Her Eyes Opened: Chapter 16
"Does this mean you'll now be my brother, too? Like Edward?" Margaret asked excitedly. She was smile was so open an happy that it was impossible for Marianne and the Colonel not to join in. Brandon did not take his eyes off Marianne's when he replied to Margaret:
"Yes, Miss Margaret. And I hope you don't mind such a very much older brother."
Margaret laughed. She could not be happier. The Colonel made her sister happy, he had helped her family in so many ways and had taught her to ride horseback. To have him in her family's life could not be a bad thing. Marianne, meanwhile, only began to register how her Colonel was looking a little disheveled: a light stubble on his chin, hair longer than she remembered. His eyes were sunk and he looked so tired, almost gaunt.
"My darling, are you really alright?" she asked. He gave her another gentle smile, then reached forward and planted a light, yet lingering kiss on her lips.
"It hasn't been the best month I've ever had. There was the injury, then infection and I'm afraid it's worn me down some. But the doctors assured me there should be no reason why I couldn't get back to normal in time," Brandon confessed. Honesty and openness: he would not keep things from Marianne, and she needed to know what she was looking at, accepting his proposal.
Marianne responded to the kiss, but propriety under the eyes of young Margaret kept them from deepening the kiss too far. Instead, Brandon decided, he would be loathed to not hold his now fiancée in his arms. Not after everything. He moved around so that they now sat together under the apple tree, Marianne leaning lightly on him, Margaret joining them on the grass, lounging on her back with her head in Marianne's lap. In her excitement Margaret kept Brandon talking about his trip and things he had seen. Brandon kept his story light, hoping Margaret would not notice when he was avoiding certain topics. Marianne, however, did seem to notice his slight hesitations here and there, giving his hand a gentle squeeze to show she understood. There would be a time later, when they could talk alone and Marianne hoped he would be able to tell her more about how he got wounded and what his condition really was. Right now she could tell he was wary of his side – the one she wasn't leaning against – and he had lost weight.
Some time later they heard noises coming from around the corner of the house. It sounded very much like Mrs Dashwood, Mrs Jennings and Sir John who had come to the Cottage and seen the horse outside.
"Marianne, Margaret?" they heard Mrs Dashwood query before they saw her emerge, eager to spot who had come to visit. It was a man, judging by the horse and the saddle, and she had left the two girls home alone.
Margaret was the first to react, jumping up and running to her mother.
"Mother! Mother! It's Colonel Brandon! He's come back! He's come back!" is all she managed to exclaim.
"Brandon, my dear fellow!" Sir John exclaimed in surprise. He had heard nothing from the regiment since that awful letter. Mrs Jennings gasped a mixture of surprise and relief as well as joy in seeing the Colonel and Marianne sitting so comfortably together.
Marianne got up and presented her hands to the Colonel to offer him help to get up as well. In his relief to simply be alive and here with Marianne the Colonel showed no signs of discomfort in having to admit to his physical discomfort and that he did, indeed, need a little help in getting off the ground.
"Mrs Dashwood, Sir John, Mrs Jennings.." Brandon greeted the party.
"My dear fellow, are you alright?" Sir John had to ask first thing. It was obvious Brandon's health was not at its peak.
"I have been better, but I'm here again and should get back to normal with time," Brandon repeated himself. He knew these people all cared for his health and wellbeing, and he appreciated it very much. These were his friends here. However, there was something more urgent he had to bring up. He let go of Marianne's hand and walked over to Mrs Dashwood.
"Mrs Dashwood, I hope you'll forgive me my forwardness, but I had to come here as soon as I got off the ship. Had you been here I could have asked your permission first, but as it was, I could not help myself and I have asked Marianne to marry me. I hope we have your blessing."
For a moment he wasn't sure what was happening. Mrs Dashwood's eyes grew moist, but a smile was forming on her face as well.
"Colonel Brandon. My dear Colonel Brandon. You have made a happy afternoon even happier. You've made it perfect." Mrs Dashwood started.
"Not only have you returned to us after we already feared the worst, but you have proposed and I take it Marianne has accepted. To have you as my son in law makes me very happy. And more importantly, you will make my Marianne happy, I know that for certain." Mrs Dashwood had taken Brandon's hand between hers as she spoke and squeezed it gently. He had to know he was more than welcome.
"Thank you, Mrs Dashwood. With everything that I am, I will try to make sure Marianne is always happy. And I know having her in my life makes me immensely happy. As does knowing that I can be a part of your family." Brandon spoke quietly, but there was no doubt about his sincerity.
Mrs Jennings could not hold back her joy for one moment more and she rushed over to congratulate the couple with hearty embraces – even the Colonel. His condition, however, became obvious to all present when he could not help but wince when Mrs Jennings grabbed hold of him. She was not even being terribly physical, but leaning on him just enough to make his wound protest.
"Oh dear, I'm so sorry Colonel," Mrs Jennings apologized immediately. Brandon had to take a deep breath before he could nod to Mrs Jennings to let her know he was fine.
"Nothing to worry about," he said, but had to press his hand over his flank for a while. So long as the wound did not start bleeding again he should be fine. It had only just sealed itself properly during the sea voyage.
"Did you ride here from Delaford?" Sir John asked. He had seen Brandon like this before, when the man had hurt himself in India years and years ago: pale, a little weak looking, thin. Brandon should be careful not to overtax himself.
Brandon knew exactly why Sir John was asking this: it probably had not been the most sensible thing ever to ride over all by himself like that, but he had not wanted to wait a minute longer than he had to to get under way and to see Marianne.
"No, I came here straight from the port," Brandon confessed.
"Good God, man! Have you lost your senses?" Sir John reprimanded. From Brandon's visible condition he probably should not have been horseback at all, never mind ride for hours. Brandon gave his friend an awkward smile, then looked at Marianne.
"I probably have," he admitted quietly.
Sir John sighed. Of course he understood: the man was in love. And when a man like Brandon was in love and had set his mind to do something, there was no stopping him.
"You must promise you take care of yourself now, yes?" Sir John asked.
"Yes, Colonel, you mustn't fall ill or hurt yourself. I'd never forgive myself if your recovery halts because you came straight over here instead of taking a carriage to Delaford first," Marianne chipped in. She was very concerned with Brandon's condition now that she'd seen him wince like that. Brandon could do nothing but nod in agreement. He knew he'd have to take it easy now, but there was still the question of getting to Delaford tonight.
"Colonel Brandon, if you don't mind our humble abode terribly, could I convince you to stay here tonight and rest? Have dinner with us and rest a little. It would do you no good to ride home tonight, now would it?" Mrs Dashwood cut in before anyone else got a chance.
Sir John was going to offer Brandon a lift to Barton in his carriage, but Mrs Dashwood's suggestion was probably very appealing to his friend: he'd be able to spend the evening in Miss Marianne's company, and some of the morning as well. After their months apart, he would probably like that. After a few words of hesitation and checking that he would not be intruding, Brandon agreed. He did not want to miss one moment he could be with his Marianne.