I thought of Frank Churchill. Would he be a strong enough inducement?

"Isabella seems happy enough in London," she went on, "but then she is happy wherever her husband is."

"And when you marry, you will be happy wherever your husband is," I said, looking at her earnestly.

"I will never marry," she said. "Why should I? I already have everything I want at Hartfield. Like you, I have no need of children to interest me, for I have Isabella’s children, and like you, I am happiest at home."

I felt myself grow brighter. It is very comfortable to have Emma so near, and spending my time with her, playing with the children, is my idea of a perfect day.


Thursday 15 April

There has been a delay in the Churchill family’s move to London. I knew how it would be! Churchill’s letter meant nothing at all. I never put any reliance on it. What! Mrs. Churchill, to remove to London from her native Yorkshire? Why should she do such a thing? And even if she thought she might, then why should she go ahead with her plan, when she is as fickle as her nephew?

I said as much to Emma.

"It is hardly Frank Churchill’s fault," she said. "He is very much at his aunt’s beck and call. He will be with us as soon as he can."

She did not seem unduly worried by the delay, which was heartening, but she defended him, which was dispiriting.

I still do not like the idea of his merely being delayed for a while. Whenever he comes to Highbury, it will be too soon for me.


Wednesday 21 April

I had a most unwelcome shock when I went to Hartfield today. I had promised to collect the boys, so that they could spend a day at the Abbey with me, and when I walked into the drawing-room, I found Frank Churchill there!

He had only come to pay a short visit, in order to say that the Churchills had at last moved to town. His aunt is still very sickly and she could not spare him for longer.

I was very sorry for Mrs. Churchill, and, once I knew he was not to visit us, for Frank Churchill, too.

"I believe the idea of Frank Churchill always being at Hartfield, now the Churchills are in London, will come to nothing," I said to Emma.

She remarked that it would be a pity, but as she then went on to see that the boys were warmly wrapped up, and to soothe her father’s fears that they would take cold on the walk to the Abbey, and to tell them to behave, and to remind me that I must not give them too much to eat, I did not think she was very much affected by it.

I begin to think that Frank Churchill is not so bad, after all. Perhaps I have been too hard on him: a young man who has to pay constant attention to a sick aunt must be forgiven the odd indiscretion.

In fact, if he remains in London, I believe I will like him very well indeed.


Thursday 22 April

The day was cold and wet. I attended to business this morning, and this afternoon, Emma called with the two little boys. I was delighted to find that Harriet was not with her. I have hardly seen Emma without her friend these last few months. We took the boys through the woods and watched them play.

"You will never marry, will you, Mr. Knightley?" she asked me.

I thought she seemed anxious, and I was gratified by her concern.

"No, never," I said. My spirits rose. Did she feel she would not like me to marry anyone else, because she would like me for herself? "You seem pleased," I said.

"I am," she replied.

Will you…I tried to say the words, but I was suddenly nervous and they would not come out.

I cleared my throat and was about to try again when she continued by saying: "I would not like little Henry to lose his inheritance."

Foolish, foolish fantasy! She was not in love with me after all, she was simply concerned for Henry.

"Oh, so that is the reason," I said, subdued.

"You would not like him to lose it, either, would you?" she asked anxiously.

"If I had a son of my own, I must reasonably assume I would rather see the Abbey go to him than my nephew," I replied. "But since I have no plans to marry, I see no reason for you to worry about Henry."

No plans, as yet, I thought, as she smiled at me. But I fully intend to marry if I can persuade Emma to marry me. I do not despair of it. She does not seem set on Churchill and she likes me, I know. In time, I hope she will come to see me as a husband.

She put her hand through my arm as we walked back through the gardens, and as we reached the Abbey the sun came out.


Friday 23 April

Frank Churchill was in Highbury today, but he spent very little time at Hartfield. He paid a call in the morning, and then went on to the Bateses, and had lunch with Mr. and Mrs. Weston before going back to London.


Monday 26 April

I joined Emma and her father at Hartfield this morning, and I found the Westons there. They had called to say that Mrs. Churchill felt no better in London, and that she had taken a house at Richmond for May and June.

I looked at Emma, wondering how she would take the news, for Richmond is very near.

"He will be with us all the time," said Weston, delighted. "It is only a short distance, no more than nine miles, and what is nine miles?"

"And now the ball can go ahead," said Mrs. Weston to Emma.

Emma was delighted, and I was downcast. I did not begrudge her her happiness, but I was left to trust in her good judgement and hope she sees through him in the end.

Mr. Woodhouse was not happy with the idea of the ball, either, though he likes it better in May than he did in February, as the chance of draughts are fewer. But he was still worried that the boys might be taken ill whilst Emma was away.

"You will have Mrs. Bates to sit with you," said Emma, "and if either of the boys is unwell, you can send a message to me at the Crown and I will come home directly."

Thus soothed, he subsided into vague hopes that no disasters would mar the evening. I hoped so, too, though the disasters I envisaged were of a different kind.

May

Monday 3 May

I did not enjoy this evening. Emma spent most of it with Frank Churchill. He was already talking to her when I arrived, and though he seemed restless, he scarcely moved from her side. He claimed her hand for the first dance, and though I tried not to look at them, I found it hard to keep my eyes away, for Emma was looking very beautiful.

"They look well together, do they not?" said Otway, who was standing at the side of the room, next to me.

"Yes. Mrs. Elton is very pleased to be opening the dance, and Weston is happy to be partnering her,"

I said, deliberately misunderstanding.

"I was not talking about Mrs. Elton and Mr. Weston, but Mr. Churchill and Miss Woodhouse. I think we will see a match there before long. It would please everyone in Highbury, I am sure. Mr. and Mrs. Weston would be delighted, and all Miss Woodhouse’s friends must be glad to see her so well married. Mr. Churchill is to inherit Enscombe, and a very fine fortune besides."

"I see nothing in it, beyond an inclination to dance together," I said. "I cannot believe Miss

Woodhouse will ever leave Highbury. She could not leave her father."

"Very true, it would be difficult, but might she not take him to Enscombe with her?"

"Mr. Woodhouse, to leave Hartfield? That is something he would never do."

As I spoke, I realized I was trying to reassure myself.

"Perhaps not. But Miss Woodhouse and Mr. Churchill would have a house in town, and London is only sixteen miles away. They could visit Hartfield often from there."

"I am sure Miss Woodhouse has no more idea of marrying him than she has of marrying Longridge," I said, surprising myself as much as Otway.

He looked startled, and then begged my pardon, but it was I who should have been begging his pardon. I had spoken to him roughly, and should not have done so.

Emma caught my eye and her happiness forced me to smile, but I could not be easy. Otway’s thoughts echoed my own. They made a good pair - except that I knew they would not be suited; Frank Churchill with his fly-about ways, his unreliable nature and his inconsistencies, and Emma with her love of family and delight in her friends.

Whereas Emma and I would be a perfect match.

I could bear to watch them no longer. I retired to the card-room and played until it was almost time for supper, then returned to the ballroom. Emma was still dancing. She danced very well, and it gave me a great deal of pleasure to see her.

After a while, I noticed that her little friend was not dancing. I felt sorry to see her sitting out by herself.

To my surprise, I saw Elton walking towards her. I had thought he was too small-minded to overlook the wound Emma had inflicted on his pride, but it seemed I was wrong. It was clear he was going to rescue Harriet from her place at the side of the room and lead her onto the floor.

And why not? Now that he had married, no mistake could be made, no attention read into his action. It was a kind thought. It would set the lady at her ease, and make future intercourse between the two of them easy and pleasant. We all live in a small neighbourhood, after all.

He stood in front of her. She looked down, embarrassed, but glad that she was to be rescued from her ignominious position. But then, without saying a word to her, he moved on.

I could not believe it! To treat a young lady so! And at a private dance!