Mr. Knightley is a confirmed bachelor in his late-thirties, who's content to dine with friends, play whist with the local gentlemen and spend quiet evenings with his unbetrothed and much younger sister-in-law and her ailing father. Mr. Knightley is a successful local businessman who owns many farms. He's the county magistrate and an esteemed member of Highbury society, a mere 16 miles from London. It's the early 1800s and there's talk amongst the men of the war with France, but most of the local talk is about the residents, their social antics and gossip about who will marry whom. He keeps a detailed diary in which he records, his activities, his business transactions and the social events of the folk of Highbury.

Mr. Knightley also pays special attention, in his writing, to the antics of his unwed sister-in-law, Emma. It's clear from early entries in his diary that he views Emma favorably, but he writes that she is child-like, petulant and somewhat immature. His musings are colored by the fact that he's 16 years her senior and flatters himself to be a most sensible and intelligent gentleman. However, as the story unfolds, it's clear from Knightley's entries that he has a fondness for Emma that goes beyond the tie of her older sister being married to his younger brother, and it's clear that his fondness is more than that of an older in- law who serves as a platonic friend and sometime advisor. As the reader continues through Mr. Knightley's diary, it becomes evident that he is, indeed, in love with his dear Emma, though he fails to acknowledge this, even to himself, until he loses her to another man.

The rest of the story is an entertaining tale of misread signs, social mishaps and missed opportunities for Mr. Knightley to declare his love for Emma. Are these two kindred souls really destined to end up together or not? There is a bit of mystery and much humorous drama as the local townsfolk go about gossiping and meddling in each others affairs as they guess about who will end up with whom. Indeed, a pleasurable read to be had with tea, and preferable to a hand of whist.

This novel begins slowly and I had some difficulty staying with it. However, I am glad I did. It may be because the author has written the novel from a man's point of view and in diary form, but some of the initial lethargy is inherent by design. As is reasonably observed and expected, gentlemen, if they keep a diary, are likely to record specific information in a business-like manner. Whereas, women are more likely to cite details and emotions. A woman will extrapolate meaning out of social events and interactions, whereas a gentleman is more likely to record the exact details of an event and not include his feelings. This book began, as was necessary to establish the characters and setting, with many details of persons and places, but seemingly little emotion from Mr. Knightley. It is not until later in the book that the reader is treated to his emotions as he begins recording these in his diary more frequently and in more impassioned detail. The author uses interesting dialogue, which from my personal research, is consistent with the standard dialect and word usage of London and its out-lying farm areas in the early 1800s. If one can stick with this book for the first few months of Mr. Knightley's diary entries, it develops into a very enjoyable read and an amusing tale.