Chapter 11: Harriet's New Admiration

The weeks after the Crown Inn ball brought a noticeable change to Harriet Smith.

The sadness caused by Mr. Elton slowly faded into memory. Though she still blushed whenever his name appeared in conversation, the pain no longer ruled her thoughts.

Emma was grateful.

At least one mistake seemed to be healing.

Yet another change soon became impossible to ignore.

Harriet spoke of Mr. Knightley constantly.

At first, Emma welcomed it.

How could she not?

Mr. Knightley deserved admiration.

He had rescued Harriet from humiliation at the ball when others had ignored her.

He had behaved with kindness and dignity.

But as the days passed, Harriet's gratitude began to sound different.

One afternoon at Hartfield, Harriet sat near the window sewing while Emma read.

Without warning Harriet sighed.

Emma lowered her book.

“What is it?”

Harriet smiled shyly.

“Nothing.”

“Harriet.”

“I was only thinking.”

“About whom?”

The blush answered before the words did.

Emma suddenly understood.

Her stomach tightened.

“Mr. Knightley?”

Harriet looked away.

“Perhaps.”

Emma forced herself to remain calm.

“You admire him.”

“Everyone admires him.”

“Not in the same way.”

Harriet's hands stopped moving.

For a moment she seemed afraid.

Then she whispered, “Would it be very wrong?”

Emma stared at her.

Something inside her shifted painfully.

Why should it be wrong?

Mr. Knightley was unmarried.

Harriet was free to admire whom she wished.

And yet the idea disturbed Emma far more than it should have.

“Harriet,” she said carefully, “you must not encourage hopes too quickly.”

Harriet looked surprised.

The warning sounded remarkably similar to the ones Mr. Knightley had once given Emma.

Emma noticed the irony immediately.

“I know,” Harriet said softly. “I do not expect anything.”

But Emma was no longer certain.

She remembered how easily Harriet's heart attached itself.

And for reasons she could not yet explain, the thought of Harriet loving Mr. Knightley made her deeply uncomfortable.