Anniversary Celebration: Revisiting Harriet and Robert Martin

AV anniversary gradientIt’s our anniversary, and we’re in the mood to celebrate! Throughout February, we’re commemorating the success of Austen Variations‘ first year by dropping in on some of our favorite Austen couples on their anniversaries. We started with the Darcys and the Bingleys on the 2nd. Today, we’re visiting Harriet and Robert Martin from Emma. I wonder how they’re doing after twelve months together. Does connubial bliss live on, or is the honeymoon definitely over?



Rain pelted the window even as the sun tried to rise. Warm beneath the soft quilt made by dearest Mrs. Martin to celebrate their wedding, Harriet cuddled into her husband’s shoulder. “I suppose you shall not be able to mend fences today after all.”

Robert Martin leaned against the headboard and muttered under his breath.

She stroked his arm. “Do not get all grumbly and ogreish—you would not wish to prove your sisters correct.”

“About what? That I am churlish and disagreeable when it rains?” He folded his arms over his chest.

“Indeed.” She looked up into his face. All these days now and she still loved seeing the bleary-eyed look he always wore in the mornings.

“But I am exceedingly disagreeable in foul weather.” He huffed as if to prove his point.

“I cannot agree.” She rolled to her side and propped up on an elbow. “Was it not on a day very much like today one, on which you could not mend fences, that we first met?”

“Indeed it was.” He drew her very close. “Have I told you how very thankful I am that we did?”

She kissed his cheek. “Once or twice I believe.”

“Perhaps I should again.” He rolled toward her and laid his hand on her increasing belly. “How is little Robert George Martin today?”

“How can I say when we do not know that indeed our wee one is a Robert or… a little girl? What shall her name be if—”

“Anything but Emma.” His voice turned cross as it always did when we referred to her.

“You have not yet forgiven her?”

“Forgiven, perhaps. After all, I no longer wish to do or say any one of a number of untoward things when I see her.” He rubbed his palm with his thumb.

“But is that forgiveness, or your friendship for Mr. Knightly?”

“A touch of both I suppose. I still cannot understand why he would take such a silly woman as a wife.”

Harriet plucked at the hem on the sheets. “She has improved you know.”

“She has ceased her matching making, I will grant you. But I still doubt her good sense.”

“But what use has someone of her station for good sense? She has servants, and a husband for that.”

“Now Harriet, what kind of statement is that? You very well know how much I rely upon your good judgment, especially where my younger sisters and brother are concerned. Now you are free of her, I am entirely confident in your sagacity. The new Mrs. Knightly is an entirely different matter. She is clever and silly, a disastrous combination in a woman of wealth and breeding.” He grumbled deep in his chest, the way he did when he was truly and deeply unhappy.

“Her interference was well meant.”

“But insupportable. How many months of misery did she inflict upon all of us? You cannot tell me you were happy whilst she played with your hopes and affections.”

“No.” Harriet pulled away slightly. “I do not like to think of it at all. I feel very foolish and stupid whenever I think of it.”

“I am sorry.” He reached for her, but she scooted away. “No, do not do that. Come here.” He sat up and pulled her very close against his chest. “I cannot bear the thought of you distancing yourself from me again.”

“How can you be so kind to me after—”

“Dearest wife of mine.” He laid his chin on top of her head and his arms around her belly. “Let us settle this once and for all. Yes, I am disappointed that you were influenced by Miss Woodhouse and Mrs. Goddard, but my true unhappiness in the matter is laid at their feet, not yours. And with respect to Mrs. Goddard, she has been a mother to you. It is a testament to your good heart and loving disposition that you should have listened to her and the friend she pushed you towards.”

“I should not have been so flattered by her attentions that I allowed her whims to overrule my own judgment and inclinations. I am grateful Mr. Knightly had a better sense of Miss Woodhouse’s shortcomings and kept your spirits up.”

“Him I consider the truest of friends. Without him I would have lost hope.” He kissed the top of her head. “Do you resent…that is are you unhappy that I have asked you not to call upon Mrs. Knightly?”

“No, not so much. I should want to visit with her, but it is all awkwardness and politeness that is very tiresome when I do see her. I am just thankful you still encourage our connection with Mrs. Goddard.”

“She is far easier to reconcile. Who would not pursue the best for their child?”

“You will be gratified to know, she is in full agreement with me, now. You are the best thing for me.”

He kissed her deeply, satisfaction rumbling in the back of his throat. “Do not ever forget.”

She turned her face up and rubbed her cheek on his, enjoying the scratch of his stubble.  “You will be an excellent father, you know.”

“I want to do well by you Harriet, both of you.” He stroked her belly and the baby kicked under his hand.

“It seems your child thinks you will.”

“As long as neither of you stop believing that, I will be a very happy man.”

“I think then, you are in a very good way to be so.”

 

43 comments

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  1. Oh, l love this angle. Robert and Harriet would have to be inhuman if they didn’t resent Emma’s machinations just a little. I really enjoyed the little vignette. Thank you, Maria Grace!

    1. Thanks Sophia. I’ve been having a lot of fun thinking about this couple recently.

    • Deborah on February 6, 2015 at 5:43 am
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    I enjoyed this so much. How sweet. I totally agree with Sophia that Robert and Harriet have a right to resent Emma’s machinations. A wonderful read to wake up to this morning. Thank you.

    1. Thanks. We don’t get to hear much about them and lately they’ve been nagging me that they’d like a share in the conversation.

  2. I loved the fact that we see things from such an unusual perspective, Grace, and I loved the way you portrayed Mr. Martin. It’s also funny to think that he thinks Harriet is intelligent and Emma stupid. Nicely done!!!

    1. Thanks, Monica. I think it is really easy to see Harriet as a total dumb-bunny. But I’ve been thinking a lot about her character and I’m wondering if that is an entirely fair portrayal. Mr. Knightly did after all come to recognize some ‘first rate qualities’ in Harriet at the end of Emma.

  3. I liked that they are still much in love and expecting a child together. It is ironic that Mr. Martin thinks Harriet is smart, and Emma is silly.

    1. Thanks, Patty. I’m glad you enjoyed the perspective.

    • Eileen on February 6, 2015 at 9:25 am
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    Beautiful story. I admit it leaves me feeling both pleased and saddened. I am very glad the Martins are happily married, but the thought of how Emma’s foolishness lead to such a long-lasting consequence leaves a melancholy note….very bittersweet.

    1. It was a little sad to write it that way, but I couldn’t see how there wouldn’t be some long term effects of all her meddling. Thanks, Eileen!

    • BeckyC on February 6, 2015 at 9:37 am
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    Ahhh…so sweet. This is a couple I have not seen followed beyond marriage. One cannot blame Mr Martin for his feelings of Emma. Lovely excerpt. Thank you.

    1. Thanks so much Becky. I’m having some fun with this couple right now!

    • Kathy L Berlin on February 6, 2015 at 10:02 am
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    His resentment of Emma is just and a separation of the women is wise. Thank you for this look.

    1. Glad you approve, Kathy. I was a little concerned that would make him look a bit overbearing and unkind.

  4. The lingering bitterness that Robert feels is justified. Emma is the one Austen character whom I cannot abide; the only exception is Clueless.

    I really enjoyed this little vignette–Robert and Harriet are so sweet together! 🙂

    Thank you!!

    Warmly,
    Susanne 🙂

    1. Thanks, Susanne. I’ve been finding that Harriet is really growing on me.

    • Sheila L. M. on February 6, 2015 at 1:33 pm
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    I agree with those who expressed opinions that Emma was silly, a busybody, manipulative and not as intelligent as some other of JA’s heroines. I do hope Mr. Knightley took her firmly under hand and saw that she applied herself to finishing her list of books and practicing her piano daily. She seemed lazy and without any true goal in her life (other than mis-matching couples). A separation of the two ladies is a wise move in my book. But it was also nice that Mrs. Goddard got some recognition. I do believe that Mr. Martin’s sisters would be better companions for Harriet in the long run. They, I am sure, had daily occupations to keep them busy.

    The relationship was sweetly portrayed here between husband wife. Thank goodness, Robert Martin had Mr. Knightley on his side, encouraging him to try again in the end.

    Thanks for this look into their lives.

    1. Thanks, Sheila. It has been fun revisiting Emma from a different perspective. It would be interesting to see how the Knightly marriage looked.

    • Julie on February 6, 2015 at 2:38 pm
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    Oh, this vignette is very fun. I love that Harriet is sensible and smart and is seen that way by her husband. I agree that Emma’s meddling could very well have been disastrous for these people, and I certainly see why they would want to keep their distance, but I can’t completely condemn Emma. She was young and silly, but certainly meant no harm, even though she was doing harm. She saw the error of her ways and grew up quite a bit in “her” book. I have always loved Emma – weren’t we all silly and meddlesome at some time in our lives? I just worry for Emma, because I think Knightly will always think he has to teach and show Emma the way…

    1. I’ve had that same thought Julie and I have wondered how they would get on in later years. Thanks!

    • Jane on February 6, 2015 at 3:03 pm
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    Thanks, Grace! This was lovely.

    1. I”m so glad you enjoyed Jane! Great to see you stopping by to call!

  5. Nice story, Grace. Thanks for giving us a glimpse into what Harriet’s life with Robert Martin would have been. I like what the book says about her too.

    “She would be placed in the midst of those who loved her… retired enough for safety, and occupied enough for cheerfulness. She would be never led into temptation, nor left for it to find her out. She would be respectable and happy… the luckiest creature in the world to have created so steady and persevering an affection in such a man.”

      • Julie on February 7, 2015 at 1:46 pm
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      I like that quote, Shannon! And I think that shows her worth, that she was able to “create so steady and persevering an affection”… Isn’t it amazing that Jane Austen left all these clues for people to pick up and carry on with. It’s all there, if we look for it, yet it seems like so many “little nothing” to paraphrase, when we first read the books.

      1. I agree. Harriet had to have some very good qualities for Robert Martin to hang in there through it all. Thanks, Julie!

    1. Thanks, Shannon!

    • TLeighF on February 7, 2015 at 8:15 am
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    That was really fun to read. I have to admit that I have never even thought about this couple after I closed the book. It was interesting to see some more JA characters brought back to life.

    1. I think Harriet and Robert martin are an easy couple to forget about. That’s one thing that made them particularly fun to write about. Thanks TLeighF!

    • Kathy on February 7, 2015 at 11:49 am
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    I’ve never read anything about Robert and Harriet, thank you! They definitely deserved a little more character development for all they went through!

    I haven’t read Emma in a long time, and for me, she was always a difficult character to like, so I can see Robert and Harriet resenting her for her very direct interference! I think you showed just how sensible Robert was, and how much better Harriet fares with him. I enjoyed how Emma was portrayed in the mini-series with Romola Garai and Jonny Lee Miller, however, where I thought she seemed less silly and possibly just immature.

    1. Robert and Harriet definitely don’t get a great deal of attention, so it was fun fleshing them out a bit. Emma is a very difficult character to figure out what to do with, isn’t she? Thanks, Kathy!

  6. How nice to see Robert and Harriet Martin featured! They are so sweet together here, loved it. I think it is very likely that Emma and Harriet would have a difficult time remaining friends after all that has happened…I like seeing a decisive Mr. Martin. 😉 Thank you for sharing, Maria Grace!

    1. Thanks, Meredith. I agree, I don’t know how a friendship might have survived all of that.

    • Carol Hoyt on February 8, 2015 at 10:08 am
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    Really enjoyed this glimpse into this couples after story life. I have always enjoyed Roberts character but not so much Harriet.

    I think it would be a tie who was sillier , Emma or Harriet.

    Would love to read about knightly and Emma !

    Very enjoyable !!

    1. Thanks, Carol. Harriet has always been a bit of a mystery to me. She tends to get portrayed as stupid, but I wonder if she lacked the confidnce to assert herself in the presence of the far higher status Emma.

        • Julie on February 8, 2015 at 8:14 pm
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        I’ve always thought that the movies do a terrible job of portraying Harriet. Of course she would be shy and a little reticent to expound on her own views around Emma. I expect that the very fact that Emma is talking to her, let alone taking Harriet under her wing is huge for Harriet. Having been brought up in school with no family, etc., she is used to having people tell her what she thinks. I know that someone like Elizabeth Bennet is one in a million (kind of like Jane…) and so, while it probably happened that young girls really knew their own mind, I don’t think it was the norm.

        1. I think your are right, Julie. Harriet was primed to be influenced by someone like Emma–taught to be deferential to those above her in station. I can’t see a girl in her position able to stand up to Emma. Not to mention, from Mrs. Goddard’s point of view, Emma was in a position to improve Harriet’s social connections, so she would have been a desirable connections to have.

    • Dr. Roberta Shechter on February 8, 2015 at 4:03 pm
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    The manipulative and self-centered nature of Emma has always made her my least favored Austen heroine. It is nice to see that Robert Martin seems to share my opinion of Emma. A Happy and Healthy February 14th to All, Roberta

    1. I think even Jane Austen herself considered Emma rather unlikable to any but herself. Thanks, Roberta!

    • Stephanie L on February 9, 2015 at 1:40 pm
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    I am in the minority because Emma is one of my favorites. I WAS Emma (without the fortune) at the same time in my life and am thankful that I eventually grew up. Though I agree that Robert and Harriet would hold some offense for a time, I don’t see it being a standing thing. After all, we all have to grow up at some point and that is part of the pain of it. I love to think that age and being married to Mr. Knightly brought her to the meeting point between clever and maturity. Only a year into marriage, there is still time for reconciliation betwixt the friends, especially considering his friendship with Mr. Knightly. Very bittersweet piece!

    • Anji on February 9, 2015 at 4:31 pm
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    What a sweet, lovely little story, Maria. I’ve a feeling that Robert and Harriet’s marriage might have fewer ups and downs than that of Emma and Mr. Knightley, at least to start with. I can see Mr. Knightley being quite exasperated at times until Emma matures into the woman she should become. Harriet and Emma would probably be estranged for some while, especially as Robert, quite rightly is bearing a grudge, but with his close association with Mr. Knightley, I can’t see them being strangers forever.

    1. I still have a hard time wrapping my head around a 17 year age gab between Emma and Mr. Knightly. I have a hard time seeing him not lecturing her. It would be interesting to see what it would take for Emma and Harriet to reconcile….hmmm….

        • Sheila L. M. on February 11, 2015 at 12:20 am
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        I agree about the age gape. Most of the actors are not portrayed at the true age written by Jane Austen. I always think about him dying long before her and how lonely that would be for her.

        1. I’ve had the same thought. Being raised with a hypochondrical father would only make that worse.

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