Title: Col. & Mrs Brandon Series: Sense & Sensibility
Author: Drusilla Dax (drusilladaxfree.fr)
Pairings: Colonel Christopher Brandon/Marianne Dashwood, Edward Ferrars/Elinor Dashwood, Lieutenant James Forrester of Singhurst/Margaret Dashwood
Summary: What happened when Colonel Brandon came back to the Dashwoods' home...
Disclaimer: I'm just playing with other people's toys. May I be forgiven in my next incarnation! Flamers will be adopted by my family (if you don't believe it's a threat... too bad for you!).
A/N: See chapter 1 for additional information.
Readers: Mikee, Starkindler and StarGazer. The remaining mistakes are all mine, and I apologize for those.
A/N2: I know I update slowly, but that particular bunny is hopping that way. It may take time, but rest assured that I ALWAYS finish my stories.
A/N3: All of Montaigue's clerical speech is from the Book of Common Prayer (Church of England).
Col. & Mrs Brandon
One Blessed Day
It was the first Sunday of April, and Brandon was pointedly looking at his boots.
The second lesson of the morning service was nearly over, and Ferrars cleared his throat.
It was the third Sunday of the banns publishing.
'I publish the banns of marriage between Colonel Christopher Brandon of Delaford and Miss Marianne Dashwood of Barton Cottage. If any of you know cause, or just impediment, why these two persons should not be joined together in holy matrimony, ye are to declare it. This is the third time of asking,' Ferrars announced.
Brandon could feel the fire that was burning his cheeks, and it embarrassed him deeply that all Delaford could see what a silly old fool he was. He was a soldier of the British Empire, not an innocent countryside maid.
Brandon remained lost in thought during the end of the service.
Ferrars had to remind his future brother-in-law that there were a handful of details they had to discuss, so that Brandon would not ride back home as if he were fleeing from the Devil himself.
'What can I do for you?' Brandon asked.
Ferrars smiled warmly.
'Remember the advice you gave me when I became so frightened before my own wedding, perhaps? Or possibly remember that you are not being sentenced, but are about to live happily with Miss Marianne,' Ferrars suggested kindly.
'Do I look so lost?' Brandon inquired.
Ferrars was forced to nod several times.
'I merely wanted to tell you that the guests you invited have all answered positively and will be present next week when you tie the knot. The day before the ceremony, I'll bring Montaigue a certificate of the banns being thrice asked, so that everything will be ready when you arrive,' Ferrars said.
Since Ferrars, as Marianne's elder brother, would be giving her away, he could not perform the ceremony, which suited him perfectly because he was not certain that he could concentrate enough throughout the whole service.
The young minister was delighted that the living of Delaford was too small to accommodate a party such as was expected.
Montaigue had been asking the banns in his parish, which was closer to Barton Cottage, so with Ferrars' certificate he could proceed in six days and solemnize Brandon and Marianne's matrimony.
Brandon was overwhelmed, but the prospect of happiness with the woman he had come to love so dearly helped him go through the very last stages before the ceremony itself.
The blessed day came at last.
There was something exquisite in the soft mist that was gently layering the whole countryside. Brandon thought that his land was as glorious as in one of those fairy tales his ward had taken to reading to Christobel.
Brandon felt like an old warlord, who was given the opportunity to live happily ever after with the fairest maid in the country.
'Colonel?' one of his fellow officers he had invited to his wedding said softly.
Brandon was in his office, staring out of the window, and only half-dressed.
'Captain Chester?' Brandon answered dreamily.
Mrs Dewitt nervously pushed the captain aside and walked to her employer.
'Knowing the mother and elder sister of the bride, we can expect Miss Marianne to arrive late to the ceremony, but you would not want to frighten the poor soul by arriving late yourself,' the kind housekeeper said.
The poor colonel gasped.
'What time is it?' he asked worriedly.
'Time to finish getting dressed, sir,' Mrs Dewitt said briskly.
Chester was almost tempted to chuckle, but the housekeeper was clearly overwhelmed and his former superior officer was unmistakably moved at the merest mention of the impending service.
The officer promised to help the colonel hurry get ready, and soon Brandon was heading for the church, escorted by fellow soldiers, and accompanied by his most faithful servants, as well as those who were not too busy with the preparations for the party that was to be held at Delaford after the wedding.
Montaigue welcomed him, and Brandon waited with his fellow soldiers in the vestry. The room reminded Brandon of the day he'd been there with Ferrars as they waited for Mrs Ferrars, that was Miss Dashwood, to arrive.
Brandon's friends took to talking amongst themselves because it was obvious that nothing, and no one, could manage to interest Brandon with any kind of conversation.
A sharp knock on the door caught their attention.
Margaret dashed into the room and very inappropriately threw herself into her future brother's arms.
'Captain Margaret!' Brandon scolded her feebly.
'Colonel!' she exclaimed joyfully.
The sight of her was somewhat disturbing, because the charming angel was so deeply moved and happy that tears threatened to compete with her wide and luminous smile.
Brandon was once more defeated by Margaret, and he held her as he had sometimes held his ward.
'I came with Betsy and Thomas,' the young girl said. 'The others should be here momentarily.'
Brandon could not utter a single word and resorted to nodding his understanding.
'Captain Margaret?' Chester inquired cheerfully.
While Brandon explained how Margaret had won the title, time flew by.
Montaigue came back into the room and asked, 'Are you ready?'
Brandon nodded and went to take his stand on the right hand side of the Lord's Table.
Villagers and servants had come.
Mr and Mrs John Dashwood had managed to sit near Mrs Henry Dashwood. Yet, the mother of the bride was sitting next to Mrs Jennings; next to them sat Sir John and Lady Middleton, and Mr and Mrs Thomas Palmer. Margaret found a spot as far from Fanny Dashwood as she could.
Finally, Ferrars walked into the body of the church with his sister-in-law, Miss Marianne. They were followed by Elinor, who was her sister's matron of honour.
The young bride was so radiant, serene and beautiful that Brandon was not the only one to gasp when she came to stand to the left of the Lord's Table.
Montaigue gave them an instant to smile at each other, and to allow the faint murmur among the family, friends, and neighbours to die down.
'Dearly beloved,' Montaigue said fondly, 'we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony; which is an honourable estate, instituted of God in the time of man's innocence, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church; which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence, and first miracle that he wrought, in Cana of Galilee; and is commended of Saint Paul to be honourable among all men: and therefore is not by any to be enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly, to satisfy men's carnal lusts and appetites, like brute beasts that have no understanding; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering the causes for which matrimony was ordained.'
Montaigue spoke loudly and slowly so that Brandon and Marianne, and all those present in the church, had the opportunity to think about the importance of that particular rite.
The minister took a deep breath and went on, 'First, it was ordained for the procreation of children, to be brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord, and to the praise of His holy Name.'
Bridegroom and bride looked at each other, and blushed in perfect harmony.
Only years of training prevented Montaigue from chuckling at their innocence and purity.
'Secondly, it was ordained for a remedy against sin, and to avoid fornication; that such persons as have not the gift of continence might marry, and keep themselves undefiled members of Christ's body. Thirdly, it was ordained for the mutual society, help, and comfort, that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity. Into which holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. Therefore if any man can show any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace,' Montaigue declared solemnly.
Since no one spoke, Montaigue turned to Brandon and Miss Marianne and said, 'I require and charge you both, as ye will answer at the dreadful day of judgement when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, that if either of you know any impediment, why ye may not be lawfully joined together in matrimony, ye do now confess it. For be ye well assured, that so many as are coupled together otherwise than God's Word doth allow are not joined together by God; neither is their matrimony lawful.'
Both remained silent.
Since no impediment was alleged, Montaigue turned to Brandon and asked, 'Christopher, wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?'
Brandon forgot about the other people in the church. He probably even forgot that he was answering Montaigue's question.
He looked at Miss Marianne and said, 'I will.'
The minister turned to a deeply touched bride and asked, 'Marianne wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honour, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?'
Marianne smiled widely and cheerfully declared, 'I will.'
'Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?' Montaigue asked.
'I am,' Ferrars said.
The young man's voice conveyed his emotions, and Montaigue smiled at his fellow.
The minister caused Brandon to take Miss Marianne's right hand in his right hand, and he instructed Brandon to repeat after him, 'I, Christopher, take thee Marianne to my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth.'
Montaigue smiled, and signalled them to loose their hands, and then he had Miss Marianne take Brandon's right hand in hers and repeat after him, 'I, Marianne, take thee Christopher to my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.'
Montaigue had them loose their hands again; he took the ring that had been prepared and handed it to Brandon so that he could place it upon the fourth finger of Marianne's left hand.
'With this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen,' Brandon said.
Marianne was tempted to caress the ring, but she refrained from it, and she and Brandon knelt next to each other.
'Let us pray,' Montaigue started. 'O, Eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, Giver of all spiritual grace, the Author of everlasting life; send Thy blessing upon these Thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in Thy Name; that, as Isaac and Rebecca lived faithfully together, so these persons may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made, whereof this ring given and received is a token and pledge, and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to Thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.'
Montaigue joined their right hands together and said, 'Those, whom God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.'
The minister addressed the assembly next and declared, 'Forasmuch as Christopher and Marianne have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth either to other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a ring, and by joining of hands; I pronounce that they be man and wife together, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.'
Brandon and Marianne looked staggered.
Their friends were smiling widely; some were crying with happiness.
Montaigue looked delighted when he uttered the traditional blessing, 'God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favour look upon you; and so fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace, that ye may so live together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have life everlasting. Amen.'
Montaigue went to the Lord's Table and barely suppressed a smile.
It was now customary to say or sing a Psalm.
Montaigue could have chosen Psalm sixty-seven, Deus Misereatur, which was to the Lord's glory, but instead decided to say Psalm one hundred and twenty-eight, Beati Omnes.
Montaigue truly wished that it would bode well for this union.
His voice orotund in the church, Montaigue said, 'Blessed are all they that fear the Lord: and walk in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labours of thine hands: O well is thee, and happy shalt thou be. Thy wife shall be as the fruitful vine: upon the walls of thine house. Thy children like the olive-branches: round about thy table. Lo, thus shall the man be blessed: that feareth the Lord. The Lord from out of Sion shall so bless thee: that thou shalt see Jerusalem in prosperity all thy life long. Yea, that thou shalt see thy children's children: and peace upon Israel. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be; world without end. Amen.'
The bride and bridegroom were still kneeling before the Lord's Table; Montaigue faced them and said, 'Lord, have mercy upon us.'
'Christ, have mercy upon us,' they answered.
'Lord, have mercy upon us,' Montaigue repeated, then he and the entire assembly said, 'Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen.'
'O Lord, save thy servant, and thy handmaid,' Montaigue said.
'Who put their trust in thee,' the congregation answered.
'O Lord, send them help from thy holy place,' Montaigue went on, and 'And evermore defend them,' was answered.
'Be unto them a tower of strength,' the minister declared.
'From the face of their enemy,' the congregation responded.
'O Lord, hear our prayer,' Montaigue said.
'And let our cry come unto thee,' came the heartfelt reply.
'O God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, bless these Thy servants, and sow the seed of eternal life in their hearts; that whatsoever in Thy holy Word they shall profitably learn, they may in deed fulfil the same. Look, O Lord, mercifully upon them from heaven, and bless them. And as Thou didst send Thy blessing upon Abraham and Sarah, to their great comfort, so vouchsafe to send Thy blessing upon these Thy servants; that they, obeying Thy will, and always being in safety under Thy protection, may abide in Thy love unto their lives' end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen,' Montaigue went on.
Benignly looking at the bride, he added, 'O, merciful Lord, and heavenly Father, by whose gracious gift mankind is increased; we beseech thee, assist with Thy blessing these two persons, that they may both be fruitful in procreation of children, and also live together so long in godly love and honesty, that they may see their children Christianly and virtuously brought up to Thy praise and honour; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.'
Marianne did not need to pinch her cheeks to sport some healthy colours.
Brandon did not colour. He glimpsed at Marianne, and the mere thought of children made him even happier than he already was.
Montaigue was going on, 'O God, who by Thy mighty power hast made all things of nothing; who also, after other things set in order, didst appoint, that out of man, created after Thine own image and similitude, woman should take her beginning; and, knitting them together, didst teach that it should never be lawful to put asunder those whom thou by matrimony hadst made one. O God, who hast consecrated the state of matrimony to such an excellent mystery, that in it is signified and represented the spiritual marriage and unity betwixt Christ and his Church; Look mercifully upon these thy servants, that both this man may love his wife, according to thy Word, as Christ did love his spouse the Church, who gave himself for it, loving and cherishing it even as his own flesh, and also that this woman may be loving and amiable, faithful and obedient to her husband; and in all quietness, sobriety, and peace, be a follower of holy and godly matrons. O Lord, bless them both, and grant them to inherit Thy everlasting kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.'
One loud sob from Mrs Henry Dashwood made everybody smile in the church.
Montaigue looked affectionately at the mother, who was being handed several handkerchiefs.
The minister continued, 'Almighty God, who at the beginning did create our first parents, Adam and Eve, and did sanctify and join them together in marriage, pour upon you the riches of his grace, sanctify and bless you, that ye may please him both in body and soul, and live together in holy love unto your lives' end. Amen.'
Thanks to his thorough preparation, Montaigue knew that the bride and bridegroom were aware of the duties of man and wife; therefore he had prepared no sermon and directly went on with the following part of the ceremony.
'All ye that are married, or that intend to take the holy estate of matrimony upon you, hear what the Holy Scripture doth say as touching the duty of husbands towards their wives, and wives towards their husbands,' he said.
Margaret was suddenly overwhelmed, and she tried to hide her emotion in Betsy's welcoming arms.
'Saint Paul, in his Epistle to the Ephesians, the fifth Chapter, doth give this commandment to all married men: Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church, and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water, by the Word; that he might present it to himself a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy, and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself: for no man ever yet hated his own flesh, but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the Church: for we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife; and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery; but I speak concerning Christ and the Church. Nevertheless, let every one of you in particular so love his wife, even as himself,' Montaigue reminded them.
'Likewise the same Saint Paul, writing to the Colossians, speaketh thus to all men that are married: Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them,' Montaigue hoped that some of the bitterness held in the hearts of some of the people gathered in his church on that blessed day would, at least momentarily, melt away upon hearing those words again.
'Hear also what Saint Peter, the Apostle of Christ, who was himself a married man, saith unto them that are married: Ye, husbands, dwell with your wives according to knowledge; giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers be not hindered.'
Montaigue liked to remind his male parishioners that their companions needed to be protected, and that they had sworn to do so when they married.
Montaigue was wise enough to know that some of the ladies needed to be reminded of their duties as well.
'Hitherto ye have heard the duty of the husband toward the wife,' he said. 'Now likewise, ye wives, hear and learn your duties toward your husbands, even as it is plainly set forth in Holy Scripture. Saint Paul, in the aforenamed Epistle to the Ephesians, teacheth you thus; Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the Church: and he is the Saviour of the body. Therefore as the Church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. And again he saith, "Let the wife see that she reverence her husband". And in his Epistle to the Colossians, Saint Paul giveth you this short lesson; Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.'
Some marriages were even.
Ferrars and his wife were a charming couple that Montaigue was pleased to have married. He had absolutely no doubt that Brandon would be a good husband, and Marianne a devoted wife.
Nevertheless, the experienced minister knew that some shrews occasionally needed a reminder, and he always took time to speak those words of advice.
He went on, 'Saint Peter also doth instruct you very well, thus saying: Ye, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the Word, they also may without the Word be won by the conversation of the wives; while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning, let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible; even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands; even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord; whose daughters ye are as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.'
Colonel and Mrs Brandon received the Holy Communion, and then Montaigue had performed his duty.
Brandon and Marianne could leave the house of God as man and wife.
Brandon had asked one of the villagers to play the violin when Ferrars and Elinor got married to surprise them.
The man had come to play for Brandon and Marianne, but Elinor and Edward had prepared a surprise for the Brandons. When the doors of the church were opened, the new couple saw that almost all the inhabitants of Barton Village had come to congratulate them.
Blossoms and wild flowers had been gathered by the children, and the villagers showered those onto Brandon and his wife.
Brandon and Marianne were followed by Ferrars and Elinor, and then Mrs Dashwood and Margaret, and the guests who would follow the new couple back to Delaford.
Down the path to their carriage, the Brandons were welcomed with petals and tiny flowers, some of which adorned Marianne's veil.
Brandon opened the door to Marianne and lifted her into the carriage where she sat, serene and beaming.
The ungrateful and selfish young lady that Miss Marianne had been in the past had completely disappeared, and Mrs Christopher Brandon looked as if she would work to be a gentle and strong protector for the people of this country.
Brandon looked as if he had been given a draught from the Fountain of Youth itself.
Brandon joined his wife in the open carriage, and Captain Chester closed the door after Brandon and handed him a pouch with coins of six pence. Brandon took to throwing handfuls of coins into the crowd. Children shrieked with glee as they worked to catch as many as they could - of course, Fanny Dashwood could not refrain from encouraging her husband to imitate the children. John Dashwood was about to obey his wife when the latter was hit in the eye by one coin and he had to take care of her.
When the pouch was finally emptied, Brandon sat down next to his wife.
Their carriage started moving, bringing back for the first time to their home the colonel and his wife.
Their guests would follow in their own carriages.
Brandon and Marianne had a few minutes to themselves before they were forced to entertain their friends and family for a few hours.
'Marianne?' Brandon began, but his voice trailed off.
'Christopher?' said Marianne.
He took a deep breath and said, 'I hope your mother and Mrs Ferrars didn't worry you too much this morning.'
'Elinor's mouth was full of good advice and sense; mother was sobbing constantly,' Marianne answered. 'Were your officers entertaining?'
'They were good company, and they saved me from Mrs Dewitt's anxiety,' he answered.
Brandon took another breath to add something, but he didn't have the courage to mention what he had noticed when they exited the church.
'I saw the white horse uphill,' Marianne declared.
When the new couple walked to the carriage, Willoughby had been observing them. He had left long before their carriage started.
It was quite a long run from Willoughby's estate, and Brandon didn't like to know that his former rival had travelled all the way to Barton Village.
'I guess that I owe some of my happiness to him,' Marianne declared.
Brandon reflected that his wife was right. Had Willoughby been any different, he would certainly not know his present bliss. In fact, Brandon reflected that he should feel sorry for Willoughby. Of course he was a cad who had abandoned Eliza with child, but he was now paying for all eternity with a marriage to a cold-hearted shrew.
Brandon held out his hand to his wife.
They laced their fingers together, smiled, and enjoyed the ride in companionable silence.
Delaford was ready to welcome a new mistress.
To Be Continued...