Jane Austen Bedtime Stories

Good news (planning the ball!) is immediately followed by bad, as Emma finds out that Frank Churchill has to leave Highbury. Before he goes, though, he stops by and strongly hints that he is falling in love with her. Emma's sadness at his leaving means that she might be in love with him too, at least a little bit...right? Well, that is what she will tell herself for now, and in

Emma is planning a ball! After one delightful evening of dancing, Frank Churchill is eager to organize another one, and so the preparations begin. There are so many things to decide - is the parlour at Randalls large enough? How can they assuage Mr. Woodhouse's fears that they will all catch cold? And should there be a full supper, or, as Mrs. Weston suggests only sandwiches? (

Emma and her friends make their way to the Bateses', and finally see Jane Fairfax's storied pianoforte in the flesh. Frank Churchill's pointed speculations about the gift-giver soon give way to a mostly one-sided conversation between Miss Bates and Mr. Knightley, who is passing by the house, and before Emma knows it, the entire morning has passed her by. Join her in get

After a successful night at the Coles', Emma is in good spirits. But the mystery of Jane Fairfax's pianoforte still remains, and after a run-in with Mrs. Weston, Frank Churchill, and Miss Bates in town (including a rather lengthy aside from Miss Bates about her morning), Emma is on her way to the Bates's to see the instrument for herself. A day in Highbury is never dull

The intrigue of the evening at the Coles continues to deepen, as Mrs. Weston comes to Emma with a new theory. Could Mr. Knightley be the one who gave Jane Fairfax the mystery pianoforte? Could he perhaps be interested in marrying her? The idea vexes Emma immediately - on behalf of her nephew, of course, who could lose his inheritance if Mr. Knightley married and had his own childre

Tonight it's dinner at the Coles, and this night is about to be full of major developments for the people of Highbury to discuss. First and foremost is the mysterious new pianoforte that got delivered to Jane Fairfax - everyone is abuzz with speculation as to who could have sent it, especially Emma and Frank Churchill. After all, what good is a surprise delivery if the all your

Frank is out of town today to get his hair cut, giving Emma the perfect opportunity to get the Westons' advice on a situation that's been vexing her. The Coles, a Highbury family, are hosting a dinner party. Even though the Coles are decidedly inferior to the Woodhouses (they made their fortune in trade), all of Emma's friends will be there and she's tempted to go -

Frank Churchill and Emma (and Mrs. Weston) are out on the town - exploring Highbury, that is. Frank seems enchanted by everything, and even has some new information to share about the frustratingly reserved Miss Jane Fairfax. He and Emma are so perfectly in sync, it seems as though she's always known him. How charming! As they take a turn through the town, let their journey lea

Harriet's fifteen minutes at the Martins goes just about as well as Emma could expect - such a pity that their social standing isn't ever-so-slightly higher so that it would be an appropriate match! But luckily there's a wonderful new distraction in town, the one and only Mr. Frank Churchill. He's finally here, and he certainly knows how to lay it on thick. Emma is

Mr. Elton is back in town, and everyone's talking about his new bride. The soon-to-be Mrs. Elton is from a good, if unremarkable family, and most importantly of all, has ten thousand pounds. Emma is most concerned about the effect of this news on poor Harriet - along with her renewed acquaintance with the Martins, this has been a lot for her to handle. Everyone could use a rest