Author's Note: for Iambbq, who wanted Frank to have his revenge on Mrs Elton.
Frank's return to Highbury was marked by Mrs Weston's happy announcement. The news was received with some surprise but mostly delight from all quarters with the exception of Mr Woodhouse who had thought it was far too dangerous for Miss Taylor to be with child at her age.
"Mrs Weston, Father," Emma corrected her father for what had felt like the fiftieth time this week alone, "and it is not so dangerous, Mrs Weston is young still!"
"I think it is marvellous news," Frank said excitedly, "I cannot wait to have a sibling in the world. I shall be the best brother there ever had been to this child, I insist if it is a girl you must name her after yourself for you are one of the greatest women in all of England." Mr Knightly rolled his eyes at what he felt was a falsely grand compliment while Emma and Jane pretended to be offended and Mrs Weston flushed a bright pink. "Oh do not look so insulted Emma; you already have a child named after you. It is only Jane who should be upset; you must quickly promise her that you shall name your child after her."
"Very well, I will" Emma said airily, "but you must name your own child after myself."
"An Emma Weston would be a wonder to the world," Frank agreed heartily without realising the implications.
Emma was too involved in Miss Bates' babble which was over excited at the prospect of another child in Highbury. She was debating more to herself than anything whether she should knit something blue or pink while Emma was throwing out suggestions equally excited. Jane and Mr Knightly would have been pleased at how well Emma was getting along with Miss Bates if it had not been for the monstrous envy eating away at them.
Mr Knightly was thinking how an Emma Weston would be a terrible thing especially if she had once been an Emma Woodhouse. He would much prefer the company of Emma Woodhouse rather than share her with her husband as Emma Weston. He could not help but think of how much nicer the world would be if Emma Woodhouse became an Emma Knightly because baby Emma was not enough for the world.
Jane was thinking how Emma Weston probably sounded far better than Jane Weston and how excited Mrs Weston looked at the idea as well as Mr Weston who was sitting with Mr Woodhouse looking pleased and proud of his only living child. No one would want her as a daughter in law and Frank was slowly falling more and more for Emma instead of her. she felt her heart break just a little bit more but despite her jealousy of Emma she could not bring herself to hate her dearest friend in the world who has never meant any harm to her.
It would perhaps be easier if she could hate Emma Woodhouse.
EWEWEWEWEWEWEW
"It is like fairy land," Jane gasped in admiration.
The Crown had indeed been transformed into a beautiful ethereal ballroom that had caused Emma to gasp in admiration just as much as Jane did. It was perfect and Emma could not think how this evening could go wrong.
"You look perfect for the part of a Fairy Queen," Emma complimented her dearest friend.
Jane was dressed simply but Emma knew her white gown was made from some of the best muslin in England and the simplicity of it merely made Jane look more beautiful. Emma felt her lips twitch as she thought Jane looked almost like a bride she was certainly blushing like one at the compliment.
"You are beautiful as well, Emma," Jane finally said although she appeared quite mortified still.
Miss Bates dressed in her best had already cornered Mrs Weston who was dressed in a very fine silk gown and began to chat the rather tired woman's ear off. Mr Knightly stood in a far corner taking to another gentleman while Mrs Goddard was straightening Harriet up who was also dressed in a simple style as Jane. Emma would have felt over-dressed in her new pink gown if it had not been for Mrs Elton's over-decorated gown with its many silk additions and pieces of lace as well as the feathered headdress. Emma could not understand why one would want to be so over-dressed and making oneself look like a desert that the Prince Regent might eat.
As well as being overdressed Mrs Elton began to cause trouble by insisting on leading the dance. Frank had promised to dance the first dance with Emma so he could have the last one with Jane and insisted on keeping such a promise forcing Mr Weston to lead the dance as his wife rested on the sidelines with the company of Mrs Goddard and Miss Bates.
"I would not want to dance with that infernal woman after what she has said to my family," Frank murmured in dark tones to Emma as the musicians began to play.
"Do not think of it or you shall spoil your mood for the evening and be unable to enjoy yourself," Emma said quietly back. Inwardly, however, she was burning with joy knowing that Frank still considered both the Woodhouses and Bates' as family. It was always nice to hear such meaningful words. "And you do not want Jane to dance with an irritable dance partner, do you?" she added much louder and teasingly.
"Ah Jane," Frank sighed as stepped past Emma and did a turn before clasping her hand. "Is she not the most beautiful woman in the room?" he asked as they turned clockwise. "See how her skin glows in the light? And how perfectly elegant her neck is as she leans down to talk to Miss Smith."
"You poet," Emma teased.
They laughed for the rest of the dance and then spent the first few moments of the next dance grinning insanely at one another. However it was not long until Emma's smile faded into a small worried frown as she saw Mr Elton give Harriet a cold dismissal as the poor girl sat alone with no partner to dance with. At this point even Jane had someone to dance with as Mrs Elton decided to sit this one out leaving poor Mr Weston without a dancing partner.
"I shall dance with her after this," Frank promised unwilling to see his friend unable to enjoy the ball.
She smiled but could not keep it for long as she saw Harriet in near tears. Suddenly Mr Knightly rose magnificently to the occasion as he stood before Harriet and offered his hand out to her. Emma finally managed to turn her attention back to Frank as Harriet beamed with happiness on Mr Knightly's arm.
"So much for not being able to dance," Frank jested as Mr Knightly gracefully joined the dancing as if he had always been a part of it.
"We already knew he can dance. After all he used to help teach us," Emma reminded Frank as she admired Mr Knightly's dancing form. "He just does not enjoy it as we do."
"Then it is a very good thing he is not part of the society in London or Bath," Frank said cheerfully, "most do nothing but dance all night there."
"Is it wonderful?" Emma asked curiously.
"Most certainly. I am considering renting a house in either city so I can show off my new wife to the world," Frank said, "Jane would enjoy the many pursuits there are with theatre, opera, and ball after ball."
"Oh how very lucky you are!" Emma cried out.
"You should come with us once we are settled," Frank said, "Bring your father along as well. We would be attentive to every need he has, after all it is the least we could do after everything he had done for us."
"You are too kind but sadly I do not think Father can travel these days," Emma said sadly.
"Chin up Emma. You have been frowning far too much this evening, I want you to smile until you go home, it is an order!"
It was an order Emma was very ready to obey.
EWEWEWEWEWEWEW
Mr Knightly sighed heavily as a high loud piercing shriek filled the air. It was immediately followed up with Mr Elton's over the top worrying for his wife who had just screamed in such a ghastly way. He had no doubt in the world it had something to do with one of the troublesome threesome although he had a feeling it was more or less likely to be Frank since Jane was more restrained and Emma had already snapped earlier this month.
He turned to see Frank apologising profusely to Mrs Elton who had a large, rapidly growing, bright red damp stain on the front of her dress.
"I am ever so sorry Madame; I did not see you at all! I swear before God, pardon me Vicar, I did not see you. I was so intrigued by the decorations Miss Fairfax and Miss Woodhouse had cleverly used, do you not think so?"
His rather insincere and loud apologies were ignored in favour of Mr Elton's and his wife's roars of indignation.
"How dare you sir! You distress my wife purposely! Men like you are vile and outrageous and...And...And well so vile I cannot think of another insult!"
"This dress cost over fifty pounds! It is pure silk and you have ruined it with your carelessness!"
"I cannot abide such behaviour to my wife!"
"Oh! Oh! How could you? Let's go Mr E; I feel we are in inferior company here."
"Indeed dearest, the company and dancing is far superior in Bath than it could ever be here," much to Mr Knightly's fury Mr Elton shot a look of contempt at Emma and Jane who were standing afar while trying to keep their giggling at bay. Emma had ducked her head into Jane's shoulders while Jane held on tightly with tears of sheer joy glittering in her eyes and her teeth biting down hard on her bottom lip to prevent such an outburst. "The decor in Bath is also far superior than it could ever be here."
Together the married couple stormed out of the room with their heads held up high. Mr Knightly's fury seemed to swell as he saw Frank pull Jane out of the corner and use his handkerchief in the most intimate way to wipe the blood from her fierce biting off her lips. Emma did not seem to mind but then despite her boasting she had always been rather innocent in the ways of flirtation instead she had rushed towards him with bright eager eyes as she talked excitedly of the incident that just passed.
Mr Knightly could not hold onto his anger for long with such a pleasant and wondrous sight such as a happy Emma before him. Rapidly the conversation moved from the Eltons to dancing when Mr Weston announced the dancing was to start once more.
"And who will you dance with, my dear Emma?" Mr Knightly asked curiously.
Emma stared at him with wide eyes, "Well you, of course," she said simply and he felt his heart skip a beat much to his embarrassment, "if you will ask me."
He stood up right and held out his hand towards her. "Will you dance with me?" he asked.
She beamed at him as she accepted his hand and between the fine cloths of both gloves he could almost feel the warmth of her own hand in his.
"Why yes I shall," she declared.
He discovered the most enjoyable moment of this evening had been the two dances he shared with Emma and it will remain the most memorable moment of the evening with the spilling wine on Mrs Elton's dress as a close second in the later years of his life.
EWEWEWEWEWEWEWEWEW
"I had the greatest of fun last night, did you not Jane?" Emma asked for perhaps the fifth time this morning.
Jane murmured an agreement as she experimented changing a key note in the symphony she was playing, they both grimaced as it caused a gloomier tone to the music, and Jane immediately switched back to how the script dictated it to be.
"I thoroughly enjoyed watching Frank spill his wine on Mrs Elton. It certainly improved the evening; do you not think so Jane?" Emma continued.
Jane was about to once more agree with her dear friend when she saw something move outside the window. She turned to stare at it properly only to gasp in horror at the shocking sight. Emma immediately stood up and ran out of the room to greet a staggering Frank who was carrying a dishevelled Harriet Smith in his arms.
Jane followed soon after to catch the tail end of Harriet Smith's tale of fearsome gypsies and the heroics of Frank. The excited glazed look in Emma's eyes told Jane immediately that her dearest friend was already romanticising the moment while Jane could not help but watch her fiancée in fear as she was sure there was a bruise forming on his cheek.
"You will need some cold water on a cloth to relieve any pain either you must feel from your injuries," Jane said sternly as she took Frank's arm into hers. "I shall take Frank into the kitchens and fetch a bowl for Miss Smith, who should really be lying down."
"Yes of course!" Emma agreed heartedly, "Lie down dear Harriet and let me attend to your needs. You must have had an awful fright!"
"Oh Miss Woodhouse, you are so good to me," Harriet gushed as she allowed Emma to forcibly move her onto the sofa. "I do not know what I do without a friend like you. Nor without a good friend such as Mr Weston."
"It was no great task, Miss Smith," Frank said cheerfully, "I would do it again within a moment." He then walked out into the hallway with Jane on his arm remaining his cheerful self despite whatever fear he may have caused in her heart. "Do not worry so, Jane," he chided gently, "I am well as ever and the only cure I need is a kiss from you."
Hesitatingly Jane kisses his cheek gently and glances up and down the hall in case someone had witnessed such a potentially scandalous moment. Her eyes met Frank's and she was surprised to find some disappointment there. Did he not enjoy her kiss anymore?
She feared that he no longer did and now had his sights set on a far more interesting lady.
Emma was instantly the first to come to mind.
EWEWEWEWEWEWEW
Emma listened once again to Harriet's retelling of being rescued by Frank only this time it had been embellished with such romantic feeling as Harriet, slowly, excitedly, and most strongly filled with emotion told her about her own growing feelings for her rescuer.
"Do you think I have a chance?" Harriet asked hopefully with some eagerness as well.
Emma could not bear to break her dear friend's heart but if she did not then she would only set Harriet's hopes up and have them destroyed like she had with Mr Elton a few months ago.
"Oh Harriet!" she cried out sadly. "I am afraid he is already spoken for though I cannot tell you by whom!"
She hoped that Harriet would drop the subject with a disappointment that all girls feel when the one they love does not return their feelings. Harriet almost does as her head droops and she visibly seems to fade away into nothingness. "I did not know Mr Knightly was betrothed," she whispered.
"Mr Knightly?"
"Oh yes, he was so gentlemanly when he had rescued me from embarrassment last night," Harriet almost swooned. "I was sure I would burst with joy when he held my hand in such a manner!"
"But...but I had thought you were referring to Frank Weston and his rescue not even an hour ago!" Emma stuttered out as she felt her heart begin to beat more rapidly and a strange chilling coldness spread over her skin.
"Oh no! I could never think of Frank Weston in such a manner," Harriet laughed, "after all we both know it is you he is interested in."
Emma could not bring herself to correct her friend. Partly because she had promised Frank some time ago to neither deny nor encourage the rumours of his courtship with her in order to protect Jane from the ire of his ill-tempered aunt but it was mostly because of this terrible dread that was filling her up by the second.
Mr Knightly could not marry Harriet Smith!
He could not marry anyone! He was hers, they were to be friends for the rest of their lives, and then in heaven when God feels they are needed there. He was...they were...oh but...
"Miss Woodhouse do you think I could possibly, just possibly, have a chance with a gentleman as superior as Mr Knightly?" Harriet asked half fearfully and half nervously.
Emma could not have said any negative thing to such a timid and needy expression. She had always felt the need to protect those in such a need but she could not remember the life for her what she had said to Harriet, her lips feel far too numb, and then, and then Harriet happily left practically skipping as Emma sunk onto the cold floor of the foyer after closing the front door on Emma (she did not think to call for the footman, she could not think at all at this moment).
Surely the world knew that Mr Knightly could not marry any other woman apart from Emma Woodhouse?
With such a realisation she let out a small choked sob.
"Emma? Emma what is the matter?"
The soft voice is followed by warmth as Jane holds her close and Frank kneels beside her. She can see Frank's concerned face and Jane's arm around her shoulder as Jane's hand cradled her head to Jane's own shoulder.
"Emma? Did something terrible happen?" Frank asked worriedly. "Did Harriet say something?"
Emma opened her mouth only to let out another sob and she held onto Jane tightly as she cried out every dreaded and angry tear onto the soft blue clothed shoulder. She was so angry and so hurt all the same time. She hated Harriet for daring to love her Mr Knightly. She hated herself for not realising such emotions until it was too late. And worst of all she hated crying in front of her dearest friends who did not need any more trouble than they already have.
Finally, finally, she lifts her head up and pulls away from Jane to speak.
"I am in love with Mr Knightly," she confesses and then falls back into despairing tears on Jane's shoulder.
It was too late for such a confession.
Mr Knightly was to be Harriet's and she was to be an old maid.