A Mysterious Quandary
Chapter 24
She winced sharply. That was certainly the wrong note, once again! Mind you, not the same wrong note from the last time, for it appeared there were one and a hundred places to go wrong in the interlude alone, yet another wrong note just the same. And it flustered her to hear it and perhaps it was that sensation that was partly to blame for the two or three consecutive wrong notes that followed in quick succession.
She sighed and took a small break to flex her fingers and stretch her shoulders.
What was it that was said whenever her father had wished to call her to be patient and persistent?
She pressed her fingers to her temples in contemplation.
Oh yes! The remembrance made her smile even if the principle behind the concept did not –'Rome was not built in a day' or something to that affect. She sighed upon considering the meaning, it would take many days, perhaps years. Would she have the heart for such a longsuffering a pursuit?
What else might she do with her time? Certainly, nothing better came to mind, she needed some sort of occupation to keep her thoughts from being idle.
It was decided, she would continue to dedicate her best attention to her musical pursuits until a more enticing occupation took up priority.
She turned the sheet music back to the beginning. Perhaps she ought to have picked an easier song, though the one she worked on now had been one of the more difficult pieces she recalled being able to play well in her youth. Although, to her now it seemed that her fourteenth year was so far off and so many things, from notes to the intricacies of the song, to the mechanics of the fingers had been lost between then and now.
She would persist in her practice she convinced herself, this would not be like so many other times where she gave up within a mere few days of making a new objective!
And surely Jane was now practicing again as well.
Emma put her fingers back to the keys with greater fervor. If anything she began playing the song too fast, but it seemed as if her fingers were remembering the first few lines with better ability than before.
She began thinking more on the events of the past day, and with less concentration, the errors compounded but they annoyed her rather less, for her mind was split in its occupation.
She had taken up the notion of practicing before the scandalous gift had arrived for Jane. At that time it was a combination of motives, the first being a sense of guilt at possessing the very tools for musical education and leaving them idle without due cause—it seemed entirely wasteful and perhaps even a mockery to those that might want for such luxuries.
The second, and of this she felt a little embarrassed, was a desire for her husband to be as impressed with her as he was of Jane Fairfax—secretly she hoped she might improve quickly and become proficient enough to match Jane, if not in skill exactly then perhaps in dedication and self-motivation.
She had little hope of surpassing Jane in skill now, for it was one thing to think of this while Jane was without an instrument and without the ability to practice and entirely another once Jane had been gifted a pianoforte.
It was all so sensational, hardly to be believe if Emma had not seen it herself with her own eyes, the massive crate being removed from outside the dwelling by four deliverymen, the pianoforte dwarfing their drawing room, pressed against the window and almost wedged next to the bookshelf—and as for one of their armchairs, it had been relocated to provide enough room. It was currently sitting in the hall that was a communal space between their residence and that of their neighbour adjacent.
"It is a happy conundrum to be sure!" Miss Bates had encouraged looking at the chair before they entered the family's living space. "It might be possible that the bookshelf could be placed in Jane's room, for she is ever so fond of reading and Mamma's eyesight is so bad, it isn't as if she would make use of such a thing anymore, and with her wheeled chair she needs the space in her own room for reasons of mobility. Yes, the bookshelf being removed to Jane's room might allow the chair to sit just there, near the window but with enough space from the pianoforte that it would not be too cramped."
Emma looked at the spot Miss Bates referenced and envisioned how it might have been strange should both the chair and the pianoforte be in use at the same time, for the person sitting in the chair would likely be a hairsbreadth from the bench of the pianoforte. Though it would be an issue rather unnoticed if one or both were unoccupied.
It was in poor taste that such a gift be given at all. It seemed so extravagant and so entirely impractical all in the same instance. Had the gift giver never seen the inside space of their humble abode? Did the giver not know that two people could hardly visit in unison prior and now a single visitor should have felt rather stifled by the extra objects in the room? What the family gained by a pianoforte they may now lose in visitation, for their space seemed although too constricting, Emma's own skirts now brushed Miss. Bates as they stood looking at the pianoforte, which was nearly pressed tight against the bookshelf.
"Yes, and we may still yet remove the cabinet—to be placed perhaps in the kitchen for I cannot think of where else it might fit. It is best to have time to consider where it may be placed and with the dishes and some of Mamma's things from her own mother, very intricate removal is necessary. We did not wish to have the men who brought the pianoforte move it when they were moving things earlier."
Emma nodded her agreement. It was a very ill-thought-out gift indeed.
Who would think to give Jane Fairfax such a mammoth musical instrument?
She paled slightly at the thought.
"Can you think of anyone who has use of a pair of end tables?" Miss Bates asked, "They aren't of any significant value but do not fit the space any longer."
"I cannot off of the top of my head, but I could make a few inquiries of some of those who I bring a basket by regularly. It is a very nice end table set, I am sure it would be gladly received. Do you know who sent the pianoforte?" Emma offered before asking naturally.
"It was a gift sent without a note, nor with any return of address, all very exciting!" Miss. Bates said. "Jane did not say it, but I wonder if it was not dear Captain & Mrs. Campbell, oh how they would dote on her so excessively with their kindness in her time spent with them. I cannot think of any other persons who it might have been sent by,"
Emma smiled a slightly forced smile and excused herself with a bright, "Thank you for inviting me to see the pianoforte, I really must be going as I had not intended to stay in town so very long," she said. "We will have to plan to take tea again soon," she assured, cheerful in voice, but perhaps less so in spirit.
It was on her way back from town that Emma encountered Mrs. Weston, in a carriage into town, and it was serendipitous to meet her on the road, as it was only a few minutes' walk before the 'Y' intersection in the road, at which Emma had thought to take the footpath through the woods and would have missed crossing paths with her friend.
"You come from town, so certainly you will have heard all about it!" Mrs. Weston explained, after motioning to her driver for the carriage to halt.
"Yes I have just come from town; it is incredulous and altogether so mysterious to say the least–Yes, I think that it is overall incredibly surprising indeed!" Emma told her friend.
"Oh exactly! And I don't know that anyone expected he should marry a girl from London, but as it stands I have heard that the bans were read this last Sunday, and the temporary traveling vicar is to be stationed in Highbury the remainder of the month. We are told that Mr. Elton does not plan to return until they have been married."
"Mr. Elton?!" Emma gasped. Oh poor Harriet. How unfortunate.
"Why, yes, what was it that you were speaking of?"
Emma clarified quickly, "Jane Fairfax and the mysterious pianoforte—it was an anonymous gift."
"Oh! Well of that I had not heard, no the ladies in my sewing circle were all abuzz about the impending Elton nuptials. They say she has some fortune, though no one claims to know her character or anything about her beyond that fact and her name,"
"What is her name?"
"Miss. Augusta Hawkins."
"Augusta." Emma half groaned, half sighed; silently hoping this Augusta was not as pompous as the name sounded. Although she did not know this lady, she knew Mr. Elton could have done so much better. Harriet was so much better!
"Yes and that is all that I know about it, but do tell about the anonymous gift to Jane Fairfax."
"Well, it arrived just this morning with no postmarks, no letter or return address. The delivery men had no clue about the particulars— you see, they do not schedule their own time. The only thing that they were told by their overseer was to deliver the crate to the Bates' flat on Friday morning and that they would be compensated for moving any impeding furnishings around the space to compensate for the item contained in the crate. They were to see the instrument placed within the household, and to remove the crate once they were finished."
"Well, that is very mysterious!" Mrs. Weston agreed.
"Yes, Miss. Bates wondered if it was not Captain & Mrs. Campbell," Emma divulged.
"Oh, certainly not! That would not explain the lack of letter to accompany it or the secrecy, the logic does not fit," Mrs. Weston disagreed adamantly sounding very passionate.
"I thought as much but did not express the thought," Emma smiled, she and her dear friend thought so alike at times.
"Without postmarks and with all the secrecy I wonder if the gift is not romantic, what do you think of that?"
"I am not sure what to think. Although, I do agree that it is more likely that it be a romantic gift because of the anonymity and added to that is the sheer extravagance of the gift. I can't think of anyone who might have sent it. If not the Campbells, who I doubt for the same reasons as you—who else in Jane's connections would have the inclination and ability? It isn't just anyone that would have the spare resources to send such a gift."
"They would have needed to know of her enjoyment and talent," Mrs. Weston suggested.
Emma thought back to Jane's skillful playing at Mrs. Weston's party only days ago. It was evident to all, Jane was a skilled pianist and obvious study. To anyone in the group, it was known that Jane did not have access to her own instrument.
"Yes, but those facts are generally known—it does not serve to narrow anything down. When I stood in the house I was overcome by the realities of their living space and the undeniable impracticalities of such a gift. It might have been an admirer who had never or not often visited their apartment." Emma reflected.
"A conundrum indeed," Mrs. Weston offered. And as her friend paused in contemplation Emma remember about Miss. Bates thanking her for the cut of pork which she had not sent. Those same wheels turned in her mind and like a gentle thought that grows rapidly into a bigger notion, she began to wonder if in fact, it was Mr. Knightley who had sent the gift.
Something appeared to dawn on Mrs. Weston as her features looked excited with surprise and Emma thought for a moment that perhaps Mrs. Weston had some revelatory knowledge of who had sent the gift. "Oh! Emma, I have greatly enjoyed the mental stimulation but I do unfortunately need to continue my trip into town as I just remembered that I have an appointment with the draper for selecting linens, my reason for venturing into town but we will have to keep thinking on it—for I know you love a good puzzle as much as I do! Although I am sure all will be revealed in due time," Mrs. Weston.
"Yes, we do, and I was just at the draper's shop not an hour ago selecting new materials for the curtains in our bedroom, I hope you have a wonderful time!" Emma agreed, waiving as her friend departed, keeping the smile pressed to her face even though it had waivered at the mere thought of her husband sending Jane the pianoforte.
A very flawed sounding missed note pulled her from her reverie. She groaned audibly, perhaps partially at the fumbled note but more to do with the remembrances from earlier in the afternoon.
She resumed that portion of the song from the chorus. Faltered again within a few lines and then sighed deeply, she knew herself to be too distracted now to play something this complex anywhere close to correctly. Yet, she staunchly resisted thevdesire to place her forehead against the keys in protest and frustration. It was a habit from childhood when the frustrations mounted; there was something appealing about the cold keys against one's head and it was alwa somewhat rewarding to see the exasperated reaction it produced in the piano teacher. Misery loved company.
She took a deep breath and began playing scales instead. She would start from the beginning of her training and work her way up in proficiency.
She had not been at the scales very long when Mr. Knightley arrived.
"What are you doing Emma?" He asked.
"Practicing, aren't you proud?—Someday I might be as talented as Jane but perhaps you are already here to commend my efforts! Perchance do you have a lollipop tucked away somewhere?" she jested, wanting to keep things lite; it would do no good to jump on him over mere speculation.
He chuckled dryly, "Commend you? And you expect a lollipop for practicing for a single half hour? No, I'm quite certain you said it took a whole hour unbidden, but no matter, as I haven't a single lollipop to my name. I only wondered at you playing scales, they drew my notice because for a moment it was eerie hearing them emanating from this room," he explained.
Emma stopped playing the piano instantly. "I forgot about this being your mother's sanctuary, would you wish me to play the other piano? I really wouldn't be offended, and it is merely a few more paces and down the staircase, it would not be any trouble," she told him apologetically.
"No, not at all, I enjoy hearing the instrument in use, especially by you Emma—" he told her, making her smile proudly and then pout when he added, "For I know that you eschew practicing and I think it does you good to grow in the area of dedication."
In her younger years, she would have blown him a raspberry for his sagacious tone and the misleading nature and discordance between the beginning and end of his sentence.
"Ah, yes! I do know you to be a great advocate for the practicing of instruments, and the discipline of practice in general—how great an advocate I am not fully sure. It brings to mind another matter, the gifted instrument sent to Jane Fairfax today, as whoever sent the pianoforte must have a great interest in seeing that Jane Fairfax continues to practice." Emma had desired a subtle transition onto the topic that was most on her mind but she did not feel it was truly accomplished.
"Yes, and I would hazard that he has an interest in slightly more than that as well Emma,"
"You would?" she breathed out sounding surprised and feeling a sense of dread in tandem with the shock that tremored through her system. Was he speaking from firsthand experience?
"Is that not your thinking as well?" he quipped.
She watched his face, he seemed to maintain his natural disposition and she focused on his eyes more intently as she spoke.
"Well, it certainly is a mystery, Miss. Bates thought maybe Captain & Mrs. Campbell. Mrs. Weston agrees with you, for she believes it to be a gift of a romantic or sentimental nature, although she has given no speculation as to the sender. I cannot get over the nearness to Mrs. Weston's dinner party where Jane played so well and where even you took notice of the sad reality that Miss Fairfax had no instrument." She offered with her best attempt at imperceptibility, drawing a slight connection to him and his own words from that evening without too much fanfare.
"It is a widely known fact that the Bates' do not have the capital for anything frivolous, no matter the joys they might bring, instruments included. There was nothing revelatory about their state of affairs at the dinner. If I mentioned Jane's lack of an instrument it was a fact apparent to anyone with the slightest connection to the family— I have known the Bates for as long as I can remember and their circumstances in the latter part of their lives have not escaped my notice. Anyone in Highbury would also understand keenly that their home will not adequately host a grand instrument without other adjustments being made," George countered.
"Yes," Emma agreed, "they are giving away end tables, they have a sitting chair—the one Miss. Bates favored, sitting in their apartment hallway and they talk of relocating the bookshelf and perhaps their cabinet to other areas in the house to make way."
George shook his head and wasn't sure his expression for it looked almost one of disdain.
Emma persisted with her line of questioning, "So do you believe that the gift could not have been sent from someone in Highbury?" She inquired, watching his face intently.
He nodded in agreement.
"And what about the rest of Donwell County—I am told I have sent a hindquarter of pork I had no knowledge of, perhaps I have sent a pianoforte as well?" she offered, doing her best to sound lighthearted.
"Emma, Donwell for many years –since my father's time has sent the Bates a hindquarter of pork, generally every two or three months. I personally ask my tenants to let me know when they are butchering an animal and I will purchase a portion of meat. This arrangement has benefits that are twofold, for my tenant it allows them to feed their families some of the meat and use some of the profit to reinvest in another animal and for the families that are bestowed a gift of choice meat it is a kindness that allows them some of the enjoyments of their former status. If my housekeeper elected to send the gift in your name it was a courtesy and nothing more. As to the idea of sending a pianoforte, don't be daft Emma; it would be a most insensible thing to send such a gift and one that would take up so much space, when the space itself is of such dear economy to the family. The act, whoever the sender, was ill-thought-out and in my opinion suggests the sender completely oblivious to their situation. If your suggestion is that I sent Jane Fairfax the instrument, I'll only say that if I wanted to send Jane a musical instrument, I would choose something of a smaller scale. She seems the type that would be as impressed with a modest tabletop clavichord as she would be with an excessive pianoforte"
"But you seemed to feel—" she paused at a loss for words.
He looked at her, standing near to her, she didn't need to turn her head much at all to see his face and frame fully.
"I seemed to feel what?" he probed.
"I'm not sure what you feel. I haven't the words, forget I assumed and mentioned anything. I was taken off guard by the loan of the carriage, your esteem for Jane's musical talents and the sending of the pork. Before I thought it through the instrument seemed in keeping with your generosity as well," she said, closing the lid over the keys.
"I—or rather we did not send Jane any of those things, the items we did send were to the Bates family—not one singular person,"
"Yes, I understand. " Emma stated and she did intellectually, but it was her internal intuition— something inside that was greater than base logic that couldn't fully reconcile his praises for Jane nights ago and his distancing of himself from any singular sentiment now. And maybe he didn't send her a musical instrument, but could he really deny feeling anything for her?
Shakespeare had penned it about a woman, "the lady doth protest too much methinks"—perhaps that was the problem, he protested it too much.
"I told cook I would like to help with the pastry crust for tonight's dessert. I must go and wash and change into more suitable attire." She informed him before curtsying—which she seldom did but for those odd times when she felt an internal distance from him. Times when he didn't feel her best friend. She didn't fully understand why she felt such a distance but she did and his words, seemed unable to penetrate the feelings that had built up protectively around the core of her heart.
As always sorry for the delay. I was on a vacation and had a lot of time to think about this story. I have a bunch of ideas but I was struggling to write the chapter the way I wanted it.
I feel like I am going to get a whole chorus of "Emma is being so frustrating! What a nincompoop!"
Yes. Yes, she is.
I hope you are still reading this and enjoying my story, as always review and give me any feedback!
I'd selfishly like to break into the 350's in reviews this chapter. Can you guys help me do that?
