Dearest, Darling {Colonel Brandon X OC}

.Chapter Eight.

balcony's & ballrooms

Auntie Bridget had been fussing over my appearance all evening, always finding some small detail to fix, like a strand of hair in the wrong place or repositioning my gauze shawl across my shoulders. Since Auntie, Elinor, Lucy, Marianne and I had loaded into the carriage, her nitpicky-ness had only increased.

"Auntie! Its fine!" I gently slapped her hand away from where she had started to reach for the necklace i was wearing, no doubt finding it ever so slightly crooked.

I heard Lucy giggle and i shot her a jokingly scathing glare, which caused her to giggle even more.

"Its your first ball in London, dear! I just want to make sure everything's perfect!" Auntie defended herself and i sighed quietly and brushed my fingers across the necklace Brandon had given me. The pink and white complimented the silk of my dress perfectly, and i would be the first to admit that I was hoping the Colonel would be attending the ball. Though I'd heard from Sir John that he rarely attended these social functions.

"She looks perfect, Mrs. Bridget," Elinor shook her head at my Aunt's antics, giving me a small smile.

I fidgeted with the gloves that covered my hands, wringing the fingers slightly as i worried. This was the first time i would be around this many Regency people... what would they think of me? What if i embarrassed myself in front of everyone? What if i embarrassed myself in front of the Colonel? I cringed, burying my face in my hands.

Auntie patted my back gently, as soothing as she could be in her anxious state. I offered her a weak smile and finally realized that Lucy had begun chattering.

"I do hope Edward will be there! It's been so long since I've seen him!" She smiled wildly at Elinor, who clearly didn't share her excitement and merely gave her a small nod.

Just as Auntie Bridget was opening her mouth, the carriage lurched to a halt, nearly sending me into Elinor's lap across from me.

"Ah!" I squeaked, my hands landing squarely on Elinor's forearms and she immediately steadied me as Auntie tutted.

"It looks like the carriages are all backed up! We may just have to walk!" She shook her head as the carriages door got opened, nearly sending poor Auntie face first into the mud.

Willoughby was standing outside the carriage, his hand already held out to help the over enthusiastic Marianne, who borderline leapt out of the carriage and into his arms. Elinor sighed, clearly a little disappointed by her sisters lack of etiquette.

I giggled, gently patting her hand in support as I started to exit the carriage onto the mud slicked cobblestones.

...

The ballroom was disgustingly crowded and the chatter had reached an almost deafening volume. I groaned, already feeling a headache creeping up behind my eyelids and I tightened my grip on Elinor's arm.

"Ugh, this is already awful," I mumbled and I heard Elinor snicker quietly behind her hand. She looked lovely in the dress she had picked out, the green complimented her skin and hair beautifully. She had thanked me profusely when they had arrived, and she looked positively glowing in it.

I started back into reality and the feeling of her arm being yanked from me. About to follow her i noticed Mrs. Jennings already starting to ramble in her overly chipper voice and immediately turned the other way.

Wandering through the crowd was a rather aggressive endeavor, and I almost caught a few elbows to my face but some skillful dodging made sure I survived the adventure.

"I wonder if the Colonel will be here... I doubt it though," I mumbled to myself, hugging my shawl tighter around my shoulders. I made it to the other side of the ballroom and quietly slipped into one of the many doors out onto a quiet balcony. 

I inhaled the warm summer air with an extreme gusto, the smell of the sticky sweet lilac getting caught in my lungs and almost making me sneeze.

Leaning on the railing, I stared out over the large garden, it was absolutely beautiful. Rose and wisteria climbed up onto the balcony, some blooms peeking shyly over the white painted railing as if they were too scared to say "hello". I smiled at them, gently brushing the soft petals with my fingertips.

...

The ballroom was less crowded than the rest of the party and I lingered by the edges of the dance floor, admiring the smooth movements of the couples. There had been no sight of the sandy haired Brandon so far and a tight feeling had started to settle in my chest.

I looked up from the kerchief in my hand, my eyes wandering around the crowd around me when my heart stuttered.

Standing next to John and Willoughby across the sea of dancers was the Colonel himself.

He looked up, his eyes catching mine and I was suddenly acutely aware that I was staring. My eyes immediately darted off in another direction, praying to god he didn't notice the way I had glued my gaze to him. I could've sworn I saw his eyes light up at the sight of me... wishful thinking.

"Good evening, Miss Underwood," Brandon's voice sounded from my left and i whipped to face him, immediately falling into a shallow curtsy.

"Colonel Brandon! It's a surprise to see you here!" My voice came out higher pitched then I wanted it too and I could barely contain an embarrassed wince.

He cleared his throat and nodded awkwardly. He was fidgeting with the sleeve of his very fancy jacket, probably because his usual felt hat was nowhere to be seen. He was clearly quite nervous in the crowded ballroom and his hair had been slicked back in what seemed like a rushed job, his suit was the same shades of grey as is usual but clearly showed less wear.

"You look..." His face turned an almost neon shade of pink. "Lovely. You look lovely," I started from my infatuated observations. My heart felt like it leapt out of my chest.

I couldn't help the grin that crept onto my face, even though i could feel the flush creeping up my cheeks. "Thank you Colonel, you look lovely too!"

My hand flew to my mouth the moment the words left my mouth. I did NOT just tell the Colonel Brandon he looked lovely. My eyes immediately focused on the tips of my shoes that barely peeked out of my dress.

A low chuckle emanated from the man next to me and i dared to raise my gaze, and for what felt like the millionth time that night i felt my heart stutter.

Brandon was smiling at me. A bright, happy smile, that crinkled his eyes and made them shine in the prettiest way. I could already feel my face turn flushed and I couldn't help but giggle a little.

He held out his hand hesitantly, almost questioning if he should but he seemed to steel himself before he spoke over the beginning of a new song.  "May I have this dance, Miss Underwood?"

"Of course, Colonel, it would be my pleasure," I smiled up at him as I placed a gloved hand in his out-held one, trying to ignore the way both our hands shook.

...

hiiiiiiiiiii everyone :P !!! im so sorry for being so late to updating this all the time. i love this story tons and im definitely planning on continuing it until its finished! this chapter is brought to you by my bestie, who encouraged (borderline bullied ) me to post it so everyone say hi bestie!!!! Love you all <3

- bells