Into Thin Air: Chapter 10
It hadn't take long for Brandon to pass out like a light after the doctor finished dressing his wounds and seeing to his arm. His arm alone must have hurt like nothing on earth, never mind his other bruises, but the cold and all had simply drained him of his last bits of energy.
"We can only let him rest as much as possible now, Mrs Brandon," the doctor said and left the room. Marianne took in the sleeping form of her husband. Even in his sleep it was easy to see how tired he was. She would have to keep an eye on him that he'll not move his arm awkwardly and that he didn't develop a fever after that exposure. Her own fever after getting soaked had been so bad she had not been expected to survive. Until her der Brandon had a day or two with no symptoms, Marianne would not leave his side for long. She would maintain constant vigil.
His sleep became deeper and deeper and Marianne could see Christopher would not stir for a while. She should see Elinor and thank her for coming. Marianne knew she would have simply expired from sheer anxiety and worry had Elinor not come. She pressed a gentlest of kisses onto Christopher's forehead before quietly slipping out of the room.
"I'll just be a moment, my darling, please just sleep and I'll be back before you know it," Marianne whispered.
Downstairs Dr Williams was in the middle of explaining how he believed the Colonel to be out of danger, but that he would need a lot of rest and to allow his broken arm to heal. The hall was full of people. Looking around, Marianne realized there were people from all of the farms in the Delaford estate. All of his tenants had sent at least someone if not everyone to join in in the search and everyone was now very keen on hearing the news. Marianne was still standing in the stairs when Dr Williams concluded what he was willing to share about his patient and the crowd's attention turned onto Marianne.
"Congratulations on your marriage, Mrs Brandon, and so sorry for your honeymoon to have had such a turn," someone wished, a woman. When the owner of the voice stepped out from behind a tall man's back, Marianne could see who it was: Beth!
"Thank you, Beth, thank you very much," Marianne responded. The crowd looked at her as if expecting something, and from the corner of her eye she saw Elinor giving her an encouraging nod. Of course – she was the mistress of Delaford and these people had given up so much of their own time to help the master of Delaford. Had Christopher been up and about he would express his gratitude, but since he wasn't, it was her duty. And she so wanted to express her own gratitude.
"And thank you so much, everyone. I haven't even had a chance to meet you all in person yet but I feel I owe you all such gratitude for your efforts. When Colonel Brandon is better he will also be able to express his gratitude for the care you have all shown. I feel quite humbled y the way you have given up your precious time to come and help in the search – it tells me that you about Colonel Brandon… We may only have been married for a few days, but Colonel Brandon means everything to me and the prospect of losing him hung so heavily upon me I did not know what to do. But I saw how everyone joined in and would not give up until he was found and that was such a comfort to me. And it gave me so much hope. So thank you so very much and know that I am forever in you debt."
Marianne had never really been in such a position as this one. She had always been the younger sister, a young girl – never the mistress of a house. She hoped she would be worthy of the trust that had now been placed upon her. From the corner of her eye, she again saw Elinor nod in encouragement. Perhaps what she had said had been correct. She would make sure to visit every farm later on with personal thanks.
"No need to thank us, ma'am", one of the farmers then replied, continuing: "Colonel Brandon is the finest landlord a man can hope for and he has helped us all in one way or another ever since he was but a young lad here. The Colonel is dear to us all and we couldn't hardly sit by idly when we heard he could be in trouble."
"Hear, hear!" someone supported the statement from the crowd.
"So congratulations to you again on your marriage and we're all happy the Colonel is safe home again," someone else added.
"Thank you," Marianne said again, bowing her head. The warmth, respect and care she sensed from everyone was almost overwhelming and her eyes filled up a little.
Mrs Dobson somehow had a special knack at making herself seen at the right time.
"There now…" she said as she came to Marianne's side, handing her a white handkerchief.
Michaels opened to doors and everyone started filing out of the hall, and outside where Mrs Dobson had somehow organized a small luncheon to the search party. Marianne was, again, ever so grateful to Mrs Dobson.
"You are pure gold, Mrs Dobson – I was in no state to even think of arranging a luncheon, and that is the least we can do for everyone."
"Quite all right, Madam," was all Mrs Dobson said. She then exchanged a look with Elinor who had walked over. Elinor took Marianne's hand and as quietly as she had come to Marianne's side, Mrs Dobson left and went to oversee the luncheon.
"Elinor, oh Elinor, the doctor thinks he'll be fine," Marianne whispered. Elinor smiled and embraced her sister.
"That is such good news," Elinor said.
"I owe you a thank you as well, Elinor, you held me together when I found the wait to be the hardest." Quietly Marianne wished that if there ever was a time her sister needed support, she would be half the woman Elinor was and would be able to help.
"Of course I came, dearest. You wouldn't do anything less! And you know Brandon is a dear friend to me, too, and I would have been beside myself with worry had I not come here and see how everyone was working together to find him."
"It is amazing how everyone joined in," Marianne said, still in awe of the crowd that had been here.
"He is a good man, Marianne, everyone who cares to try and know him at all cares for him and would not think twice about helping."
"True, he is such a good man. He keeps it all to himself, but there are clearly times when the magnitude of his good deeds comes to light. Like today." Marianne pondered.
"Edward should be back here by now as well and I should go find him. I don't suppose you'll want to be away from your Brandon for long," Elinor said with a teasing smile. Despite the situation, Marianne felt herself blush.
"Elinor!" she gasped.
"Oh dearest, you've been married only a few days. Everyone knows you have not been seen by anyone apart from your staff since then and I know that if your first days are anything like what we had with Edward, you'll not have any time for anyone else but each other. And that's how it should be!" Elinor was teasing her younger sister now, but only because she had seen the love and desire develop to such intense measures between her friend Brandon and her sister Marianne.
"Oh Elinor, you're impossible!" Marianne hissed, but now she, too, was smiling.
"Go on then, go see to your Colonel and make sure he gets better. I'll go find Edward." And with that, Elinor kissed her sister goodbye.