Two months later, I was finally on my sojourn home- home to my beloved colonel...who knew nothing of my arrival. A breathless, wistful sigh escaped my lips as we passed by Delaford in the carriage; there was no sign of the colonel or Eliza, and that was in perfect accordance with my rather mischievous plan. We arrived at the front of my home, where my parents were waiting on the front steps. "Welcome home, Kiley," my mother greeted me warmly and came up to embrace me.
"How were your travels?" my father inquired.
"Dreadfully long, I could not arrive home soon enough," I replied while gazing out at the grounds that were alight with the morning rays. "I am going to retire and take a small repos, excuse me," I explained softly, and made my way upstairs to my long bereft chambers. I smiled at the sight of my bed, turned down and waiting for me to nestle amid the sheets. I promptly fell into a gentle slumber, exhausted from the long carriage ride home from London.
It was in the early evening when I awoke from my respite, and upon realising the said time- I hurried to the stables with unsuppressed haste, and swiftly saddled Perseus. I swung a leg over the saddle, and with a cry, galloped out of the stables and towards Delaford. I leaned forward in anticipation, my fingers instinctively threading themselves in Perseus' mane, and the wind threatened to liberate my hair from its confinement. This was it- after nearly four months I would see Colonel Brandon once more. I admit, my plan was highly unconventional and exceedingly forward; however, all I could think of was seeing him again. My pulse increased at the sight of the home within my dreams, Delaford, and I urged Perseus on.
The front doors opened, and a figure raced towards me, seeming to mistake me for a messenger. When my features grew more focused within their sight, the figure- whom I now recognised as the colonel- lurched to a stop. "Miss...Miss Jensen?" he asked in an incredulous sputter.
I slowed Perseus to a canter, a trot, and then finally halted in front of the colonel. "Forgive me for my unexpected arrival, Colonel, but I could not write you and be forced to wait for a reply or any form of detainment," I explained, a blush blossoming on my cheeks. I dismounted and while I ran a nervous, tidying hand through my hand, I discovered that my pins had fallen out- lost somewhere in the meadows between Delaford and my home- and my hair fell down in wind- tangled heaps. "I beg to forgive my improper appearance as well, Colonel, it seems that I have lost my hair pins on the way here," I added in a hurry.
"It suits you...wild...never change."
I looked at him, confused at the fragmented reply, so I asked, "I beg your pardon?"
"Your mess of hair suits you; it is wild- as are you. I wish you never change who you are to appease others, Miss Jensen," he edified. I blushed and looked away, afraid to meet his eye and have him see into my innermost thoughts, which were currently centered upon him. "I do not desire to make you uncomfortable, Miss Jensen, forgive me," he said sincerely.
"There is nothing to forgive, sir."
A spark of determination ignited in his ensnaring hazel eyes, and he approached me with newfound confidence. "Miss Jensen, may I take you into my hot house to discuss a very serious matter with you?" he inquired.
"O- Of course," I stammered in reply, and took his offered arm. My mind was in a great disarray as to why Colonel Brandon seemed so collected, yet so out of sorts at the same time. We ducked into the hot house, and I smiled at the diverse, beautiful blossoms and orchids. "Is everything all right, sir? Is something with Eliza or Emily?" I asked, already sinking into a worried panic.
"No, everything is well concerning Eliza and the baby," he assured me, and stepped closer. "Miss Jensen, I have brought you here to discuss your thoughts or concerns on the difference of age between nineteen and eight-and-thirty."
I quirked a brow at him and inquired, "Are you addressing the difference in age because you believe it creates a dilemma for our friendship?" I bit my lower lip, and looked at him with worry.
He let out a brief chuckle, and smiled warmly at me. "No, in fact, your friendship is one I treasure greatly- above all others," he answered. Again, I wondered what was within his mind that made him speak and look so strongly at me. He was so tantalisingly close, and all that I wanted was for him to reach out and take me into his arms. Honestly, I was a lovesick fool around him and barely managed to retain the means to necessarily function properly; however, I could not imagine not having him in my life, whether he remained my friend or not. "Miss Jensen, you are an amazing young woman- and that is...I beg pardon," Colonel Brandon stammered, and let out a sigh of frustration.
My hand reached out to take hold of his, making him look me in the eye when our hands touched. I smiled at him and said, "It is just me, Colonel, there is no reason to be at such unease for my part."
His other hand came up to envelope my much smaller one, and he gave me my favourite crooked smile of his. "There is all the reason, Miss Jensen. What I have been failing to say is that I love you; I am a fool for taking so long to realise it. No really, I am forever a fool for not seeing it from the very beginning when we met that fateful day. When I first saw you, I knew you were beautiful, by far the most beautiful I had ever seen- beyond all compare- but I immediately pushed my affection away because one such as you were never made for the likes of a man like me. But now, after seeing every facet that composes your personage, I cannot restrain my affections any longer. I apologise for my curt manner the night you came to my house in London, nursing an injured hand, but as we sat in the kitchen...I was sorely tempted to be ungentlemanly and kiss you when I saw how you glowed whenever you were around me. So I have this to ask of you...Miss Jensen, would you please honour me by becoming my wife and equal through this life?"
The entire time he had been talking, I had inadvertently been holding in a breath, and as he finished, I swayed dangerously and had to clutch him tightly in order to remain on standing. My vision blurred with tears, and I gave him a tremulous smile; I blinked rapidly to clear my vision and could think upon what he had proclaimed. He thought I was beautiful beyond compare...and he wished to marry me. "Colonel Brandon-" I began.
"-Please, call me Christopher."
"Christopher," I began once more, "I cannot imagine a happier life than one being at your side for the remainder of our lives." A few tears slid down the contours of my face, but my darling Christopher caught them and wiped them away with a gentle, caressing thumb.
His arms came about my waist, drawing me close, and then rested his forehead against mine. "Forgive me for leaving London so abruptly, but I went to seek your father's permission- surely that compensates properly?" he murmured, causing me to laugh gently and lean into him. "May I kiss you, Kiley?" he whispered, saying my given name like a reverent prayer.
"You need not ever ask," I whispered in reply. I tilted my head back slightly, and did not have to wait long. Christopher's soft, thin lips chastely caressed mine, and I felt a blush flourish on my cheeks. I kissed him back; I had died every day waiting and wishing for him, but time had finally brought him to me. It seemed as though my love had lasted for a thousand years, and would last thousands more. Christopher smiled against my lips, and slowly drew away.
"I also admit to nearly kissing you on the veranda on the night of your birthday celebration, but your nephew snatched you away."
I smiled up at him and mused, "Well then it is a good thing that you will have me all to yourself." I cupped the side of his face, and craned up on the balls of my feet to kiss him softly. "I love you," I murmured as I pulled back. I blushed as he smiled down at me and added, "Forgive my forwardness."
Christopher laughed gently, and his hand reached out to softly caress my face. "I will never deny you, despite your supposed forward actions or words." His arms snaked about my waist, drew me closer, and then held me in his arms with a fierce tenderness. I let out a faint sigh and rested my head against his chest. "I can never deny you anything," he added. He ran his fingers through my hair with a beautiful reverence that caused my heart to flood with fluttering warmth. He rested his head against mine and I felt him nuzzle his nose against the crown of my head; I closed my eyes, a smile blossoming on my face as I did, and I finally felt that everything would be all right.