Chapter Thirteen: April Fools'
Several days passed and Colonel Brandon mostly remained unconscious. Dr. Harris took it upon himself to check on the Master of Delaford twice a day and though there were moments when he seemed to awaken, he would immediately go back to deep slumber.
"I am afraid it is the exhaustion out of the whole experience." Explained Dr. Harris to Mrs. Moore, Sir John and Marianne
"Is this normal?" asked Mrs. Moore worriedly
"I truly cannot say. Based on my examination, he took a bit of a blow on the head. The injury is well tended to and is healing well. Upon delivering him here, he was suffering a very high fever and drawing blood helped settle his temperature down. The sleep might be his body's way of recuperating."
"He's been resting in and out for over five days! Can we expect him to awaken soon?" asked Sir John though his tone demanded a more specific answer from the doctor.
"Forgive me, Sir Middleton, but I cannot say as well. The travel was surely hard for his body given the blow to his head and as I said, the sleep is his body's way of recuperating."
"Can he hear us?" asked Marianne, hopeful now that Colonel Brandon was physically present and back at Delaford
"Possibly. Maybe it is best that everyone talks to him and the activity might encourage him to awaken sooner than we expect." Agreed Dr. Harris.
Thus, the next few days found majority of Colonel Brandon's fiancée and friends keeping his slumbering form company. Marianne would often stay by his bedside until dinner time where she would then walk back to her room in the parsonage despite Mrs. Moore's insistence that she stay in the Manor house.
Every morning, she would drop by the greenhouse by dawn and make a simple bouquet of pink roses which she will arrange with the vase in her fiancé's room. She would then read the day's newspaper to him, sharing with him her thoughts on the matter. Elinor and Edward would often visit the Colonel by lunch time and Mrs. Pratt would serve them a small scrumptious feast in the room. Sir John would, at certain days, join them in the afternoon and though the Colonel at times were prone to movement and mumbles, nothing coherent may be fished out of him by his dear friend.
"Even in his sleep he is as secretive!" jested Sir John one afternoon after having a one sided conversation with the Colonel.
Seven days has passed and Brandon's fever eventually vanished though he remained asleep. Beth, Mrs. Moore and Marianne were assisting Dr. Harris in cleaning the Colonel's bandages and Sir John kept them jovial company.
"My word, Ms. Dashwood! You're developing a green thumb yourself. You're almost as good as your fiancé!" Complimented Sir John as he admired the roses which were tastefully arranged in a vase on top of the Colonel's bedside table.
"Thank you, Sir John. It is an activity I am now beginning to fully appreciate." Replied Marianne humbly while helping Dr. Harris dispose of the old wool bandages
"Delaford will be quite lucky to see its Mistress up and about the hothouse." Remarked Beth who was now assisting Mrs. Moore with folding sheets
"If I may say so myself, ma'am. Your presence to will do wonders not just to the hothouse. We look forward to you practicing in the music room as I look forward to the Yuletides." Admitted the housekeeper who observed a faint blush on her future mistress' cheeks.
"And I look forward to your wedding with Brandon…" said Sir John dryly, facing away from his friends bed grinning at Marianne who flushed a deeper shade of red.
"What wedding, John?" asked a weak voice from the master's bed.
Author's Note: Thank you for your reviews and again, I apologize for the delay. I hope this chapter was worth the wait :) Part two will be longer so stay tuned!