Chapter Two: Christmas Eve Part Two
"Will you tell me about your friend, Colonel?" Marianne said, announcing her presence to her dearest friend and his canine companion.
"Miss Dashwood!" gasped the Colonel, quickly standing in attention towards her leaving Bernard a bit rattled with his sudden movement.
"I did not wish to interrupt your thoughts, Colonel. Forgive me." Apologized Marianne, who gave him a curtsy.
He returned the curtsy with a full bow, not trusting his voice, embarrassment evident from his flushed cheeks.
"Forgive me, Colonel. My curiosity needs to be satisfied." Stated Marianne, observing his rigid posture as she walked closer to him.
He could not directly look at her, his eyes were fixed on the dusty floor of the hothouse.
"Tell me, Colonel. Am I not a friend?" she questioned, putting on the most innocent face she could muster.
"Of course, Miss Dashwood!" answered the older of the two with conviction, his eyes finally meeting her.
"Then will you confide in me the name of the lady who has so lovingly captured your attentions?" pressed Marianne, grinning.
He could not reply again and thus, his eyes returned to observing the dust on the floor.
"Maybe Bernard could tell me then?" asked Marianne, squatting on the ground.
With the mention of his name, Bernard immediately went to Marianne with his tail wagging in excitement. Marianne eagerly nuzzled the canine's head.
"'You will tell me the name, won't you, Bernard?" babied Marianne, giving the dog loving strokes.
The St. Bernard eagerly replied with a bark which prompted the Colonel to mutter: "Traitor."
"Don't be livid with him, Colonel. After all, I do give a better embrace." Declared Marianne, stroking the black dog's silky fur.
"I believe my secret will stay between me and Bernard, Miss Dashwood. You see, he has made a promise." Explained Colonel Brandon, finally able to trust that his voice was strong enough to jest.
"Will you not share your secrets with me, Colonel Brandon? You have pronounced that I am a friend, perhaps I could also be a confidant?" she offered, standing up and walking towards him.
"As my confidant, you will have to settle with what little information you overheard earlier." He bargained, keeping his eyes straight to the floor.
"Then let me share a secret as well, my dear Colonel Brandon, so we may be even and you can call yourself my confidant" She said, drawing herself closer to him, touching the side of her face as she said:
"I once met a man. He was kind and devoted when I was young and naive. I hurt him by giving my heart to another man – a boy who did nothing but bring pain and hurt to everyone he met. Thus, the boy broke my heart into pieces and just when I thought I had no one, the kind and devoted man who I treated with indifference was there for me."
The Colonel slowly locked his eyes with Marianne, touching the hand that now lovingly rested on the side of his cheek. His eyes were full of bewilderment and she could feel the sublime rush that prompted her to continue her rambles.
"He saved me," she said, whispering as their faces were now close to each other "brought my mother in the darkest hours of my life and offered to be my friend when I clearly did not deserve it. He made me smile when I wanted to laugh, brought music back to my life when I wanted to sing and pieced back my heart so I can believe in love again. I truly do not deserve such a forgiving man and yet, he calls me his friend and now…"
"Marianne?" he whispered, hope filling every inch of his body. 'Could it be? Is it possible that she has finally formed a second attachment?'
"…now he is my cherished confidant."
Her words of admission made his lips produce a smile that split his face into two. In all of the months they have spent together, Marianne had never seen him so happy. It was as if the cloud of sadness that followed him everywhere was instantly replaced with a lightness of being.
"My Marianne." He hushed, drawing her even closer until their lips met.
In that moment, a 100 different thoughts crossed Colonel Christopher Brandon. With everything that has transpired in his life, it was in that moment – in kissing Marianne Dashwood – that for the first time in his thirty-six years, he finally felt bliss
"Dearest Christopher…" Marianne said breathless, pausing from their kiss to rest her forehead on his shoulder.
"My Marianne." He replied again, knowing full well what he intended to do next. He gently took her hands, kissed each palms and regally dropped to one knee while never losing eye contact with her. Thus, he could observe her facial reaction – from delight, to contentment, to confusion and now, surprise.
"I am honored that you consider me your friend for the past few months. For a long time I have talked myself to believe it to be enough. Today, I am privileged to know I am also your confidant and that you have entrusted me with the knowledge of your heart's desire. For the next remaining days our lives, I promise to love you, to continue to be your friend and most trusted confidant. Will you also allow me the honor to call myself your husband?"
He never truly heard her reply but he took her embrace and the kisses they shared soon afterwards as her saying yes.