“ Pride and Prejudice” and the language of flowers… When Fitzwilliam Darcy leaves the inn in Lambton after a tense but fruitful visit with Elizabeth Bennet, her words cultivate his hopes. “Less naturally amiable tempers than Mr Bingley’s have found ways to forgive you.” Has she excused his flaws of character and errors in judgement? While dining at Pemberley, Elizabeth is confounded when Darcy says of her scent, “Now I find I am more fond of lavender than ever… certainly even more fond of it than I was in, say, April.” Has he pardoned her intemperate assault on his pride? As her esteem blossoms into love and his desire flourishes into devotion, the meanings of every leaf and petal allow Elizabeth and Darcy to express emotions too vulnerable to speak aloud. But can messages in fronds and leaflets save their fragile hearts when scandalous news arrives from Longbourn? Perhaps flowers do not always say it best. Join garden writer Linda Beutler (Gardening with Clematis, 2004 and Garden to Vase, 2007) as she plants herself in Jane Austen’s most admired novel, bringing her love of all things blooming with her. The gardens at Pemberley may never be the same!
Author
Linda Beutler is the author of three titles of garden writing: Gardening With Clematis (2004), Garden to Vase (2007), and Plant Lovers Guide to Clematis (2016) all published by Timber Press. Although a long-time fan of Jane Austen, Linda did not fall down the rabbit-hole of Jane Austen Fan Fiction until 2011. By the end of 2012, she had written two full length novels of her own. The first, The Red Chrysanthemum, was published by Meryton Press in 2013 and won a silver "IPPY" medal in the romance category. Her second novel, Longbourn to London, also published by Meryton Press, debuted in August 2014. A Will of Iron was published in July 2015, and a fourth title is in the works.
