The Pemberley Papers. Chapter 5

In which Emma Knightley discovers an old talent...

Chapter Five

Emma Wodehouse has chosen to take Parnham Park because it was within calling distance of Pemberley, but another other advantage is its proximity to two sisters with whom she had been friendly for some years. Elinor Ferrars was the wife of a clergyman and mother to an ever growing family, while her younger sister Marianne had married a rich East India man, Colonel Brandon. Their marriage was without issue.

Both sisters had called on Emma, and it had been a relief to think that there might be someone in the vicinity who might take the place of her beloved Mrs Weston. Elinor was more like her former governess in temperament, being level headed and sensible, but Elinor was much occupied with her five children, while Marianne did little with her days except play the piano forte. So it is the younger sister who is at Emma’s tea table this afternoon. Emma has been telling Marianne about how much she is looking forward to the return of her son George. Marianne gives her a bittersweet smile.

“ I adore children. Sadly Brandon and I have not been so blessed. He has his ward of course, Tom who is a charming young man, but he is up at Oxford now.” Marianne pauses and then with a wistful lean of the head, “ Elinor told me yesterday that she is expecting another child. And the youngest one is not yet two.”

Emma feels the stirrings of a a familiar impulse. Before her marriage she was always coming with plans to improve the lives of her friends. But Knightley had been firm, saying that he would not have a wife who interfered with other’s people’s business. At the time Emma had willingly submitted. Her foolish scheme to marry Harriet Smith to the Reverend Elton had ended in humiliation and she had no desire to repeat the experience. But the memory of that shame has faded and Knightley is no longer at her side. So she had no qualms about saying to Marianne,

“ Why don’t you offer to adopt your sister’s new baby? You and the Colonel can offer it advantages that it cannot possibly expect as the sixth child of the Parsonage.”

Marianne ‘s large eyes widened. “ But Elinor loves her children so much.”

Emma nodded, “ Which is why you should offer to take the baby as soon as it is born so that she does not have the chance to form an attachment to it. You can engage a wet nurse, and bring up the child entirely as if it is your own. I do not see how your sister could possibly object. I know that as a mother myself, my primary concern is for George’s happiness. I am sure that if you talk to Elinor you will be able to persuade her that this will be in her baby’s best interest.”

“ I wonder what Brandon would make of such a scheme?”

Emma smiled at her friend.

“ Oh depend on it you will be able to persuade him. I have never seen such a doting husband. And after all he has had the pleasure of bringing up his ward, this Tom. Why should you not have a ward of your own?”

Marianne is lost in thought. Emma has suggested an arrangement that has from time to time occurred to her. But Marianne has always shrunk from suggesting something so transactional to her sister. In their youth Elinor was always the more prudent of the two sisters, but when it comes to her children she is extravagant with her love. Marianne knows this. Indeed there was a time in the early years of Elinor’s marriage when she felt quite jealous of the unstinting attention that her sister paid to her children. But it was possible Elinor might not feel so strongly when it came to the sixth addition to her brood.

“ I confess that I have sometimes wondered about asking her whether something of the sort might suit. She is always happy to send me the older girls, Susannah and Mariah, for a visit, and I am always delighted to receive them. They are lovely obliging girls, but I know that part of their regard for me is cupboard love. I can give them dresses and treats which their parents cannot. I would like so much to have a child who loves me as a mother.”

Emma nods in understanding. “ Of course you do. I would feel the same in your position.” Marianne bites her lip.

“Elinor always used to be so practical. But I wonder if she will understand how advantageous this arrangement would be for everyone.”

Emma leans forward, her eyes wide with sympathy,

“ Would it help if I were to talk to Elinor? I could make the suggestion and see how she reacts? A friend can say things which a sister cannot.”

“Indeed that would be a great help. If she rejects the idea out of hand then I will not have offended her, and if she is interested then she can talk to me herself.”

Emma sits back, satisfied. She has a plan which depends on her powers of persuasion, what could be more delightful?”

“ Tell me what kind of affair will the ball at Pemberley be?”

Marianne claps her hands with delight,

“ Everything is always done most splendidly at Pemberley. Mrs Darcy is a most brilliant hostess.”

Emma tries to look pleased at this information.

“ And what sort of woman is she? “

“ I like her enormously. She has such high spirits, with her there is always laughter.”

“ I do not know that I am quite ready for high spirits.”

Marianne looks sympathetic. “ Oh but Mrs Darcy has an acute sensibility for all her gaiety. She would most certainly understand your position.”

Emma sighs,

“ I would much rather refuse the invitation, but I feel that I must accept for George’s sake.”

“ I am sure your sacrifice will be appreciated.”

“ When I went to dances as a girl, I never imagined that one day I would be one of the women in a widow’s cap watching the young ones dance.”

“ I am sure you will not want for partners. Brandon, I know would be delighted to stand up with you.”

Marianne speaks without thinking, but Emma feels the condescension of a married lady to a widow and it feels as unbecoming as her widow’s cap. But before she can reply she hears the sound of Miss Bates reassuring her father.

“ Dear Mr. Wodehouse, you are too kind to worry about me, but I assure you that I was only outside for ten minutes at most and Mrs Knightley has been gracious enough to give me a pelisse which is of the kind of wool that can withstand even a north east wind.”

“ There is too much colour in your cheeks for my liking. I suspect that you have caught a chill. Goose fat and flannel that is what you must use. The apothecary at Buxton who is used to this climate said that it is the only thing to ward off a chill. You must promise me Miss Bates that you will apply it liberally before you go to bed.” Mr. Wodehouse was in danger of getting a crick in his neck from turning around in his bath chair to look at his companion.

Emma springs to her feet, “ Miss Bates is to do nothing of the kind. Her cheeks are flushed from the fresh air. It is a beautiful day indeed. Shall I take you outside Papa, so that you can feel the soft zephyrs floating around you?”

Mr. Wodehouse shakes his head vehemently, “ No, Emma. I do not intend to risk what remains of my health. Good day to you Mrs Brandon. I hope that you have wrapped up warmly against the chill.”

Marianne likes nothing more than to wander through her garden hatless and shoeless to better experience the power of nature, but she has had enough acquaintance with Mr. Wodehouse to know that this would be a most unwise admission.

“Dear Mr. Wodehouse, you must not have a moment’s anxiety on my account. I too have a pelisse capable of withstanding the winds from the north, and I shall travel home in my carriage.”

“ Yes, yes, but do think of the drafts, Mrs Brandon. It only takes a moment’s inattention and the wind can find you out.”

Emma knows from experience that once embarked on the evils of drafts her father is not easily distracted, so she takes Marianne by the arm and steers her towards the door.

“ I am going to inspect Mrs Brandon’s carriage, Papa, to make absolutely sure that she will not place herself in peril on the journey home.”

The two women walk arm in arm into the hall. Emma regards the handsome carriage that stands outside.

“ I don’t think any draft would dare to penetrate such a fine piece of workmanship.”

‘. Please don’t tell your father but there are times when I am compelled to open all the windows because it is so snug inside.”

“ My lips are sealed, Mrs Brandon.”

“ And if you do happen to see Elinor, perhaps you could talk to her about that little matter. I know that she admires a great deal.” Marianne gives her friend a winning smile.

Emma smiles back, it will be her pleasure. As she smiles the sun breaks through from behind the clouds and another observer might draw some connection between the sun and the smile. I merely record the coincidence. Emma is smiling because her mind is filled with a scheme which will give her the opportunity of arranging other people’s lives. The expression on her face reminds me of the Emma Wodehouse I once knew. She reaches up and taking out the pin that fastens her widow’s cap to her hair, she pulls it off and shakes her head so that her curls falls down around her face.

“ Emma, what are you doing. You will catch cold.”

Her father’s voice comes through the window, but Emma does not reply because she is turning away and starts to run, hatless, into the garden.