Hey everyone! I know that it has been a while since I last updated this story and I am so sorry for that. I've been busy, but now I have a phone that can handle the app. So here is to hoping that my updates can be more consistent in the future. No matter what you think, whether you like it or want to see a certain twist or reaction to something in the story from the book that I have yet to cover, PLEASE TELL ME!!! I love to hear from you all- so please comment/ review. Thanks. Without further ado, chapter two:If Only the Heart Wasn't FickleMarianne was not the only one intent on enjoying the friendship of the Colonel. His daily visits gave Elinor the strength to continue forward, in the midst of her unfortunate circumstances. If Marianne could yet have the true chance at a second love, Elinor could imagine a day when maybe, she might begin to heal.

Elinor laughed to herself, pondering the switch in countenance between her and her sister as of the past few weeks. Marianne, before her near demise, reliant on emotion alone, with no room to rely on cold reason. At the present, however, Marianne grew more balanced between her emotional state and the necessary reason and logic that she, Elinor, had for so longed for her sister to have.

Yet, in the midst of nearly losing Marianne forever, being parted, perhaps forever, from the only man Elinor had ever found herself to love, she found herself shoving logic and reason aside for the comfort that rampant emotion seemed to give. True, she had expressed next to none of these thoughts aloud, and yet, they began to domineer more and more of her heart by the hour. If only the heart wasn't so fickle, she knew, she hoped that she could have realized her feelings were one sided before they had thus eclipsed her heart.

She looked out on the lawn and saw the Colonel rising from his seat next to Marianne, hearing him promise to return briefly before departing. He handed her the book they had been reading for quite some time and began to walk toward the house, the same expression on his face as in the recent days past, contentment and concern in the forefront of his gaze.

He smiled upon seeing her as he asked if he might enter and visit for a brief minute or two before going on his way. Of course, she willingly obliged him. As they worked their way to the sitting room facing the lawn where Marianne sat, he asked, in a low voice, "Perhaps you might be able to tell me whether or not the doctors have any news as to Miss Dashwood's condition? I could seem to find the ability to ask directly."

Elinor smiled. She, of course, knew of the Colonel's feelings and concern as to Marianne's health and general well being

"Colonel, he does seem to believe that the time outside has done quite a bit of good for her in the last two days. He suggested a walking regimen, which we have tried to accomodate, but we are hesitant to go farther than the reach of the gate in the case of her weak state."

He nodded. "Of course," she stated, having a male escort with us would allow more range, but we haven't anyone to provide us with their time as of yet, and this progress may be weeks in the making before the gate is reached."

"If ever you acquire assistance," the Colonel said, " and feel that you might not tire of my company, I would be honored to assist yourself and Miss Dashwood with this task." He paused, then said, "However, in two days time, I must journey away on business for week, possibly nine days time." He smiled slightly, "Of course, should there be any change, any need for my presence, I do hope that you and your family would not hesitate to send for me."

Elinor smiled back at the Colonel, very pleased but hesitant.

"But Colonel, we would never dream of inconveniencing you apart from our hours of greatest need, and already, our family has such a debt of gratititude to repay that-"

"Miss Dashwood, it is for the sake of my conscience, for my well-being and my state of mind while I am away, that I must ask you, your family, as dear friends, to promise to send for me should any need arise. My servants are to assist you in any matter necessary while I am away. Do you understand and accept my request, Miss Dashwood?"

Elinor knew how strongly he felt for Marianne, but his insistance of friendship to their family as a whole was touching.

"Dear friend, if you insist, then I have no other option than to secure your well being by allowing you to assist the Dashwood family in maintaining our livelihood."

A brighter smile than she had seen from the Colonel in some time radiated across to her now and she wondered if, in the storm of tragedy her family had faced, if he was a saving grace to guide the family through it all.

He expressed his deepest thanks, both as being considered a dear friend and at the reception of the promise that he sought, that he then bowed and made leave.

His step onto the lawn from the house seemed considerably brighter, Marianne thought. She wondered if maybe, Elinor could have a second chance at love after all. Maybe the Colonel was motivated and spurned onward for a flame he held for her sister.

If her sister returned the feelings, she realized that she would feel elated for her sister, if not also a little envious of the companionship of the Colonel. However, if no hope Edward returning existed, she could think of no one who deserved to win her heart more than the Colonel.

She smiled to herself, thinking as the Colonel promised his return the next day, whether she would have ever been worthy of the kind, compassionate, and loyal man standing before her.

She tilted her head as he paused, seemingly hesitant to ask a question.

"Colonel, if you have a question, you need only voice it. I would hope that you should become less ill at ease around the Dashwood family."

She smiled sweetly, trying to encourage his response, for him to sigh a little and ask,

"Do you enjoy playing the piano or is it task you took up solely for others?"

She paused, searching for the right words.

"I find it rather the opposite Colonel, as it was out of selfish desire that I learned to play the piano. My father played and it reminds me of my childhood."

"Selfish?" the Colonel asked, speaking more to himself than to her.

"I realize now that up to this point everything I've done has been utterly selfish, yes." If only the heart wasn't so fickle, she thought, I might have yet been happy.

He looked at her, her face tilted down, regret washing across her face.

"Miss Marianne," he said, "it is not selfish to desire happiness or to grieve or to live passionately. Rather, that is the height of the human experience."

For a moment, he saw her appear to be shocked before she recovered, saying,

"It is very kind of you to comfort someone like myself, Colonel Brandon; you are very generous." He saw her smile, bid her goodbye, and began to wonder what he could achieve in order to make sure he lived in a world where Marianne smiled. If only the heart wasn't so fickle, he thought, he might've been brave enough to have warned her of Willoughby's character.

If only,

if only,

if only the heart wasn't so fickle.