Page 16 of Ever After End
CHAPTER 15
T he 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. Have you had 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 what she 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, we were friends. 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 my endless charms 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 also remember 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, to preserve our 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 the introduction 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.
Miss Bates was in her element all day, enjoying the many activities, and the company of all her oldest friends. She even managed to not only persuade Mr Woodhouse to allow the guests to enjoy some cake, but also to risk partaking in a very small slice himself, with no adverse effects upon his health.