Emma Watson is the protagonist of The Watsons. She is the youngest child of Mr. Watson and his late wife, but she was brought up by her wealthy aunt and uncle until her uncle's death and her aunt's remarriage led her to return home, penniless.[1]
Biography[]
Early life[]
When Emma was five years old, she came to live with her aunt and uncle Turner, who brought her up and educated her with the expectation that she would inherit £8,000 or £9,000. She did not see her father or her siblings for fourteen years.
When she was seventeen, her uncle died. He left everything to his wife, who two years later married Captain O'Brien, leaving Emma penniless. Following the wedding, Captain O'Brien took Mrs. O'Brien to Ireland and did not invite Emma to join them. With no other option, Emma returns to her immediate family in Stanton.
Emma finds her father in poor health and Elizabeth the only sister at home. Their neighbor Mrs. Edwards invites her to attend the first winter assembly in the town of D., where she dances with Charles Blake and comes to the attention of the Osborne party. She then dances with Charles's uncle Mr. Howard, whom she likes.
Lord Osborne becomes infatuated with Emma, and he visits her at Stanton with his friend Tom Musgrave. He invites her and Elizabeth to come wish him luck on his upcoming hunt, but they do not go. Tom Musgrave visits again a few days later and teases Emma about Lord Osborne and Mr. Howard's interest in her.
Robert and his wife Jane bring Margaret home to continue her pursuit of Tom Musgrave. Margaret and the Robert Watsons make life in Stanton miserable, and Emma escapes by attending to her father. When the Robert Watsons leave, they invite Emma to join them for a visit, but she refuses.
Future[]
According to Cassandra Austen, as recorded in Jane Austen: A Family Record, Emma's father would soon die, and she and her sisters would move to Croydon as dependents of their brother Robert. Emma would reject Lord Osborne's proposal and later marry Mr. Howard.