Presents and Perspective (Pride and Prejudice Holiday Variations)

Prologue

Though this story is a sequel to Sweethearts and Snowflakes, which tells the tale of Elizabeth and Mr Darcy’s first Christmas together, it can be read independently.

The following provides a brief historical note for a winter unique in all the history of England, as well as a summary of the essential points of Sweethearts and Snowflakes.

Much occurred during the first Christmas Elizabeth and Mr Darcy spent together as man and wife.

Jane and Charles Bingley came to visit, bringing with them Caroline Bingley.

The Gardiners also accepted Elizabeth’s invitation to Pemberley, as did Mary Bennet.

Mary’s Christmas at Pemberley was fateful indeed, for it was there she met her husband, Mr Lewis, and there too that she learned a new way of viewing music, and even life.

Mary was not the only one to experience a sea change that winter.

Caroline Bingley began her stay at Pemberley treating Elizabeth with apparent politeness and veiled needling.

But when Elizabeth easily outmanoeuvred her, the resulting confrontation led to a surprising friendship between the two women — and the beginning of a new outlook on life for Caroline Bingley.

The seasons have undergone their dance, and Christmas comes once more. The child Elizabeth announced last spring will soon be born, and Caroline Bingley will face a test of her new perspective. She must choose between the fulfilment of all her ambitions, and a chance at true love…