Jane Austen Bedtime Stories

The Hartfield dinner party continues, and the evening is mostly filled with Mrs. Elton attempting to convince Jane Fairfax to accept her help in securing the most desirable governess posting (Mrs. Elton has seen a great deal of the world at Maple Grove, after all). But her chattering is interrupted with the surprise appearance of Mr. Weston, who has big news - Frank Churchill is returning to Highb...

Mrs. Elton is a popular new addition to Highbury society, so despite Emma's less-than-warm feelings towards her, she's decided to invite the Eltons to a dinner party at Hartfield. (Since Emma wouldn't want anyone to suspect that she dislikes Mrs. Elton, of course.) Join the Eltons, the Woodhouses, the two Knightley brothers, Mrs. Weston, and Jane Fairfax for a thrilling start to their...

Emma's opinion of Mrs. Elton hasn't changed - she's as insufferable as ever. In the absence of Emma's friendship, Mrs. Elton has fixated on a new target, Jane Fairfax, which is just fine with Emma. The person she's really concerned with is Mr. Knightley, whose fondness for Jane is slightly alarming. He denies any affection for Jane Fairfax, but Mrs. Weston is convinced there&#3...

Highbury has a new addition to its society - Mrs. Elton! She may be very elegant with her beautiful gowns, but that's really the only thing she has going for her. Between her high opinion of herself, her overfamiliarity, and her incessant talk of Maple Grove , Emma can hardly stand her. Harriet would have been a much better choice. But what annoys Emma will be helpful to you, dear listener, as...

Frank Churchill is gone, and as his presence fades from Highbury, so do Emma's feelings for him. She is sure they are destined to be just good friends. But there was an intriguing line about Harriet in his latest letter - could it be...? No, Emma needs to stay focused, especially since Mr. Elton and his new bride are going to be back in town soon, meaning Harriet needs some extra care from Emm...

Good news (planning the ball!) is immediately followed by bad, as Emma finds out that Frank Churchill has to leave Highbury. Before he goes, though, he stops by and strongly hints that he is falling in love with her. Emma's sadness at his leaving means that she might be in love with him too, at least a little bit...right? Well, that is what she will tell herself for now, and in the meantime sh...

Emma is planning a ball! After one delightful evening of dancing, Frank Churchill is eager to organize another one, and so the preparations begin. There are so many things to decide - is the parlour at Randalls large enough? How can they assuage Mr. Woodhouse's fears that they will all catch cold? And should there be a full supper, or, as Mrs. Weston suggests only sandwiches? (Don't worry,...

Emma and her friends make their way to the Bateses', and finally see Jane Fairfax's storied pianoforte in the flesh. Frank Churchill's pointed speculations about the gift-giver soon give way to a mostly one-sided conversation between Miss Bates and Mr. Knightley, who is passing by the house, and before Emma knows it, the entire morning has passed her by. Join her in getting lost in con...

After a successful night at the Coles', Emma is in good spirits. But the mystery of Jane Fairfax's pianoforte still remains, and after a run-in with Mrs. Weston, Frank Churchill, and Miss Bates in town (including a rather lengthy aside from Miss Bates about her morning), Emma is on her way to the Bates's to see the instrument for herself. A day in Highbury is never dull, so let Emma&#3...

The intrigue of the evening at the Coles continues to deepen, as Mrs. Weston comes to Emma with a new theory. Could Mr. Knightley be the one who gave Jane Fairfax the mystery pianoforte? Could he perhaps be interested in marrying her? The idea vexes Emma immediately - on behalf of her nephew, of course, who could lose his inheritance if Mr. Knightley married and had his own children. Emma is certa...

Tonight it's dinner at the Coles, and this night is about to be full of major developments for the people of Highbury to discuss. First and foremost is the mysterious new pianoforte that got delivered to Jane Fairfax - everyone is abuzz with speculation as to who could have sent it, especially Emma and Frank Churchill. After all, what good is a surprise delivery if the all your neighbors can&#...

Frank is out of town today to get his hair cut, giving Emma the perfect opportunity to get the Westons' advice on a situation that's been vexing her. The Coles, a Highbury family, are hosting a dinner party. Even though the Coles are decidedly inferior to the Woodhouses (they made their fortune in trade), all of Emma's friends will be there and she's tempted to go - what a connundr...

Frank Churchill and Emma (and Mrs. Weston) are out on the town - exploring Highbury, that is. Frank seems enchanted by everything, and even has some new information to share about the frustratingly reserved Miss Jane Fairfax. He and Emma are so perfectly in sync, it seems as though she's always known him. How charming! As they take a turn through the town, let their journey lead you on your ow...

Harriet's fifteen minutes at the Martins goes just about as well as Emma could expect - such a pity that their social standing isn't ever-so-slightly higher so that it would be an appropriate match! But luckily there's a wonderful new distraction in town, the one and only Mr. Frank Churchill. He's finally here, and he certainly knows how to lay it on thick. Emma is intrigued, and a...

Mr. Elton is back in town, and everyone's talking about his new bride. The soon-to-be Mrs. Elton is from a good, if unremarkable family, and most importantly of all, has ten thousand pounds. Emma is most concerned about the effect of this news on poor Harriet - along with her renewed acquaintance with the Martins, this has been a lot for her to handle. Everyone could use a rest, and that is ex...

Highbury is abuzz with big news - Mr. Elton is engaged! All we know is that her name is Miss Hawkins, and she has ten thousand pounds, which is plenty to start the gossip mill churning. And now Emma has to break the news to poor Harriet, who is still reeling from an unexpected run-in with Mr. Martin in town. While it's a lot of excitement for Emma, it's also perfect to help you slow your m...

Jane Fairfax is in town, so it's time for a deep dive into her story. As an orphan without inheritance, her visit to Highbury is her last hurrah before accepting her fate as a governess. Emma is charmed by her elegance, but underwhelmed by Jane's personality - so cold, and worst of all, boring. But boring is perfect to help you settle in to another night of restful sleep. ----- Welcome to...

Emma, still trying to distract Harriet from Mr. Elton, comes up with the perfect solution - a visit to the Bates household. Unfortunately for Emma, this means listening to Miss Bates's endless commentary about Jane Fairfax (who is coming to Highbury next week). But fortunately for you, dear listener, Miss Bates's musings are perfect to lull you off into a night of peaceful and restful slee...

More bad news - Frank Churchill is not coming to Highbury after all. Emma and Mr. Knightley spar over their interpretations of what Frank's seemingly perpetual delays mean about his character. It's all in good fun, at least for Emma, though she's surprised at the intensity of Mr. Knightley's contentions. Emma's not too upset about Frank Churchill not showing up, though, because...

Mr. Elton has unexpectedly left town, and rather rudely as well. But Emma isn't too bothered by it, because it gives her space to do the thing she's been dreading the most - telling Harriet that Mr. Elton was never in love with her. Harriet bears it as well as can be expected. Now that Emma has finally lifted herself of that burden, she needs a rest, and so do you. Let this week's stor...

Back at home, Emma contemplates Mr. Elton's unexpected proposal. How could things have taken such an unexpected turn? Emma vows never to get involved in setting two people up again, and a good night's sleep puts her back in good spirits. Let a good night's sleep do the same for you as this week's story soothes you into a peaceful state of slumber. ----- Welcome to the Jane Austen B...

As Emma and Mr. Elton make their way home from the Christmas party, she makes a shocking discovery - Mr. Elton has been in love with her , not Harriet, this whole time! He proposes marriage, and unfortunately, it's not just the excessive wine talking. Both are mortified. Emma needs to contemplate how things went wrong, and as she does, let her conversations and ruminations carry you on a journ...

The Christmas party at Randalls moves to the drawing room, and Mr. Elton's behavior is increasingly bothersome. But before Emma can fret too much, the party learns that it has been snowing this whole time - making it imperative for the two most anxious Woodhouses (Mr. Woodhouse and Isabella) to return home. Luckily for you, you're safe and warm in your own bed and tonight's story will...

Christmas dinner at Randalls continues, and once Emma extricates herself from Mr. Elton's excessive overtures, she receives an exciting piece of news. Mr. Frank Churchill will be joining them in January. Emma's always liked the idea of the two of them together, and soon enough she'll get the chance to meet him. As she ponders, let your mind wander into deep and restful sleep with this...

Christmas is here, and the Westons are planning a party at their home. Sadly, Harriet has a cold and can't make it, and Emma is surprised that Mr. Elton is still very enthusiastic about attending. Where is his care for his beloved? To complicate things further, it seems that snow is on the way, just as they are all leaving for Randalls. It's going to be a long night, so settle in and let t...