Tea time was over and the small party made their way outside. Margret had laced her arm through Brandon's and held it with a vice grip. Brandon's spare hand covered hers gently to give comfort and to hide the intensity of Margret's fear.
"Your gardens are lovely, Mrs. Jennings," Willoughby remedied as they sat on stone chaises outside a small hedge maze.
"Thank you, Mr. Willoughby," she accepted kindly. "John thought to put in the maze last year. At the center is a small Grecian temple made for the memory of my late daughter. Sometimes he'll sit in there for hours on his own."
"Is it very quiet out here most day?" Lady Allen pulled Mrs. Jennings attention as Brandon stood and offered a hand to Margret.
"If I may take Miss Middleton back up to the house? I wish to have a private discussion with her and John before I take my leave."
"Of course, Colonel. My goodness, how has the day gone?" Mrs. Jennings watched as Margret stood and softly brushed our her skirts.
"I do believe Willoughby and I should take our leave," Lady Allen agreed, also standing.
"I bid you good day Miss Middleton," Willoughby said to Margret. "I hope I may see you again soon."
Margret kept her lips sealed as she curtsied to the group before letting Brandon lead her into the park. "I am not comfortable around that man," she said when they were finally inside.
"Really? I hadn't noticed," Brandon said dryly as he led her to her uncle's study.
She smiled slightly before she knocked on the closed door. "Uncle? Colonel Brandon asked to see you."
"Do come in my Dear, we're just finishing up today's lesson," Sir John's voice came through the door.
She opened the door. "We?" She spotted her brother sitting behind the desk, looking at the papers lying there.
"Michael has been progressing very well in his lessons on managing an estate," Sir John said as he poured a brandy.
"No need to compliment it, uncle. I am rotten at it," Michael said sitting back in the chair forlornly.
"Nonsense, my dear boy, you must not think of your self so meanly. You have done very well," Sir John said as he passed the brandy to Margret. "Drink up, old girl."
Margret took the glass and knocked it back like a seasoned tavern wench and handed the glass back. "Oh, uncle, you are too good to me."
"I saw your distress outside. Thought you might need it." Sir John placed the glass back onto the side board, turning to his surprised friend. "Do not look so shocked, Brandon, I am surprised you still have use of your arm."
"Oh, goodness, Colonel, what you must think of me!" Margret covered her mouth.
"Nonsense!" Sir John said as he crossed over to Colonel Brandon, clapping the man on the shoulder. "I am sure Brandon would agree that a little brandy would relax your nerves."
"Indeed," the Colonel said as he watched the woman he loved gain a blush from the alcohol. "Is there anything you can remember from the night of the ball? Something that may account for this fear of Mr. Willoughby?"
Margret thought for a moment. "I remember dancing with uncle and Michael, and I think one of the lads from town. Then I stopped and had a drink with Charlotte Michelson. And that's it. I've wrote to Charlotte to ask if she could remember what else happened that night, but she was taken ill as well."
The sound of a carriage driving off gave an air of relief around the room. "He's gone, now. Margret, I dare say mama will be looking for you in a moment."
Margret nodded. "I shall go to her then." She left with her brother in tow, leaving the two gentlemen to their own devices.
Brandon took a deep breath of courage and turned to his friend. "John, I must put a question too you."
Sir John turned to him with an amused twinkle in his eyes.
A/n: haha! Another one done! Okay, the next chapter is from the movie, because I'm not all that creative and I liked the idea of it at he time. And I'm speeding up the updates because I need your guys' opinnion one future chapter. I might not post again after that cause I'd really like to hear from you all, at least one of you about the problem.