Disclaimers: I do not own Colonel Brandon or Marianne. They belong to the late Jane Austen, the most wonderful lady novelist I have ever read. I only hope one day to be like her in greatness. But I am vain and quite proud...

Spoilers: Sense and Sensibility starring Alan Rickman as Colonel Brandon and Kate Winslet as Marianne.

Summary: Colonel Brandon sends Marianne an affectionate love letter shortly after he departs to London to settle affairs; he and Marianne are engaged, and so he has liberty to be so bold as to send her such things. Her influence of sensibility on him adds a bit of...boldness to his letters.

My Dearest Marianne,

Here I am in London, where I fear I shall be separated from you for some weeks. I hope my letter finds you well. If not I shall return to you directly, for I do not desire that your illness from several months ago should be repeated.

I must confess that my outlook on life and that which surrounds me leaves me feeling listless and dare I say it...lonely. My only joy while I reside in Delaford has been to see you, since I first heard your voice when you played at Barton Park. It enchanted me so, as only an angel could.

Ah, your influence upon this old man seems to be shewing forth now. It seems, my dear, I have adopted your tendencies for sensibility, to some extent. I hope that you do not find my confessions to be overly bold. It has been some time since I allowed my feelings to be shown a woman, and I fear I am a bit awkward in doing so. But I think you will enjoy it, if you would only permit me to tickle your fancy.

I recall once that you spoke to me about my pleasing qualities, one of them, which particularly amused you, were my eyes. You said that you found them to be incredibly intriguing, if a little melancholy. I must make another confession. My sadness, which you seem to have noticed, was only brought on by the intense similarities between you and Eliza, whom you know of. My heart now has been healed, I think. You are a wonderful tonic, Marianne, in that you have the ability to cheer even a statue to liveliness. I venture to guess that Dr Harris would have prescribed your company to me, had fate been so cruel as to separate us.

Separation. How I despise the very word! My Marianne, every passing moment my heart yearns to see you. I crave to hear your laugh, to see your smile. Yet another confession, if you will permit me: I must admit to a secret delight in the way you wear your hair. The tendency it has in falling over your shoulders in red ringlets fascinates me to no end. When you turn your head, they stretch and bounce so gaily as to illustrate your happiness in everything, it seems. I have longed to touch them, to see if they were really made of silk.

My beloved Marianne, I fear that I am hopelessly and desperately in love with you. Being away from Barton for any amount of time brings back my seeming aloof and quiet nature. The very thought of you makes my heart leap and dance as my old body wishes it could. And yet the fear that your affections for me should lessen while I am away from you hangs over me like a storm cloud. I do hope with a fervent wish that it will never be so. Promise me, Marianne, that your heart will never grow cold toward this military man who is so helpless against your beautiful charms.

Alas, I must end this letter. The man with whom my business shall be conducted has arrived, and tears me away from submitting more. Please remember that I am ever and always

In love with you,

C. Brandon