Jane Austen Bedtime Stories

As much as it pains him, the proud Sir Walter must decide who will be the new tenant of Kellynch Hall. Luckily, Mr. Shepherd has just the tenant in mind: an Admiral Croft. Though Sir Walter generally finds naval officers displeasing (their faces are just so weathered), there's a certain charm in letting one's home to an Admiral - their station is just high enough, without being too high to...

Things are heating up in Hertfordshire! After a more thorough introduction to our main players, we join Elizabeth and Darcy at another assembly, where Darcy's initial distaste with Elizabeth is softening into something more intriguing. As Mr. Darcy is learning, a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow a great deal of pleasure, indeed. Settle in as our the comforts of our ne...

Sir Walter Elliot's money troubles are serious - serious enough that the family absolutely must retrench. But mere cuts to their household budget (journeys, London, servants, horses, table...all the comforts of baronet life) aren't enough. The family will have to quit Kellynch Hall, relocate, and, much to Sir Walter's chagrin let their beloved home. While Anne wants to stay nearby in the country,...

It is a truth universally acknowledged that there's never a bad time to revisit Jane Austen's most beloved novel. In this first of our new Friday Favorites series, we make our way back to the very beginning of Pride and Prejudice, and meet the Bennets as they learn that Netherfield Park is let at last, and by a man of a good fortune. Elizabeth Bennet may not be handsome enough to tempt Mr....

It's time to meet our new protagonists: the Elliots of Kellynch Hall. The family consists of Sir Walter, the haughty and vain baronet, and his three daughters, Elizabeth, Anne, and Mary. Elizabeth and Mary have something to recommend themselves to their father (beauty, and a husband, respectively), but Anne has lost her bloom - she's only Anne. We meet them as Sir Walter is growing distres...

We're here in your feed with some exciting announcements! First and foremost, our next bedtime stories novel will be: Persuasion . Get ready for the poignant, romantic tale of Anne Elliot to be your new companion in rest and relaxation. But that's not all. 2025 isn't just the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth, it's the year that we crossed 100 episodes! To celebrate, we&...

There's one more surprise left in store for Emma - Harriet has accepted Robert Martin! Though Emma believes it impossible at first, it's really true, and with this news the fates of all three of Highbury's young couples are set. It's been a long road of encouragement, deception, and mistaken affection, but at last, everyone is paired with their desired partners and on their way to...

Emma Woodhouse's story is nearing its end, but one crucial step remains - informing her father of her and Mr. Knightley's engagement. Now that Mrs. Weston's baby has safely arrived, Emma has no more excuses, and can even recruit Mrs. Weston to help make Mr. Woodhouse comfortable with the idea of poor Emma eventually getting married. And once the news is out to the Westons, it's onl...

Harriet's off to London, so Emma is free to bask in the happiness of Highbury. She's overdue for a visit to congratulate Jane Fairfax, so it's off to the Bates's. But Emma's desire to speak freely to Jane is thwarted by the presence of none other than Mrs. Elton, who had the same idea as Emma. Though the visit may be more awkward than anticipated for them, it's just right f...

Frank Churchill's letter is too good to keep to herself, so of course Emma immediately shares it with Mr. Knightley to get his thoughts. His patience for Frank Churchill is limited, though, and his priority is to discuss a more pressing issue with Emma - where they should reside after marriage. Mr. Knightley knows Emma cannot quit her father and Hartfield, so what if he were to join her there...

Emma's exquisite happiness can only be disturbed by one thing - a thick letter from Frank Churchill, forwarded to her by Mrs. Weston. Uninterested as she is in hearing from him, it must be done, so she sits herself down to learn his truth. Settle in under your covers and join her, as she discovers how Frank and Jane Fairfax made their secret engagement and the sequence of events in Highbury th...

The dark clouds over Highbury have cleared, and as Emma takes her walk in the garden, the clouds over her heart are about to clear as well. For she has run into none other than Mr. Knightley, returned from London, and eager to see Emma and console her over Frank Churchill's impending marriage. But when Emma reveals that she never had an attachment to Frank, Mr. Knightley's emotions overcom...

Emma is still distraught over the prospect of losing Mr. Knightley to Harriet, but luckily a visit from Mrs. Weston offers a welcome distraction. But even tales of Jane Fairfax and Frank Churchill can't keep Emma's attention for too long, and every moment takes her further into introspection, reflection, and remorse. All she can do is promise to be better, for herself, and for those she loves. As...

Emma is convinced that the news of Frank Churchill and Jane Fairfax will be devastating for Harriet, but the tables soon turn and it's Emma herself who is left devastated, because it turns out the object of Harriet's affection is not Frank, but none other than Mr. Knightley. And upon hearing of Harriet's attachment, Emma has come to life-altering realization: nobody should marry Mr. Knightley othe...

This week, Emma is on high alert, as Mr. Weston arrives at Hartfield in a state of agitation. What could be the matter? He whisks her away and won't reveal a thing until they get to Randalls, and Mrs. Weston can break the news to Emma herself. The news is more shocking than she ever could have imagined: Frank Churchill is engaged to Jane Fairfax! What's more, they've been secretly engaged this ent...

Emma is back from the Bates's and just in time to catch Mr. Knightley before he leaves from London. How fortunate that she was able to let him know in time that she made her amends! But before she can think too much about their last interaction, they receive startling news - the long-suffering Mrs. Churchill is no more. Though it's sad news for the Churchills, the bright spot for Emma is that now...

Emma, still smarting from Mr. Knightley's rebuke, vows to be better, and the first step is for her to call on Miss Bates. The touch is immediate, and Emma soon learns of a major development - Jane Fairfax (with help from Mrs. Elton) has secured a position as a governess and is set to leave Highbury within a fortnight. But that's not all. It seems like Frank Churchill has left Highbury rather sudde...

"Badly done, indeed!" Never was there a better phrase to capture the Highbury set's excursion to Box Hill. From Frank Churchill's stupid flirting to the Eltons' posturing, the entire afternoon is one disappointment after another. And worst of all, Mr. Knightley left Emma in a state of despair after he pointed out how cruelly she mocked Miss Bates. The only thing that can remedy such a terrible day...

It's officially summer in Highbury! The heat has got everyone stir crazy, so they've planned an adventure - today, they are picking strawberries at Donwell Abbey. Mr. Knightley has graciously set up everything for their enjoyment, so everyone, from Mrs. Elton in her bonnet with the pink bow, to Mr. Woodhouse, who is sitting indoors by the fire (in summer), is satisfied. Only Jane Fairfax and Frank...

For once, Emma's not the only one with matches on the mind - Mr. Knightley has his own suspicions about a possible match, and they center on none other than Frank Churchill and Jane Fairfax. He's convinced that it can't be a coincidence that these two are frequently exchanging meaningful looks. As a friend, Mr. Knightley has to look out for Emma, of course, even though she's not buying his theorie...

Harriet is on the path to recovery, both from her encounter after the ball, and more importantly, from her attachment to Mr. Elton. To purge Mr. Elton from her system, Harriet needs to burn all her mementos of him: an old bandage and an old pencil that he once used. With Mr. Elton gone, Harriet is free to focus on a new mysterious object of affection. Emma suspects it's Frank Churchill, but vo...

It is the morning after the ball, and Emma's lingering delight is swiftly replaced with concern. Harriet and Frank Churchill show up at her doorstep, after Frank rescues Harriet from a harrowing ordeal that left her injured and stranded on her way home from the ball. It's a terrible situation, but Emma can't help but think it's also a romantic one - after all, how often does a hand...

The night we've all been waiting for is finally here - it's time for the ball! Settle in under the covers for an evening where all the major players in Highbury get their time to shine. From Miss Bates (heard without interruption for many minutes) to Mrs. Elton (nobody could care less for dress than her, but please take note that nobody else wore pearls tonight), this ball has it all. Not...

Summer has arrived in Highbury! And with it comes the return of Frank Churchill and the plans for the ball at the Crown. Emma is convinced that whatever feelings Frank may have had for her are gone, though Mr. Weston is not so sure. Whatever the case may be, it seems like the Highbury ball will soon reveal all. As Emma prepares, let her thoughts carry you away into another night of quiet and restf...

Our party at Hartfield concludes with a conversation between Mr. Weston and Mrs. Elton about the imminent return of Frank Churchill. Mr. Weston cannot contain his delight at the prospect of his son's return, and the situation of course reminds Mrs. Elton of her time at Maple Grove. The two are perfectly matched in their ability to keep a conversation going (usually past each other), which make...