AN: I do not own Emma or any of it's characters. I warn you all that I have a terrible habit of not finishing my stories, however given the nature of this story, I do not think it will matter too much whether or not it is abandoned. My plan as of now is to write a little scene for each year showing the changes in interaction between Emma and Mr. Knightley starting with her at age seven. I thought it was a pretty elementary exercise to get my mind into the appropriate world for this style of writing. This is my first period piece, and I would welcome any criticism or pointers that any may have for me. It is also my first piece for what I believe will be a more well-read crowd than my other stories, making your good opinion "more worth the earning." Thanks for reading!

Brigit

PS-PLEASE tell me if you see typos. I abhor them. :)

Partiality Without Prejudice

Chapter 1

Mr. Knightley could not say with any degree of certainty what kind of woman little Emma Woodhouse would grow to be, but he could say that she would doubtless have the attention of everyone around her. At merely seven years old, she already knew how to influence her sister twice her age in decisions about the household. She knew how to bring her governess to her way of thinking about daily activities and amusements. And Mr. Woodhouse was the easiest of them all.

Mr. Woodhouse had dearly loved his late wife. She had an ease of temperament and an unaffected caring about her that had charmed him. She had a great deal of patience and never tired of hearing and taking into account his concerns—or so he thought. In truth, Mrs. Woodhouse knew that her husband would never rest peacefully until he had given voice to his fears, but that once they had been spoken (much like a secret), they lost all of their potency. And so with a very small amount of reason, she was able to bring him around to a rational solution, thereby ensuring the comfort of all. Emma Woodhouse was, in all these respects, her mother's daughter. She was content to let him worry over her playing, knowing that once she had shown him that she attended his concerns, that her play might continue with less discomfort to all.

So Emma seemed to live a charmed life. She was subjected to constant praise by her governess who, despite her best efforts, did show some partiality to dear Emma over Isabella. Isabella was a sweet girl, but she could not garner much attention whenever the engaging Emma was in the room. However, as Isabella did not require these attentions, she felt it little, and there was no envy between the sisters. They were as close as two sisters of seven years difference could be.

To be quite just with Emma's character, she was a lively, pretty, intelligent child, and well-deserving of much of the praise she received. Her temper was all that could be desired in a child. She was quick to learn, and desirous of pleasing. Being so desirous of pleasing, had the added advantage of making her keenly aware of what others seemed to want not only from her, but in general. She could sense when someone was out of spirits and would do her utmost to remedy the melancholy.

Emma's desire for the happiness of those within her immediate realm was easily achieved by the simple fact of her existence. This was a fact all too evident to Mr. Knightley, but he hoped it was not quite so evident to Emma. While he too was pleased by her playfulness, and delighted in tossing her about whenever her father's watchful eye was not about to worry that she would excessively exert herself, he knew the danger of a person being too content with themselves. He did not want to see the dear little child grow up to believe no improvement was necessary. Where others seemed to see perfection in the child, he saw potential. Her mind was keen, and her wit was sharp. To be sure, she was the perfect child. But she would not remain a child forever, and he feared that the constant petting of her vanity would not be beneficial as she came of age. He spoke as much to Miss Taylor one day while Isabella and Emma were playing in the garden at Hartfield.

"Surely, Mr. Knightley, you would not begrudge a motherless child a little praise now and again."

"I do not begrudge Emma anything. She is deserving of some praise. She is a generous little thing, and learns quickly—sometimes a little too quickly I think. But I believe that praise must be tempered. I am afraid that Emma will learn to be a bit too well-pleased with herself, and find no motivation for improvement."

"And how would you have her improved? Is she terribly deficient for a child of seven years?"

"She is not, as you well know. I do not speak of current ills, but of future."

"Perhaps then, this conversation should be saved for a time when it is of more immediacy?"

"This is not to say that Emma should be scolded and censured when she has done nothing wrong. It is merely to say that perhaps she has her own way just a bit too much for her own good. Perhaps it would do her good to do something she dislikes every so often. She is always doing what she likes and always comfortable. But you know that this is not what life will always be for her."

"No, it is not. But can it not be for the time being? She has had very bad fortune to lose her mother so young. It seems she deserves a bit of her own way for just a little while."

"Perhaps you are right. But at what time does it become appropriate to test her? I am afraid that by the time she is able to substantially improve herself, everyone will have become so accustomed to being ruled by her that they will not know how to go about teaching her."

"It is true, Mr. Knightley, that Emma is very much allowed to do as she chooses just now, but as she grows older, her natural curiosity and keenness of mind will tempt her to all manner of improvement and education. You will see. All we be well for her. She will grow up feeling that she is safe and loved, despite the absence of her mother. If I can give her that gift, I will leave the rest to you," Miss Taylor teased, for she had every intention of Emma turning out well with or without Mr. Knightley.

"A heavy charge indeed, Miss Taylor!" Mr. Knightley smiled at the thought that he should be the little girl's sole advocate for self-improvement. "But as you lay it so carelessly upon me, I will endeavor to always tell our Emma the truth whether it will please her or not. Though I now find myself weakening, for I should much rather like to please her than not."

"As we all do, but I think you may be right that it will be good for Emma to do things she does not like. Therefore, you must visit Hartfield often and vex her while the rest of us lavish her with praise. She will be obliged to listen to your censure, which I am sure she will not like. Then perhaps she will not be vain, but she may also come to have backward manners owing to a dislike of her own person. Would you have Emma be a timid, little thing that jumps at the slightest word from anyone? Unsure of herself and doubting her own worth? I say that I always thought you more generous than that."

"Never fear, Miss Taylor. This Emma Woodhouse you see frolicking before you is in no danger of becoming a wallflower. And with so many admirers at such a young age, she will never doubt her own charms. Therefore, I am determined, as you say, to be unbiased in my assessment of our little friend, however sorely I am tempted to coax a smile from her with unrestrained praise. I daresay, I may not be her favorite, but I hope that I may be of some use to her."

"Mr. Knightley!" Emma called as she abandoned Isabella temporarily. "Won't you come tell Isabella that she is wrong, for she has said that China is in the Americas!"

"How does she know about China?" Mr. Knightley directed his question to Miss Taylor.

"You said yourself she is a quick learner. Emma dear, it is time for you and your sister to go inside. Your father will not want you out of doors so long. Let Mr. Knightley be."

"Oh, Miss Taylor, it will not take long. Please? It's all right, is it not, Mr. Knightley?" Emma's eyes turned up to him as she carelessly brushed a curl from her face.

"Well, perhaps not. It seems a simple matter to be resolved quickly," he answered, giving in to his little friend.

"That is the sort of steadfast resolution the child needs to see displayed, Mr. Knightley. She will be improved within days with the way you have denied her what she pleases."

"I did not confess that the training would begin immediately. Besides, think how the Chinese would feel about being called thusly. The reputation of their country depends upon me."