Chapter Two: Perseverance

"Dearest, I have the most delightful news!" proclaimed Marianne as she crossed the threshold and entered their bedchamber.

Colonel Brandon observed his wife, noting that she was as beautiful as ever, and merely raised his eyebrows as she continued on to their bed to settle for the night.

"Are you not quite curious as to what I am about to share?" she asked, eyeing him and his silent demeanor.

"Forgive me, my Marianne. It seems that you still have a way of rendering me speechless even after all this time." he replied sincerely though with a boyish grin as he also began to settle for the night and made himself comfortable on their bed.

"Charming as always, my love." laughed Marianne and as she laid down beside him for the night, she swiftly turned to him and announced:

"Margaret is engaged!"

"Will you look at that? It seems that Captain Margaret has finally found her very own captain!" exclaimed Colonel Brandon, smiling at his wife for the happy news.

Margaret Dashwood, the current Ms. Dashwood of Barton Cottage, was just 13 when the Colonel first met her. He appreciated Margaret's adventurous spirit and the young girl quickly gravitated towards him due to his military experience. They bonded over the years and the Colonel took pride in being dubbed as a doting brother-in-law to the youngest Dashwood daughter. In fact, it was in the Colonel and Marianne's wedding over five years ago that Margaret first met Captain Andrew Foster of the Honourable East India Company. Though the young red-haired captain and Margaret only exchanged a few moments of conversation during the wedding breakfast, it was her deep knowledge of British military history that struck a cord and captured the young captain's attention.

However, they were not to meet again until when Rose Brandon was born. Captain Foster was asked to stand as the babe's godfather and he took the opportunity to converse more with his goddaughter's aunt, realizing then that the current Ms. Dashwood had only grown lovelier over the years they did not see each other. For the rest of his stay in Delaford Manor, he had spent it in the company of both Ms. and Mrs. Dashwood. Thus, when Captain Foster's announced that he has accepted another commission with the company and will be travelling to east, it was no surprise at all when he asked, and was subsequently granted, permission to write to the lovely Ms. Dashwood.

A flurry of letters were soon exchanged and though Marianne, having had some experience with the worrying over someone far away from home, often looked out for her younger sister's disposition, it seemed that Margaret inherited more of Elinor's sense rather than Marianne's younger sensibilities.

"What will be, will be and I trust Providence that everything should be as it should be." remarked Margaret one time as she had tea with her sister while she shared a quick update on Captain Foster's status in the East Indies. It seemed it was necessary to lengthen the campaign and that the young captain was asked to stay longer as compared to the rest of his peers.

Captain Foster was not present when David Christopher Brandon was christened and Margaret Dashwood was asked to be the young boy's godmother. However, he sent a gift, a wooden sword made in India, which would in later years be the boy's favorite toy. Letters continued to be exchanged and in the course of three years, Margaret Dashwood found herself to be almost twenty and yet to be betrothed - to Mrs. Jenning's dismay.

"I am quite content to stay with my mother here in Barton Cottage where I can be of use to her." explained Margaret with such maturity that no one could claim fault to it.

Then, as plans were made for the young Ms. Dashwood to visit Delaford on her 20th birthday, Colonel Brandon and Marianne decided to host an assembly in her honor to celebrate. Their family, friends and the whole village were invited. Invitations were quickly dispatched and the night was filled with dancing and merriment - especially when Margaret found herself being led to dance by Captain Foster himself! This all happened a month ago and now that Captain Foster has bought a decent sized home in London with the success of his recent commission, it seemed the red-haired captain was finally able to ask for Margaret's hand.

"Don't play coy with my Christopher. I know very well that his appearance at Margaret's birthday celebration was no surprise to you." remarked Marianne.

"Yes, well. You cannot fault this old romantic for when Foster wrote to me of his plans - and even you can admit that it was quite a romantic plan to surprise Margaret on her birthday, my love - he explicitly asked for my discretion." he explained, smiling still at her as she lifted herself so she can face him whilst they talk.

"Well, I don't fault you at all, my dear husband. It was a nice surprise and I am glad that Foster reached out to you. After all, you do have some experience in making foolish young girls fall in love with you." jested Marianne as she gave him a quick peck on the lips.

"Is that so? Hmmm. As I recall, I was not very good at it. I almost never married the foolish young woman I was madly in love with" jested the Colonel in return as he also gave her a quick peck on the lips.

"Oh, dearest. You were in fact very good at it. In fact, I do believe that Foster learned the most important virtue from you." explained Marianne as she proceeded to kiss his neck.

"And what virtue is that, dearest?" he asked as he busied himself in turning them both so he may lay on top on her and kiss her neck instead.

"Perseverance." sighed Marianne as they proceeded.