Re: Ficlet Friday

Emma?!? I’d read anything you’ve got for a seasonal Emma ficlet!

(I was cracking myself up imagining Mr. Woodhouse eating Pumpkin Spice gruel for the Seasonal food & drink 😂)

Sorry for the delay on this! Ran into some family drama right after you sent it and then got busy with other stuff for several days. But here you go! (Btw you should write Mr. Woodhouse eating pumpkin spice gruel!)

Ficlet Friday: no apple picking

"Mr. Knightley, I recommend a baked apple. You need not be afraid of a baked apple. It is the only way that the fruit is thoroughly wholesome."

"Thank you, sir, I will have one," Mr. Knightley replied to Mr. Woodhouse. "They are indeed wholesome, especially at this time of year when they're so fresh. The orchards at Donwell have been producing an abundant amount these last weeks."

Mr. Knightley looked to Emma, seated across from him at the dining table. "Perhaps we should gather a party together for apple picking at Donwell, like the strawberry party of a few months ago."

Neither Emma nor her father had a favorable reaction to this idea.

Mr. Woodhouse immediately began exclaiming against the idea of being outdoors when there was a chance of an autumn chill to catch them, invoking Mr. Perry's certain disapproval of it as well.

Emma's resistance had nothing to do with fears over the dangerous autumn air, but with having to tolerate the company of others in the party who she knew would annoy her. Miss Bates she had already heard speak at great length about Donwell's apples, and the silly woman would doubtless do so again. Emma did not think she could stand to hear Miss Bates say a single word more about apples than she had already been subjected to. Mrs. Elton would be in similar raptures over apples and the delights of autumn, which would then all deteriorate into tiresome complaints about the scheme, somehow.

Emma spoke none of this out loud. What she said, instead, was, "I think I should much rather eat apples than pick them, Mr. Knightley."

"You're at liberty to decline my invitation to the party if picking apples does not suit you," he replied smoothly, as if it were no consequence to him at all whether she came or not.

Emma frowned, wishing to say something about the fact that as the soon-to-be mistress of Donwell Abbey, it would be ridiculous for her to not be there, but she did not wish to distress her father by referring to her upcoming marriage, even though he had finally consented to it mere days before, and even though she would not be removing to Donwell once she became Mrs. Knightley.

She settled for a more obtuse reference to her intimate relationship with Mr. Knightley. "Is that all I am to you, a guest, the same as any other?"

He directed an amused but affectionate smile at her. "You know full well that you are not, my dear Emma."

His fond admission soothed her, but still she must press her point. "Then will you give up this apple picking scheme?"

Mr. Knightley regarded her for a moment, then turned to Mr. Woodhouse. "I will follow your advice, sir, and refrain from holding such a party."

She smiled. Mr. Knightley was teasing her, she knew, but she was not vexed. She had gotten her way, and what was more gratifying than that?