Review
5 Stars - "Sensitive, poignant, and exquisitely developed - Faults of Understanding is everything I want in a Pride and Prejudice variation. For readers who enjoy forced-marriages/marriage of convenience scenarios, who appreciate introspective and gradual development in Mr. Darcy's and Elizabeth's relationship, and who treasure hard-won and ardent romances, this is a MUST READ." -- Austenesque Reviews
5 Stars; 2021 Editor's Pick - "What began as a solid four-star story...soon evolved into a full five-star, completely unputdownable tale. [ . . . ] Readers will revel in the emotional and enigmatic route to enlightenment in Faults of Understanding." -- Austenprose
From the Author
Excerpt Faults of Understanding. © Jennifer Altman. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Prologue
9th December 1811
In the end, Elizabeth blamed Lady Catherine.
Oh, certainly there were any number of others with whom Elizabeth could find fault: Mr. Collins for his lack of discretion; Mr. Bingley for not offering for Jane sooner; her mother for her ceaseless matchmaking. Even her beloved papa for having the temerity to insinuate that accepting Mr. Darcy might be Elizabeth's last chance at matrimony.
Still, it was Lady Catherine who had pushed Elizbeth over the edge.
Sinking into the fine leather squabs of Mr. Darcy's carriage, Elizabeth turned to stare out the window at the hilly terrain--so different from the familiar countryside back home--and the breath left her body in a heavy sigh.
No, it was unfair to condemn Mr. Darcy's aunt. Despite that woman's insolent behavior, Elizabeth had entered into this marriage of her own free will, and the decision had been hers and hers alone. And now, for better or for worse, Mr. Darcy was her husband.
Pulling her gaze away from the passing scenery, Elizabeth shifted her attention to the opposite seat, where the man in question was buried behind his newssheet, much as he had been since the beginning of their journey.
Setting aside the novel she had been attempting to read with little success, Elizabeth cleared her throat.
"Really, Mr. Darcy, I believe we must have some conversation. Even a very little will suffice."
At the sound of her voice, Elizabeth's husband visibly started, slowly lowering his paper to regard her with a rigid expression.
"Forgive me. I had assumed you wished to read your book."
"Not particularly. While I appreciate your consideration, even a great reader such as myself values at least some social interaction during the course of several days spent together within a small compartment."
Elizabeth could see the muscles in Darcy's jaws clench, but he set aside his broadsheet with obvious reluctance.
"Very well. Of what would you wish to speak?"
The lack of emotion in his voice fueled Elizabeth's irritation, and she had to take several calming breaths before trusting herself to reply.
"Perhaps you might tell me a little more about Pemberley. We cannot be more than an hour away, and you have said relatively little about the estate. It might be nice to have some idea of what I can expect when we arrive."
Darcy frowned, turning to observe their surroundings through the frosted glass.
"We are actually quite close. In fact, we should be on Pemberley's lands shortly," he informed her brusquely before directing his attention back to the spot where she sat. "Is there anything in particular you would wish to know?"
Elizabeth was silent, contemplating her response. What she most wanted to know was why her new husband had scarcely said ten words together in the three days they had been in this carriage, and why it seemed to pain him to so much as look in her direction, but she doubted either of those questions would be met with anything beyond Mr. Darcy's usual stony stare.
Clearing her voice, she said instead, "I imagine the house is quite large. How many bedchambers are there?"
"In total, seventeen, however, only twelve of them are currently in use--seven in the family wing, and five guest chambers. There are an additional five chambers on the third floor, as well as the nursery, but those rooms have been closed for many years."
Despite her best efforts to appear indifferent, Elizabeth gaped back at him. Seventeen bedchambers! Good heavens. That was more than the two inns in Meryton combined!
"Of course," Darcy continued, "that does not include the servants' quarters."
Swallowing hard, Elizabeth forced a smile.
"Well, that certainly is... large. With a house of that size, I imagine there must also be a good deal of land?" she inquired tentatively, and Darcy nodded.
"There are over four thousand acres. The park itself is ten miles around, so you should have ample space to roam when the weather improves. You are fond of walking, I believe," he added mordantly.
"Yes," Elizabeth murmured.
Darcy's lips tightened, and he briefly looked away. "Good. It is comforting to know there will be one thing you approve of, at least."
Elizabeth opened her mouth to speak, but was saved the trouble of formulating a reply when her husband once again turned his attention to the view beyond the windowpane.
"Well, you shall not have to wait any longer to have your curiosity satisfied. We have finally arrived."
About the Author
Jennifer Altman is a novelist, an anglophile, and a lover of all things Regency. After a long career in the television industry, Jennifer shifted to book publishing in 2016. She currently works in the corporate division of a large publishing company. Jennifer makes her home just outside New York City where she lives in a compact apartment with a considerable collection of books. When she's not writing, Jennifer can be found reading, watching British period dramas, and not cleaning her house. Her debut novel, To Conquer Pride, released in 2018.
