A/N: Welcome back to my loyal readers and a hearty welcome to new ones!

Caution: This is a high-angst story with descriptions of Sexual Violence and its aftermath.

The story also has an unusual timeline.

I'm using my dialogue-only style from The Wedding Afternoon. This style leaves a lot of the story to your imagination, so you'll have to suck it up and fill in the blanks. I'm quite enamored with this method for certain types of stories. It's a little more work for you, but it gives you the pleasure of imagining the characters and settings as you like. I'm sure you're up to it.

This one came to me a few weeks ago almost complete. This is a novella, and will remain that… I promise, no scope or schedule creep this time. It will be about 40k words, maybe 20 chapters.

So, without further ado, let me introduce my Emma Bee. Note that there is no connection to the novel Emma. She just appeared in my mind one-day, name and all. It was too late to rename her.

Note After Completion: This story generated a bit of controversy in the comments regarding the subject matter, and the discussion was very interesting. You'll see an A/N in chapter 16 that discusses it. Read the reviews to see the actual discussion. As always, I read and love every review so feel free to let me know what you think.

Wade

"My pardon, young lady! Careful! Let me help you back up. I hope you are not injured. I apologize for getting in your way when you are in such a hurry on an obviously important task."

"Thank you, sir. I am sorry for running into you."

"No harm done. Are you all right, young lady."

"Yes, sir. I am fine, and it was my fault. I'm tougher than I look, and I doubt a bull would knock you over. Mama says I am a terror just like she was. I don't usually run into gentlemen though, so I apologize."

"No harm done, so no apology is necessary. Is your mama here? Is it safe for you to be out in the lane alone? Will she scold you?"

"No, sir. Mama never scolds."

"I can see why not. Your manners are everything wonderful, and that was a very elegant curtsy."

"Thank you, sir."

"May I have the privilege of knowing your name, young lady?"

"Emma Bee."

"Emma Bee?"

"Yes, sir. Bee… Bzzzzz…. Bzzzzz… Bzzzz…"

"Of course. It is my pleasure to meet you, Miss Bee. Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy at your service, ma'am."

"Such a fancy bow, Mr. Donkey."

"May I ask how old you are, Miss Bee?"

"Five years old, sir."

"I can hardly believe it. You seem a very smart child and much older."

"Mama says I very well should be… and that I'm a terror."

"Where is your mama now?"

"She is working of course. She sent me to Mr. Duck at the haberdashery for pink thread. I must be on my way, Mr. Donkey. It was nice to meet you."

"Goodbye Emma. It was very nice meeting you."

"What an enchanting girl."

"Yes, a delight. I do not believe I have ever seen a five‑year‑old half as clever."

"HA! How many five-year-olds are you familiar with Fitzwilliam?"

"Do not tease, Georgiana! You are off to the modiste?"

"Yes. Mrs. Rush is the best in Derbyshire, and I daresay better than my modiste in London. She is quite famous, actually."

"Well, get to it then. I will of course spend my time in Mr. Huston's bookshop. Come get me when the miserable chore is over."

"You are such a whinger, Fitzwilliam. Do not dig yourself in too deep. Mrs. Rush is very fast and I shall return in a few hours at most."

"I shall anxiously await."

"Mama, I ran into a gentleman on the way to Mr. Duck's shop."

"I hope you did not offend him, little one. Gentlemen can be prickly."

"No, Mama. He was very nice. He was with his sister."

"Well, that usually helps. What was this worthy's name?"

"Mr. Donkey"

"Ha-ha… You do realize not everybody has animal names Emmabee?"

"Yes, but the name fits him."

"Well, your Mr. Donkey sounds like a good enough man. You did not detain him long, I hope."

"No, Mama. He was quite uninjured, and very nice to me."

"How did you get such uncommon good sense, my darling?"

"You must choose, Mama. I cannot be both a terror and uncommonly sensible."

"And why can you not?"

"Why Miss Emma Bee, how delightful to see you again."

"Good afternoon, Mr. Donkey."

"I must say you are turned out very elegantly. Your dress is very pretty, and uncommonly well made."

"Thank you, Miss Donkey. Mama made it."

"Your mama is exceptionally good with a needle, Miss Bee."

"Yes, she is the best."

"If I remember correctly, you should be six years old now, Emma?"

"Yes sir. My birthday was in August."

"I am sorry I missed it. What day is it? Perhaps I might be here next year."

"August 26"

"You seem uncommonly smart for a six‑year-old Miss Bee?"

"Thank you, Miss Donkey. Mama says I am a terror."

"Ha-ha… You said that last time, Miss Bee. "

"She says there are many types of terrors, but she always laughs when she says it."

"A wise woman. Where are you off to on this fine day, my lady?"

"Mr. Horse lets me stay a few hours in his bookshop. He likes my company and so long as I do not damage them, he lends me all the books I want. He says it costs nothing to let me use a book. He is such a nice man."

"You like the pictures, then?"

"I can read, you know! I'm not stupid! I like the pictures, but they need a story to go with them. Mama reads with me every night, and gives me lessons, but I can't wait to read big books by myself. I can still only read the children's books, so sometimes I have to make up my own story with the pictures."

"I see. All in good time, young Miss. All in good time. By the way, my sister is not Miss Donkey any more. She is now Mrs. Swan."

"A pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Swan."

"Well Miss Bee, Mrs. Swan is off to the modiste for a ballgown. We are hosting a ball at my estate to celebrate her marriage. I am to Mr. Horse's bookshop. Might I escort you my lady, and perhaps we could read together for a while?"

"Thank you, Mr. Donkey. I would like that."

"Mama, I saw Mr. Donkey again today."

"Was he pleasant, Emma. Not all gentlemen are, and I would not have you distressed."

"He was perfectly amiable, Mama. He even helped me find a book to read. He knows a lot about books."

"Why do you talk like such a big girl, Emmabee? I swear you speak better at six than my sis… er…. someone I once knew spoke at fifteen."

"You taught me that, Mama."

"Of course, but sometimes I wonder if I should. Ah well, it is too late to change it now. Would you like to learn to sew this seam?"

"Yes, of course… after we have our treats.'

"Are you always hungry, Emmabee my darling?"

"Of course, Mama. Would you not fret if I were not?"

"No doubt, sweet girl… No doubt."

"Miss Bee. It is wonderful to see you again, but I am afraid I missed your last birthday."

"Thank you for thinking of me, Mr. Donkey. Mama says I am quite insufferable about being eight years old."

"As well you should be, young lady. Miss Emma Bee, may I have the pleasure of introducing Mr. and Mrs. Bingley?"

"Mr. Beaver! Mrs. Beaver! A pleasure."

"A delight Miss Bee. You remind me of… someone I once knew."

"That happens a lot, Mrs. Beaver."

"Yes, I can see something familiar as well. Perhaps you are just such a delightful girl that we all wish we knew someone like you before."

"Perhaps"

"Now you sound like… well, never mind. Shall we call on your mother, Miss Bee. I have never had the pleasure of her acquaintance these few years."

"She is not here, Mr. Donkey. She is off at an estate plying her trade. I am staying with Mr. Horse and his wife for two days."

"That is unfortunate. I should like to have met her."

"Perhaps another time, Mr. Donkey."

"Miss Bee, would your mother object to some biscuits and tea. I would be delighted to spend an hour with you while the gentlemen go about their tedious business."

"That would be wonderful, Mrs. Beaver. I am certain Mama would not object if Mr. Donkey will tell Mr. Horse."

"I shall be happy to, Miss Bee."

"How was your trip, Mama?"

"Trying, Little One. Very trying! It was quite profitable though, as the Earl's family throws money to the wind, but there was one woman so hateful I refused to make her dress. She was awful, but Lady Matlock was wonderful so it was a good enough trip."

"I am sorry it was distressful, Mama."

"We shall get by, Emma. We did well. Perhaps you might choose another book of your own from Mr. Horse?"

"Truly"

"Yes, Truly"

"You are wonderful, Mama!"

"As are you my little Emmabee!"

"Mama, I saw Mr. Donkey again and he introduced me to Mr. and Mrs. Beaver."

"You have not outgrown your animal names, I see?"

"Would you like me to?"

"Not at all. I never want you to grow up. Besides that, I do not care to associate with gentlemen, so I am just as happy to not know their real names. I do not mind you meeting them so long as it is in the lane or the bookshop where all our friends can see you, but I am not very inclined myself."

"He did ask to be introduced to you. He seems a fine gentleman, but has no wife."

"Gentlemen do not come into modiste shops, Little Emmabee, and I prefer to keep it that way. His lack of a wife is of no importance to us. You see him every year or two, and that should be enough to satisfy him. If he wants more company, he should arrange to spend time with his own children."

"Fitzwilliam, did you know Miss Bee has no father?"

"I suspected it, Jane. Did you talk about it?"

"Yes. She has apparently never had one, nor wanted one, and makes no bones about it. She is completely open and unashamed on the subject. I admire her greatly."

"Her mother never married?"

"No. According to Miss Bee, there have been offers, but her mama is not so inclined."

"The story is probably not one you want to dig too deeply into, Jane. There is usually a reason a woman has a baby sans husband and a disinclination for men. She is not usually at fault, but pays the price anyway. We should not importune her. The woman deserves her privacy and respect."

"Of course not, but I worry about Emma. What happens if her mama falls on hard times or gets sick?"

"Let me deal with it. I cannot help everyone, but I am quite enamored with Miss Bee."

"Mama, Mr. Donkey said the strangest thing today."

"I hope he did not say anything untoward, Emma. "

"No, not at all, Mama. He seems to be a true gentleman. Mrs. Beaver asked about my papa last time they were here, and seemed worried I did not have one, nor any close relatives. She seems such a sweet lady."

"Do not worry little one. I took steps long ago to insure your safety should something happen to me. Mr. and Mrs. Horse will see to you, and I have set aside quite enough money to see you well settled. That is why I have worked so hard all these years. Our shop is quite profitable."

"I know that, Mama. I told Mr. Donkey, but he seems… well… unsatisfied."

"It is not his place to be satisfied or dissatisfied."

"I agree. It was very strange. He asked if I would set his mind at ease by taking his card and promising to call for him should I ever have a need. He said I should show you the card so you know there is nothing unseemly about it."

"How were you to contact him?"

"He wrote a short note to go with it, and said the postmaster, or Mr. Horse, or any gentleman in the region would know how to contact him."

"It seems… a strange thing to do. It is worrying, but not overly so."

"Should I show you the card Mama? or burn it?"

"No, Emma. Remember my lessons of propriety, and insure you are never alone with any man, but otherwise, this seems harmless if you trust him. Save the card for just what he suggested. You will never need it, but it is always good to have more options in life. Sometimes having one true friend might be the difference between life and death, and he has always been kind to you."

"Have you ever needed such a friend, Mama?"

… …

"Yes, I have. You and I would not have survived otherwise."

"I am sorry I caused you pain, Mama."

"Do not ever say that! You are the best thing that ever happened to me Emmabee, and I would not change a single second of our life. Never doubt it for even a moment."

"Yes, Mama."

"Let us get to our books, sweet thing. I am tired and ready for bed."

"Yes, Mama."