Authors Note: Wow! Long time no see. I can't tell you all how many times I've sat down to write this chapter, a clear picture in my mind of how I wanted this to go, but I could not write it down for some reason! Honestly, I'm still not happy with how this came out. I hate it when the story in my mind seems perfect but my hands can't seem to type it out properly! I hope you all enjoy. Continue to review! I appreciate it so much! A new chapter will be up soon!
Marianne lay in her bed, Elinor perched on the side of it. They both sat still and quiet, eyes glued to the window as rain poured and pattered upon the cottage's roof. Lightning struck somewhere miles away, and Marianne smiled. She should hate storms - they seemed to give her nothing but grief. The last storm this strong that she had seen was the one that nearly killed her, after all. And they reminded her family of a certain dashing young man riding to her rescue, of hurt ankles and Willoughby. But as she heard the thunder outside of her own safe, warm haven inside, she only thought of one man.
Colonel Brandon.
She didn't remember much of that night, only of the pain and tears that her illness brought her. But she did remember standing there, utterly helpless and confused and broken. When Colonel Brandon had picked her up so effortlessly, she felt as though he was also putting her pieces back together. As he held her, she drifted in and out of consciousness, but when she finally did fall asleep there in his arms, she felt safe. Adored. Loved. Willoughby made her feel wild and free and careless, but the Colonel made her feel protected. Being so near to him, so near that she could feel his heart beat drumming against her own, she was reminded of how often her sister and mother and even Sir John and practically everyone else told her how taken he was with her, and how blind she had been to not have seen it before this moment. His heart beat was steady and strong, not appearing to be bothered by her weight at all. She had obviously underestimated his strength. And for those long minutes in his arms, her shivers and aches seemed to subside, and her heart felt whole. When he handed her over to Mr. Palmer and she was tucked away in bed, she longed for his presence, and the only thing that dulled that feeling was her fever when it sent her off to another world of sleep.
"Marianne?" Elinor knocked her sister out of her reverie, brow furrowed as she looked at her with concern. "Are you alright? You've been so quiet." And she had been. She glanced up at the clock that hung above her chest of drawers, she had been lost in her thoughts for nearly fifteen minutes, all of that time spent in utter silence. And when Elinor was near, she never stayed silent long. They only had so many weeks left to spend together like this, after all, with her wedding so near. She wanted to take every opportunity to speak with her, to be alone with her and close to her like they were for every day of their lives. Never had she had such a great friend like her sister - she would miss her.
"I'm perfectly fine, just lost in thought, I suppose." She sat up, tucking her knees to her chin and inwardly cursing her long chemise as it tangled with her bare feet.
"Oh? Has the storm made you upset?" Elinor knew her well. Ever since Willoughby had left, even the lightest rain shower made her think of Willoughby. But what Elinor hadn't realized is how quickly her thoughts had turned to another man. A much better one, she mused.
"No, not upset at all." Her voice was dreamy, very much so. She saw Elinor cock her eyebrow, the wrinkles in her forehead forming as she fought a smile. "What aren't you telling me, sister?"
"Nothing at all!" She attempted to sound strong and sure, but the smile growing on her own face and the blush painting her cheeks said otherwise. How could she tell Elinor about these feelings when she couldn't even understand them herself? Colonel Brandon was the exact opposite of what she'd imagined herself with. When she was younger, she had pictured a passionate and incredible love. One that was so strong, she wouldn't be able to sit still. One that was obvious, loud, brave. She imagined her future husband, someone who was like her, outspoken and bold. But Brandon...he was quiet, a wallflower of sorts. He was a man of few words, although now that she'd taken the time to truly listen, she saw that his words were always brilliant. He spent more time with books and with his small hand full of friends than he did anywhere else, although now...that seemed to suit her. His passion was not obvious, but it was true. And if him carrying her by himself in the most terrible storm that she had seen in years, with no concern for himself, no fear for his own health, was not passion- "Marianne, you can't fool me." Once again, her sister cut off her thoughts, scooting herself closer to her and folding a hand into the younger girl's.
"I can't." She admitted, her gaze turning down to their hands. Perhaps Elinor could be the one to help her understand?
"Elinor...I'm experiencing the oddest of feelings I've ever felt in my life." Elinor's eyes met hers, urging her to look up, and when she did, she saw the concern plainly written on her face. The last time she felt strong feelings towards anyone, she had run outside in a storm and nearly killed herself. "Don't worry, I'm not going to be playing in the rain tonight." She added as an afterthought, eager to see a smile instead of such a worried frown on her sister again.
"What kind of feelings, then? And trust me, if you were to try that again...I'd have Colonel Brandon come and help me chain you to this bed!" At the mention of the Colonel, her cheeks reddened once more.
"Marianne? What aren't you telling me?"
"I think..I think I'm falling in love with Colonel Brandon."