In volume 3 (a novella encompassing two months of journal entries), Emma continues to entertain us with her wit, sharp barbs, and charm—she’s endlessly funny but also serious and deep when she’s discussing life and literature with people who are also deep. That rules out many in St. Crispian’s who value fashion, wealth, and parties over books, ideas, and nature walks. 

In her role as cousin Arabella’s not-to -be-noticed companion, Emma is told by Aunt Eugenia”You look like you know too much…your vocabulary is a good 20% more than it should be.” To which Emma replies “I could use more banal words, I suppose,” and her Aunt agrees: “simple, repetitive, inane.” The goal, as always, is for Arabella to shine while Emma melts into the wallpaper with a smile. 

While a number of subplots emerge in volume 3, the story’s power lies in the characters.

The Duke of Islington and Emma’s tenant, Mr. Pierce, are clearly both smitten with her, even though conversations with perfectly poised Islington feel like a “fencing match.”  With Pierce, it’s quite different. He’s soft spoken, subtle, and honest, asking Emma why she does not put her cousin Archibald out on the street and why she has never properly grieved her dead boyfriend Maxwell nor spewed anger at the Crown for his death in Afghanistan. Pierce probes into what Emma has never felt permitted to think or talk about which allows her to lighten her load of ghosts, grief, and guilt. 

In her continued monetary struggle after Archibald has spent most of her inheritance, Emma’s only complaint is her lack of books. Archibald (who recently tripped over the cat and shattered his leg, giving him even more reason to curse and rant at Emma) locks her out of the library, his only legitimate inheritance. But when Pierce asks if the man reads, Emma replies “Of course not. How else could he be so stupid?”

Volume 3 ends at a St Crispian’s gathering of the wealthy and interesting, and being neither, Emma has no idea why she was invited. The party is not related to Arabella’s marriage plot, and free from obligation as Arabella’s foil, she has a great deal of fun conversing, bantering, eating, and laughing with Pierce, Islington, and Young Hawkes’ band of rebellious young men, all of whom adore her, yet understand that her ability to outwit them lies ever present. 

On to volume 4!