,’ she said with a grin.

‘And I made sure I did not. I enjoyed the chase, quite as much as when I was courting you.’

‘Whatever do you mean? You cannot be telling me that you were always in pursuit of me.’

‘For longer than I think either of us were aware. And you must admit, we had some sport with one another.’

‘We did, indeed, though it has to be said I oft had the upper hand,’ Lizzy said, smiling coquettishly.

‘On that subject I shall be silent as a gentleman should be. The lady must have her way.’

Lizzy pummelled him with her fists. ‘Oh, arrogant boy, I might know you’d try and have the last word.’

I haven’t been along here since I was a child,’ said Darcy ignoring her comments and looking about him, ‘though I do not recall it looking quite so lovely as it does today.’

‘I daresay you were intent on chasing rabbits or some such sport,’ said Elizabeth still panting for breath but aware that her husband’s eyes were observing her carefully. ‘I do not think small boys are still long enough to appreciate the beauty around them.’

‘No, you are probably right, but I certainly acknowledge it now.’ Darcy twisted a curl at her throat around his finger. ‘These woods with you at their heart have never looked finer.’

‘Flattery will not prevent my running away again,’ Elizabeth teased and looked away with a toss of her curls.

‘I have you now, and I am never letting you go again,’ Darcy whispered tenderly into her hair.

‘I am happy to submit for the time being, kind sir, if only to get my breath back for a moment.’

Darcy threw back his head of unruly dark curls and laughed. ‘You won’t escape me another time.’

‘And that sounds like a challenge, dear husband.’

Fitzwilliam Darcy gazed into the fine eyes of the woman he adored. ‘I am ready for you, Mrs Darcy. Let’s see if you dare to run this time.’

He tightened his grip bringing her closer until there was no space between them, backing her up against a twisted oak tree. Elizabeth felt the weight of his body pressed against her, and his lips on her cheek, peppering her face with kisses. Passions rising, Darcy found her mouth with the lightest touch, but then she felt him hesitate before he stepped back away from her. He looked solemn and grave as Elizabeth stared back into his dark eyes, black as slate in the dim woodland light and watched their breath making wisps of smoke on the cold air, the sound magnified in the quiet space, redolent with the scents of earth and moss. She saw him staring, drinking in every feature but boldly never left his gaze. She willed him to kiss her, hoping he would not take long.

‘This is your kingdom, Mrs Darcy, I do hope you like it,’ he said at last. ‘These woods and all you survey are ours to share.’

‘I simply adore it … and with you at my side I truly must be the luckiest creature in the world.’

‘I love you, Mrs Darcy with every last breath in my body, and I know all of Derbyshire and Pemberley will soon love you just as much.’

Elizabeth’s laughter broke the stillness of the air. ‘Oh, my darling Darcy, how did it take me so long to know how much I love you too.’

Stepping closer once more, he ran his fingers along her cheek, cupped her chin in his hand, tilting it towards him. Closing her eyes, she felt his fingers in her hair and his lips on her own. It was a slow and tender kiss, and Elizabeth felt herself sinking under the spell he cast so easily. She pulled him closer, willing it to last forever. They neither spoke again; both feeling that time in such a sacred place was so precious that words alone could not do justice to their feelings. Wrapped in each other’s arms, Pemberley woods seemed to embrace them in a moment never to be forgotten.

24 comments

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  1. This is so tender and sweet. Loved it, Jane!!

    1. Thank you, Monica!

    • Barbara on May 5, 2015 at 4:31 am
    • Reply

    Thank you so much!! I am waiting to see all the Scenes together in Amazon!!! I hope it Will be soon!!! I cannot wait.

    1. Thank you, Barbara!

  2. Thank you Jane! Very nice imagery! I always liken Elizabeth to a wood nymph. Once she learns to drive a team, her challenges will be curricle races to Lambton – she gets to use a team while William only gets a single. She would lose her bonnet in the first minute with her hair streaming behind in the wind. And the winner gets a prize of their choosing… Your story of their chase in the woods opens up many possibilities!

    1. Dave, I love that idea! Yes, she’s a very physical person, isn’t she-I can just see her racing a curricle. Glad you liked it!

    • Mari on May 5, 2015 at 7:03 am
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    This was so lovely that mere words can’t do it justice. You have perfectly captured a very romantic moment in time. Here on the East Coast of America, many of us had a brutally cold and snowy winter, but reading this chapter made me forget the reality, and miss the crisp air and snowy landscape more than a little! You are truly a wizard with words, and the magic of this scene will linger for a long time.

    1. Mari, thank you-I hope you soon recover from your horrid winter-I don’t think ours ever compare with what you have to put up with, even if we’re very good at complaining about it. Thank you for the kind words.

    • Deborah on May 5, 2015 at 7:06 am
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    How absolutely so romantic and beautiful. I can picture Elizabeth taking off and Darcy following. And your descriptive words….”Frost glittered on every blade of grass and sparkled like diamonds on the rocky outcrops in the distance, silvering the distant hills like shimmering mist.” I can so picture this scene and the others. Thank you so much for such a fun and sweet scene. What a wonderful missing scene to read over coffee this morning.

    1. Thank you, Deborah-I’m so glad you liked it-I love writing descriptions!

  3. Beautifully written as *always*, Jane!!
    Thanks for this charming peek into Darcy and Elizabeth’s newly married life. 🙂
    Loved it!

    1. Thank you, Marilyn-so kind of you!

    • Kathy Berlin on May 5, 2015 at 8:56 am
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    Sigh.

    1. Kathy, I hope that was a good sigh- ; )

    • Sheila L. M. on May 5, 2015 at 10:00 am
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    Yes, very sweet. Lovely descriptions and easy to then picture in one’s mind. Darcy continues to be such a romantic, only brought out by Elizabeth.

    Thank you for starting the day off right here in PA.

    1. Thank you, Sheila-I love writing a romantic Darcy!

    • Carol on May 5, 2015 at 11:56 am
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    How lovely this scene is to read. The words and feelings are so much different than when they first met. Loveliest Literary couple to read about. Thank you for sharing.

    1. Thank you, Carol, for those lovely words!

  4. Absolutely lovely!! The beauty of Pemberley in winter, the thrill of the chase, the joy of being young and in love–happy sigh! You just made my morning!!

    Thank you for writing for us!! 🙂

    Warmly,
    Susanne 🙂

    1. Susanne, the joy of being young and in love-well, I’m not young but I am very much in love with my husband and can remember just how it was when we met. Those are lovely memories to visit – I’m thrilled you enjoyed it.

    • Barb on May 6, 2015 at 8:22 am
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    Romantic and magical! Your descriptions so completely express the beauty of a winters day. Thank you!

  5. Thank you, Barb-so kind of you!

    • TLeighF on May 7, 2015 at 1:57 pm
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    Simply beautiful! Thank you!

      • Jane Odiwe on May 8, 2015 at 12:39 am
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      Thank you, Tobin, for your kind comments-I’m really pleased to hear you enjoyed it!

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