A Perfect Match

Based on Jane Austen's Emma



Is there anything more heart-warming than a beautiful girl feeling pleased with herself? Emma Collins was certainly a beautiful girl, and at that moment she was feeling extremely self satisfied. She had just received a phone call informing her of an engagement. But not just any engagement; the happy couple were Sheila Guild and Max Jenkins-Smith. Less than a year ago, they had met through Heavenly Matches, Emma’s dating agency. Now they were getting married.

“And it’s all down to you!” Sheila had gushed down the phone. “Thank you so much for everything Emma. Is there’s anything we can do to repay you?”
Emma had simply smiled and replied that their happy news was all the thanks she could ever want. It was true. After all, an engagement was an excellent advertisement.

These pleasing thoughts were interrupted by Emma’s secretary, announcing the arrival of Harriet Marshall. Emma lent back in her plush leather chair and watched as Harriet entered the room. They had met through an acquaintance of Emma’s and as soon as she saw her, Emma knew she had to get Harriet on her books. Although her background and financial circumstances were less than impressive, Harriet had a sweet, shy manner that would appeal to a protective, sensitive type of man. She was also stunningly pretty, which would help even more. Emma had liked her enormously and was excited to set her up with a wealthy man who could improve Harriet’s lifestyle. It was almost like charity work…

“Hello darling, how are you?” Emma asked warmly as Harriet sat down on the chair opposite her. “I’ve been looking through my files, and I think I’ve come up with a few people who would be perfect for you. Let me just find…what is it sweetheart?” she said as Harriet moved to interrupt her.

“The thing is…I was at a party a few nights ago and I met someone there, I was telling him about this agency, and it turns out, he’s one of your clients as well!”
Emma raised her eyebrows in surprise. She tried to make sure that Heavenly Matches catered mainly to the more successful type. Harriet worked in a shop, what would she be doing at the type of place Emma’s other clients frequented?

“His name is Robert Philips” Harriet went on. Ah, well that explained it then. A few of Emma’s clients were friends of friends, people she had signed up as favours. Robert Philips, a teacher, was the cousin of George Myles, who was a longstanding friend of Emma’s family. Of course, Harriet herself was also a ‘favour’, but beauty in a woman was a success in itself and Harriet was hardly short of that. Also, in Emma’s experience, rich men were much less likely to care about the financial situations of prospective girlfriends.

She smiled politely. “Harriet darling, Robert is a lovely man, but are you sure you won’t have a look at some of these others? After all, do you really want a relationship with a P.E. teacher? He’ll just come home every day with dirty fingernails and horrid bruises from where one of the little brutes has kicked a football at him!” She laughed and after a hesitant pause Harriet joined in, although with much less enthusiasm. Emma picked up one of the folders.

“This is Elton Green.” She passed Harriet the folder, photograph on top. He’s a lawyer darling, a great friend and a wonderful character. Why don’t I just arrange a casual dinner, to see if you could hit it off?"
The apprehensive expression on Harriet’s face deepened. Emma had a feeling she knew the cause of it.

“Now, I don’t do this very often Harriet, but for you I’d be prepared to make an exception. I sometimes accompany people on dates, with an escort myself, of course. I find that if someone is feeling a bit…unsure of themselves it’s a help to have another couple there.”

Harriet’s grateful smile delighted her. It was so nice, she would reflect later, to have clients who realised what an excellent service she provided.

“I’ll phone Elton immediately, to find out when he’s free.” She promised, as Harriet was leaving. “I’ll let you know as soon as possible.”
Despite her promise, the first person she phoned was actually George. As an investment banker, his time was slightly more valuable than Elton’s, and so it made sense to check his availability first.

“Exciting news!” She exclaimed as soon as his secretary had put him through.
“The problem with you, Emma,” George’s dry tones came down the receiver, “is that you forget that just because something is of the utmost interest to you, it doesn’t always hold the same level of excitement to everyone around you.” Despite his words there was amusement in his voice, so Emma continued.

“I’ve just had Harriet Marshall in my office. Such a lovely girl. Anyway, she’s taken quite a shine to Elton, but she’s very shy, so I suggested that you and I could accompany them to dinner, next week sometime? What days would be best for you?”

George was silent for a few moments and when he spoke again, Emma was surprised to hear annoyance in his voice.

“My cousin Robert mentioned to me that he met Harriet recently. He said he got the impression that she was interested in getting to know him better. I would have expected you to be inviting me to dinner with him and Harriet.”
Emma thought quickly. George had a tendency to be quite sensitive about his relations. She would have to phrase this carefully.

“She might have mentioned Robert,” Emma said slowly. “But when she saw all the trouble I had gone to, looking for people for her, she decided to have a look at the folders anyway. As soon as she saw Elton…that was it.”

“Really? You’re sure that you didn’t have anything more to do with it? Maybe suggest that she could do better than a P.E. teacher?” It occurred to Emma that George could be unreasonably suspicious at times.

“Of course I didn’t say anything like that George. You must have such a horrible opinion of me sometimes.” She waited a second for George to deny this, he didn’t. “Anyway, will you please come?”
“I don’t see why it has to be me. Don’t you have any other witless saps you can drag along?”
“I have plenty of male friends’ thank you.” Emma snapped. “But they all seem to be in love with me, and that’s so distracting when I’m working. At least I don’t have to worry about that with you!” She had expected her words to make George laugh. Instead, he sighed.
“Fine, I’ll come.” His voice became more animated. “But only so I can see if Harriet really is interested. If she’s not, I want you to set her up with Robert.” Barely listening, Emma agreed. If everything went according to her plan, she wouldn’t be needing to set Harriet up again, full stop.

*************************************************

“You’re not nervous are you sweetheart?” Emma asked gently. In Harriet’s place, she would have been terrified. The restaurant they were sat in was hardly somewhere Harriet would be used to. Then again, the other patrons wouldn’t exactly be used to the sight of one of their fellow diners clad in a New Look dress. They had arrived before the men. Most people seemed to think that the gentleman should arrive at a venue first, so that the lady didn’t have to wait alone, Emma disagreed with this idea. A woman able to arrive and wait by herself showed, in her opinion, confidence and dignity. Also, for most of her male clients, getting held up at the office wasn’t an uncommon occurrence, so she felt it was important that the woman show from the offset that she was capable of cheerfully waiting alone.

In answer to her question, Harriet nodded. “I’m so out of place here. Everyone’s so well dressed!”

“Don’t be silly darling! You’re just as beautiful as anyone in here.” At this moment they were interrupted by George.

“Not late am I?” he asked, kissing Emma’s cheek and smiling warmly at Harriet. Emma checked her watch and reassured him he was right on time. It did occur to her at that moment that despite his pressured job, she couldn’t remember George ever having been late to anything. He was very considerate.

“Elton. Good to see you again.” Emma looked up, delighted smile firmly in place, as she prepared for Elton to meet the love of his life.

“Elton, darling. This is Harriet Marshall. I’m so happy you’ve finally had a chance to meet.” She watched as Elton took Harriet’s hand and kissed it. Emma herself was not one for overly contrived romantic gestures like that, but she did watch with pleasure as Harriet blushed and smiled.

Before coffee, Emma excused herself and Harriet to the ladies. “So? What do you think?” she demanded as soon as the door shut behind them. Harriet’s pretty face was flushed and she had been giggling all through dinner.

“He is amazing!” Harriet announced breathlessly. “But…do you think he likes me? What if I’ve made an idiot out of myself? I kept staring at him!”

“Oh he likes you. I can tell. He kept smiling at me, he obviously wants to thank me for introducing you.”

“Are you sure?” Harriet’s voice was tense. Emma smiled at her reflection in the mirror. “Trust me.” She said, with perfect self-confidence. “I know exactly what I’m talking about when it comes to men. He’s crazy about you.”

**********************************************

“Elton, what do you think you are saying?” Emma heard the anger in her voice and tried to control it. In all the scenarios she had imagined for this evening (in her favourite one, Elton spontaneously proposed to Harriet, before the two of them tearfully thanked her for bringing them together), the situation she was in now had never even crossed her mind. After making sure Harriet was safely in a cab, Elton had asked Emma if he could drive her home. Assuming he had wanted to set up a second meeting with Harriet, she had agreed happily. What she had not been planning for was for Elton to stop outside her house, and when she said goodnight, suddenly ask if he could take her for dinner next week, alone. He then added that he had been trying to ask her for ages, but “whenever you call me, it’s always to ask me on another date with someone else.”

“Elton, I run a dating agency. You are a client. I set you up with other clients, That’s my job! What about Harriet? The very pretty, sweet girl you were flirting with tonight?” The look of disgust on Elton’s face shocked her.

“Emma, I’m a lawyer. What do you expect me to do? Show up at my black tie functions with a girl who works at Mark’s and Spencer’s?”

“It’s Topshop, actually.” Emma snapped, although realising the retort was not as scathing as she would have liked. “And in case you hadn’t noticed Elton, my job is hardly part of the high pressured industry you seem so fond of.”

“That’s different and you know it. Your family is rich.” Emma got out of the car.

“I think we’ve said all we need to Elton. Goodnight.” She didn’t watch him drive away. Emma’s mind was on more important things. In three years of running Heavenly Matches, it seemed that the impossible had happened. She had got it wrong.

*************************************

“I’m so sorry sweetheart. I’m normally an excellent judge of character, but Elton had us all fooled. Horrid man!” Emma was trying to keep her tone upbeat, but it was hard with Harriet’s miserable face in front of her. Whilst she felt extremely sorry for her, Emma had never understood how some women (and also men) could feel so strongly about another person after just one meeting. She had never been in love, but surely it was supposed to take more than one dinner and cab fare before the end of the relationship caused as much anguish as Harriet was going through now.

“And he didn’t say why? Does he think I’m not clever enough? Was I laughing too much? Tell me everything he said again.”

“I’ve told you darling. Elton has decided that at the moment he needs to focus on his career.” Emma had decided not to tell Harriet about Elton’s feelings for her. As Harriet was convinced Elton thought she was not pretty or clever enough for him, it would only hurt her more to learn she had lost out on his affection to someone who was superior to her in both respects.

“But, if he doesn’t want a relationship, why did he meet me in the first place?”

Unfortunately, perhaps Harriet was smarter than Emma had given her credit for. A change of subject was in order.

“Darling, if men knew exactly what they wanted all the time, life would be a lot less confusing for all of us. Anyway, a friend of mine is having a party this weekend. She told me to bring a date, and I want you to come with me.” Immediately, Harriet looked concerned, “Elton won’t be there, will he?”

“Of course not,” Emma made a mental note to check as soon as possible. “It’s just going to be a few friends.” Her secretary buzzed through at the moment to tell her that “Mr. Myles is on the phone for you. Shall I take a message?”

“No, put him through. Harriet, you don’t mind do you darling? I should probably take this.”

“Don’t say anything about me!” Harriet whispered as she stood up. “If he asks, tell him…tell him I didn’t even like Elton. I thought he was boring and stuck up!” Emma smiled and nodded as Harriet left. She then grimly picked up the phone. It was not a conversation she had been looking forward to.

“So!” The cheeriness in George’s voice made her want to reach down the receiver and strangle him. “Your heavenly match didn’t work out then?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Emma kept her voice deliberately cool. “If this is about Elton and Harriet, obviously I wasn’t necessarily expecting them to hit it off, but…”

“Don’t lie Emma, I know you. You probably had your wedding outfit picked out before you even left the house. I don’t know what you were expecting, Elton’s not going to be interested in someone without a six figure salary, or at least a father with one.”

Emma felt her frustration rising. “I didn’t know he was such a snob! How come you did?”
“Because, Emma my love, unlike you I don’t believe that just because someone has money, they are automatically a nice person. I don’t think Elton’s the only snob here, do you?”

“Shut up!” Emma cried. Why did George have the ability to make her feel like a child? “Harriet didn’t even like Elton anyway. She thinks he’s boring and stuck up!”

“Elton is boring and stuck up. But you’re lying again. Harriet was smitten with him as soon as he kissed her.” Completely frustrated, Emma slammed the phone down. George, she decided angrily, was…just…such an arse!

*****************************

Emma knew that it wasn’t the done thing at a dinner party to greet one’s host with a hastily stifled expletive, but she couldn’t help herself. Having spent the last few days preoccupied with George and his smug, arrogant comments she had completely forgotten find out if Elton was going to be a the party. The thought only entered her head now as she stood with Harriet beside her. Elton was a few feet away, his arm wrapped possessively around a woman.

“Of course you know Elton, Emma.” Sally, unaware of the tense expressions on her newest arrivals faces, prepared to do the introductions. Immediately, Elton stepped forward to interrupt her.

“Emma, Harriet, lovely to see you both.” His voice was triumphant. “This is Francesca Cane.” As he drew the woman forward, his face was smirking and his eyes never left Emma’s face. “I know her father through work.”

He really is a pretentious, egotistical man, Emma thought suddenly. How come I never realised it before? It is worth pointing out that even in her distress, Emma still managed to note that she was prettier than Francesca; whatever the situation her priorities were always in order.

“Hi Emma! It’s so great to meet you! I hear you’re the one who’s always setting Elton up with women! No wonder he didn’t notice little old me until now!” Emma was fairly certain that she had never heard a more annoying laugh in her twenty-six years on Earth. Next to her, Harriet let out a small squeak.

“It’s lovely to meet you. Sally, if there’s time before dinner, I don’t suppose I could show Harriet around could I? I’ve been telling her how beautiful your home is.” Without bothering to wait for a reply (it was so rare that Emma was refused permission for anything, she didn’t see the need), Emma took Harriet’s now shaking hand and led her out of the room.

“You said he didn’t want to be with anyone!” Despite the loudness of Harriet’s voice, Emma didn’t bother to hush her. She was at the moment so high pitched, Emma felt it was likely she would only be audible to dogs, and Sally didn’t have any. There was Francesca to consider though…

“Sweetheart, he did say that.” Emma decided to continue with her lie, although she reflected it would have been easier to do so if Elton had appeared the tiniest bit despondent about her rejection of him rather than fawning over some jumped up cow. Men could be so fickle sometimes.

“Then why is he with her? It’s me isn’t it? I’m not good enough for someone like Elton.” Harriet was near to tears. Under the circumstances, Emma decided one more white lie wouldn’t hurt.

“Listen,” Emma lowered her voice, “Elton doesn’t want a girlfriend at the moment, but as Sally told him to bring a date tonight, he’d look stupid turning up by himself wouldn’t he? So…it’s quite obvious isn’t it?”

“What is?” Sweet as she was, Harriet’s naivety was breathtaking.

“She’s an escort, darling. And not a very attractive one at that.” The look of shock on Harriet’s face was priceless.

“Oh! I’ve never seen a…one of those before! I can’t believe it, she looks…” Before she could get slightly coherent, they were interrupted by a knock on the door.

“Emma? Are you and Harriet finished? Sally says she's ready to serve dinner.” George opened the door and gave Harriet a friendly smile. “You look beautiful Harriet, I’ve asked Sally to change the sitting arrangements so that you’re next to me instead of Elton. I couldn’t give up the chance to sit next to the prettiest girl in the room!”

Emma followed them down the hall, praying that during the course of evening, Harriet would manage not to announce that according to her, the daughter of the Honourable Judge Graham Cane was a prostitute.

******************************************

“Harriet looked very pretty this evening,” George commented as he drove Emma home. At his words she felt herself tense. Not once had he commented on how nice she herself had looked.

“Well, she is very pretty,” she replied, keeping her voice none-comitial, “It was sweet of you to sit by her.”

George shrugged “I overheard Elton talking about her to Francesca Cane. I knew how rude he’d be if they were sat next to each other.”

“You are quite the knight in shining armour darling.” Emma knew she sounded snappy but she couldn’t help herself. The atmosphere in the car cooled immediately.

“I felt sorry for her. I suppose Sally must have invited Elton at the last minute, after you checked to see if he was coming.” Emma remained silent. “Unless you forgot to ask?”

“Well, it’s not like I did it on purpose! I’ve been busy this week.” Emma knew she sounded like a petulant child and the fact annoyed her.

“I don’t really know why I’m surprised. Elton being there wouldn’t affect you personally, so why would you have any inclination to remember?”

“That is so unfair! You know how much I care about Harriet. I would never do anything to hurt her.” Emma was actually shouting now.

“Then why do you insist in interfering in her life? Setting her up with someone who clearly wouldn't care about her.”

“In case you hadn’t noticed, Harriet pays me to interfere, as you call it. At a much lower price that my other clients’, I might add.” George’s face was disgusted.

“Of course you’d bring that up. It’s all about money with you. Elton must be a good person because he’s rich, you must care about Harriet because you don’t charge her the extortionate fees that you ask from everyone else. It wouldn’t occur to you that it might benefit Harriet more if you tried setting her up with someone who would treat her the way she deserves.” Emma had been planning a snappy retort but at George’s last sentence she froze.

“I suppose you know exactly who that would be then do you?” She finally managed. “Well if you think you could do so much better than me perhaps you should start your own agency. Or is it just certain people you’d be setting up?”

Finally they had arrived at her house and without another word she stepped out of the car, making sure to slam the door. A million questions were swirling around her head. What had George meant by that? He had commented several times tonight about how pretty Harriet had looked, and he had protected her against Elton’s rudeness. Did George have feelings for Harriet?

***************************************

After a long, sleepless night not even the very expensive bouquet of orchids from Mark Jameson, the television executive thanking her for setting him up on a wonderful date with the model Sara Clarkson could cheer Emma up. What was even more confusing was that she didn’t understand what was bothering her so much. She had been trying for years to persuade George to let her find him a girlfriend, so why, now he was showing an interest in someone, did she feel so put out?

“Emma, Harriet Marshall is here. She doesn’t have an appointment but she said can you spare five minutes?”

“Yes, send her through please, Laura.” Harriet looked irritatingly bright and happy as she breezed into the office. Still, maybe she’d been lucky enough to sleep for over an hour the previous night.

“Emma, I know this is a bit out of the blue, and you’re going to think I’m exaggerating, but I’ve fallen in love!” Well that explained the over excitability then. Although Harriet had proclaimed undying adoration for Elton only last week, it was good to see she wasn’t the type to dwell on things. Despite her cynicism, Emma couldn’t help to be interested as she invited Harriet to sit down.

“Tell me everything darling! Did you meet him last night? Is it Philip, I saw the two of you chatting after dinner, he’s a lovely man.” Harriet laughed breathlessly.

“It’s George!” Emma froze. “I know I’ve met him before, but because of Elton I didn’t notice him until last night. And I think…well…I think he might be interested in me! Last night he kept telling me how nice I looked, and he wanted to sit next to me…what do you think? When can you set me up?”

“He’s not a client.” The words were out almost before Emma knew she was going to say them. Harriet looked confused.

“What? I know, but, well you know him. And you know me. So can’t you…?

“Harriet, I run a business. People pay me to find them dates, I’ve asked George countless times to become a client and he has always refused. I can set you up with someone else though, let me just get my files…”

“I don’t understand! We’re friends aren’t we? Why can’t you just invite George out with us? Unless…” Harriet’s expression was cold. “You don’t think I’m good enough for him do you?”

“Don’t be ridiculous sweetheart. I just don’t think George is right for you.”
“It’s not that. You think your rich friend could do so much better than a sales assistant!”
“Well if that’s the case, why would I set you up with Elton?”

“It’s different. I’m fine to go out with your rich acquaintances, but someone like George, your family friend, well you’d never want him to lower himself to my level!” Harriet got up and stormed towards the door. “I thought you really cared about me, Emma.”

Emma could think of nothing to respond with so she just watched as Harriet slammed out of the room. Her confusion had multiplied by thousands. Why had she reacted so badly? Philip wasn’t a client either, but if Harriet had expressed an interest in him, she would have been straight on the phone to arrange a second meeting. What was different about George?

*********************************************

Jealously is not an emotion that normally affects rich, beautiful girls who rarely form romantic attachments. This being the case, it took Emma a while to realise that jealously was indeed what she was feeling. The next question was why she was jealous? Her first idea was perhaps that Harriet, and George if he did have feelings for Harriet, had been able to find each other without her assistance. But somehow, she knew that wasn’t the case.

The idea of realisation hitting one ‘like a bolt out of the blue’ was not something Emma had ever really understood. However, she was hit, and suddenly, with understanding. She had feelings for George herself! She cast her mind back through their relationship, realising more and more her own feelings. All those times she had asked George to join Heavenly Matches weren’t because she wanted to find him someone, it was so she could check that he was still uninterested in having a serious girlfriend. She would insist on him accompanying her places not because he was the most convenient choice; it was another excuse to spend time with him. Sitting alone in her office, Emma had no idea what to do. As with jealously, she had always been too wealthy and beautiful to suffer from a lack of self-confidence before, however she now had to confront the unthinkable. Emma Collins was hopelessly in love with a man who did not want her. Who apparently wanted a simple, naïve shop assistant.

With impeccable timing, that was the moment Emma’s secretary announced that George was on the phone for her. Hand shaking slightly, Emma picked up the receiver.

“Emma, hello. How are you?”

“Oh, I…I’m fine…how are…you?” She realized she was actually stuttering for the first time in her entire life. Love was certainly overrated, no wonder she had always been too clever to succumb to it before.

“Really?” George sounded amused. “I thought you would still be ranting and raving over what I said last night. That’s why I called actually, to apologize. I shouldn’t tell you what to do.”

“Oh.” Not exactly a scintillating reply, but Emma literally could not think of anything to say.

“Are you sure you’re alright?” George’s voice was now concerned. “I thought you’d be crowing from the rooftops that I eventually admitted I could be wrong!”

“Um, yes…exactly. Haha!” It sounded to Emma that her voice had rose by three octaves when she laughed.

“Well, anyway. I also wanted to tell you that I’m thinking of having a small party myself next Friday and I wanted to check you could make it. Robert’s coming and I was going to invite Harriet.” There were possibly things out there that Emma would less rather do than watch George and Harriet flirt over drinks, but she couldn’t think of what they might be. Still, as one of George’s oldest friends there would be plenty of gossip if she weren’t at his party, and if there was one thing Emma hated it was the idea of people being negative behind her back.

“That sounds lovely. I’ll be there. Speak to you soon.” As she got off the phone, she realised that George hadn’t asked her to invite Harriet, and so was presumably going to do it himself.

Probably so he can tell her how beautiful she’ll look on Friday, she thought bitterly. Oh, and to remind her how she has to sit next to him the whole time! The entire party was probably just an excuse to see Harriet again. Without any warning, even to herself, Emma broke down and cried for a few minutes. It was both d shocking and horrible experience, she genuinely couldn’t remember the last time she had cried. More than likely though she reflected grimly, it had been the last time she had wanted something and not been able to have it. Because she knew that George didn’t want her. Emma had always been a little aware of her faults; being snobbish and selfish, being overly proud that she was superior to most people in terms of both looks and wealth. All the things in fact, that George kept telling her off for. They had never bothered her before; after all, she was beautiful, so why not be proud of it? But now, with the realisation that her behaviour had lost her the person she loved, she saw these faults in a new light. The way she had acted towards Harriet stood out brilliantly. She had put someone she claimed was a friend in an embarrassing and upsetting position, just because she couldn’t be bothered to remember to make one phone call. Then, when Harriet had found someone else, she Emma, couldn’t bring herself to put Harriet’s and by consequence, George’s feelings before her own. Well not anymore, she determined. She would go to the party, and she would be happy that Harriet and George had found each other. In fact, if the relationship progressed, and she would hope so, she would offer to help them plan their wedding. She would not be selfish and spoilt anymore, so, that if she ever suddenly found herself in love again, she wouldn’t lose out that time.

******************************************


Snake feeding, Emma decided. She had been pondering the question all week and was pretty certain that she would definitely rather be at George’s dinner than have to feed snakes.

“Emma, I’m so glad you could make it.” George took her coat. “Harriet’s already arrived, doesn’t she look lovely?” Then again, if one had the correct equipment, how difficult could snake feeding really be?

Emma had carefully timed her arrival so almost everyone would be at the party when she arrived and she could avoid George and Harriet by mingling with everyone else. However, whilst this tactic worked, it was fairly pointless as she spent almost the entire first part of the evening craning her neck to look over at them. Harriet was mostly conversing with Robert, probably arranging a fitting for his Best Man suit, Emma decided moodily. George spent most of the time chatting with different groups but as Emma watched him, he sent frequent happy glances to where Harriet and Robert sat. The conversation was certainly sparse with so many of the attendants choosing to watch one another constantly rather than talk.

As the evening wore on and they sat in George’s beautiful living room, Emma tried to make conversation with a work associate of George’s, hoping he wouldn’t notice that she was too busy concentrating on George to actually hear what he was saying. George was stood with Harriet and Robert and while they talked and laughed together, Emma watched as he lent forward to kiss Harriet’s cheek.

“I’m sorry Douglas, that sounds terribly interesting, but would you excuse me for a moment?” She just managed to get to the bathroom before the tears started.
It took Emma a few minutes to compose herself, but she was still surprised to find someone waiting outside the bathroom when she exited, after all it wasn’t as though George had any shortage of them. Then she was embarrassed to see that it was Harriet stood there, looking every bit as nervous as Emma felt.

“Emma, I’m so, so sorry!” Of all the things Emma had been expecting Harriet to say, an apology wasn’t one of them. “I should never have said those things to you the other day, I’ve been feeling terrible ever since.”

“Don’t be silly sweetheart, I’m the one who should apologise.” Then it was time to say the hardest part. “I really do hope that you and George are happy together.” Harriet stared at Emma for a moment, looking extremely confused.

“What? Oh Emma, I’m so embarrassed about that! I think it must have been just where Elton had been so awful to me. I’m not interested in George at all, I’m here with Robert!” Looking at Emma’s shocked expression, Harriet continued. “George phoned me to invite me to this evening and he mentioned that Robert was going to be here and that I should ring him and arrange to drive here together. We talked for hours on the phone, and it reminded me how much I liked him when we met that first time. We’ve spent every day together since!” She looked concerned. “I know you won’t approve, but I really like him.”

“Oh Harriet, of course I approve sweetheart. I’m so happy for you!” As Harriet left to find Robert, Emma’s mind was on poor George. He had tried to arrange a party in order to spend more time with Harriet, but she falls in love with his cousin a few days before! Yet he seemed so cheerful. Like her, Emma supposed, he must have been putting on a brave face.

On her return to the living room, Emma was surprised to find everyone was preparing to leave, so it was only a matter of minutes before she found herself alone with George.

“Wine?” he asked, holding out a glass. She took it gratefully. “I think that tonight went well. You seemed very quiet though.”

“I’m sorry, George.” The words were unexpected, even to herself.
“What for?”

“I know you have feelings for Harriet. It must have been so hard for you to see her here with Robert.” George moved to one of his sofas and sat down.
“Could you please tell me,” he said slowly, “what you’re talking about?”
“I know you’re in love with Harriet!”

“I see. And how exactly did you come to this conclusion?”

“At the party last week, you kept saying how pretty she was! Then you told me she should be with someone who deserves her. You set up this whole dinner party so that you could spend more time with her, you wanted to invite her yourself, and you kept looking over at her! Why would you do that if you weren’t in love with her?”

“Emma, sit down.” She did and George refilled her glass. “You’ve obviously put a lot of thought into this theory, so it’s almost a pity to have to tell you that what you just said is complete rubbish.” He smiled. “You don’t realise that since they met, I have been trying to get Harriet and Robert together?”

“What are you talking about?”

“I told Harriet she looked nice at Sally’s because I felt sorry for her. When I said she should be with someone better, I was talking about Robert. I wanted to invite her myself so that I could arrange for her to phone him. I knew that once they got to talking again, that would be it.”

Emma quite simply did not believe what she was hearing. “If you’re putting on a brave face, George, or trying to stop Robert and Harriet from feeling guilty…”

“I love you.” His words took a few moments to register on Emma’s brain.

“What did you say?”

“I love you, I have done for longer than I’d like to admit. I love everything about you, Emma.” They stared at each other for a long moment.

“Why are you telling me this now?” Emma was whispering, although she didn’t know why.

“Because…your being so concerned about me being hurt over Harriet and Robert makes me think you might be ready to tell me you love me back?”

Later, when they had talked and laughed and everything seemed to be so perfect that Emma had even cried, she asked George;

“Do you think I should give up matchmaking?”

“Why do you say that?” he replied.

“I can’t be very good at it. I didn’t see that Harriet and Robert were perfect for each other. And I didn’t realise that I was in love with you for who knows how long.”

“I don’t think so, darling. For the most part you’re very good at what you do, and you’ve made a lot of people happy.” His voice was teasing. “You just need to remember that because someone’s rich it doesn’t make them a wonderful man!”

“Pretentious arse.”

“Bratty snob.”

Yes, Emma Collins had definitely made a perfect match.



Katie Clifford 2009. All rights reserved