Chapter 24: Mrs. Elton's Grand Disaster

Some things in Highbury never changed.

Mrs. Elton was one of them.

She remained energetic, confident, and completely convinced of her own importance.

One summer she announced an ambitious charity fair that would, according to her description, become the most remarkable event in local history.

For weeks she organized committees.

Created schedules.

Issued instructions.

And informed everyone exactly how grateful they should be.

Unfortunately, Mrs. Elton's plans proved considerably more impressive on paper than in reality.

The day of the event arrived with unexpected rain.

Half the outdoor arrangements failed immediately.

Several vendors became lost.

The musicians arrived late.

And Mrs. Elton spent so much time giving orders that she forgot to solve any actual problems.

By afternoon complete confusion threatened the entire event.

Fortunately Mr. Knightley, Mr. Weston, Robert Martin, and several others quietly stepped forward.

Without seeking credit they reorganized everything.

Within hours the fair recovered.

The charity raised more money than expected.

Everyone enjoyed themselves.

And somehow Mrs. Elton still believed the success belonged entirely to her.

That evening she declared proudly,

“I knew everything would work perfectly.”

Emma nearly laughed.

Later she repeated the statement to Mr. Knightley.

He smiled.

“Some people never learn.”

Emma leaned against him.

“Perhaps that is what makes them entertaining.”

“Or exhausting.”

“Sometimes both.”

They laughed together.

Even Mrs. Elton, Emma decided, had become easier to tolerate with time.