Chapter Summary,
Brandon and Marianne attend Morton's Ball and make a new acquaintance.
Marianne was in high spirits the day of the ball, it was almost infectious.
Brandon still had his reservations, what would it look like for him to visit the home of the man who had caused those he loved such harm.
However to see Marianne so happy kept his concerns behind his lips.
"Won't you sit in the carriage with me?" she asked, hearing him give the order for his horse.
"I prefer to ride my dear" he replied.
"But what if you hurt your shoulder?" remarked Marianne. "Then what will I do?"
"Find another partner to dance with" he mused.
"But with only you and Edward I shall be unable to dance with anyone else!" she protested. "And Edward will only come for a short while, if not at all because of Elinor!"
"I will not object to you dancing with other gentlemen" replied Brandon. "I am not that sort of man"
"But what will other people say?" said Marianne. "You know what they'd whisper about"
"If you hear anyone whispering, you send them to me," replied Brandon, planting a kiss on her cheek. "I will be happy to explain"
The pair both arrived at Combe Magnor behind a surprising number of people.
Brandon climbed down off his horse and helped Marianne from the carriage, who remarked, "I did not expect half the town to come"
"It appears they have" replied Brandon, "You shall not be short of partners"
Rather in line with tradition, Morton stood at the entrance to the ballroom, with a very distractingly beautiful woman at his side.
As Marianne caught his eyes, she immediately whispered. "This was a mistake"
"And yet here we are" chuckled, Brandon. "Your decision my flower, not mine"
"No don't tease me," she said. "I will not give up now"
"Colonel Brandon, Miss Marianne" smiled Morton, "May I say out of all my guests you are the ones I am most pleased to see"
Brandon bowed his head politely, leaving the conversation to his wife.
Marianne smiled, "I forgot what a fine house this is, I was only ever here once you see"
"I hope you should both feel welcome here" he replied, "But I must introduce my sister, Eliza"
Marianne was somewhat puzzled, "Forgive me, Sister?"
"Yes yes" replied Morton, "I had heard some confused mutterings, but she is my sister, not a romantic companion"
"Though you are the first to air the opinion" smiled Eliza. "For which I am grateful, the stares now make sense, you have set me at ease"
"It is my pleasure" replied Marianne, before realising how she sounded. "Not in a bad way you understand"
"I would never think so" replied Eliza. "From what my brother has told me, your nature is truly kind, not at all vicious"
"I fear that your brother has been speaking of me a little too much" blushed Marianne.
"Nonsense" replied Morton. "I do not speak without true justice"
"Please" smiled Eliza. "Go and enjoy the ball, I am sure we shall meet again tonight"
Brandon bowed again and led Marianne into the crowds. "Not a romantic connection then?" he observed.
"I never thought you one for gossip," remarked Marianne, staying close to him.
"I'm not" he confessed, "Just curious"
Marianne could not lose this sense of unease, no matter how much she danced or talked.
It felt wrong to be in this house, Willoughby's presence hung like a portrait, his eyes following you about the room.
Brandon was soon enveloped in his own conversation, country politics and farming could only be braved for so long by Marianne before she had no choice but to excuse herself.
As she moved about the room, she bumped into Eliza. "Oh my dear, you look a little hot"
"Yes," said Marianne. "I am feeling the heat quite acutely"
"Well" cried Eliza, stopping a servant carrying glasses, "This and quick turn on the balcony should set you to right"
Marianne tentatively took the glass and followed Eliza into the night air.
"Ah" sighed Eliza. "This is quite refreshing, no?"
"Yes very" nodded Marianne, breathing in the cool breeze.
"Do not neglect your drink" smiled Eliza, sipping at her own. "It shall ease you"
Marianne blushed, "I do not know what it is"
"In London, we call it the Warm Heart" laughed Eliza. "My brother wanted the best"
"I've never tasted it" confessed Marianne, looking into the glass. "Only a little wine at my wedding and most recently brandy"
"This has both" urged Eliza. "I am sure you'll like it"
Marianne laughed nervously and glanced back into the ballroom.
Eliza gave a groan. "Marianne, please do not tell me you are searching for your husband to approve you drinking?"
"No of course not" replied Marianne. "I just wish to know-"
"Know what?" asked Eliza. "Whether he thinks it's wise?"
Marianne jutted out her chin, "There is nothing wrong with asking my husband something"
"My dear" chuckled Eliza. "Your feathers are quite ruffled and I did not mean to do so, I just cannot abide women who wait for their husbands to tell them everything, even when to breathe"
"The Colonel is not like that in the slightest" protested Marianne. "And I am most certainly not waiting for him to approve of anything"
"Then why not have a drink?" asked Eliza.
"Perhaps I'd grow a taste for it," said Marianne. "I'd indulge too much"
"What is wrong with a little indulgence?" smirked Eliza. "It's in our nature"
"Yours maybe" replied Marianne. "But I am sure your brother has told you about how my indulgence almost ruined me"
Eliza sat on the stone wall. "It did not escape my attention in London"
"Nor anywhere" added Marianne. "So forgive me if I am restrained"
"But you are with me" replied Eliza. "I offer no judgement"
Marianne came and sat beside her, trying to change the subject. "Are you married?"
Eliza took a drink. "Yes, some three years now"
"Who is he?" asked Marianne.
"Sir Oliver Perry" replied Eliza.
"You are a Lady?" cried Marianne. "Why did you not say so?"
"Only in title, not in rank" smiled Eliza. "My husband likes the ceremony, I do not. Hence why he is in Scotland and I am here"
"Why?" blurted Marianne.
Eliza raised an eyebrow, "Very curious aren't you?"
"Its a fault" confessed Marianne. "Forget I asked"
"No no" replied Eliza. "He is away with business and quite frankly I do not wish to be paraded around like some prized peacock so all his friends can fawn over me. Then endure endless conversations about politics and dull evenings of cards"
She saw Marianne smile. "I think we understand each other"
"The Colonel has interests that are not my own" agreed Marianne. "But that is expected"
"We both married older men, it is to be expected" sighed Eliza. "Mine was for money, yours was for reputation?"
"Love actually" replied Marianne. "I was willing to accept rejection from him after my scandal but he would not hear of it"
"The Colonel seems loving and gentle, not much passion I think" observed Eliza.
"He can quite passionate" confessed Marianne. "But measured as well"
"A well-balanced man" laughed Eliza. "What catch you have my dear"
Marianne smiled. "Yes, though not many were vying for his affections"
"With respect my dear" replied Eliza. "Quiet men like him do not tend to be followed by crowds"
"For which I am grateful," said Marianne. "I will like to keep him to myself"
"And I am sure the Colonel delights in possessing a beautiful young wife" added Eliza. "Quite a conversation piece I imagine?"
"He does not move in such circles" replied Marianne, taking a tentative sip from her glass.
"All men discuss their wives to other men," said Eliza. "A drink or two helps"
"I am sure whatever he says about me is not so sordid as I think you are making him out to be" replied Marianne, a sharp playfulness in her voice.
Eliza laughed, "Well, if it is not your husband making those remarks, I could find you a host of men dying to find out"
Marianne looked insulted, "I don't understand"
Eliza leant in, "I have had at least six young men approach me tonight, asking about you and your marital arrangements"
"These men wish to what exactly?" asked Marianne.
"Oh, my darling" smiled Eliza. "You are not this slow, you are trying to be modest"
Marianne knew exactly what she meant, but the thought of even saying it disgusted her. "You may tell these men that I am happily married and-and quite satisfied"
"Nice for some" replied Eliza, clinking her glass against Marianne's.
As silence descended between the two of them, Marianne felt drawn to drink to pass the time.
She was finished with her glass far faster than she should have been, feeling the mixture of spirits spin in her head.
"See" observed Eliza. "I knew the taste would suit you"
Marianne hated that she was right, but did enjoy the ease it gave her.
Eliza waved at a servant who was carrying a tray of the same drink, ushering him out onto the balcony she smiled. "Leave the tray, Miss Marianne and I shall enjoy ourselves"
"Oh" cried Marianne, rising from her seat. "I think I shall return inside, it is getting rather cold"
Eliza took a firm grip of her arm. "My dear, we were just getting acquainted, do not leave me now"
Marianne took a desperate glance back into the ballroom, but Brandon was nowhere in sight.
"Sit" ordered Eliza, dismissing the servant.
Marianne sat down with some protest. "I cannot stay outside for long, my past health won't allow it"
"Then let's drink to good health" proclaimed Eliza, passing her another tall glass.
With a tentative nod, Marianne sipped at the contents. "To your health and happiness"
Eliza smiled. "Tell me about yourself"
"What do you wish to know that hasn't already been in everyone's mouths?" remarked Marianne.
"Tell me about Willoughby"
"I'd rather not" replied Marianne.
"Don't be embarrassed, he's lured many a girl into his bed" replied Eliza.
"I was never in his bed," said Marianne sharply. "He lied"
"I believe you, always have" agreed Eliza. "You were not his usual defenceless prey, which does lead me to believe he felt something"
Marianne took a large gulp of her drink. "Many believed he loved me, but now it does not matter"
"And you loved him?" observed Eliza.
"I did" replied Marianne. "My heart broke when he deserted me, but I have since learnt that love can be found just as rich, elsewhere"
"Quite the poet aren't you?" said Eliza.
"It's quite real" replied Marianne. "I hope you find it one day"
Eliza seemed to digest those words, "I like you, Marianne, I confess I did not expect to, but I will admit when I am proven wrong"
"Not a family trait then?" mused Marianne, sipping at her drink.
Eliza's jaw dropped a little before laughter erupted. "Wit and charm, my dear how you amuse me"
Marianne happily emptied her glass, glad to have found what appeared to be a new friend.
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Thanks for reading,
Sarah x
