Chapter Seven
The door closed softly behind Colonel Brandon, and he permitted himself a length of time to simply stand by her chamber and expel his ire by regulated breathing, thereby allowing some of his hotter emotions to dissipate before he ventured to conduct business in a rational manner.
That Willoughby was a scoundrel of the blackest kind, he was already well aware. That Willoughby found diversion in seducing young women and fleeing the consequences of his sinful pursuits, he was also most painfully knowledgeable of. However, for Willoughby to be so base as to force a woman he professed to love, though sadly believable, was not something even Colonel Brandon would have readily suspected. Indeed, no person of polite company would ever stoop to assume such a thing capable of a man who walked among them; charming them all with his winsome ways and genteel conduct in society.
For Colonel Brandon, his course was set, his conscious sure. The instant Marianne had confessed the wretched truth; that her child was conceived not only out of wedlock, but also through violence, he knew what Willoughby's fate would be. It only required a time and place. Such were his thoughts as he rested against the chamber door, trying to still his racing heart.
Elinor came upon him there after breakfast had ended, seeking Marianne's rooms in the hopes of being useful. Though sleeves and jacket had been restored to their proper place on the Colonel's person, there was something unusual about him that appeared almost dishevelled in his look and expression.
Fearing that it meant grave news about Marianne, she asked, "How does she fare, Colonel?"
"There is no reason for alarm," he said, putting her slightly at ease. "It is an ugly wound, but one that will heal quickly. The same prognosis cannot be given for the deeper pain that Mr. Willoughby has inflicted." He pronounced the man's title as if the very mention was a curse upon his lips. "Do take care of her, Miss Dashwood. I do not think even you can know what she is suffering at present."
Elinor blanched, misinterpreting his implication. "Do you mean that she has harmed herself deliberately?"
Colonel Brandon reassured her with a sad smile. "It is not what you imagine. I would, however, be most grateful to you if you would remain with us—permanently, if your mother can spare you. It would be a great comfort to know that she will not want for company when I am away, and I'm certain she would rather you be near her than I."
Elinor hurried to defend him. "Do not disparage yourself, Colonel. Your care of her does not go unnoticed. Marianne is still young at heart, and she can be distracted from the attention of others by the violence of her own feelings."
"I am sensible of that, but you mistake your sister if you think she has not on expressed her gratitude to me in frequent and varying ways. However, thankfulness and affection are not one in the same, and I would have her most in company and looked after by those she loves. I can think of none better than you."
Elinor could not argue the point, and so she left it be for the time. "Thank you, Colonel. Of course I will stay with her as long as she would wish it."
He answered with a slight inclination of the head and left her then. Elinor wondered at the cause of his weary gait and distressed features if Marianne's injury was not so very serious. Had she injured him by some thoughtless comment? It was not something beyond the usual for Marianne to unwittingly wound another in the throes of her despair.
Upon entering the room, Elinor found her sister reclining comfortably on the bed, looking no more pale or tired than the previous day, though no less, either.
"Oh, Elinor!" She put her hands out to receive her and to urge her to sit beside her on the bed. "I have been so foolish!"
"Are you badly hurt, dear? The Colonel tells me it is not a serious injury, but he seemed more perturbed than usual. Is it more than your arm that pains you?" When Marianne was reluctant to answer, Elinor went on, "I know how tiresome the journey from London was, and you are not fully recovered from the anxiety of the past fortnight."
"Not in body, no, but I've embarrassed myself this morning," Marianne sighed. "I had hoped to begin my marriage with industry, and instead... I feel so troublesome!"
Elinor hid a smile at this new turn of phrase from Marianne. She could not recall a time Marianne had ever admitted being troublesome before. "Colonel Brandon was most concerned when the housekeeper told him that you'd been injured. He pushed away from the table in such haste that he upset his breakfast plate and startled all the footmen."
"It is not so dreadful," Marianne said, failing to catch Elinor's point. "I only caused an issue with my ignorance. I will tell you everything, but you must promise not to laugh too much at me, or I might never recover."
Elinor could only promise that if it was something that caused Marianne true pain or embarrassment, she would not find it amusing. They made a silent agreement to cease conversation while the maid brought in a tray laden with a full breakfast, and a few delicacies of such exquisite taste that they brought unbidden tears to Marianne's eyes. "Elinor," she murmured, "he is so good to me; so very kind and good, and I do not deserve it."
"He loves you, Marianne. In his eyes you could not be more deserving of his kindness."
Marianne sighed deeply at this pronouncement, long suspected, but never fully confessed. "I had thought love to be all fervent passion, shown by romantic verse and with unsuppressed remonstrance. But I was wrong, Elinor. I've been wrong about Colonel Brandon in so many ways." She finished swallowing her tea, the better to replace her cup with Elinor's hand. "He says you may stay with us as long as I desire you near me, Elinor! And once I am well, you must help me learn how to be a good mistress of the house, and how the Colonel would like things, for I wish to repay him in whatever way I can for all that he's taken upon himself in marrying me."
"I do believe that asking the Colonel directly would be the best way to determine his preferences, but I will help you however I can, dear."
Elinor moved the breakfast tray aside, Marianne having taken her fill, and resumed her place on the bed. "I have written to Mama," she said.
"Oh, dear Mama," Marianne cried. "I should write to her once I feel a little better. I feared I'd not to see her again for the greater part of a year, and would need to invent some story to justify my absence. Now the only disappointment I must get over is that she was not able to attend the wedding. What did you write her?"
"I wrote of your marriage, explaining that you took Willoughby's engagement very badly; that you came to see how deceived you were in him, and that the Colonel's kindness through your trial turned your heart in acceptance of his offer. I'm certain she will believe it of you to be persuaded by the Colonel how for travelling purposes it was best to marry the sooner."
"Oh," Marianne exclaimed, "but I have always so ardently protested such inconsistencies of affection! She will think me absurd!"
"Better that than a used woman, dearest," came Elinor's serious reminder.
The harshness of her sister's words, though not delivered in a deliberately cruel manner, struck Marianne's tender feelings and she began to cry.
"Oh, forgive me, dearest," Elinor soothed, "I did not mean to..."
"No, you are right. She had better think me flighty than degraded; and Mama has always been fond of the Colonel. I do not think she will be too disappointed," she comforted herself by musing.
"No, Marianne, there is no danger of her being disappointed in your husband."
Marianne continued, not recognising the irony in Elinor's tone. "In fact, if we had not met Edward first, and if Willoughby had not come upon me and turned my head, I think Mama would have liked Colonel Brandon for you, Elinor."
Elinor said nothing in reply to this remark, but chose to alight on a new subject.
"If you would like, I can bring paper and ink and write to Mama for you by dictation. Then your correspondence need not be delayed, and you will still be in accordance with your husband's orders to rest."
Marianne immediately brightened, and sent Elinor on with all haste to gather the materials suggested.
Following her letter, Elinor spent the remainder of the day touring the estate and gathering all manner of pertinent information to convey to Marianne that she might better equip her for all the duties of managing such a household.
Colonel Brandon was a thoughtful and meticulous master, and his estate was well seen to even in his absences through his clear direction and the dutiful character of the housekeeper and head butler. There was not a great deal for Marianne to oversee, excepting some trifles that were more a matter of taste or ornamentation than household efficiency, nor was her interference greatly desired by the aforementioned staff.
The grounds were especially well tended, and though too cultivated perhaps for Marianne's pleasure, Elinor found great satisfaction in exploring the gardens and lawn.
Elinor could tell from their conversation, though not directly expressed by Marianne, that she still saw the Colonel as a kindly relation rather than a husband and lover, and though wholly done away with any lingering feelings for Willoughby she would not quickly be moved to love another no matter his worth.
She prayed that it might not be long; that Marianne's gratitude and unwavering interest in repaying the Colonel for his kindness might someday flourish into a deeper affection, and the constancy and faithfulness of the Colonel's love might finally be rewarded by Marianne's in turn.
Author's Notes: Do forgive the shortness of chapter. Perhaps I'll update another bonus one this weekend if I remember to. I know we're all eager for Marianne to hurry up and love our dear Colonel, but I was hoping to do justice to her character in not rushing the change of affections. Marianne always prided herself on sticking to her course, no matter the folly, and I couldn't shame Miss Austen's book by making Marianne fall devastatingly in love with Colonel Brandon overnight. Even if we could do so in a heartbeat. ;)