Chapter
It was clear to all the happiness that radiated from the new bride as she descended into Grosvenor square.
Mrs Frank Churchill was quite overwhelmed, married when she never thought she would be, and now a town house in London all of her very own. Though she did feel a reluctant pang at the fact she had to leave her family behind. But she brushed those thoughts away, after all Frank was hardly an ogre, of course her family would all visit - even if one of them would be a rather inquisitive guest.
"Nothing is too good for my Mrs Frank Churchill." He beamed; he had waited so long to bring his darling to London as his bride and now that there were here he was not going to waste a minute.
All felt the surprise when it was announced that Mr Knightley was going to be married.
After all there were those had been under the impression that the groom was in love with another woman. But no one who saw the couple could doubt how well they would do for each other.
Others were convinced he would remain a bachelor, after all had not Emma herself said that Mr Knightley would not marry, so as to not cut poor John's children off from inheriting Doncaster?
It was widely regarded that Mr Knightley saved her from herself, although those closest to her must defend Mrs Knightley and say she was quite capable of saving herself.
Though all were agreed that true companionship and true happiness for all could only result from this union. There was such a mutual respect and understanding that existed between them, that they must be happy.
Brushing her brunette hair, Mrs Frank Churchill looked into the mirror. How she loved that name. "Mrs Frank Churchill" and here was she thinking she had never been a romantic. But now she could hardly stop calling herself that.
A knock of on the door broke her reverie.
"Sorry Ma'am for disturbing you, but these flowers are from the master."
"Thank you, Sarah."
The flowers strongly reminded her of all her rambles around Highbury which she suspected was the point. Though even though some of her memories brought her pain, many brought her happiness, after all her it was there where her true family lived.
There was even a card attached, which she thought was very indicative of her husband.
Love always Frank.
"My dear how do you like it?" Mr Knightley smiled at his wife.
"It is exactly as I would have wished." The new Mrs Knightley surveyed the parlour at Doncaster.
"I cannot believe you." Mr Knightley knew after all that his wife did have strong opinions even if she had learned the lesson that sometimes candour was dangerous. He often thought that after he married her he would have had to remonstrate with her regarding her temper, but he was every day surprised by his wife.
"You think I would not tell you the truth?" There wasn't a trace of archness in her voice.
"No I know you far too well to doubt you in that regard."
"Then you should believe me that it has turned out all exactly as I would have wished." As she said this she put her hand over his and smiled.
"Even if you would rather have lived somewhere else?"
"No I understand what Doncaster means to you, to us now."
And no one could fault the Knightley's decision to live at Doncaster, after all they had acted as well as they could for the best interests of their families, her family in particular had been overjoyed at the match as she was marrying the man who had ever been such a great friend to her family.
It was to be expected of all the friends of Mr and Mrs F. Churchill, who wanted nothing but their true happiness, that his new blushing bride would exercise some control over his giddy ways. After all Frank was in love and she was considered sensible. One had to only look at her upbringing and her apparent willingness to sacrifice herself for the sake of others. Many thought her far too good for him.
However all those who were praying for the success of the marriage for both parties, suffered a small setback at the giddy actions of the young couple.
For one who had never been exposed to the spotlight of a London season, due to her previous situation, Mrs Churchill could not be expected to shun all of London's delights. Though some thought perhaps she should have paid more attention to her husband and his pursuits.
Frank felt himself more invincible than ever - after all he was assured of the Churchill's money (his uncle had loved his wife the minute he saw her) and he had a beautiful wife who was taking London by storm.
She had no reason to stem his teasing ways, after all she had been swept away by his passion before, why stop it now?
"Mrs Knightley. Mrs George Knightley." She smiled.
"This is entirely unlike you." Came the voice of her husband.
"Talking to myself, I was just practicing, it is very unusual to hear myself being addressed as such."
"I meant the use of my first name."
She blushed.
She was charming when she blushed thought Mr Knightley, he had not thought her capable of such an action.
"George. You see I can use your first name. I may even use if often. "
They laughed.
"You bought a piano?"
"You do not like it? I thought it an excellent purchase."
"No I do not disagree with you there, it is a perfect piano. I was just recollecting - "
There was a pause. Frank smiled.
"You were recollecting - "
"Oh Frank do not make me say it!"
"But I love hearing you say things, you say things so charmingly, things were made to trip off your tongue."
"Flatterer." She smiled. However much she may disclaim it, she did love Frank's flattery.
"You were recollecting that our relationship is rather based on a piano. I'm sorry I did not try and make arrangements for us to bring that particular piano to London, after all it can be of little use where it is now."
"But I love this piano more."
Frank smiled. Of course she did, after all for one it was far larger and thus much more suited to her consequence.
"Why not play something?" asked Mr Knightley watching his wife sitting at the piano.
Mrs Knightley jumped. "Play something? I rather thought you preferred someone else's playing to my own?"
"Who could play better than you?"
She smiled. Though she knew it was not the case in her husbands mind, but she did not mind. She knew that she now held all of his attention. He understood her.
He even understood her reverie at the piano and attempted to make her think of other things. A piano had not been the start of her foolishness with Frank Churchill but it was a painful reminder of what might have happened if she had not realised, with the speed of an arrow, that fateful day when she heard those words spoken from one to whom she could have been a proper friend, and her utter stupidity regarding the state of her heart and mind.
The two marriages were quite different from one another. It was only to be expected such a mix of personalities, and of course the vastly different courtships.
Highbury always delighted in seeing two such charming couples together. To see the four of them all together was delightful, and while nothing could be sunnier than Frank's appearance, his new bride often seemed dispirited and guilty in her childhood surroundings. Mr Knightley on the other hand could not be near the other couple without feeling a profound disapproval and his wife could not bear to see the other couple without thinking of her own failings.
Nevertheless, it could be said both couples were happy in their own way. Mr and Mrs Churchill cared for one another - although those who had been privileged to see the fights between them were often astonished that it could be so.
Mr and Mrs Knightley cared for each other too - although those who have been privileged to see the utter harmony and sedentary nature of their existence were often astonished that it could be so.
You dear reader probably also are wondering if there could have been some other destiny available to Mrs Emma Churchill and Mrs Jane Knightley.