Christmas Sealed with a Kiss: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

By P. O. Dixon

Written in the tradition of many other P. O. Dixon Pride and Prejudice retellings, this holiday-inspired short story combines familiar elements of Jane Austen's classic to satisfy your want of nostalgia and lots of delightful twists throughout to quench your desire for another romantic escape with Darcy and Elizabeth.

Christmas Sealed with a Kiss begins the morning after the Netherfield ball. Discover what might have happened if instead of going to London on business the very next day, Charles Bingley had decided to remain in Hertfordshire? Indeed, what if Netherfield had not gone unoccupied throughout the Christmas season?

How might Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy react in the wake of this change of plans? Having asked Miss Elizabeth Bennet to dance with him at the Netherfield ball, will he continue to feign indifference toward the bewitching young woman for the duration of his stay in Hertfordshire? Or will he seize the chance to earn Elizabeth's good opinion and possibly something more?

Elizabeth could not be more delighted by the prospect of her older sister, Jane, capturing all that remained unclaimed of Mr. Bingley's heart. In doing her part to help bring it about, will Elizabeth unknowingly capture his friend Mr. Darcy's heart as well?

 

Author's Note: This heartwarming short story is a Pride and Prejudice retelling designed to do just that, to warm your heart and add a bit of joy along the way. Nothing more and certainly nothing less. All the best!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Regents and Cotswold Book Group
• Release date: Dec 21, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393350651

P. O. Dixon

Bestselling historical fiction author, P. O. Dixon, is a great admirer of Historical England and its fascinating days of yore. She, in particular, loves the Regency period with its strict mores and oh so proper decorum. Her ardent appreciation of Jane Austen's timeless works set her on the writer's journey. Visit podixon.com and find out more about Dixon's writings.

Book preview

Christmas Sealed with a Kiss

Christmas Sealed with a Kiss

A Pride and Prejudice Variation

P. O. Dixon

Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Featured Book Excerpt

Your Free Book Offer

Parting Thoughts

Bonus Offer

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Books by P. O. Dixon

Introduction

Written in the tradition of many other P. O. Dixon Pride and Prejudice retellings, this holiday-inspired short story combines familiar elements of Jane Austen’s classic to satisfy your want of nostalgia and lots of delightful twists throughout to quench your desire for another romantic escape with Darcy and Elizabeth.

Christmas Sealed with a Kiss begins the morning after the Netherfield ball. Discover what might have happened if instead of going to London on business the very next day, Charles Bingley had decided to remain in Hertfordshire? Indeed, what if Netherfield had not gone unoccupied throughout the Christmas season?

How might Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy react in the wake of this change of plans? Having asked Miss Elizabeth Bennet to dance with him at the Netherfield ball, will he continue to feign indifference toward the bewitching young woman for the duration of his stay in Hertfordshire? Or will he seize the chance to earn Elizabeth’s good opinion and possibly something more?

Elizabeth could not be more delighted by the prospect of her older sister, Jane, capturing all that remained unclaimed of Mr. Bingley’s heart. In doing her part to help bring it about, will Elizabeth unknowingly capture his friend Mr. Darcy’s heart as well?

---

Author’s Note: This heartwarming short story is a Pride and Prejudice retelling designed to do just that, to warm your heart and add a bit of joy along the way. Nothing more and certainly nothing less. All the best!

"A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony, in a moment.

I knew you would be wishing me joy."

---

Jane Austen

Chapter 1

Netherfield - the 27th of November 1811

Leave it to Miss Caroline Bingley to be the last of the Netherfield party to come down to join the others in the drawing-room.

It was the morning after the ball, and it seemed as though only a few hours had passed since the festivities had drawn to a close. Much to the young lady’s chagrin, that horrid Longbourn party was the last of all the company to leave. By a maneuver of Mrs. Bennet, they had to wait for their carriage a quarter of an hour after everybody else was gone.

Thankfully, they would have the house to themselves, for Caroline could have no reason to expect callers that particular day. Surely not after having entertained what seemed like half the county the night before.

Having expected her brother, Charles Bingley, to be away, her attention was immediately drawn by his presence in front of the cozy little fire. I thought you would be halfway to London by now.

Her older sister, Mrs. Louisa Hurst, spoke before Charles had time to open his mouth. It seems our brother has changed his mind and decided to put off his business affairs in town. I am surprised to see you up and about at this hour, Sister. You could not have gotten more than four hours of sleep, and I know how much you cherish your beauty rest.

Caroline sighed heavily. Oh! Those Bennets. I thought they would never leave. But they did leave, and if what I learned from my maid upon awakening this morning is true, it will be a long time before we have to suffer their company again.

What have you heard? Bingley exclaimed with energy, settling himself in a nearby chair.

Why, Charles, I was of the opinion you deplored gossip.

As I most certainly do, but as you mentioned the Bennets, you must comprehend the reason my interest is piqued.

Very well, but prepare yourself to be shocked, for I understand that one of the Bennet daughters is soon to be engaged!

Caroline, cried her sister, do not dare keep us in suspense! Which of the five of them is the lucky lady?

That indeed is the question. I only know that their ridiculous cousin was overheard talking to himself. He was likely rehearsing what he planned to say when offering his hand to one of the Bennet sisters. I know not which one, but one can only assume it is Jane. Given a choice between the five of them, any man would be a fool to choose otherwise.

Bingley bolted from his chair. Jane! he cried. Surely you are mistaken. It cannot be Miss Bennet. I refuse to believe it.

Pray, calm yourself, Brother. I did not say it was her; I only suppose it is her. And what if it is Jane? What can that mean to you?

How can you even ask such a question? Have my own intentions toward her been so unclear?

For heaven’s sake, Charles, the older sister cried. Are you not always falling in love with every pretty woman you meet?

It is different with Miss Bennet. You know it is, Louisa!

Caroline scoffed. "Regardless of what your intentions may or may not have been, what does it signify? You can have no reason to suspect that she suffers