Is love a fancy or a feeling?


Colonel Brandon never hesitated to help others. One afternoon, Sir John Middleton and the colonel were talking in the living room of Mrs. Jennings' house.

"Marianne Dashwood would never look at me anymore than she would you, John." Christopher said.

"Brandon, my boy, do not speak of yourself so meanly." Sir John gasped and laughed.

"And, all the better for her." Christopher said, ending the conversation.

"Christopher? Sir John? The rest of the party has arrived." a tender voice said.

It was Beth. The colonel stood up and gave her a warm smile. "Thank you, Beth. Come, let us go out and meet them."

"Aye, let us make haste. Wouldn't want to keep Miss Marianne waiting." Sir John said, giving the colonel an amused smile.

The colonel gave him a small look and turned to Beth. Sir John hurried out to greet the ladies.

"So, you do have your eye on Miss Marianne." Beth smiled.

"I could never win her heart. For she is young and I am-"

"Christopher, you are only five in thirty. Don't think yourself as elderly." she said, hugginh his arm.

"Just like mother. You give people kindness even when you know it won't really help." he smiled, warmly.

"Just take care. I don't want to see you becoming a lovesick fool over the first girl that you've ever loved."

The colonel swallowed as his throat tightened to her statement. "Come. Let us join Sir John."

Mrs. Jennings was with the Dashwoods and was already conversing a storm. She loved to talk of the latest gossip and news. Quiet Elinor listened politely and gave an interested nod every once in a while. Marianne, of course, wasn't listening and stared at the ground, frowning. Margaret smiled and laughed every so often.

"Let's all play a game in the lawn, shall we?" Sir John asked.

"Yes, let's!" Margaret giggled.


"An excellent match, I tell you, Miss Dashwood." Mrs. Jennings said to Elinor, as she glanced at the colonel and Marianne.

"How long have you known the colonel?" Elinor asked.

The colonel stood beside Marianne on the lawn as they all bowled. Margaret threw the ball and managed to knock down a pin. Sir John clapped for her as the colonel handed Marianne the ball for her turn.

"Lord, for as ever as I've lived here. And, I came here 15 years ago!" Mrs. Jennings gasped.

Beth stood by the colonel as she took her turn and he smiled when it was her turn.

"Look at him and Beth! Such a caring brother, he is." Mrs. Jennings said, warmly.

Elinor was surprised. "They are brother and sister?"

"You have not heard? Ah, yes, when you all first met the colonel, Beth was not with him. Beth, indeed, is his sister."

"They look nothing alike." Elinor said, feeling a bit of guilt for gossipping.

"That's exactly what I told John! Everyone says the same! Their past is a mystery, you see. No one knows anything about their parents. Only that they died when the colonel and Beth were young, says the colonel. Except, no one believes the colonel. Many think Beth was given to him to look after when her family abandoned her."

"They abandoned her?"

"It's just one of many theories, but it seems to be the one that mskes the most sense. The colonel never talks about it or about their parents. Frankly, I think it's something nasty. Perhaps that's why the colonel never talks of it. Must be a shameful past they share."

She continued. "But, whatever their past, he's so attentive to Beth! Gives her everything she asks for, but he's a good man with excellent judgement and sense."

Elinor nodded.

"But, look at him now! He's so kind and attentive!" the old woman gasped, staring as Marianne and the colonel approached their table.

Beth giggled as the colonel whispered in her ear. Marianne smiled as they all walked towards Elinor and Mrs. Jennings.

"You know, some crazy folk think they're having an affair."

Elinor's eyes widened. "Who?"

"The colonel and Beth, of course! Such nonsense, for she is twenty and he is barely five in thirty!"

"A mystery, indeed." Elinor agreed.

Beth had long blonde wavy hair and had very clean skin. The colonel and her looks nothing alike, but they seemed to care deeply about each other, Elinor concluded.


A/N: So, I'm basing this off of the book-ish and the 1995 (I think) movie with Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Kate Winslet etc...etc...anywho, hope to continue this if it gets enough views and such! More to come!