A Frosty Reception: A Pride and Prejudice Holiday Variation

By Belle Reeves

In what felt like another lifetime, Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy were set to marry. But a tragic accident pulled the two lovers apart and neither can forgive each other for words that were said and choices that were made. 

 

But when Elizabeth finds her way back to Pemberley with a new friend she has made in London, she is forced to see Darcy again. Can the two learn to forgive and forget the wounds of the past, or will their mistakes prove to be too much for a future together?

 

With the approach of yet another Christmas, could a reconciliation truly be possible, or will they be pulled apart yet again? 

 

A Frosty Reception is a sweet, clean Pride and Prejudice Variation that is suitable for all lovers of Jane Austen's romantic classic.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Blue Flowers Press
• Release date: Nov 22, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215085424

Book preview

1

Elizabeth Bennet

It was difficult to keep a smile upon my face when I was at Netherfield Park. It should not have been so painful, or so strange to have to force myself to smile, but it was, and I could not deny that it was something I had to be conscious of. 

          Thankfully, Jane had not noticed my disquiet, or, being the gentle soul she was, she did not have the heart to mention it. 

We had both suffered the same blow, but Jane had had the support of her new husband to see her through the worst of our struggles. 

Mr. Bingley had put many plans on hold in the dark months after Mama’s death, but his marriage to my sister had not been one of them. 

Mama would have wished for it, Jane had said on their wedding day. And she would have been right. Our mother would not have allowed that wedding to be canceled or waylaid for any reason at all. 

Even if she would not be there to see it, my mother would have been gratified to know that all anyone could talk about was how fortunate our family was, and what a wonderful match had been made. In her own way, Mama was seen to be responsible for the grandest wedding Hertfordshire had seen in many years.

She was, of course, not responsible. 

Mr. Darcy was… 

Just as he was responsible for Lydia’s new position as Mrs. Wickham and her worthless husband’s new commission. He had tried to run from his responsibilities, but Mr. Darcy had seen him held to account. 

Although Mama had not been told of the gentleman’s interference… and Lydia had only mentioned his presence at their hurried wedding in passing. A detail that my mother had chosen to ignore. She maintained that Mr. Wickham had finally seen fit to do his duty to Lydia and save us all from ruin. 

My father and uncle seemed to have been content to let her believe so, and I had been forbidden to tell her the truth. 

Even if I had, I did not think she would have believed me. The fiction she had crafted, the one that painted Mr. Wickham as a good man, had sustained her through Lydia’s disappearance and kept her from despair—and from worrying that we would all be ruined by her youngest daughter’s foolishness.

Mama.  

It had only been a year since she had left us… 

The carriage accident just before Christmastide had left Kitty injured, but she had recovered quickly. Mama, however, had not. 

It should have been the happiest of Christmases that year, with two weddings to celebrate as well as the birth of Lydia’s first child. But, instead, I had been left to pull the family back together and draw our father out of his melancholy. 

And what of my wedding?

My wedding… 

My wedding was not meant to be.

Mr. Darcy and I—William and I… 

I do not know what happened or how to explain it.

Lizzy— You are very far away this afternoon, Jane said. 

I lifted my teacup to my lips, but it had grown cold. 

Dearest— are you quite well?

I am, I said in a rush. You must forgive me. The rain…

Jane sighed, took the teacup from my hands, and set it down upon the table between us. How is Papa?

I looked down at my hands, I could not bear to look at the rain as it struck the window any longer. 

Netherfield Park’s parlor had been a sumptuous and formal room when we had visited Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst, but Jane had made it her own, and while it was still sumptuous, it was more comfortable now… and I felt less like a prisoner within its damask curtained walls. 

He spends much of his time in his study, I replied. He has moved his bed into the room… Did I tell you?

Jane’s smile faded just a little. Has he?

He says it is warmer there, and that the stairs plague his knee, but I believe there is more to it than that.

He has not been into their bedroom since last Christmas has he?

I shook my head. Indeed not.

Has Mrs. Hill shut it up? 

She has, but Kitty would not allow her to pack up Mama’s things, so there is still much to do and she will not allow any of us to touch it.

Oh, Kitty, Jane sighed. 

She has taken it very hard… I did not expect it.

Nor did I… But one cannot predict such things.

No, indeed.

Silence fell between us, with only the ticking of the clock to count the seconds and the crackle of the fire in the hearth to accompany it.

And Mary?

Mary is— I took a quick breath. Mary has asked to go to London, though I cannot see how we might be able to afford such an expense.

And what would she do in London? Jane asked in surprise. 

She will not say, I replied. But I can only guess that she wishes to be as far away from Hertfordshire as possible. Mama had been firmly committed to finding her a husband in the shortest amount of time possible, but now that pressure is gone, I do believe she plans to immerse herself in other pursuits.

Such as?

I helped myself to another piece of shortbread and took a thoughtful bite. 

She has been very taken with Lady Lucas’ salons. Our aunt is a member of several ladies groups in London who partake in such things quite frequently… perhaps she means to immerse herself in that side of society.

Jane plucked a new teacup from the tray, poured a fresh cup, and slid it over to me. 

Do you really think Papa will agree?

I do not believe he would care, I said. He has been so absent from our lives—

Even Christopher?

I looked down at my lap. 

He—

Jane laid a gentle hand upon my arm. Lizzy, he has not shut himself away even from his own grandson…

I brushed a tear from my cheek and forced myself to smile. Do not worry about us, Jane. You are very happy here, are you not?

I am, she replied. But if there is something that we might do— I would only have to ask Charles—

I should like for Mary to go to London, I said. If only for a little while so that she can experience something other than what is available to her here in Hertfordshire… She deserves much more. Kitty will be happy to marry an officer, but Mary— I do not think that there is a life for her here.

Jane rubbed her thumb over my cheek to wipe away my tears, but her smile was melancholy. I shall do everything I can to help, she said. You do not need to bear this burden alone.

But you have your own duties, I said. I took her hand and squeezed her fingers gently. You have little Thomasina to worry about, and another on the way—

Jane laid a hand on her already growing stomach and her cheeks pinkened. But I cannot forget the duty I have to my own sisters, she said. When Mama died, you made the hardest choice of all—you chose your family over your own happiness. Do not think that it has gone unnoticed…

I took a quick sip of tea and set it down on the saucer as the clock on the mantle chimed the hour. Duty, yes. I rose from my seat and smoothed down my skirts. I must return to Longbourn. Mrs. Hill will need my help, and Christoper will have woken from his nap...

Lizzy—

Come, give me a kiss, I said. I shall see you very soon.

Jane frowned as she rose. You are not cross with me Lizzy, are you?

No, of course not, I said as she wrapped her arms around me and held me tight. 

Was it a