Sense and Sensibility doesn't belong to me.
Transfer of Affections
Edward Ferrars saw Lucy's familiar hand on the envelope and tore the letter open. He hoped she was fine; they hadn't had any contact since their engagement had become public knowledge and he had been disinherited by his mother.
Lucy had gone to stay with some relatives in London while Edward had left the city to try and figure out a way forward. He had been glad and surprised to receive Colonel Brandon's offer of a parsonage but he knew that living wouldn't be enough for him to support a wife.
In truth though, he hadn't even bothered to travel to Delaford yet because he was nursing a broken heart. He had lost Elinor forever. Not that there had ever been the slightest chance of their being together – he had already been engaged to Lucy by the time he'd met her – but now, now that he had to finally marry Lucy Steele, it hit him – he had lost Elinor forever.
The worst part though, the thing that was really keeping away from Delaford and Colonel Brandon was the fact that he would have to see Elinor every day. He had heard the rumours; John had certainly been very enthusiastic about promoting the match between Elinor and the Colonel. Elinor herself had said that the Colonel was the best of men and Edward couldn't bear to actually see Elinor married to another man.
So he hid.
000
He picked up the letter and read through it in shock.
Lucy was very sorry, Edward couldn't understand how deeply sorry she was, she was the worst person in the whole world. But really it was Edward's fault … he was the one who had run away from London when news of their secret engagement became known. He had left her alone and what was a girl to do alone in a big city. She had found another man to take his place, and really Edward should be able to understand and appreciate this, she had found another man, a man willing to spend time with her, his own brother Robert in fact, and they were to be married directly. Lucy sincerely hoped that Edward could forgive her and if possible attend the wedding ceremony which was to take place in two days' time and she wished him all the best in the world.
Quickly following the shock was anger, he couldn't believe Lucy was throwing him over for Robert and as for Robert even daring to propose to his brother's fiancée, he couldn't comprehend it. After two minutes of anger and amazement, Edward threw the letter away and run out of the room without a thought about where he was going and what he was going to do.
It was only when Barton Cottage was in sight that Edward begun to have doubts. What if Elinor didn't love him? What if she was going to get married to the Colonel? What if she said no? What if…?
000
He watched Elinor cry and knew that it probably wasn't the right time and place for a proposal. Not least the kind of proposal that he knew Elinor deserved but he couldn't wait. He needed to know.
"…Can you forgive me...Can you love me...Will you marry me?"
000
Enjoy. I'm hoping you guys had a great Christmas.
Happy New Year