Jane Austen Bedtime Stories

Frank Churchill is back in Highbury, and it's just in time for the dinner party at the Coles'. The party is abuzz with the news that Jane Fairfax received a surprise gift: a pianoforte, delivered to the Bates's home. Everyone is convinced that it's a gift from the Campbells, but Emma isn't so sure. She thinks the gift could be a sign of affection from Mr. Dixon, and Frank Churc...

Marianne is itching to leave London, so the Dashwoods make a plan to travel back home by way of Cleveland, the Palmers' estate. There are just a few more weeks for them in London, but before they leave, Colonel Brandon stops by to convey some unexpected news. He's heard of Edward Ferrars's plight, and is able to offer him the living at Delaford. Though it's not much, the romantic C...

After just a few days in Highbury, Frank Churchill jets off to London for a day, merely to have his hair cut. To Emma, that conveys a bit of foppery, but all young people have their little whims, after all. At least Frank's absence gives her time to consult with the Westons about whether to accept an invitation to dinner at the Coles. The Coles made their fortune through trade, so it would be...

Things have settled down for Elinor and Marianne after the initial commotion upon the reveal of Edward and Lucy's engagement. A beautiful spring afternoon brings Elinor and Mrs. Jennings out to Kensington Gardens, where they meet up with the elder Miss Steele, who is eager to share the latest. According to her, Edward and Lucy will not break their engagement, despite Edward's loss of fortu...

Emma is joined by Frank and Mrs. Weston on a walk through Highbury, and it's the perfect opportunity for the two handsome young people to get to know each other better. Frank's delight with Highbury seems genuine, and Emma is thoroughly charmed. Frank even drops some juicy gossip about Jane Fairfax -- what more could Emma want? This week's Friday Favorites brings Emma and Frank closer,...

It's another quiet day in London, until Mrs. Jennings returns home with big news. Over at the Dashwoods, Miss Steele just revealed that her sister Lucy has been secretly engaged to Edward Ferrars! Elinor is relieved that the news is finally in the open, while Marianne is utterly shocked that her sister has been holding this emotional burden all by herself for four months. When their brother Jo...

Harriet visits the Martins, and the visit ends with a finality that makes Emma feel quite bad. Luckily for Emma, a run-in with the Westons brings the delightful news that the long-awaited Frank Churchill is finally on his way to Highbury. Within a day, Mr. Churchill has called with his father at Highbury, and Emma can meet him at last. She can tell that Frank knows how to please, but she's not...

Elinor and Marianne join their brother and sister-in-law for a night out, much to Fanny's chagrin. For Elinor, it's a chance to become acquainted with the one remaining member of the Ferrars family whom she hasn't already met, Edward and Fanny's brother, Robert Ferrars. Unfortunately, he's everything Elinor expected him to be. Meanwhile, Mr. John Dashwood is struck with the ide...

The newly-engaged Mr. Elton has returned to Highbury, and as a young person in an interesting situation, he is very kindly spoken of. That's unfortunate for Harriet, who is unable to be talked out of love as easily as she was talked into it. Though Emma is sure that Miss Augusta Hawkins won't hold a candle to her dear Miss Smith, that won't stop the immediate problem of Harriet continu...

After the unpleasant dinner with Mrs. Ferrars, Elinor finds herself almost grateful that she's not the one engaged to Edward. But Lucy Steele had a thoroughly different experience, and she's called on her "dear friend Elinor" to gloat about how much Mrs. Ferrars and Fanny liked her. While she's there, the two women receive another visitor: none other than Edward Ferrars himse...

Mr. Knightley is at Hartfield, and he has exciting news, but before he can reveal it, Miss Bates arrives and spills the beans: Mr. Elton is engaged. After four weeks in Bath, he has met a Miss Hawkins, and they are going to be married. Miss Bates is delighted at the prospect of a new neighbor in Highbury, while Emma is concerned about Harriet (and annoyed at Jane Fairfax's muted reaction to th...

When Fanny Dashwood finally meets Lady Middleton, it's a match made in heaven, and Fanny even likes Mrs. Jennings -- she likes them all so much that she invites them all to dine with her at their London home. The Miss Steeles are staying with the Middletons, so they'll be joining for dinner too, as will Fanny's formidable mother, Mrs. Ferrars. Fanny and Mrs. Ferrars warm to Lucy Steele...

The much-discussed Jane Fairfax has arrived in Highbury, and Emma is determined to have a good opinion of her. Sure, everyone always assumes Jane and Emma are close because of their similar ages, and yes, Jane is superior at playing the piano, but she is very elegant, and Emma highly values elegance. Moreover, Jane's situation as an orphan destined to a life of governessing is truly pitiable....

Marianne finally agrees to go out of the house with Elinor. On their shopping trip, they are surprised to run into none other than their older brother, John Dashwood. He is genuinely happy to see his sisters, and calls on them at Mrs. Jennings's house the next day (without his wife Fanny, of course). After meeting all of their new acquaintances, John Dashwood is pleased to see that they all ap...

After another morning of hearing Harriet pine over Mr. Elton, Emma decides to change up their morning routine and call on the Bateses. While Mrs. and Miss Bates aren't Emma's favorites, she judges the visit to be better than Harriet's endless moping. Over tea, Emma learns that Miss Bates's niece, Jane Fairfax, will be on her way to Highbury very soon, for an extended stay of three...

With the truth about Willoughby's character now known, Marianne is adjusting to her new normal, and slowly healing -- she is even voluntarily speaking to Colonel Brandon. On the advice of their mother, Elinor and Marianne are remaining in London for a few more weeks to enjoy the change of scenery. The extended visit will allow them to see their brother and sister-in-law, and, unfortunately, al...

Frank Churchill is not coming to Highbury. After all of Mr. Weston's excitement about his son's visit, Frank ended up postponing his plans. While Emma is too distracted to be too disappointed, when Mr. Knightley expresses critical opinion, she still feels compelled to defend Mr. Churchill. The resulting debate between the two is illustrative of both of their characters, and it's a perf...

As Marianne continues to recover from the sudden end of her relationship with Willoughby, Elinor receives a visit from Colonel Brandon, who feels compelled to share a history that he hopes will help Marianne get over her pain. After the tragic downfall and death of Colonel Brandon's first love, he took on her daughter as his ward. Last fall, he learned that this young girl had been seduced and...

Mr. Elton's unexpected proposal has Emma reeling, and she needs to take time to reflect. Emma knows that his supposed feelings are more for Miss Woodhouse's status, rather than true love for her; and she realizes that it was an error for her to take such an active role in pushing Harriet towards him. Luckily, the weather prevents her from going to church and seeing Mr. Elton at Christmas,...

Marianne is still distraught over Willoughby's betrayal, especially after learning that he is to marry a Miss Grey, who has fifty thousand pounds. Mrs. Jennings, concerned for her young friend, is showing kindness the only way she knows how -- with good food, good wine, and cards -- but it's not enough to soothe Marianne's broken heart. To Mrs. Jennings, this is the perfect opportunity...

The Christmas party at Randalls is interrupted by the news that it has begun to snow, putting the guests in a flutter about how to get home. In the commotion, Emma and Mr. Elton end up in a carriage alone together, allowing Mr. Elton the perfect opportunity to declare his feelings, not for Harriet, but for Emma! She is aghast; and once Mr. Elton discovers that Emma thought he was in love with Miss...

Willoughby's callous behavior towards Marianne has left the Dashwood sisters shocked, and the next morning, they receive even worse news. A letter from Willoughby confirms he is attached to another woman, and he has sent back all of Marianne's notes and her lock of hair. The rejection is so painful that Marianne can barely leave her bed, and even Elinor is distraught. Marianne reveals to E...

Christmas at Randalls has commenced! The Woodhouses, Knightleys, and Mr. Elton have all joined the Westons for a night of holiday cheer, despite the impending snow. Mr. Elton is still acting too familiar for Emma’s taste, but she’s trying to avoid it, especially since there’s tempting talk of Mr. Weston’s son, Frank Churchill, finally coming to visit Highbury. This week’s Friday Favorites is a coz...

Elinor and Marianne accompany Lady Middleton to a party, where they are finally reunited with the elusive Willoughby. But what should be a happy moment of reunion is instead a moment of shock and confusion. Willoughby barely acknowledges Marianne, and certainly does not seem to return her affection. Neither Elinor nor Marianne understand what has caused so material a change, and Marianne is so sho...

An intimate party has been invited to join the Westons for Christmas at Randalls, and Emma is delighted. It's the perfect opportunity for Harriet and Mr. Elton to get closer. Only, there's a problem: Harriet is unable to attend because of a sore throat, and Mr. Elton...doesn't seem that upset about it? In fact, Emma's brother-in-law John Knightley seems convinced that Mr. Elton&#39...