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A small, elegant carriage clipped along the road at a spanking pace. The golden sun shown down hotly on the passengers, but the breeze kept the heat from being overpowering. As the carriage pulled into the quaint little village, an exclamation of delight burst forth from the youngest of the passengers, sparking a smile from the older female in the party.
Traveling with the Gardiners was always the highlight of the summer for twenty-year-old Elizabeth Bennet. This year, her relations had planned to tour the Lake District, but business constraints had made a trip of that length impossible. Consequently, Elizabeth, along with her aunt and uncle, Helen and Edward Gardiner, traveled in a leisurely fashion from Elizabeth’s home, Longbourn, in Hertfordshire to the village of Mrs. Gardiner’s youth, Lambton, in Derbyshire. Along the way, they had stopped to tour many great estates and other sites of interest. They had visited Wimpole Hall and grounds in Cambridgeshire, Boughton House in Northamptonshire, and Carlton Curlieu Hall in Leicestershire.
After several days of traveling, they were to stay at the Chestnut Tree Inn in Lambton, for the next se’nnight, perhaps even longer. Upon their arrival at the inn, the innkeeper, Mr. Burton, greeted Mrs. Gardiner like an old friend. He ushered their party to the finest rooms the inn had to offer and quickly arranged for both baths and refreshments for the visitors. As the trio had stopped to tour Chatsworth earlier in the day, they were quite tired upon arriving and retired early after a pleasant meal.
On this, their third morning in the area, Mrs. Gardiner suggested they apply to tour Pemberley. Elizabeth, however, was very reluctant to do so. The owner of Pemberley was Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, with whom Elizabeth claimed an acquaintance, but they had argued violently and parted on extremely bad terms. Wanting to correct the misinformation Elizabeth had flung at him during their argument, Darcy had dared to write her a letter and personally deliver it before walking out of her life. Elizabeth had read Mr. Darcy’s letter countless times since receiving it and longed for an opportunity to apologize to the gentleman. Elizabeth regretted her extremely rude behavior when she had refused his unexpected proposal. Due to her injured vanity, a result of hearing Darcy call her “tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt him,” as well as the lies of the nefarious Mr. Wickham, Elizabeth had accused him of the worst kind of conduct, and the memory of the event and her behavior haunted her.
“Aunt, my acquaintance with Mr. Darcy is very slight. I would feel uncomfortable intruding upon his family in his home.”
Before Mrs. Gardiner could answer, a knock sounded on the sitting room door. It was the young servant, Hannah, arriving with their breakfast. “Hannah, do you know if the Darcy family is currently in residence at Pemberley or if the estate is available for a tour?” Mrs. Gardiner inquired.
“No, ma’am the family is not ‘ere at present, but they be ‘spected in the next day or two, says me brother, who is an under-gardener at the estate” was the maid’s reply.
Mrs. Gardiner turned to her niece. “There, Lizzy, that should put your mind at rest. Shall we tour Pemberley this afternoon?”
“All right, Aunt. If it pleases you, we will visit Pemberley,” Elizabeth replied reluctantly.
After dining, they spent the morning in visits to a few more of Mrs. Gardiner’s childhood friends who still resided in Lambton. Elizabeth tried to focus on those she met, but she could not dispel a feeling of concern about visiting Pemberley.
So it was that an hour after luncheon found Elizabeth and the Gardiners in the carriage for the five-mile journey to the Darcy estate. Elizabeth could not help but enjoy nature’s beauties as they rode through the Derbyshire countryside. The rocks and hills were a sharp contrast to the more pastoral setting surrounding her home. When they turned in at the gates to Pemberley, Elizabeth anxiously looked for the house. More than half an hour later, it finally came into view. The driver stopped the carriage at the top of a rise, affording the visitors the best view of the manor house. Elizabeth gasped at the sight.
Before her, nestled into a valley, sat an enormous house built of a soft beige stone. A great expanse of green lawns led down to a lake on whose smooth surface glimmered a perfect reflection of the stately mansion. Rising behind the house was a steep hill of dark woods. Elizabeth ‘had never seen a place for which nature had done more, or where natural beauty had been so little counteracted by an awkward taste. (1) Eventually, the carriage began to move again and within twenty minutes it had stopped before the door of the great house.
The Gardiners applied for a tour of the estate. A short time later the housekeeper, Mrs. Reynolds, greeted them. As she guided the guests through the house, Mrs. Reynolds could not contain the expressions of approbation she liberally bestowed on the master of the estate. The Gardiners and Elizabeth toured several drawing rooms (each more beautifully decorated than the preceding one). They also saw the large dining room (with a table that could seat close to one hundred people). The music room included a magnificent new pianoforte Mr. Darcy had purchased for his sister. The Pemberley ballroom was the largest Elizabeth had ever seen, and, finally, the gallery.
It was here where the housekeeper stopped before a picture of the current master. Elizabeth was breathless at the sight of him. He appeared as she remembered him, stately, handsome, and with the intense look in his eyes that she had always mistaken for dislike. As the others moved on to view a recent portrait of Miss Darcy, Elizabeth remained before Darcy’s portrait. Had I not been so foolish and vain, misjudging you as I did, of all this, I might have been the mistress. You did not deserve all of the anger and disdain with which I treated you. If only I could see you once more and apologize for my poor treatment of you.
With one last lingering look, Elizabeth moved away to join the others. Upon departing the gallery, Mrs. Reynolds moved towards the main staircase. She would escort the group outside and the gardener would continue with the tour, showing the family the beauty of Pemberley’s grounds.
Before they descended the steps, Elizabeth turned to Mrs. Reynolds. “Would it be possible to visit the library?”
“That is not usually included on a tour of the house, Miss.” Her tone was a little frosty.
“I understand. I only asked as I have heard much about it from Mr. and Miss Bingley, as well as Mr. Darcy.”
The housekeeper looked intently at the young lady before her. The visitor was lovely, with dark curls and bright eyes. Mrs. Reynolds had been impressed with the young woman’s kindness and the appreciation she had shown for the estate. She was so different from the detested Miss Bingley, who had spoken of the changes she would make to the stately and elegant interior of the home. “You know the master?”
“I was so fortunate as to make his acquaintance when he visited Mr. Bingley at his estate in Hertfordshire. Mr. Bingley’s estate, Netherfield Park, borders that of my father.”
“Well,” said Mrs. Reynolds, hesitating only a moment, “if you are a friend of the master’s, I am sure he would not mind me showing you the library.”
“I thank you for your offer, Mrs. Reynolds, but I would not want you to go against Mr. Darcy’s wishes.”
“Are you quite sure, Miss? I am sure he would not mind a friend seeing the room.”
“Well, perhaps if we only look in from the hallway,” suggested Elizabeth. She dearly wished to see if the room was as magnificent as she had heard.
The housekeeper led the way to the library and opened both of the double doors, then stepped aside. Elizabeth stood in the center of the opening and inhaled the comforting scent of parchment, leather, and furniture polish. Light flooded the room from a bank of tall windows opposite the door. The furnishings were navy, burgundy, and hunter green, with several settees and plush chairs set about for reading. Two large tables stood before the window. Floor-to-ceiling shelves lined the walls, and it appeared that a balcony wound around the room, creating a second story. There were also display cases containing rare pieces and other artifacts. In one corner of the room stood two globes, one obviously much older than the other.
Elizabeth was astonished by all she saw. “It is, indeed, the most amazing room I have ever beheld. I am sure it would take more than a lifetime to read all the treasures contained therein.” She turned to the housekeeper. “I thank you very much for showing me this spectacular sight. I doubt I shall ever see another room anywhere that can match it.” Reverence and awe filled her voice.
“I am pleased you found the room to your liking.” Mrs. Reynolds closed the library doors and turned to lead the guests downstairs. She took them through a hallway that led to a terrace on the back of the house. Here they met the gardener, who led them through the formal gardens.
Elizabeth wandered quietly, not fully listening to the information the elderly man shared with her relations. Her mind was too full of the master of the house. Elizabeth had long since come to realize she had been immediately attracted to Mr. Darcy, and his overheard comments about her ‘tolerable’ appearance had hurt more than she was willing to acknowledge. As a result, she had gone out of her way to be disagreeable to the gentleman. If she were honest with herself, she had to admit that she had enjoyed their verbal sparring. Few men in the environs of Meryton could equal her sharp intellect, and it had been a pleasure to match wits with such an intelligent gentleman.
As her relatives followed the gardener deeper into the formal gardens, Elizabeth took a small path to the right that led to a walled enclosure. The arched door was locked, so Elizabeth found a bench against the wall in the shade of a large oak tree and sat looking at the beauty around her. She closed her eyes and tilted her face to the sky. Elizabeth loved the warmth of the sun on her skin. Opening her eyes, she gazed about, taking in the incredible beauty of the gardens of Pemberley.
Elizabeth’s gaze eventually drifted to the stable. She noted that the complex was larger than her family’s home. Suddenly her cheeks flushed with color. She jumped up from the bench and wrung her hands. Striding towards her was the man on whom her thoughts dwelt. In spite of the unsettled feeling he roused in her, Elizabeth could not fail to notice his handsomeness. Darcy carried his jacket and hat, and she could see the water sparkling off his messy curls. The lawn shirt he wore was damp and emphasized the broadness of his shoulders. The tight pants Darcy wore showed off his strong, shapely legs. It was evident he had not yet seen her, and she wondered what his reaction would be upon discovering her presence.
Fitzwilliam Darcy’s massive black stallion clip-clopped along the dusty road. Truthfully, he was relieved to have had a reason to leave his party behind at the inn a half day's journey from Pemberley. Darcy needed time to think and to overcome the troubling thoughts that had plagued him since April. His disastrous proposal to Elizabeth Bennet while she visited at Hunsford near the estate of his aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, had cost him the good opinion of the only woman he would ever love. Darcy determined to put the loss behind him and find a way to move forward. However, he could not picture a future without Elizabeth. Darcy could recall her appearance as easily as if she stood before him. Her unruly dark curls and sparkling eyes stirred him as no other woman he had ever known. It was more than her beauty that drew him to her, however. Darcy had never met a more intelligent, well-read woman, and he was aware that life with her could never be boring.
Darcy’s unrelenting thoughts of Elizabeth Bennet were not the only reason he was glad to leave the rest of his party behind. He needed separation from Caroline Bingley. Darcy enjoyed having his best friend, Charles Bingley, visit his estate, but his patience with Charles’ sister, Caroline, was wearing thin. She had set her cap at him upon their first meeting several years earlier. As a result, Darcy was careful to never show her any particular attentions. Unfortunately, his consistently distant behavior did not deter Miss Bingley from pursuing her desired goal. In fact, with each year that passed, her efforts to impress him with her worth intensified, significantly increasing his discomfort in her presence. Darcy knew she had no genuine affection for him, but she desperately wanted to rise to the first circles of society. One would think their long acquaintance would have made Miss Bingley realize Darcy’s dislike for society, but she could not see past what she wanted to comprehend how incompatible the two of them truly were.
Try though he might, Darcy could not banish the thought of Elizabeth Bennet from his mind. Her loveliness was breathtaking. Elizabeth's dark eyes and unruly curls were often Darcy's undoing. She had a quick, intelligent mind and a sharp wit. Darcy recalled each of their encounters, from his first seeing her at the Meryton assembly, to his disastrous proposal, to his last glimpse of her as she accepted his letter before leaving Rosings. He often wondered what her reaction to his missive had been. Did she still hate him, or was she able to accept his explanations and grant him some measure of forgiveness? Darcy wished with all his heart that Elizabeth was a member of the upcoming house party. He had often imagined her in his home and regretted that it would most likely never happen. Wallowing for a month after her rejection of his proposal, Darcy eventually realized that many of her criticisms about him were true. As a result of his epiphany, Darcy spent the next month trying to improve his behaviors. He promised himself that should he ever be privileged enough to meet Elizabeth again, he would apologize for his poor proposal and demonstrate to her that he had taken her reproofs to heart.
Pemberley was only a few more miles. Veering from the road, Darcy allowed Beowulf to have his head, and the stallion soared over the fence that separated the road from Pemberley’s land. Darcy gave the horse a gentle kick and they raced across the fields, headed for the stables.
When Darcy arrived, he jumped from the saddle and patted his horse affectionately before turning him over to a groom. “Rub him down well and give him an extra scoop of oats. I rode him hard all the way to Pemberley.”
Stripping off his jacket, Darcy stepped up to the pump, giving the handle a pull or two. He ducked his head underneath the water to cool himself after the hot ride. Retrieving his hat and coat, Darcy settled them over his arm and moved in the direction of the back terrace to make his entry into the house. He needed to clean up quickly and meet with his steward.
Darcy looked out at the gardens as he approached. They had been his mother’s pride and joy, and their maintenance was a priority for him in honor of her memory. A flash of color in his peripheral vision caused his head to turn. The sight that met his eyes stopped him in his tracks. There, before him, sat Elizabeth Bennet. Assuming the heat was causing this most pleasant illusion, Darcy closed his eyes for several seconds. Elizabeth was lovelier than he remembered, with several strands of hair curled around her sun-kissed face. When he opened his eyes, the vision was still there, but it had changed. With the sun behind the green and white striped gown she wore, Elizabeth’s figure, including her shapely legs, was clearly visible. Darcy caught her eye and noted the expression of shock on her face. The shock quickly changed to discomposure, as her face flushed with embarrassment.
Darcy had often envisioned Elizabeth enjoying the gardens at Pemberley and became momentarily lost in the illusion. The sound of Elizabeth's voice quickly drew him from his dreams. “I beg your forgiveness, Mr. Darcy. I should not be here. I would not have joined my relatives for a tour had I known you would be here.” Elizabeth twisted her hands nervously. “Please excuse me. I will await my relations in the carriage; you need not be bothered by me.” Elizabeth looked about in confusion, wondering which way she should go. The look of fear and distress in her large dark eyes reminded him of a doe he had once seen in the forest.
As she moved towards him, in the direction of the stables, Darcy realized he needed to stop her or she might walk out of his life again. He put out his hand to halt her motion and quickly bowed to her in proper greeting.
“Please, Miss Bennet, there is no need for you to leave. I am happy to see you again. What are you doing in Derbyshire?”
Mr. Darcy’s words were a shock. He was happy to see her? How could that be after the way she had treated him when last they met? Elizabeth looked at him carefully, but his expression betrayed no anger. What she did see in his face was pleasure and, perhaps, hope. Hesitantly, Elizabeth answered. “I am touring the countryside with my aunt and uncle. Mrs. Gardiner grew up in Lambton and very much wished to see Pemberley again.”
“Again?” asked Mr. Darcy.
“Aunt Gardiner indicated her family once toured the house during the holiday season.”
“I see. I hope your aunt is enjoying her day, then.” Darcy looked around, wondering where these relatives might be. He saw an older couple across the garden in company with his head gardener. “Would you be so kind as to introduce me to your relations, Miss Bennet?”
Elizabeth felt her mouth drop open in surprise. She quickly closed it. “I would be happy to do so, Mr. Darcy.”
Darcy was about to offer his arm when he realized the current condition of his attire. He quickly returned his hat to his head and, with difficulty, shrugged into his jacket. Realizing that dust covered his coat sleeve, he spoke sheepishly. “Please forgive me for not offering you my arm, Miss Elizabeth, but I have just arrived and I fear the dust of the road is still upon me.”
Elizabeth gave him a tentative smile as he extended his arm for her to step onto the path. Walking beside her, he quickly navigated the walkways that would bring them to where Elizabeth’s relations stood. When they stopped before the couple, Darcy turned to Elizabeth and waited for her to make the introductions.
“Mr. Darcy, please allow me to present my uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Gardiner of Cheapside. Aunt, Uncle, this is Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, the master of Pemberley.”
While Elizabeth made the introductions, Darcy studied the couple before him. Both were fashionably dressed in well-tailored clothing. Their faces showed interest in him, but no sign of the usual fawning he would have expected from members of the trade class. They spoke in cultured tones and with obvious manners and intelligence. He had made another error in prejudging the Gardiners based on their address.
Elizabeth watched Darcy carefully as she gave him her relations’ address, but his response contained not a flicker of surprise of hint of hesitation.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner. How are you finding Pemberley?”
“It is everything delightful, Mr. Darcy,” Mrs. Gardiner responded with a happy smile.
“Indeed, Mr. Darcy,” added Mr. Gardiner. “I believe it is the finest estate we have seen during our travels.”
“I am pleased to hear that. Have you seen the house yet or are you starting your tour here?”
“Mrs. Reynolds was very kind in showing us the house. We thought to spend some time in the gardens before returning to the inn in Lambton,” Mrs. Gardiner answered. “It is as lovely as I recalled.”
“Yes, Miss Bennet mentioned you were from Lambton.”
“You would not remember it, sir, but we frequently met in the past.”
Darcy cocked his head to the side and looked at Elizabeth’s aunt thoughtfully. As he stared, a smile grew on the lady’s face, and she immediately saw when recognition appeared in his gaze.
“Would your family name have been Thompson, Mrs. Gardiner?”
Helen Gardiner gave a soft laugh, and her smile increased as she nodded.
“Your father was Mr. Thompson, owner of the bookshop,” Darcy stated confidently.
“Yes, he was.”
“As I recall, it was you who made sure I always received a treat when I accompanied my father to the bookshop.”
Helen Gardiner nodded again.
“It was a sad day for me when you left Lambton, as there were no treats to be had after your departure. I still visit the shop often, but my sweet tooth goes unsatisfied these days.”
Elizabeth marveled at Mr. Darcy’s expressive countenance, as she could easily see his happiness at the memory. In the past, he had always worn an inscrutable expression in every situation in which Elizabeth encountered him.
Darcy continued. “I have only just arrived, but would love to join you on your tour of the park if you would permit me a few moments to refresh.”
“We would be gratified to have you join us if it would not inconvenience you, sir. Shall we continue to wander here while we wait?” asked Mr. Gardiner.
Looking at Mrs. Gardiner, Darcy asked, “Are you a great walker, like your niece?”
She gave a small laugh and exchanged a look with her husband before answering. “I fear there are few who profess to be as great a walker as Lizzy.”
Darcy wished to laugh with her but would not risk offending Elizabeth. However, when he noticed she, too, was laughing, he felt safe in agreeing. “I was fortunate enough to have her company on a few rambles in the past. She is a very intelligent young lady and has an uncanny knack for seeing the truth in most situations. I have learned much by my association with her.”
Elizabeth was startled at his words and immediately thought he was referencing their time in Kent in an attempt to embarrass her. However, she reined in her anger and looked at him to determine his meaning. In his expression she saw only sincerity, though deep in his eyes there appeared to be something more. What it was, she could not be sure.
Darcy turned to his gardener. “Mr. Greenwood, would you please ask the stables to ready the landau for a tour of the park.” The man immediately moved to carry out his master’s instructions.
Mrs. Gardiner was quick to demure. “That will not be necessary, Mr. Darcy. Though I am not a great walker like Lizzy, I am sure I can manage a tour of your park. There is no need to put yourself to such trouble.”
“It is almost ten miles around the park here at Pemberley, Mrs. Gardiner, and I would not wish you to tax your strength in this heat.” All three of his companions looked shocked to discover the size of Pemberley’s park lands. “Now, if you will excuse me, I shall return to you as quickly as possible.”
