Emma had hurried off the next day into town, this time not walking like before- she was afraid of having a run in with Mr. Knightly, the new feelings for him flustered her. James took her across the little village and off to Miss. Goddard's school house where her best friend, Harriet Smith boarded as a parlour maid.
Emma Woodhouse was escorted to the waiting room where she waited for Harriet to appear in the door way. A day with Harriet may be just what she needed in a time like this! Abandoned by her Governess, her sister- married off, and her father giving up on her ability to find love – she neede"d a friendly smile.
Harriet entered the room wearing a blue dress and a white bonnet that hid her untamed red curls. She ran up to Emma and brought her into a large hug, Harriet Smith's hugs were always so comforting to Emma, and today they were doubly so.
"Oh Emma," said Harriet in her fast and excited voice. She took Emma's arm and linked it with hers. "I am so very sorry! I can't imagine why Miss Taylor would just abandon you!" Emma sighed as they began to walk out of the school house.
"I guess there are rumours just filling the town!" Emma said as they finally left the building- the day light shining in her eyes to the point she had to cover them from the harsh rays.
"I haven't heard anything – but I've been so busy what with collecting ideas for your party dress…" Harriet lied, not doing a very good job at hiding the obvious fib.
"Well, that's a relief, now come we must pick out some fabric!" said Emma as she entered the carriage through the door James held open for her and Harriet.
"You what!?" Harriet shrieked, Emma dove forward and covered her friend's agape mouth.
"Harriet, please shush! Do you want everyone to hear?" said Emma, her eyes wide as she surveyed the clothing shop looking if any one had decided to eaves drop.
In a hushed tone, Harriet leaned in and began to talk once more, "You kissed Mr. Knightly?"
"No," said Emma, finding the fact that she had to keep clarifying that particular sequence of events very frustrating. "We were dancing and we almost kissed."
Harriet squealed in delight, her broad smile creeping onto Emma's lips also. "And that's when he said you owned his heart?"
Emma sighed, with less irritation then before, she nodded slowly. "Yes, and that's when he said it!"
"Wow, ok so what's Mr. Knightly like? What's his person like?" Harriet asked, staring at Emma with great interest. "Like is he a man of great fortune – Extensive grounds – Is he nice looking?"
"Ok, well, Mr. Knightly is a man of 36 I believe…" began Emma, she was more then happy to gush about her new love. "He has a full head of brown hair, extensive grounds and a large sum of money to his name. He no longer works and plays the stock market for any extra money. I knew him as a child but we had a five year gap when he moved out of the area and into London – busying himself with investing in a company and earning his money."
"Ok so, at this party… he's coming right?" Harriet asked. The question sent a wave of fear through Emma's stomach – the invitations had been sent out – Mr. Knightly's included. Harriet automatically sensed her friend's sudden change in moods and asked what troubled her.
"When I was at Mr. Knightly's, I hinted towards having feelings towards him! What will he think when he finds out I'm throwing a party to search for a suitor!" said Emma, her stomach beginning to spin in nervous circles.
"Wait – is that what the invitation says?" Harriet asked and Emma shook her head ferociously.
"Dear god no, but it doesn't take a genius to figure out what this party is for! And Mr. Knightly is a very smart man." said Emma, turning to Harriet with frightened eyes. "I haven't spoken to him in about a week… Oh dear, Harriet – I think I may have just ruined my chances with him!"
It was Harriet's turn to shake her head; she reached across the small table and placed her gloved hand atop of Emma's, rubbing it comfortingly. "You didn't, Emma! Look, the party is in three days… at the party you need to make sure he knows you've been thinking of him! Wink at him, smile more at him then any one else there, dance with him more then anyone else. If he is no fool then he will understand what you're trying to tell him." Her voice was clear and focused – Harriet sat back after her speech and smiled, rather proud of herself.
"How do you know all that?" Emma asked, still trying to digest all this new information.
"I live in a girls' boarding school! What do you think they all talk about?" asked Harriet smirking. Emma laughed at her friend as they stood to leave the cloth shop – the cloth for Emma's party dress stashed neatly in Harriet's basket.
"You know I can always send out an invitation to Mr. Martin…" offered Emma. "I mean, you're going to be at the party, you could always get a little matching making of your own done…"
"Oh no thank you," said Harriet, she opened the door for Emma and they stepped out into the sun. "I'm making good progress with getting with Robert… and I'm meeting him the day before your party, so thank you but no thank you."
"Well, I'm very pleased for you! At least one of our love lives is going easily," said Emma with a small sigh, breathing in the warm mid day breeze.
"Do you realise that maybe the next dress we make for you will be your wedding dress," Harriet said with a large smile. Emma gasped and ran after her friend, as they both laughed, Harriet chanting out 'Mrs. Emma Knightly!' over and over again.
