When Harriet Smith finally learned that her father was a wealthy tradesman, she ended her friendship with Mrs Knightley, claiming that she was not worthy of her company, being the offspring of a man who worked, and married Mr Martin forthwith. Her portion purchased a small estate nearby, with only two tenant farms, but it was a start towards gentility for her husband, and Mrs Martin wanted no more truck with friends who had only associated with her because they believed she might be connected to someone important.
As usual, Mrs Churchill played divinely. Darcy wondered why Mrs Knightley seemed to have such an objection to the lady, but she watched Mrs Churchill play with utter loathing in her eyes.
“I commend you for how you always keep a smile, even when someone else is the centre of attention. You are so brave, Mrs Knightley,” said Caroline, unable to resist a jab at the woman who had snubbed her family so scandalously. “It is quite obvious you find your own skills lacking in comparison to Mrs Churchill, but your courage never falters!”
“It is easy to be so accomplished, when one is an orphan with access to education, and without obligation to family,” said Mrs Churchill as she left the instrument and returned to her husband. “Growing up, I had no duties but to be a friend to Mrs Dixon. If I had a father as kind as Mr Woodhouse to care for during my youth, an estate full of tenants and a home to look after, and the responsibility of offering hospitality and friendship to my neighbours, I am certain I would have had no need to devote myself to my studies so religiously. Mrs Knightley has spent her time much better engaged, and probably found the endeavour a great deal more fulfilling. I know that I am infinitely more satisfied with my new life and all of its duties and blessings. I hope I will care for those I love half as well as I have heard Mrs Knightley has done.”
“Brava, dear Jane,” said her aunt, proud of her niece’s generosity of spirit. “Mrs Knightley’s devotion to her father, and her friends here inHighbury, have been her most glowing accomplishment, and we have all loved her dearly for it.”
Mrs Knightley, now having been defended by two of the people in the room who owed it to her the least, was quiet and contemplative for the rest of the evening, and her husband watched her carefully. He had been displeased with Mrs Elton’s and Miss Bingley’s cutting remarks to her, but relaxed as the kindness of Mrs Churchill and Miss Bates put an end to the matter.
CHAPTER 15
The following afternoon, Mrs Knightley exited the library and bumped into Mrs Churchill. “Mrs Knightley, I am on my way to the confectioners, I find that I crave a packet of pralines nearly every day now. Do accompany me.”
Emma Knightley was shocked by the invitation, but could see no way to decline without being rude. “I do not believe that my husband will object if I return home with a tin of his favourite marzipan,” she said, stepping into place next to Mrs Churchill.
“I am told that you are expecting as well, Mrs Knightley, though you still hide it well. Your maid must be so clever. Haveyouhad any odd cravings?” asked Jane.
“I cannot but confess that for nearly a month now, each night at eleven o’clock, I have craved bread with bacon and a glass of lemonade,” Emma acknowledged. “Knightley has spent a fortune on fruit, for the orangery at the abbey cannot keep up with me.”
“I had a friend whose elder sister craved coal. She actually ate coal! Can you imagine! Eventually her husband sent for her mother to come and watch her, he feared it would harm the child,” Jane laughed.
The two ladies entered the confectioners, and placed their orders, Mrs Churchill purchasing enough packets of pralines to last for whatshe hoped would be a week. They ordered tea and sat by the window, Emma stirring her tea as Jane gazed out of the window.
“What made you defend me last night?” Emma asked. “They were not wrong, and you and I have never been friends.”
“You do not remember back as far as I. Once upon a time, wewerefriends. I shared yours and Isabella’s nursery for an entire year, while my aunt and grandmother were nursing my mother.” Jane raised an eyebrow at her. “I returned to my aunt and grandmother when I was four, and I was later sent to Colonel Campbell when I was five. We spent a great deal of time together those years.”
“I do not remember, but it is also true that I do not remember much from before my mother died,” admitted Emma. “I remember my mother and I remember what my father was like before she died, but I do not have many particular memories. My father says that I took her loss very hard.”
“I do understand,” replied Jane, “Just as I understand why we have not been friends since.”
“Why is that? Because I am so tired of hearing of your endless talents that I cannot bear to be in the same room with you?” asked Emma honestly.
“Yes,” said Jane. “That and because I am so jealous of you, and your lovely home, and your loving father, and your devoted sister, and your adorable nieces and nephews, and your duties, and your friends in Highbury, and how well they think of you.” Jane nodded as Emma looked disbelieving. “I would wager every time my aunt received a letter from Mrs Campbell, that you were obligated to listen to myendlesscharms and liberties at length.” Emma nodded. “Mrs Knightley, you have no idea that you are the Jane Fairfax of Highbury.”
“I am the what?” laughed Emma.
“It is true!” exclaimed Jane. “Every single letter from my aunt – and I received a letter from my aunt weekly, if not more, the whole of my life – has been filled with endless praise of you. Every single one since I was five, even the ones she writes from Derbyshire, when she has not seen you in months. Sometimes she has covered four sides of paper with her effusions. I understand my aunt better now. I alsoremember when it was time for me to be sent away, her weeping at the prospect of separating us, for we had grown so close. I do not remember very much of that time, but I think that she spent the years doing her best to bring us tidings of each other, topreserveour friendship. She praises us both to each other because she loves us. Because we are all that she has to love and care about. It is quite beautiful, if you think of it. We have been so blessed by her care of us, even if she had nothing else to offer.”
“I never knew,” Emma marveled. “I have been so unworthy of her regard.”
“It has been enough to drive me quite mad, and I loathed you quite thoroughly throughout my youth,” continued Jane. “But my youth is over, and so is yours. What truly matters now, Mrs Knightley, is how we move forward as women.”
Emma was contemplative for a moment, uncertain how to respond. “Please, call me Emma,” she said finally to her new friend.
“Nothing would make me happier, Emma. Please call me Jane.”
The following day,Mrs Knightley called upon Miss Bates at The Gables, accompanied by Mrs Churchill. Everyone was indeed shocked, until, apparently realizing that she could not call upon their house without an apology, she said to Caroline and Louisa, “I admit that when you entered the neighbourhood, I was beset by prejudice, and I gave you a very poor welcome. I know that apologies are not enough for the way I have acted, but I offer them to you anyway, with all sincerity, and I hope that you will dine with us at Hartfield.”
Caroline thanked her in wonder, and the conversation turned to pleasanter topics. Mrs Knightley and Mrs Churchill both expressed a desire to spend as much time as possible with Miss Bates during her stay in Highbury, and at their next meeting, Georgiana asked Caroline to formally introduce her to Mrs Knightley. Darcy had accepted an introduction once she was married to Knightley and had no other option but to do so, but Georgiana had still managed to evade theintroduction until now. If the lady was finally willing to behave like a proper gentlewoman, then Georgiana had no more objection to knowing her.
Their party did indeed dine at Hartfield, and the Knightleys and Mr Woodhouse dined at the Gables. The ladies made very merry when they met, which was often, and Emma and Jane paid a great deal of attention to both of their dear friends, Miss Bates and Mrs Weston, who had both worried over them so well through the years, as well as dear Miss Darcy, who had been so kind to their friend, even when they had not.
A week after the dinner at Randalls, Jane and Emma declared that Donwell Abbey was to be opened again, and there was to be a grand picnic in Miss Bates’s honour before she left the neighbourhood again with the Darcys, to show how much they had missed her while she was gone, and how much they valued her when she was with them. The entire village was invited, competitions were planned for the children, and lawn games for the ladies and gentlemen. There was to be a rowing competition amongst the men, and archery for the ladies.
The day went off perfectly. Every guest enjoyed themselves, and all grudges were put aside for the day. Jane Churchill persuaded her husband to be more generous with his father, while he still had the opportunity, lest he regret it later. Mrs Weston and Mr Knightley persuaded Mr and Mrs Martin to accept an invitation to dine at Hartfield with the Bingleys, and Mrs Martin and Mrs Knightley were slowly rebuilding a friendship based on mutual respect. The only person who could not be entirely happy was Mrs Elton, but then she never could when she was not the guest of honour.
