Jane Austen Bedtime Stories

Mr. Knightley joins the party for the evening at Hartfield, and he and Emma are finally ready to make up after their disagreement about Harriet and Mr. Martin. With that out of the way, the two are able to enjoy a lively evening discussing the ins and outs of Donwell Abbey (the Knightley brothers), and the benefits of gruel and evils of sea air (Mr. Woodhouse and his daughters). Their conversation...

Harriet and Mr. Elton are temporarily forgotten, as Emma's sister and brother-in-law are in town from London! Everyone is thrilled to see Mr. and Mrs. John Knightley and their five children, and no one more so than Mr. Woodhouse. Get to know the rest of the family as they catch up on Highbury news together, and let their pleasant conversations help you drift into pleasant sleep. ----- Welcome...

Emma and Harriet set off on a noble outing to help the poor, and their walking path happens to pass by a certain vicar's house. Emma's best efforts lead to some spirited conversations between Harriet and Mr. Elton, but something is keeping him back from declaring his love for her friend. She just has to be patient and give it time, and as she does, let her schemes and plans continue to soo...

Our saga of Mr. Elton's charade comes to a conclusion, as Emma and Harriet share the note with Mr. Woodhouse, which quickly turns into him fretting about Isabella's upcoming visit to Hartfield. The girls are soon joined by Mr. Elton himself, who won't admit to anything, but Emma knows he just needs a little more time and encouragement to declare his love for Harriet. As Emma keeps up h...

With Emma's revelation that Mr. Elton's charade was really a love note to Harriet, the two friends must celebrate, process their feelings, and figure out what to do next. Harriet is elated, and Emma is content - everything is playing out exactly as she planned. As the two of them revel in Mr. Elton's newly reavealed affections, let their hopes and schemes help you drift off into deep a...

Emma and Harriet's friendship just keeps growing, and their latest adventure is collecting charades and riddles for Harriet's new collection. Of course, they had to ask Mr. Elton to contribute, and Emma is certain his charade sounds suspiciously like a love note to Harriet. If only Mr. Knightley could see this - Emma knows he'd admit he was wrong. And as for Harriet, she is simply spee...

It is always a delight when Mr. Knightley visits the Woodhouses at Hartfield, but today's visit soon turns quarrelsome when Mr. Knightley realizes that Emma convinced Harriet to refuse Mr. Martin's proposal. But surely, what can Mr. Knightley know about the passionate love that Emma sees between Mr. Elton and Harriet? The conversation may be tense, but it isn't enough to change Emma&#3...

Emma's friendship with Harriet is deepening, and not a moment too soon, because Harriet has just received a proposal from Mr. Martin of Abbey Mill Farm. Harriet needs help figuring out what to do, and luckily for them both, Emma is there to guide her (but of course, never to influence Harriet's decision). All Harriet needs is a reminder of her superior status, and of Mr. Elton's affect...

Emma's new plan to match Harriet and Mr. Elton is going splendidly. What else could explain Mr. Elton's rapturous praise of the portrait of Harriet that Emma just painted? There is only one explanation - falling in love. Emma is certain of it. Let Emma's art and Mr. Elton's compliments carry you off into a deep and restful slumber with this week's episode. ----- Welcome to the...

Emma's burgeoning friendship with Harriet Smith is big news, and the subject of disagreement between her friend and former governess Mrs. Weston, and her brother-in-law Mr. Knightley. Both care for Emma, and both of them think they know best. But who is right? You be the judge as you let their conversation help transport you into a restful state of deep sleep. ----- Welcome to the Jane Austen...

Emma and Harriet are becoming fast friends, and their long walks are the perfect time for Harriet to talk all about her friends the Martins, who own a farm nearby. She's particularly enamored of the young Mr. Robert Martin, but Emma knows Harriet should do better - namely, the vicar Mr. Elton. Emma is sure that Harriet and Mr. Elton are a perfect match, and all she needs to do is keep engineer...

Highbury is full of characters, and this week a few have joined the Woodhouses at dinner. We have Mrs. and Miss Bates, the widow of a vicar and her good-natured daughter, and Mrs. Goddard, who runs a school. And luckily for Emma, Mrs. Goddard brought one of her pupils this week, Harriet Smith, a very pretty girl who Emma just knows would benefit from her tutelage. The evening will pass quickly wit...

Emma's governess, Miss Taylor, married Mr. Weston, and it's time to learn some more about him. A widower, he has a son from his first marriage named Frank Churchill, who was raised by his rich aunt and uncle. Nonetheless, Mr. Weston is a good sort of man. His rich son is the pride of Highbury (though he's never been there), and Miss Taylor feels lucky to have found such a good match. L...

Season 2 is here! Join us as we meet Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever and rich - well intentioned, but perhaps a little too used to getting her own way. After seeing her dear governess married, she's trying to keep her kind but curmudgeonly father, Mr. Woodhouse, in good spirits, as well as trying to convince her family friend Mr. Knightley that matchmaking is a good use of her time. (Just loo...

We made it - the final chapter of Pride and Prejudice! Elizabeth and Darcy, and Jane and Bingley, are married, and all that remains is to get a glimpse into what their happily married lives look like. Join us as we conclude the narrative for the Bennets, and let this week's episode help you fall into a peaceful and restorative sleep.  ----- Welcome to the Jane Austen Bedtime Stories podcast! E...

Elizabeth and Darcy are finally engaged, and getting ready to settle down. It's the perfect time to banter, inform their relations, and avoid the ones whose behavior is less than ideal (*cough* Mrs. Phillips *cough*). For once, Lizzy is content, so allow her pleasant experience to help you drift off into a pleasant and restful sleep. ----- Welcome to the Jane Austen Bedtime Stories podcast! Ea...

Now that Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy are engaged, there's just one more hurdle - telling her family. How will Jane, and Mr. Bennet, and Mrs. Bennet react? Lizzy is worried, and has to convince everyone that she really does love Mr. Darcy. After doing that three times, she's exhausted and needs a rest, and so do you. Allow yourself to drift into relaxing and restorative sleep with this week&#39...

Mr. Darcy's back in town. Will he visit Elizabeth or will Lady Catherine's diatribe put him off her forever? Don't worry, it takes more than an angry aunt to thwart his love, and one long walk later, Elizabeth and Darcy are engaged - for real this time! There's so much for the two of them to sort out and clarify with each other, and once it's done, Elizabeth is ready to rest. L...

A letter is in from Mr. Collins! Normally that's enough to put you to sleep on its own, but this one is more interesting than usual. According to Mr. Collins, Lizzy and Mr. Darcy are engaged, which is big news to Mr. Bennet. He thinks it's hilarious, but for Lizzy it's just confusing, and a bit embarrassing. She needs to sleep on it to proccess her feelings, and so do you. So let this...

News travels fast, and not always accurately - Lady Catherine de Bourgh has arrived at Longbourn with the impression that Elizabeth is engaged to Mr. Darcy. How could this obstinate, headstrong girl get in the way of her ladyship's daughter's tacit engagement? Lady Catherine cannot let it stand, but Elizabeth will not give in that easily. After such a heated conversation, she needs a momen...

The moment has arrived! *wink wink* Mr. Bingley and Jane are engaged! We all knew how it would be in the end. Five thousand a year! Elizabeth is thrilled for Jane, and is particularly thankful that Mr. Darcy's meddling didn't come to light. What a delightful turn of events for the Bennets. Celebrate with them by letting this week's story help you drift into calm, relaxing, and restful...

It's a few months later than Mrs. Bennet planned, but the Netherfield gentlemen are finally at Longbourn for their dinner date. While it's clear that sparks are flying once more between Bingley and Jane, it's less clear what Darcy is doing there. Why show up if he's not even going to try to talk to Lizzy? She's working herself up trying to figure out what is going on - she need...

Lydia and Wickham are off, but that's all right because there is even bigger news: Mr. Bingley is back at Netherfield! What does it mean - is he back for Jane? And more pressingly for Elizabeth, why is Mr. Darcy with him? The gentlemen's visit to Longbourn raises more questions than it answers, despite Mrs. Bennet's excessive civility. Best to take some time to rest and think about wha...

Mrs. Gardiner's letter arrives and Lizzy learns the truth of Mr. Darcy's involvement in Lydia and Wickham's marriage. Mrs. Gardiner seems to think he did everything for Lizzy - could it be true? But before she can figure it out, Wickham appears in the garden to take a walk. What will help Lizzy is a good night's rest to think things over, just like you will get a good night's r...

Lydia and Wickham have arrived at Longbourn. Somehow, Lydia seems totally unaware of what she put her family through, thoroughly shocking Elizabeth and Jane. As always, she won't stop chattering away, which leads to the revelation that Mr. Darcy was at her wedding?! Lizzy doesn't know what to think. What could it mean? A good night's rest will clear her head, and it will clear yours to...