Mr Knightley’s Diary (6 page)

'And what of Robert Martin?'

She looked surprised, and I explained the whole. She was thoughtful, but then said: 'Mr Martin is a sensible man. If he truly loves Harriet, he will not be deterred by one setback.'

I was not so sanguine.

'A man has his pride,' I said. I drank my tea. 'If Emma could but meet someone who would interest her, she would forget all about Harriet Smith's prospects and start thinking about her own.'

Mr Weston came in, and after the three of us had taken tea together, Mr Weston and I retired to his study to discuss some business we had in hand. When we had done, I began to ask him about his son.

'Is there any news from Frank?' I asked.

'We had another letter only yesterday. He is very desirous of paying us a visit, but his time is taken up by Mrs Churchill. She rules the household with an iron hand, governing her husband entirely, and governing Frank, too.'

'So there is no news of his coming here yet?'

'He keeps hoping it will be possible, but something always happens to put the visit off. He is such a favourite with Mrs Churchill that his time is not his own. But I hope to see him here before long.'

Unfortunately, I doubt it. If Churchill cannot pay a visit to his father when his father marries, he must be a self-indulgent wastrel indeed, and I pity poor Weston his son.

Sunday 6 December

I saw Emma at church today, and we exchanged a few words. She remarked on my absence from Hartfield, and I told her I had been busy. She did not appear to have got over her schemes, for after the service she went to congratulate Elton, telling him how much Miss Smith had enjoyed it. Elton did not know where to look or what to think. Hah! A fine muddle they are making of it all.

Tuesday 8 December

I was glad to go to my whist club this evening. I had no inclination to go to Hartfield, and watch Emma make a fool of herself and her friend. Longridge was there, as well as Elton, Cole, Otway, Weston and the others.

'And how are you liking Highbury?' I asked Longridge, as the cards were dealt.

'Very much, thank you kindly. I have been thinking of leaving London for some time now--it has not been the same since my wife died--and Highbury seems a very agreeable place to settle. There is a deal of pretty countryside round about, some fine houses and superior company. I think I might settle here.'

The game began, and we gave our attention to our cards.

Afterwards, we discussed parish business, and I came home well-pleased with my evening. There is
some
sensible company in Highbury, at least.

Wednesday 9 December

It was a bright but frosty morning and my ride round the estate was invigorating. The avenues were looking particularly attractive, with their branches coated in frost. It is a time of year I particularly like.

I noticed several things which needed attention, and I spoke to William Larkins about them. He wanted to postpone the work, as it was not urgent, but I wanted to have it done before Christmas.

I do not want John to think I have been neglecting Henry's inheritance, for it seems more and more likely that I will leave the Abbey to my nephew.

Thursday 10 December

I still had no inclination to go to Hartfield today, and watch Emma making a fool of herself and her friend, so I was doubly pleased to accept an invitation from Graham.

It was impossible to forget Emma, however, for no sooner had we sat down to dinner than Graham said: 'By the by, I have a charge for you all. I saw Perry this morning, and he told me that Miss Woodhouse and her young friend Miss Smith are making a collection of riddles. Mr Woodhouse is very interested in the collection, too, and has asked Perry to spread the news so that the young ladies might have some more riddles for their book.'

The ladies were immediately interested, and Mr Longridge said: 'My wife had a very pretty hand, and made a riddle book many years ago. Let me see if I remember some of them. I have it:

Something about "she escapes." ' He went on reflectively:

'No, not labour,' said Miss Bates, then looked flustered when all eyes turned to her. 'Oh, forgive me, Mr Longridge, it is just that I knew that riddle as a girl:

'Bless my soul! That was it!' said Mr Longridge, much struck. 'Now, what was the answer?'

The table fell to musing, and Miss Bates supplied it: 'Hemlock!'

There was a murmur of approval and congratulation from around the table, and Miss Bates went pink. It was good to see her triumph, for she does not have many opportunities to appear to such advantage.

'You must give it to Miss Woodhouse the next time you see her,' said Graham, and Miss Bates promised she would.

'So, have you decided whether you will settle in Highbury?' asked Graham of his friend Longridge when talk of riddles had died down.

'Yes, I have made up my mind,' he said. 'There is such good company--I have not enjoyed an evening so much since my wife died. It will be an upheaval, mind, and I will have to find a house--'

'We can help you with that,' said Mrs Cole.

'Yes, indeed,' said Mrs Otway. 'There are many fine houses hereabouts. Three Chimneys will be available after Christmas. The Dawsons are going back to Cornwall.'

'I thought they liked it here?' asked Mrs Weston, much struck.

'So they did, but Mr Dawson's brother has died, and Mr Dawson has inherited a sizeable house on the coast.'

There was much interest in this, but when it had been fully discussed, the conversation returned to the subject of Three Chimneys.

'I heard the roof leaks,' said Mrs Cole.

'Not at Three Chimneys. Barrowdown has the leaking roof, and anyhow, it is not available, as the Pringles have decided not to sell.'

Two more houses were dismissed in short order, Low-reach because it was too small, and Melrose because it was damp, but at last the ladies had decided on a list of five properties he should arrange to see. They were keen for Longridge to visit them right away, but he said that he did not mean to look at anything before the New Year. That did not prevent the ladies from talking about it for the rest of the evening, however.

Friday 11 December

Robert Martin called on me today to discuss the farm. I did not mention his suit as I had no wish to embarrass him, but the subject was there in both our thoughts, and after our business was concluded he addressed it manfully. Simply, and with great nobility, he told me that his suit had not prospered. I offered my condolences and we parted with the subject finished.

Robert Martin is my idea of a man. He does not shirk uncomfortable duties, but faces up to them. If Robert Martin was Frank Churchill, I am persuaded that he would have paid a visit to his new stepmother by now. He would have found time, even if he had had to travel overnight to do so. He is a sad loss to Harriet, whatever Emma thinks. He would have made her an estimable husband. And she would have made him, if not an estimable, then, at least, a pretty wife.

With these thoughts in mind, I was again in no mood to walk to Hartfield after dinner. I looked over my accounts, and then read a book instead.

Saturday 12 December

I called on Miss Bates this morning on my way into Kingston, and assured myself that the logs had arrived. I found Graham there with his sister, Mrs Lovage, who had joined him again from Bath.

I thought of what Weston had said, and I made sure I was no more than polite when greeting her, as I did not want to raise hopes that I had no intention of satisfying.

After exchanging civilities, I was, however, heartened by something Mrs Lovage said.

'I saw a young friend of yours yesterday. She is very good. She was taking relief to the poor.'

'What young friend do you mean?'

'I mean Miss Woodhouse, and Miss Smith was with her.'

'Oh, yes, Miss Woodhouse is always so good,' said Miss Bates.

'How did you come across her?' I asked.

'I happened to be walking along Vicarage Lane and I passed them going in the opposite direction. Miss Woodhouse was walking along with a little girl from one of the cottages. The child was carrying a pitcher for soup, and Miss Woodhouse was bearing her company. I thought it very good of her, for it must have been much pleasanter for her if she had walked ahead with Miss Smith and Mr Elton.'

'Mr Elton!' I exclaimed.

'Such a good man,' said Miss Bates. 'Always so helpful!'

'Yes,' said Mrs Lovage, smiling at Miss Bates. Then she turned again to me. 'Whether he had joined them in their charitable venture, or whether he had met them by chance, I do not know. He seemed very attentive. He slowed his pace as he tried to wait for Miss Woodhouse, but she remained behind with the child.'

'Did she indeed?' I asked.

My good humour left me. So Emma had still not abandoned her plan of throwing Harriet and Elton together. But perhaps I am misjudging her. Perhaps her charity had been prompted by a desire to do good, and not by a desire to show her friend in an amiable light.

'And what of you, Mr Knightley? How have you been spending your time since I last visited Highbury?'

'Looking after the Abbey,' I said.

'You must have had some pleasure as well.'

'Oh, yes, Mr Knightley, you must have some pleasure,' said Miss Bates. 'So good to everyone else, and never thinking of yourself.'

'I think of myself a great deal. I have my whist and my visiting, and when I am at home I have my books. A man must be very hard to please if he wants more.'

'But have you never longed to go to Bath?' asked Mrs Lovage.

'I have already been, and found nothing there that was so very extraordinary.'

'But the people...' she said.

'I like the people here,' I said. To my dismay, she appeared to take my remark as a compliment, and so I quickly disabused her of the notion by adding: 'The Bateses, the Westons and your brother are my oldest friends.'

'Ah, good, I am glad you like my brother,' she said satirically.

She smiled at me invitingly, but I did not prolong the conversation.

Many men would have found her attentions flattering, but as I knew I could not return them, they made me uncomfortable, and I found myself wishing to resume my evenings at Hartfield instead.

Sunday 13 December

I watched Emma closely at church this morning, and from the looks that passed between her and Harriet, I was convinced that she had told Harriet of her plans for a marriage with Elton. I found myself growing angry, for it will only lead to disappointment and humiliation for the girl.

Emma caught my eye as we waited for the service to begin, and she turned away hastily. As well she might!

I gave my attention to the rest of the congregation. Graham was there with his sister and Mr Longridge. The Coles and the Otways were there, and the Westons, of course. There was still no sign of Frank Churchill, and I found myself beginning to wonder if we would ever see him in Highbury.

Elton had not forgotten his duty as vicar of Highbury, even if he had forgotten his sense, for he led Mrs Bates and her daughter to the vicarage pew when they arrived. Miss Bates was overcome by the kindness.

'So kind!--Mother finds it hard to hear, a sore trial to her, as well as to the rest of us, and dear Jane has even mentioned it several times--a letter? Yes, yesterday, not so well, I thank you, she has a cold which will not go. However, Mrs Campbell is being very kind--I am sure mother did not expect such attention. I never expected to find myself sitting in the vicarage pew, and I know I can speak for my mother when I say we are both overwhelmed.'

Unfortunately, I saw Elton glance at Emma as he performed this office, and although the kindness was not done for her benefit, he certainly was not sorry to have it witnessed. It won him smiles from Emma and Harriet, then Emma said something to her friend, and Harriet blushed, and glanced at Elton, and he went up into the pulpit as though he was walking on air.

I have resolved not to interfere. I have warned Emma, and I can do no more.

I returned to the Abbey in a vexed state of mind, and found myself wishing Elton would marry Mrs Lovage. Then Emma could see her mistake, we could make our peace and go back to our old, familiar ways. I miss my evenings at Hartfield, and, for all her vexatious ways, I miss Emma.

Monday 14 December

At last I have found a pony for the children. Henry in particular will need to be a good horseman if he is to inherit the Abbey.

Tuesday 15 December

Our whist evening was well-attended. Cole was particularly cheerful.

'We are having a new dining-room,' he said, as we met at the Crown. 'Mrs Cole has been wanting to hold dinner parties for some time now, and I have promised her a new dining-room for Christmas.'

'My wife used to enjoy giving dinner parties,' said Longridge. 'She was always so talkative and so gay. She brightened my life, Mr Cole. A man needs a wife to bring sunshine into his home.'

'We hope you will join us,' said Cole, then included all of us in the invitation.

'Delighted,' said Longridge.

'A splendid idea,' said Weston. 'Nothing better than company. No point in sitting at home, unless friends are there, and every reason for going abroad.' He looked at me and laughed. 'Knightley does not agree.'