Chapter Summary,
Marianne and Morton clash once again.
Despite gentle encouragement, Marianne was still furious upon going to bed.
"How could he speak that way?" she cried, pacing the room. "He sounds just like his cousin"
Brandon called her from the bed. "Marianne you'll freeze, if you must rant please do so from the warmth"
She relented to his wish, but still continued, "I must warn Elinor about him. No doubt he'll try and introduce himself to Edward"
"Even so, we have no cause to see him again" soothed Brandon. "Not even a ball"
"Oh but surely-"
"Surely what?" asked Brandon. "Weren't you just speaking ill of him?"
"Yes but, a ball is so lovely," she replied. "I shouldn't speak to him of course"
"Perhaps you are not as angry as you appear?" remarked Brandon.
"He wounded me greatly with his talk" cried Marianne. "But if everyone else goes to the ball and we don't-"
"If people ask why, we can tell them" replied Brandon. "I'm sure most people will avoid him when they hear the truth of his family"
"And you are going to tell everyone?" asked Marianne.
"The news already appears to be in town, Keats told himself about Morton and mused to himself that I was oblivious to the facts" replied Brandon.
"News seems to travel very slow here," remarked Marianne. "Perhaps I should encourage maid gossip?"
"I'd rather you didn't" replied Brandon. "We'll have a ball of our own"
Marianne cried out excitedly. "You mean that?"
"Yes, Mrs Andrews shall play the piano and I shall dance with you all night, most agreeable no?"
Realising he was simply teasing she sighed. "All these fine dresses I have, and no one to see them"
"I have been demoted to no one?" he mused.
"Women's opinions matter to me" she replied plainly. "Men don't care for them"
"I think you look divine in everything" he replied.
"See my point" she replied. "I could wear a bedsheet and you'd still like me"
Seeing him move to tease her again, she added. "Which I will not ever wear, so don't get any ideas"
Thoroughly hushed Brandon tried not to laugh.
"Women will comment on my fine choice in fabric, lace and choice of ribbons. Men just nod and say 'yes dear, you look quite lovely' That is no help at all" she remarked.
"If you wish me to expand my vocabulary when it comes to compliments, just say the word" he smiled.
"I'll write you a list shall I?" she replied, tucking herself under the covers. "If you cannot praise my vanity, who can?"
"Now I wouldn't go that far," he said, wrapping his arm around her. "You are not a vain creature"
Marianne smiled, "I'm glad we agree on something at least"
"Elinor?" called Marianne, stepping through the open door of the parsonage. "Elinor? Edward? Hello?"
"Here Marianne!" called Edward, seemingly from above.
She wandered cluelessly outside and gasped as she saw Edward on the roof, trying to fix some tiles.
"Edward! What are you doing up there!" she cried. "Come down at once!"
"I have a roof to fix" he assured. "I shall be down presently"
"If you insist," said Marianne nervously. "Where is Elinor? She knows about this?"
"Yes shes painting, you'll find her in the parlour" he called.
"Don't you fall while I'm gone!" she urged, before slipping back inside.
She did indeed find Elinor, but rather than painting a canvas she was up a small step, painting the walls.
"Is that you Marianne?" she called. "I thought I heard your voice"
"Yes, but what on earth are you doing? You could fall! Both of you seem to have a death wish! cried, Marianne. "Edward on the roof and you, climbing up walls! And besides what about the baby? You could hurt the baby if you were to fall!"
"A step off the ground does not have me or my child in any danger" assured Elinor, climbing down and setting aside her makeshift brush. "Now, have you come to help?"
"Well," said Marianne. "I'm expected back at lunch"
"You obviously have come to tell me something" smiled Elinor. "You can talk and paint no?"
"I-I don't know how" urged Marianne. "I'd make a mess"
"This room will be a testament to mess until the painting is done" replied Elinor. "Here, have an apron"
"But Christopher expects me back in an hour" urged Marianne.
"Do you have plans? I obviously won't keep you if so" said Elinor.
"Not exactly," replied Marianne. "I could stay for a while"
"If need be, there are plenty of charming farm boys who would delight to run a message to the 'big house', for you" assured Elinor.
"Very well" sighed Marianne. "As you are so persistent"
"And you are so agreeable" smiled Elinor. "I'm grateful my darling"
"When I make a mess you won't thank me" laughed Marianne.
Marianne stayed with Elinor for some time, beginning to breach the topic of Mr Morton over a break for tea.
Almost as the words left her mouth she heard his voice outside and Edward happily brought him inside. "Elinor dearest, this is the delightful young man I was telling you about"
The embarrassment on Morton's face was so clear that Marianne had to speak. "Mr Morton I did not expect to see you so soon"
"You have met?" asked Elinor.
"I had the pleasure of dining with the Colonel and his wife last night, though my speech became too liberal for which I must again apologise" interjected Morton.
"Yes, all his forgotten," said Marianne trying to smile properly.
"Forgiven as well, I hope?" He asked.
Marianne was a little taken aback at his boldness, Elinor reading the situation quickly cut in. "Morton is it?"
Morton stared at Marianne for a little longer, a sadness in his eyes before addressing Elinor's question. "Yes Madam, Thomas Morton"
"My husband spoke of you so highly, it's my understanding you also wish for a career in the church?" asked Elinor.
"Yes that has been my wish since boyhood" he replied. "Your husband has been most obliging to all my questions, some as ignorant as they are"
"Nonsense" smiled Edward. "You are a most promising student"
"You are his student?" asked Marianne, quite shocked.
"Yes, I contacted Mr Ferrars a few months ago, trying to arrange a meeting" replied Morton. "Long before I knew about-"
He stopped, "but that is not important now, how can I assist you, ladies? Painting I hear?"
"Yes the parlour needs attention" replied Elinor. "Marianne and I are doing our best"
"Then I shall be all the help you need" smiled Morton. "Lead the way, Madam"
Marianne did not enjoy the monotony of painting, especially painting plain walls.
Elinor enjoyed the peace of it and Morton assisted wherever he could, quite happy to reach the top corners.
"Are you alright Marianne?" asked Elinor, seeing her sister slump into a chair.
"Yes, but my arms are sore," she complained. "I shall sit for a moment"
"Not used to the labour?" mused Morton playfully.
Marianne sat forwards on her chair. "I hope you are not making a joke of me Sir?"
"No, I would never" replied Morton.
"He's trying to be humorous," said Elinor. "Do not snap"
"I don't like humour if it's at my expense" replied Marianne. "So Mr Morton please desist"
"Now Marianne," said Elinor. "You are in my home, I won't have you speak to a guest in such a way"
"No please Mrs Ferrars, my speech to your sister last night was deplorable, she has every right to scorn me" piped Morton. "It only gives me leave to apologise once more"
"You are not a spiteful creature Marianne" added Elinor. "Please do not act like one"
"Very well" sighed Marianne, for the sake of her sister, trying to be civil.
After another hour of painting, Marianne wanted fresh air, happily leaving Elinor and Morton to their tea.
She would not have peace for long as she heard him call, "Miss Marianne? Might we speak a moment?"
"You never seem to stop speaking about me" replied Marianne, barely noticing him.
"I am sorry about what I said" he urged. "It was hurtful and unjustified, you asked me if I knew the women, not what rumours I had heard"
"You knew how Willoughby treated me and yet you chose to hide your identity" snapped Marianne.
"Everywhere I go I am met with contempt" he cried. "He and I could not be further apart"
"But can you not understand how seeing you and realising who you are, would upset me?" replied Marianne.
"Of course" he urged. "I could not begin to understand your distress, that is why I am so determined to balm the wound I have created" he replied.
"And what do you suggest?" she asked.
"I would like to host a ball," he said. "And I would like yourself and the Colonel to be my guests of honour"
"The Colonel would not approve of being an honourable guest, he does not have those high graces and neither do I" replied Marianne. "Despite what others would say of me"
"Then at the least come" urged Morton. "You would encourage others"
"To what?"
"Accept me" he replied. "No one here wants to do business with me, apart from Mr Ferrars"
"Is it any wonder why?" she replied. "The name Willoughby is met with contempt in this town"
"Then if that is so I must leave it" exclaimed Morton. "I am not here to play his pawn and try and seduce you on his behalf. Lying to women is not an amusement to me"
"Part of me wants to believe you" she replied. "But part of me still fears that you have the talent of being a beautiful liar, just as he is"
"And nothing I can say will ever change that?" he replied. "It must be through action then?"
"You don't have to do anything" cried Marianne. "Now please, leave me whilst I continue my walk"
Morton reached out and grabbed her arm. "Please, let us not end it like this"
"Mr Morton, let go of my arm" warned Marianne. "My husband shall be here at any moment and will not stand for it"
Unrelenting he pleaded. "My cousin's crimes against you are unforgivable, but can you hold such a grudge against all who share the same blood?"
"And yet it begs the question, are you just blood or are you of the same nature?" she replied, trying to pull herself away. "How do I know you to be different?"
"Please, Marianne" he exclaimed. "I beg you"
She sighed frustratedly as his persistence. "Let me go, Sir, I won't ask again"
"And neither will I"
Marianne turned her head to see Brandon, staring Morton down disapprovingly.
Immediately he released her arm. "Colonel please I did not want this to appear threatening-"
"It's a little late for that" replied Brandon. "I warned you once, and I will give you the same chance as your cousin. Come near Marianne again and we shall duel, understood?"
The young man's face drained of colour. "It would never come to that, I'd never accept such a challenge"
"I shall go if that is what you wish, I wanted nothing more than to try and mend the void between us, but I see that it is impossible," he added.
"Only furthered by your actions here" cried Marianne. "You can not touch a married woman, what possessed you?"
"Passion" cried, Morton. "The desperate need to be understood!"
"A lack of restraint which shall only end in disaster," said Brandon, standing protectively beside Marianne. "You are fortunate I have a cool temper, other husbands may not be as forgiving"
"I never meant to cause offence" pleaded Morton.
"Such a favourite phrase of yours it seems" added Brandon. "Now, be so good as to leave us, do not make me ask again"
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Sarah x
