Reading the Regency

Forms of Address - part 2

So here, Emma seems to be saying that she will only call him George on her wedding day, and she doesn't seem to think it's at all odd to continue calling him "Mr Knightley" once they are married.

Couples

Couples who were married, or engaged to be married might choose to call each other by their first names in private, while maintaining formality when in public. In Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet had just accepted Mr. Darcy's proposal when he first addresses her using her Christian name: "Such I was, from eight to eight and twenty; and such I might still have been but for you, dearest, loveliest Elizabeth!"

Any man overheard addressing a woman by her christian name (without being related or otherwise connected to her) would give rise to speculation that they were engaged, or worse. This was the case when Willoughby used Marianne's first name:

"His concern, however, was very apparent; and after expressing it with earnestness, he added, in the same low voice, "But, Marianne, the horse is still yours, though you cannot use it now. I shall keep it only till you can claim it. When you leave Barton to form your own establishment in a more lasting home, Queen Mab shall receive you."

This was all overheard by Miss Dashwood; and in the whole of the sentence, in his manner of pronouncing it, and in his addressing her sister by her Christian name alone, she instantly saw an intimacy so decided, a meaning so direct, as marked a perfect agreement between them. From that moment she doubted not of their being engaged to each other."
[Chapter 12, Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen]

A gentleman might also be on intimate, first name terms with his mistress or lover, although, depending on their relationship and his marital status they would be more circumspect when they meet out in public. However, while he would call her by her Christian name, she might still call him by his first name, surname, or his title alone if he had one.

"...call me your friend, your lover: call me Glenarvon—Clarence if you will. All these forms, these regulations, are odious amongst those who are attached. Say that you love, beloved Calantha: my own heart's friend, say it; for I see it and know it."
[Chapter 20, Glenarvon, vol 2, by Lady Caroline Lamb]

Glenarvon was written as a response to Lady Caroline's affair with Lord Byron; a relationship that he also referenced in writing:

"..."Promise not to love you!" ah, Caroline, it is past promising. But I shall attribute all concessions to the proper motive, and never cease to feel all that you have already witnessed, and more than can ever be known but to my own heart,—perhaps to yours. May God protect, forgive, and bless you. Ever, and even more than ever, Your most attached, Byron."
[Letter from Lord Byron to Lady Caroline Lamb, August 1812]

Female Friends

Two women who were very good friends might also call each other by their first names, after a decent amount of time. How quickly they moved from formality to the informality of first name terms would depend on the two people involved. Any difference in the status of the two ladies might delay or even discourage such familiarity.

When Emma Woodhouse first meets Harriet Smith, they limit themselves to the formality of "Miss Woodhouse" and "Miss Smith". As time passes, Emma begins to call her "Harriet Smith" and later addresses her by the more familiar "Harriet", but due to the difference in their social status, Harriet continues to call Emma "Miss Woodhouse" for the remainder of the story.

When Catherine Morland first meets Isabella Thorpe, they again begin with the formality of "Miss Moreland" and "Miss Thorpe", but being more equal in status than Emma and Harriet, the progress of their friendship had no limitations, and is only made easier thanks to the relationship that already existed between their brothers, James Moreland and John Thorpe.