A/N: Thank you to absolutely everyone who has reviewed and is following this story. It absolutely makes my day to see a comment and your thoughts. If you haven't left a review but are reading... I would love to hear some feedback!

This is a shorter chapter but seemed like a good place to end... it really is a tangled web :)

Chapter 8

Emma offered a distracted smile to her sister as Isabella continued her tale about her youngest daughter's latest antics. Generally, Emma was a wonderful aunt who loved spending time with her nieces and nephews. She saw them a few times a week and still felt like it was not enough. There were times when Emma thought she should relax her 'marriage for love' philosophy just so she could have children of her own.

However, Emma was having a hard time following the story and kept finding herself distracted with thoughts of Jake and Ms. Taylor's kids. She would have been their aunt as well, if not by blood but by virtue of being such a close acquaintance and yet the thought was not as comforting as she would have thought. It was rather depressing. It is probably because now it shall never be.

The two sisters were walking down the main town square in search of a bonnet to match Isabella's new dress. Shopping was generally one of Emma's favorite things to do but today she felt listless with no real interest in the offerings.

"Are you well, my dear? You seem rather distracted today," Isabella asked Emma when it became clear that Emma was barely paying attention to her rather funny story.

"Yes," Emma sighed. "I do not know what is wrong with me Izzy. It is as though I have lost interest in everything around me. The only emotions I seem to feel are either this strange melancholy or anger. Just when I feel that I have sorted it all out, something else happens that sends me in a tailspin and makes me so angry all over again."

Isabella quietly studied her sister for a few moments, "would it help to unburden your worries? Tell me what is on your mind and I might be able to give you some insight."

Emma shook her head, "it is nothing specific."

She did not like lying to her sister, but she also knew she could not share what she had overheard, with Isabella. If for no other reason, then to prove to Jake that she was trustworthy and could keep a confidence.

"Let's get a slice of lemon cake to share from the bakery," Isabella suggested with a gentle smile. She knew there was something bothering her younger sister and Emma would share her troubles when she was ready.

The Woodhouse sisters headed out the door only to run into an unlikely figure.

"Mr. Churchill, what a surprise to see you here," Emma exclaimed.

"Miss. Woodhouse, Mrs. Knightley," Frank Churchill acknowledged with a broad smile, "I only wish such pleasant surprises were a daily occurrence in my life. I had stopped by to post some mail to my father and was just trying to decide what I should do next, when I saw you two coming out."

"Perfect timing indeed," Isabella added, "we were just heading to the bakery for some cake. Would you care to join us?"

"I could not imagine anything better than enjoying some cake with two such beautiful ladies by my side," Frank declared.

Emma could not help but laugh at his charm and knew if nothing else Mr. Churchill was known for straightforward conversation and lively discussion.

The group found an easy rhythm and it was not until Emma felt Mr. Churchill stiffen and stop mid-sentence that she looked up to see another group of three at the same bakery they were currently walking towards. Just at the entrance, waiting for a table were Ms. Bates and Miss. Jane Fairfax on the arms of Mr. Knightley. Emma turned to see Jake was already watching them and seemed just as stiff with outrage at them making their way with Mr. Churchill.

Emma could feel her own heartbeat increase at seeing Jake with Jane Fairfax. She swallowed hard to get rid of the sudden lump forming in her throat. If she had needed further proof of his interest in Jane, it was staring her right in the face. Jake's censure was obvious even from across the road, so Emma deliberately tightened her hand around Mr. Churchill's arms and felt satisfaction at the way Jake's eyes narrowed further in anger.

Emma looked over to see Jane Fairfax watching them with equal interest. However, her eyes were glued to Emma's companion and seemed to be openly staring at Frank Churchill who was alternatingly glaring at both Jake and Jane. This was quite complicated indeed and it was not immediately clear who was presently cross with whom and why.

The only two people who seemed completely unaware were Isabella and Ms. Bates who were smiling and waving to each other.

"This is just the most wonderful of days," Ms. Bates declared as they reached the other party. "First we were fortunate to run into Mr. Knightley while we were shopping. He was ever so charming and offered to take my Jane and myself for some tea and pastries. And then we run into our dear friends Miss. Woodhouse and Mrs. Knightley. Add to that we also have the ever-handsome Mr. Churchill. I cannot imagine a better gathering. And to think this was not even planned."

"I agree," Isabella noted with a smile, "this is a lovely day, made even more lovely by the impromptu tea party. We must see if there is a table large enough to fit all of us."

Ms. Bates and Isabella continued to chat excitedly while trying to organize a table for the group, not realizing the remaining four people were busy either avoiding gazes or glaring at the remaining ones. Emma was not sure if Jane's displeasure was at Mr. Churchill or herself, but it still gave her childish satisfaction.

It was not until they were all seated with orders of tea and an assortment of cakes and pastries for the table that Emma finally said, "Miss. Fairfax, you are looking lovely as always. Have you been introduced to our dear friend Mr. Churchill?" The dear friend was added because she knew it would bug Jake, but it was Jane's sudden downcast expression at her words that had her frowning in confusion.

Frank cleared his throat, "thank you Miss. Woodhouse. I was introduced to Miss. Fairfax in London through an acquaintance of my own aunt." Although he had addressed his comment to Emma, his eyes were fixed solely on Jane while he made the comment.

"I had not realized," Emma finally murmured.

Frank finally looked over to Ms. Bates and asked with a smile, "and pray tell Ms. Bates, were you able to find everything you were looking for today?"

"Oh, well," Ms. Bates started, slightly flustered to be on the receiving end of such a charming smile, "we were looking for a birthday present for my niece here. She chose a ribbon for hair."

"A ribbon?" Frank asked while turning towards Jane again, "I would have thought you would have bought sheet music for the pianoforte, perhaps by your favorite musician Felix Mendelssohn. I believe you had mentioned that is what you would love to purchase above all else."

Emma could feel her eyebrows rise at Mr. Churchills comment implying a deep personal familiarity. Isabella and Ms. Bates both looked startled but neither commented.

Emma looked over to see Jane blush a deep red and look down at her tea, "it was a silly comment made in jest awhile ago Mr. Churchill. It is not fair to tease me so."

"How I wish I could purchase sheet music for my dear niece," Ms. Bates added hurriedly. "However, we do not have a pianoforte in the house. It is something we are working towards of course since our own niece plays so well but they are so big, and we have so many things that I cannot imagine where we would put it."

"I am sure Mr. Churchill did not mean to imply the ribbons were not sufficient or appreciated for a birthday present," Jake added with a glare towards the younger man. The words were spoken with a light laugh, however the rebuke behind them was unmistakable.

Frank looked instantly contrite, "Mr. Knightley is correct. I did not mean to give that impression at all. I simply recalled a passing conversation regarding Miss. Fairfax's favorite musician awhile back. It had startled me since most ladies only know the popular composers."

This seemed to appease Ms. Bates as she relaxed and nodded happily, "oh of course. Jane is so knowledgeable in anything relating to music. She has always been thus even when she was a child."

Emma wanted to stamp her feet as Ms. Bates continued her monologue about Jane's musical prowess. She was also decent at the pianoforte due to hours of practice but was one of those females Frank spoke of who only knew of the more popular composers and pieces of music. However, regardless of how good she was at pianoforte or any other instrument, she certainly did not have two different men vying for her hand. It was an odd feeling because Emma was used to being the center of attention and having men trying to impress her. Here she was clearly playing second fiddle to Jane Fairfax.

"And you, Mr. Churchill?" Ms. Bates inquired, "what brought you to town this afternoon?"

"I was posting a letter to my father," he stated. Although the words were softly spoken, they seemed to have a direct impact on Jake as he drew in a sharp breath and stiffened.

Emma wondered again regarding Jake's reaction to mention of Lieutenant Weston. He had gotten similarly angry during the previous conversation regarding his father as well.

"How is Lieutenant Weston? Is he planning to return soon?" Isabella asked, completely unaware of the tension at the table.

"No," Frank replied after a few moments. "I do not believe he will be back soon."

Emma kept her eyes discreetly on Jake as she asked her own question, "you had mentioned that he is travelling, and you were unsure of his destination. Does this mean you know where he is now and have been in contact?"

If Emma had not already been watching Jake, she might have missed the flash of pain that passed through his eyes. She once again wondered if the animosity between the two men was rooted in something she did not fully understand.

"I believe he is somewhere near the Scottish border and plans to make it his home for a time," Frank replied quietly. His eyes were downcast and studying his tea as if the admission of his father's locale weighed heavily on him.

However, more than the expression on Mr. Churchill's face, it was the sadness she saw echoed on Jane which caused her more curiosity. She had always assumed Jane to be like still water with no real emotional depth or feelings. Yet the play of emotions on her face was pointing that there was shared history and sadness relating to Mr. Churchill's father. Was Jane interested in Mr. Churchill while Jake was interested in Jane? But how did any of that relate to Lieutenant Weston?

Emma looked at each of the people around the room, Jane was watching Mr. Churchill with an emotion that closely resembled yearning, while Jake was looking out the window appearing to not be paying attention to the conversation. Even Isabella had picked up on the tension and gave Emma a questioning look to which she just gave a quick shrug.

"So many of our dear friends have been travelling recently. I am almost of a mind to try it myself, although I cannot imagine going so far as near the Scottish border," Ms. Bates added still clueless to the undertones in the conversation. "I have heard some of those areas can be quite barbaric." This last part was added with a slight shudder.

The remaining tea was spent with lighter conversation topics, although the ease one would expect from a group of friends was never fully present. Instead of being a relaxing venture, Emma found it to be taxing and awkward. She was reminded of a childhood game where she stepped on each subsequent stone while avoiding the red stones as they were the trap. The conversation was similar as it went along while trying to avoid multiple traps of awkward topics and unknown hurts.