Chapter 15: The Conversation at Hartfield

A few days later Mr. Knightley visited Hartfield.

Emma had hoped to avoid him.

That hope lasted approximately three minutes.

The moment he entered the room she became painfully aware of everything.

His voice.

His smile.

His steady confidence.

Even the way he crossed the room seemed significant.

It was exhausting.

Mr. Woodhouse eventually retired for his afternoon rest, leaving Emma and Mr. Knightley alone.

Neither spoke immediately.

The silence felt different now.

More dangerous.

Finally Mr. Knightley said,

“You have seemed unhappy lately.”

Emma looked away.

“Have I?”

“Yes.”

“Perhaps I am merely tired.”

“No.”

His certainty irritated her.

Mostly because it was correct.

“You always believe you know everything.”

“Only about you.”

The answer arrived so naturally that neither of them reacted immediately.

Then Emma felt her heart stumble.

Mr. Knightley seemed equally surprised.

For a moment they simply looked at one another.

Something unspoken passed between them.

Neither acknowledged it.

Instead Mr. Knightley changed the subject.

“Harriet appears happier.”

Emma immediately tensed.

“Does she?”

“Yes.”

“You have noticed?”

“Of course.”

Emma's stomach tightened.

There it was.

The nightmare.

What if he had noticed Harriet because he cared for her?

What if she had misunderstood everything again?

The possibility terrified her.

Mr. Knightley continued speaking.

“She has gained confidence.”

Emma forced herself to remain calm.

“Yes.”

“Thanks largely to you.”

Emma nearly laughed from relief.

Not Harriet.

He was speaking about friendship.

Nothing more.

Yet the fear remained.

Because she no longer trusted her judgment.

When Mr. Knightley left that evening, Emma realized something important.

She could not continue living inside uncertainty.

Either Harriet loved Mr. Knightley in vain.

Or Emma did.

One of them would eventually be hurt.

The question was which one.