A Walk in the Garden with Darcy and Elizabeth

Happy Friday, all! This month’s blog theme is “Up the Garden Path,” so I thought I’d share a brief excerpt from my latest release, Faults of Understanding. In this scene, Darcy and Elizabeth have been married less than a week, and have only recently arrived at Pemberley. As you may recall from previous excerpts, the marriage has not gotten off to the best start, as Elizabeth only accepted Darcy in a fit of pique brought on by Lady Catherine’s tirade, and Darcy had the misfortune of learning on his wedding day that his new bride was not in love with him. However, the newlyweds have both decided to make the best of things. In this scene, Darcy has agreed to show Elizabeth around the park at Pemberley. Let’s take a sneak peek and see how they’re getting on. 🙂

Excerpt

The remainder of the morning passed quickly, and before Elizabeth knew it, she was meeting Mr. Darcy in the entrance hall for their planned tour of the park. The pair set off, and as soon as they reached the drive, Elizabeth breathed deeply of the cold, crisp air, as happy as a child on Christmas morning. After several days in a carriage, and two inside the house—enormous as it was—she relished the chance to stretch her legs and feel the wind on her cheeks.

Turning to face her husband, she was surprised to see that his lips were curved up into a shallow smile—the first truly amiable expression she had seen on his countenance since they had stepped into the carriage following their wedding breakfast—and Elizabeth could not help but smile back in return.

“I thought we would explore the area closest to the house,” he offered as they turned onto a gravel path at the end of the circular drive. “The park is sizeable, and while there are some very pretty views down near the lake, we would need a horse or carriage to get there. I presumed today you would prefer to travel on foot.”

Elizabeth nodded happily, a spring in her step. “Indeed, I would. I have missed walking, and am happy to go as far as you would like. I do not mind long walks.”

“Yes. I remember you walking at least three miles to see your sister at Netherfield, but it was not quite so cold then as it is now.”

Making their way down a narrow path, the pair strolled along until they reached a tree-lined avenue that terminated at a small enclosure.

“This is the rose garden,” Darcy said as they traversed the uneven ground. “Of course, it is not much to look at now, but in the springtime, it is quite impressive. We grow over a dozen varieties of roses; some of them have been bred right here on the estate.”

Reaching the opposite end of the garden, they climbed a set of shallow steps, passing under a lengthy trellis that emptied out into an elaborately landscaped garden, complete with polished marbles and a vast stone fountain at its center.

Elizabeth’s jaw hung open in amazement, not only at the exquisiteness of the landscaping, but at the sheer magnitude of the space.

“These are the formal gardens. Besides the rose garden, they are the only ones accessible to guests touring the house. We do not get a great many visitors to the gardens, but if you seek solitude, it is best to avoid coming here, especially when the flowers are in bloom.”

“It is magnificent,” she breathed, her voice soft with wonder, and Darcy offered her another slow smile.

“It is much more impressive in the summertime. I am sorry you are not seeing it at its best.”

Elizabeth tipped up her chin to meet his gaze. “Then I shall have even more of a reason to look forward to summer, but I think it lovely just the way it is.”

Darcy stared back at her, and something about the expression in his eyes caused her heart to do a little flip inside her chest.

But just as quickly as it came, the moment slipped away, and Darcy took her arm, steering her in the opposite direction.

“Come, there is a great deal more to see.”

Elizabeth walked side by side with her husband through the manicured space and out onto a wide expanse of lawn that stretched almost as far as the eye could see, making her gasp with delight.

“Oh, how wonderful to have so much open space!” Elizabeth cried, and Darcy nodded his agreement.

“It was put to good use when I was a boy. We would play pall-mall or nine pins when my Fitzwilliam cousins came to visit, and my parents hosted an annual picnic here each summer.”

“It is certainly the perfect spot for gatherings,” Elizabeth agreed. “There is so much room to run! And I can see how the even surface would lend itself well to sport. Perhaps we might engage in shuttlecock or archery when your sister comes this summer.”

At Elizabeth’s words, her husband stumbled slightly, and Elizabeth turned to see that his expression was even more grim than usual.

“My sister does not participate in those types of activities,” he answered curtly, “and I have not played at such games since I was a child.”

“Oh. Well, that is a shame. We had an archery target at Longbourn, though we did not have nearly so large a space to enjoy the pursuit.”

Once again, Elizabeth turned to look up at her husband, laughing at his expression.

“Yes, Mr. Darcy, you heard correctly. I hope I do not shock you.”

“No. Of course, I know many young ladies enjoy the sport… I am only surprised that you… that is, did all your sisters participate?”

Elizabeth grinned, then nodded. “Well, admittedly, Jane and Mary were never as fond of the activity as the rest of us, but even they would join in on occasion. Have I scandalized you, sir?”

“No. Though I will admit, I find it hard to picture you with a bow and arrow.”

Elizabeth huffed in mock indignation. “I will have you know, I am quite capable when it comes to sport, Mr. Darcy, though I am not as accomplished at archery as my sister, Lydia. Her aim is second to none. She could even best my father.”

“Well, thank you for the warning. I will be sure to stay on her good side,” Darcy answered with a quirk of his lips.

Elizabeth turned to study his countenance, relieved to see that he did not look quite so somber as he had some moments before.

They continued on to the far side of the field where an enormous oak stood sentry, its thick branches stretching upwards towards the sky. To the left of the tree, a narrow lane meandered around a bend, and Elizabeth could see a ridge of wooded hills and a winding river in the distance.

“Shall we continue to walk,” Darcy asked, “or would you like to return to the house?”

“Oh, no! I would prefer to continue, if you do not mind?”

Nodding his agreement, Darcy indicated they should take the lane, and they ambled along in silence for several minutes. They had just reached the bend in the road when the clatter of horse’s hooves signaled the approach of a rider, who soon came into view. The gentleman approached at speed, but slowed his mount upon seeing them. Beside her, Elizabeth could feel her husband stiffen, and a quick glance in his direction indicated that any lightening of his spirits had instantly vanished.

The horse skidded to a stop before them, the rider lifting his hat in greeting.

“Mr. Darcy. Good afternoon.”

“Mr. Boyle,” Darcy replied curtly. Turning to Elizabeth he added, “I do not think you have had the pleasure of meeting my wife. Elizabeth, this is Mr. Boyle, Pemberley’s steward.”

Surprised at the obvious animosity between the two men, Elizabeth suddenly realized it was the steward’s voice she had heard earlier in her husband’s study.

Hastily, she dropped a shallow curtsy, which the steward acknowledged with a slight twist of his lips that appeared to be more of a grimace than a smile.

“Madam.”

The threesome faced each other awkwardly as Mr. Boyle’s horse shifted, pawing at the frost-covered path.

“Well, I will not keep you from your walk,” said Boyle, and though his smile remained in place, his eyes were as cold as her husband’s. “Sir. Madam.” And with another quick lift of his hat, he cantered off in the opposite direction.

Darcy instantly resumed walking, and Elizabeth quickened her pace, hurrying to keep up with his long strides.

“I take it you and your steward are not on the best of terms?” she offered when she finally caught up with him.

“No.”

“Has he been with you long?”

“Only since the autumn. But long enough to make a mess of things, it would seem.” They continued on for a time before Darcy sighed heavily. “I suppose I am to blame. I never should have gone to Netherfield with Bingley so soon after Boyle’s arrival. I hired him at the recommendation of someone I trusted, but it has proven to be a mistake. I am afraid he is the reason I did not wish to tarry any longer than necessary in Hertfordshire.”

“Would you care to speak of it?” Elizabeth asked softly, and Darcy shrugged.

“There is not much to say. I hired Boyle in September, when my previous steward was pensioned out. Mr. Beacham had been at Pemberley for many years before my father’s death, and he was a tremendous help to me when I took over the running of the estate. When Beacham realized he could no longer keep up, I began searching for a replacement, and, as I said, Boyle came highly recommended. He had many years of experience managing properties larger than Pemberley, so he seemed the ideal choice. Unfortunately, we do not see eye to eye. During the time I spent at Netherfield, numerous letters were forwarded to me by Mr. Lawson. Letters from tenants of long standing whom Boyle had treated badly.”

“Will you let him go?”

“At this time, I am uncertain. I had hoped being here to oversee things would help, but he shows no respect for my authority. I would like to give it a while longer, but in the end, the welfare of my tenants must come first.”

An icy wind tugged at Elizabeth’s bonnet and she glanced up at the dark clouds that now eclipsed the sun.

Shaking his head as if to dispel the matter, Darcy followed her gaze. “Come, the weather is beginning to turn. We should make our way back to the house.” Tentatively, he extended his arm, and Elizabeth reached out, slipping her gloved fingers in the crook of his elbow as the pair retreated to the warmth of Pemberley.

I hope you enjoyed that little stroll. And if you haven’t had a chance to read Faults of Understanding, you can purchase your very own copy HERE.  🙂

Thank you for reading! Until next time.

JA