Author's Note: finally an update! This has taken forever to get out, mostly due to laptop breaking throughout August and then just general writer's block and figuring out how to make everything work. I must warn you there are some childish antics that might be considered a little OCC in this chapter.

It was a beautiful day despite the cold chill. Harriet Smith admired the beauty of Hartfield once more as she made her way towards the manor. She cannot believe her fortune to be chosen as a dear friend to the popular Miss Woodhouse. She had only ever seen Miss Woodhouse in passing and never spoken a word to her until recently. She was ever so surprised when Mrs Goddard approached her almost a month ago and informed her she was invited to dinner at Hartfield by Miss Woodhouse.

Harriet soon learnt that Miss Woodhouse was not just wealthy, beautiful and well-liked because of the former two but she was also warm, kind, light-humoured, and intelligent. Harriet had never enjoyed a female's company more than Miss Woodhouse and delighted in visiting Hartfield every day.

Once Harriet was admitted through the door she was welcomed by a very excited Miss Woodhouse who embraced her warmly. "Oh Harriet, today is a very good day," she cried out as she herded Harriet into the drawing room. "Last night, almost unexpectedly as we were expecting her return this Saturday, Jane had arrived."

A short dark-haired woman sat primly on one of the settees. Her complexion was as pale as Harriet's though her dark hair and eyes made her skin look illuminating while Harriet simply looked ill in comparison. Her clothes were as fine as Miss Woodhouse's only they were in dark shades making her look solemn and plain. She held herself upright and yet there was something very timid about her.

She stood up with all the grace in the world when she saw Harriet. "Miss Smith I would like to introduce you to my Miss Jane Fairfax, Miss Bates' niece," Miss Woodhouse said formally, "Miss Fairfax this is Miss Harriet Smith, a ward of Mrs Goddard's." She smiled contently as Harriet and Jane did a little bobbing movement to show respect to one another. "I just know that the three of us shall be the best of friends!" Miss Woodhouse exclaimed.

Harriet noticed a small smile on Miss Fairfax's face and returned it with a small one herself. "I hope you had a safe journey to Highbury, Miss Fairfax," she said as Miss Woodhouse rushed out of the room with a hurried excuse of retrieving something.

"I did," Miss Fairfax said quietly.

There was no conversation afterwards. Miss Fairfax did not inquire after Harriet's well being or comment on the weather and Harriet dare not attempt to hold a conversation. An awkward moment of silence filled the room as Harriet found herself feeling so unwelcome that she could not bring herself to sit down. Miss Woodhouse soon returned carrying the scrapbook Harriet had put together with Miss Woodhouse.

"This is what I was telling you about last night, Jane," Miss Woodhouse said sitting beside Miss Fairfax and placing the book on their laps. "Do sit down Harriet," she added. Harriet carefully sat on Miss Woodhouse's other side. "This is our collection of love riddles and the like. I thought with your intelligence and well read mind we are bound to discover more for our collection. Harriet could copy them if you like she has such a beautiful hand much like yourself."

The afternoon began to slowly drift as Miss Woodhouse filled the room with one-sided conversation much like Miss Bates does whenever she has tea with Miss Woodhouse and Harriet. Harriet did not have the heart to point this out to Miss Woodhouse who had once claimed she shall never be as ridiculous as Miss Bates.

Nor did she have the heart to confide in Miss Woodhouse that she does not believe she and Miss Fairfax shall be intimate friends. Never before had Harriet met a girl more reserved than her and she had found it so unnerving and uncomfortable that she could not hold out the branch of friendship to the accomplished friend of Emma Woodhouse.

EWEWEWEWEWEWEWEWEWEW

After a week back in Highbury Jane felt it was time to confront Emma over Harriet Smith.

She knew Emma only ever had the best interests at heart for people but they were never always truly the best for those people. Harriet was going to be remembered as one of Emma's worst moments if she carries on the way she has. One week of observation and Jane knew the full extent of Emma's plan. Emma had mentioned of finding a good match for Harriet in one of her letters but she did not tell Jane of Robert Martin who was vying for Harriet's attentions.

Harriet was much like Jane – shy, quiet, and very modest. In fact while Jane was very shy, Harriet suffered shyness more out of uncertainty and a lack of confidence. Her confidence was improving according to her dear aunt but she could not make any decision without Emma's approval and Emma was abusing this dependence Harriet had. Instead of encouraging Harriet to be her own person and marry a man she loves, like she would for Jane, Emma was encouraging Harriet to imitate her and seek out flirtation with Mr Elton.

Jane did not like Mr Elton much. He was relatively new in Highbury and the few times Jane had conversed with him had always left her under the impression he thought very highly of himself.

He would not be a good match for Harriet.

He also had a romantic interest in Emma and was obviously trying to court her. Jane knew that this whole Harriet affair would end in tears if Jane did not talk to Emma now and convince her to drop the matchmaking attempt now.

Although a little part of Jane wanted Emma to stop interfering with Harriet Smith's life was because she wanted Emma to stop spending so much time with Harriet. It was not that Jane did not like Harriet but...she did not like sharing Emma. That was the shameful truth; Jane had been so used to having Emma's undivided attention (unless Emma was sharing her attention with Frank or Mr Knightly had entered the room) that she could not bear sharing her friend with another girl. It was as selfish as Emma's attempts to match make Harriet to Mr Elton but it was the truth despite this jealousy though Jane was truly thinking of Harriet's happiness when she decided to confront Emma. Therefore one night when they had retired to their bedchamber (both Jane and Emma had refused the offer of having separate bedrooms as they were so used to sharing a bed now) Jane paused in brushing Emma's hair and said, "I wish you would not interfere with Miss Smith's romantic life, Emma."

"Oh please do not start Jane," Emma pleaded, "Mr Knightly has already scolded me this morning when you were out with Miss Bates." It had been the anniversary of her mother's death and Jane wished to pay her respects at her mother's grave alone. Unfortunately when she hinted to such plans her aunt insisted on companying her and Jane did not have the selfishness to say no. "We had such a horrible argument over it since Harriet had rejected Mr Martin in favour of my choice. I fear he shall not speak to me for quite a while."

"I did not know you and Mr Martin were such good friends," Jane teased Emma.

It was too much of a good opportunity to miss. Emma is rarely wound up as she is tonight. However despite her teasing nature Jane was disappointed that Emma had taken Harriet's surprise visit yesterday afternoon (Jane had not known Harriet had been until Harriet had left) to her advantage and ruined Jane's own plan to stop Emma doing what she had just done.

Emma responded to Jane's teasing with a scowl and a sarcastic laugh. "Very funny," she said dryly.

"I wish you did not encourage Miss Smith to go against her own heart, Emma," Jane continued. "It is not fair on all the parties involved especially to Miss Smith and Mr Martin."

"It is not against her own heart if she had willingly chosen Mr Elton," Emma pointed out as she passed a ribbon to Jane. "I just merely put her in the circumstances where she could meet superior men and realise she does not have to settle for a farmer."

Jane looked away from Emma's reflection and focused on braiding Emma's hair. "Do you think that Frank should find a superior woman than settle for a penniless girl?" she asked quietly.

Emma turned so abruptly that her hair fell out of Jane's hands like running water. She then placed her very own hands in Jane's and squeezed them tight. "Oh Jane! I would never think that! You are far superior than me! You are the most accomplished woman in all of England and you know if you just let me ask Father he would give you a dowry straight away. He did say he would though he would much rather you stay in Hartfield with us."

"Emma it is hypercritical of you to say one thing in one case and then another in a similar case," Jane said calmly though she felt very flustered that Emma thought her so accomplished and that Mr Woodhouse was so very willing to give her dowry. She could feel her cheeks heating up in embarrassment it was bad enough that she was living off Mr Woodhouse's and Colonel Campbell kindness but to have one of them give her a dowry? "Mr Martin would be a good match for Miss Smith. As I could be for Frank. You cannot decide whether or not someone is right for one person it is up to that one person to decide themselves." She glanced at Emma's down casted face and had to say her last suspicion. "Besides is Mr Elton is truly what Miss Smith wants or is he what you want?"

Emma looked horrified at the suggestion. "I have no romantic feeling for Mr Elton!" she almost shrieked. "In fact I have very little feeling for the man other than one would have for a friend's suitor."

Jane gave a little sigh. She did not mean that Emma had a romantic interest in the vicar but merely she wanted Mr Elton for Harriet Smith because it would suit her purpose. "I did not mean that," Jane said. "I merely meant that you want Mr Elton for Miss Smith because it fits with what you want."

A look of guilt flashed across Emma's face. "You know me so well, dearest Jane," she said sadly. "It is as if you have a looking glass into my mind sometimes. Yes, I do have selfish reasons; I will admit that only to you and Frank. I wish Harriet to marry Mr Elton because it would mean she would live closer to Hartfield and I can continue my friendship with her."

"Oh Emma, I know it is difficult for you," Jane murmured. "after all Frank is away so often to attend to his aunt, Isabella is in London, Miss Taylor is no longer a constant presence, and I am often away in the summer."

"You will be gone when you marry Frank," Emma said, "and I shall remain here in Highbury...alone."

Jane wished desperately to cheer Emma up. Surely Emma knew that Jane and Frank would welcome her with open arms for long visits that happen regularly? That they would visit often? That there might be a day where Isabella and John retire into the country and return to Highbury? A little of Emma's mischievousness had influenced Jane's thoughts as she could not let this jest go unsaid.

"Well you could always marry Mr Knightly."

A pillow thrown at her face had been Emma's reply. Soon enough the room was filled with laughter and feathers as Emma and Jane attempted to smother one another with their pillows.

They soon regretted it in the morning when they had to clean up the feathers and brush out difficult knots from their hair.

EWEWEWEWEWEWEWEWEWEWEW

5th December 1815

My dearest Jane,

I write this letter with a heavy heart. I am afraid to inform you I shall not be spending Christmas in Highbury this year. My aunt has fallen ill with a terrible fever and requires my presence as she feels it comforts her in such a time in need. I cannot deny my relative who has done nothing that she had not felt was in my best interest. I have many things to thank her for especially my education. Therefore I wish you to give my regards and apologises to Mr Woodhouse, your family, the Knightlys, and of course, our dear Emma. I have already written to Father and my lovely new Step-Mother and I hope you shall cheer them up with your sweet smiles and pleasant conversation this Christmas. Do play a song on my behalf with Emma for the little ones.

I am missing you with all my heart and cannot wait for your next letter as you are one of my few comforts in this lonely time. I do wish to hear more about Emma's terrible suitor Mr Elton, the little tales you tell make me laugh, and I cannot help but hope the poor man does not make more of a fool of himself than he already has. Do tell Emma for me that she should outright tell the man that if he does not want to marry Miss Smith then he must leave her alone. I can just picture the look on his face if she does and it already makes me chuckle.

Only yours,

Frank

"Oh this shall be the worst Christmas yet!" Emma wailed voicing Jane's own thoughts. They were once again in their bedroom reading Frank's letter in privacy as it could possibly contain romantic gestures that could not be heard by Mr Woodhouse or Miss Bates. "Even the Christmas when we all came down with the flu is better than this one. At least then we were together even if it was in bed with Father worrying over us!"

"It is unfair but then so many things in life are," Jane said calmly.

Emma took her hands. "Oh, my dear Jane, you are far more courageous than I am. I could not bear being apart from my loved ones at Christmas and yet here you are putting on such a brave face on." Jane smiled and embraced Emma. They both knew they could get through this one Christmas without Frank. Once Emma pulled away she let out an indignant huff. "I cannot believe the nerve of Frank! He is making it sound like I am encouraging Mr Elton's attentions!"

"Well you are," Jane pointed out.

"Only for my friend! It was not as if I intentionally seeked Mr Elton out without the company of Harriet. Surely he is not so stupid that he would not notice the pattern?" Emma nibbled her lips nervously. "Oh Jane, what do I do?"

Jane, whose thoughts were mostly on Frank and his previous letter before this one, decided to follow Frank's advice – tease Emma. "Well..." she said slowly. "You could always tell Mr Elton you are betrothed to Mr K-"

The pillow hit her face before she could even finish the sentence.

EWEWEWEWEWEWEWEWEWEWEW

Mr Elton was not pleased.

For the past month he had been attempting to court Miss Woodhouse and was failing miserably. It was difficult enough to speak to her alone when she is living with her father and the two Bates. Miss Bates in particular is constantly around nattering away such nonsense – honestly he did not know how Miss Woodhouse could bear that woman! On top of Miss Woodhouse's difficult household there was the matter of Miss Smith who was constantly there admiring him with her eyes. While he knows he is a handsome man he does not wish for someone from such low birth to admire him especially one of Miss Woodhouse's friends it could cause problems before there was even a courtship.

Mr Knightly was also being difficult though Mr Elton was certain he was completely unaware of Mr Elton's attempts to court his friend's daughter. If Mr Elton has a moment with Miss Woodhouse without her household or Miss Smith it would soon end quickly as it passed since Mr Knightly would stumble upon them. Mr Elton was not sure if he liked the way Miss Woodhouse's face would brighten when she saw the much older man nor was he sure he liked the fond look Mr Knightly would give Miss Woodhouse.

It was as if God was doing this on purpose to make him work for his bride.

Well if the bride is as beautiful, rich, and from gentle birth like Emma Woodhouse, why should he not work for her if it means he would not have to worry about his finances for the rest of his life?

If God did intend him to work for the hand of Miss Woodhouse then he was certainly making it difficult work. As soon as Miss Fairfax returned to Highbury for the winter the more difficult it became to keep the warm relationship he created with Miss Woodhouse. There would be moments when he is talking to Miss Woodhouse that Miss Fairfax would interrupt asking for a word and walking away with Miss Woodhouse as she whispered into her ear. There would be occasions when he is trying to flatter the Miss Woodhouse only she is too distracted by some strange silent conversation she is having with Miss Fairfax who is with her aunt at the time. There would be conversations that Miss Woodhouse would abruptly end as she called out for Miss Fairfax and suddenly runs off to join her leaving Mr Elton with Miss Smith...

These days Mr Elton was not sure who his rival for Miss Woodhouse's affections was – Mr Knightly or Miss Fairfax.

He had hoped to make his intentions clear at the Westons Christmas party but Miss Woodhouse was preoccupied with Miss Fairfax before dinner and then when he had hoped to sit near her and pay her the rightful compliments fate intervened again. He spent dinner scowling as Miss Woodhouse sat between Mr Weston and Miss Fairfax with Mrs Weston opposite her. The whole party consisted of the Knightlys and Hartfield's household and conversation was solely about the elusive Mr Frank Weston who was unable to make it this Christmas.

He did not enjoy the reminiscing of Miss Woodhouse's childhood as it was filled with her antics with Mr Frank Churchill. They had played many games together; caused mischief together, swam together, climbed together, ran away together, and of course did their studies together. All with Miss Fairfax as well!

It was times like this where Mr Elton truly despised being new to Highbury. He could not be part of the jokes or make any contribution to the conversation.

As they settled down for the after dinner conversation and entertainment Mr John Knightly noticed the sudden snow fall and everyone went into a panic until Mr Knightly reassured them that it was safe to travel. Mr Elton had hoped this would be his opportunity to confess his love to Miss Woodhouse and persuade her to marry him when they were alone in the carriage. However he had forgotten how many people that were going home and soon found he was sitting beside a miserable Mr John Knightly while Miss Woodhouse and Miss Fairfax sat opposite him whispering a private conversation.

Once he was at the Vicarage he had given up all hopes in confessing his love. It was obvious there was a strange bond between Miss Woodhouse, Miss Fairfax, and Mr Frank Weston and it was not one that Mr Elton could break. Therefore he could never pry Miss Woodhouse away from her life as a young maid and into one as the Mrs Elton.

He decided the moment the holidays were over he was going to Bath and he was going to find a wife far better than Miss Woodhouse.