#deepperplexity writing

“That looks-” you bumped into someone and instantly turned “-I am so sorry! I-” But your mouth stopped functioning as your eyes landed on a gorgeous, tall and broad-shouldered man who stood far too close for it to be proper. He peered down at you with kind eyes though.

You felt your face and neck heat as you took an unsteady step back, and then another, to reach a more proper distance. You fumbled for a moment but took a light hold of the fabric of your dress’ skirt and curtsied while you looked up at him through your lashes. He bowed, deeply and elegantly.

“Brandon, my boy!” Sir Middleton called out just as the both of you were straightening. The man, apparently called Brandon, turned slightly hesitantly towards Sir Middleton just as he entered the grand room. “John,” he said and you instantly knew they were close by the use of Sir Middleton’s given name.

“How are you, my boy?” Sir Middleton asked exuberantly and the men shook hands. “Fairly well, I received your invitation for this years Christmas lunch.” “Oh, splendid, splendid! You will attend will you not? Miss (Y/n) (Y/l/n) will be here,” Sir Middleton said and pointed with an open palm towards you just as the tall and handsome man looked towards you.

“Really?” the man said. “Yes, now, (Y/N)-” Sir Middleton turned to you “-this man right here is Colonel Brandon.” You curtsied again as you were informed of the man’s status. “Colonel Brandon,” you said gently, softly, as you felt a little intimidated by the man. Something about his presence was a bit stoic and distant but with an air of reclusive sweetness. “Miss (Y/l/n),” he replied and the drumming of his voice was utterly heart-stopping. You straightened ever so slightly and Sir Middleton clapped Colonel Brandon on his shoulder. It broke the connection your eyes had had.

“How have you been, my boy?” Sir Middleton said happily and Colonel Brandon gave him a tight smile. “Nothing out of the ordinary, I am quite well. As well as can be expected at the very least.” “That’s wonderful. Now, won’t you come have a brandy?” “Certainly, a small one, John,” Colonel Brandon said and Sir Middleton laughed haughtily as if there was something wrong with only drinking a small brandy.

Sir John looked at you with a wide smile, “(Y/n), are you fairing with the decorations?” he asked and you nodded with a sweet smile towards the older man even if your eyes flicked between the two men. “Yes sir, I am doing quite well.” “Splendid, splendid, do tell the staff if you need help.” “Thank you, Sir Middleton.” “And how many times must I tell you to call me John, dear?” “One more time, sir.” Sir Middleton laughed while he shook his head, humoured but a bit exasperated perhaps.

You turned towards Colonel Brandon and curtsied as you spoke his name in a farewell and he returned the favour by bowing and uttering your name in turn. It sent a shiver down your back and when he straightened his warm eyes found yours for a moment before Sir Middleton beckoned him to come to the second parlour.

You watched as the men walked away, your eyes lingered on the colonel and a little fluttering erupted in your stomach as you saw him glance back over his shoulder. The smallest of slightly embarrassed smiles played across his lips and you instantly turned. It was not proper to view a man you had just met as you had been. But he is most fine of a man; handsome, regal, grand.

A few moments passed before Mrs Jennings came into the room with a flourish to her movements and a slight pant to her breaths. “Goodness, (Y/n), have you met him?” she asked hastily as she marched right up to you. “The colonel?” you asked as you were decorating a third garland that was to be hung above the windows. “Yes! Yes, my goodness,” she gushed as her eyes twinkled in that all too familiar way when she was devising a ridiculous plan to connect people - and not in the business way.

“He’s a most fine gentleman, he owns Delaford. It was left to him in a less than good condition but now it is in the most excellent and respectable condition,” she gushed and you could see that she was after something. “Mrs Jennings, please, what are you up to now?” She chuckled at that and stepped closer so you put the garland down to give her your full attention out of respect for the woman - a woman you were quite fond of really.

“You must marry him of course,” she said with a grin and a wink while your eyes widened. “Mrs Jennings!” you scolded even though you were already very much intrigued and interested in the handsome man. I’ve only just met him, for goodness sake! “Now, now, you listen her sweet one,” Mrs Jennings said and took a hold of your hands, “You are a beautiful young woman, the colonel is a respectable and fine man who would provide well for you.” “I have money, I am not poor, Mrs Jennings.” “Oh I am aware, but he is a most handsome and kind gentleman. Sure, he is thirty-five years of age but he’s not unbecomingly old,” she gushed on in a hushed tone so none other would hear her.

Mrs Jennings was a self-proclaimed matchmaker and since all her own children were wed she spent her days meddling in others affairs. Sir Middleton joined in too, and you had to admit that the both of them were rather good at meddling and getting people to do as they thought were best - in a good way.

“I’ve only just met the man,” you sighed out as you wrung your hands free of Mrs Jennings (respectfully and gently). “I am aware, but there is no time like the present, I shall have to make some arrangements for the Christmas lunch!” “Oh, no, Mrs Jennings please do not-” you sighed “-and she’s gone. Oh this shall surely become a mess,” you muttered as you turned back to the garlands with a deep sigh. But, then again, you weren’t opposed to the idea of getting to know Colonel Brandon. But not in that direct, meddling way. Why does she always have to meddle?

You returned to your garlands and finished the last two so you would have one for each of the four large windows and one for the doorway. Now I just need to put them up, you thought to yourself and went on a hunt for a ladder. Otherwise you would not be able to reach all the way up.

A few minutes later you were climbing up the ladder with one of the garlands precariously slung over your shoulder while you used one hand to hoist up your dress a bit and the other to hold on to the ladder.

You hummed ever so slightly on a Christmas carol while you perched yourself as steadily as you could and began to fasten the garland to the curtain rod. You adjusted it so it hung nice and straight and then leaned back ever so slightly to make sure it looked good.

“Careful, Miss (Y/l/n).” The drumming voice of Colonel Brandon filled the room and you jolted by the suddenty of it. You glanced over your shoulder to see him stand in the doorway, back straight and shoulders squared while gazing up at you with those kind eyes of his and that stoic but gentle expression he appeared to commonly hold his face in. “You gave me a fright, Colonel,” you said as you tried to calm your heart a bit. “Not my intention, I assure you, Miss.”

You sighed and began to climb down carefully so as not to trip on the hem of the pretty dress. When your feet hit the floor you turned and gasped as he had silently stepped all the way up. He was as close as could be without breaking any societal rules.

“You are quite brave, climbing ladders in a dress, Miss.” His voice vibrated through the air with a slight humming to it that sounded far too comforting and gentle. “I-, I like to decorate,” you said with a slight stutter as his eyes were captivating you. “Is that so?” “Yes,” you whispered. “Yes, Colonel Brandon.” His title and name sounded grand and proper, you found that you liked his name. It was simple yet commanding.

The colonel smiled gently and your heart warmed. You had no idea how you could be so affected by a man - and so instantly too. But he was so handsome, and he appeared so kind and gentle even if there was a certain stoicness to him. His regal features and the way he carried himself showed both burdens and privileges.

“Shall I assist you, Miss (Y/l/n)?” he asked while your cheeks were slowly heating from the proximity, from being close to a fine man as him - a man who was looking at you with a certain warmth in his eyes. “With the garlands?” you asked in an effort to pull yourself out of your own thoughts. He nodded, “Indeed. I’d rather you not fall.” “I’m more than capable though,” you said and he chuckled while he smiled without showing any teeth. “I do not doubt it, you appear to be a handy woman but please, allow me.” It was your turn to nod and he gave you a wider smile before he stepped around you.

You watched as he climbed up and down the ladder, time and time again to place the garlands. He asked for your directions, indications to centre the decorations and you found that the two of you talked rather smoothly with each other. He was truly kind to help you, and he listened to your directions.

You could not help but look at his large hands as they tied up the garlands. They looked rough, from being in the army no doubt. Perhaps he worked himself a bit on Delaford as well? Mrs Jennings did say he had renovated it. You wondered about that at the same time as you wondered what his hands felt like to touch. That made you shake your head to get rid of the wayward thoughts.

“There, all done,” Colonel Brandon said as he had climbed down from the ladder. “It looks beautiful, however, there is one left, Colonel,” you said gently and pointed towards the garland on the table that needed to go up as well. “It is to be placed above the door.” “Certainly,” he said and grabbed the ladder and hoisted it up as if it weighed very little. Took me a lot to get that darn thing in here and he’s just picking it up as if it weighs nothing.

You watched as he climbed up the ladder one last time and you could not help but admire the way his body moved so swiftly and elegantly. “Is that good?” he asked as he held up the garland. “Hm, a little to the left please,” you said as you stepped closer so you’d have a better view. “There?” “A little more, and up a bit too please.”

You tilted your head, “That looks good.” “There it goes then,” he chuckled out and you could not stop the slight smile that tugged at your lips while you watched him fasten it to the already existing nails in the wall.

You backed up and stood in the centre of the room as he climbed down and then joined you. “It looks wonderful,” you whispered out as you took in the grand tree, the garlands, the red drapes and the candelabra atop the table decorated with pine, pine cones and little ribbons of green silk around its stem. “Indeed, it does. Makes me want to decorate my own home as well.” “Oh? You have not decorated it for Christmas?” you asked while your eyes locked with his.

He chuckled and glanced to the side, a bit embarrassed perhaps, and then looked back at you. “No, I have not and I never have. I am rarely home,” he said and that made you tilt your head a bit. “Even if you are not at home much, I dare think you have servants residing there at all times?” “I do, yes,” he said with a hint of surprise to his voice. “Then decorate for them, give them a chance at some Christmas spirit,” you smiled out and something about him appeared to soften. His shoulders sank a tiny bit and his stand shifted slightly.

It was small details but since you stood so close you saw it clearly. “Perhaps I should do just that,” he said with a low tone that was incredibly warm. It made something in your stomach flutter and your eyes flickered away from his. Now you were embarrassed, having spoken so boldly and freely to the colonel but there was something about him that just put you at ease. It was a bit strange really. You weren't usually like that.

“Perhaps,” he began, “I can entice you to help me with the garlands?” he asked gently but there was a certain hesitancy to his voice that made you look back at him. He looked a little nervous, a little tense, a little carefully observant. “Well, I-” “There you are!” the loud voice of Mrs Jennings sounded out and you instantly blanched and took a step back as you and the colonel had been standing very close. A bit lost in the small moment that had felt slightly intimate really.

You both looked to her as she came in and joined the two of you. “I’ve been searching for you Colonel Brandon,” she said with a wide grin and wrinkles of happiness all over her face. “You found me, Mrs Jennings.” The colonel sounded different, a bit more distant and a bit more stoic again as he spoke with Mrs Jennings. “I have made all the arrangement’s for the Christmas lunch,” she said happily. “I shall be here for it,” he replied and Mrs Jennings gushed out her happiness about that and you did not miss the quick glance in your direction.

“Now, dear Brandon, would you do me the favour of hosting for our dear (Y/n) this weekend while I am away to London for some secret shopping?” Your heart absolutely stopped within your chest at that moment. What? I’m to stay at Delaford? With, the colonel? Alone? Is that-, is that proper?!

“She cannot remain here?” he asked with a quick glance towards you just as you felt your face heat anew. “Oh, Colonel Brandon, surely you can see how I cannot with good conscience leave our dear (Y/n) all alone here? No, she needs someone that looks after her, she gets up to quite a bit of mischief you know. Surely you’ll look after her for me for a few days?” I am no incapable Mrs Jennings! You wanted to shout the words but at the very same time your heart sped up at the thought of getting more time with the Colonel, without the meddling of Mrs Jennings or Sir Middleton.

“Well, I asked her but a moment ago to help me put up garlands in my own home so surely that can be arranged. If Miss (Y/l/n) agrees of her own accord, of course.” You glanced up at him and you could not help but feel awe for the grand man. He could easily just have agreed with Mrs Jennings but there he stood, giving you a choice in the matter.

So, you did the only thing you could think of and agreed to stay with him for the weekend. To hang garlands and decorate his home while Mrs Jennings went away to London. Mrs Jennings seemed mighty pleased with herself as she left the room to look for Sir Middleton and the housekeeper to prepare for the trip.

“I apologize,” you said while you clasped your hands in front of you, “Mrs Jennings enjoys to meddle.” “Oh, I am well aware, Miss (Y/l/n),” he said with a deep chuckle and that made you smile at him. “She’s done this to you before?” you asked quietly, nervously. “Indeed, but this is the first time I’ve agreed.”

Your lungs constricted as his kind eyes twinkled while he reached for your hand. His warm, rough skin against your own sent shivers along your arm and down your back while he raised your hand to his lips. He planted a gentle, soft kiss atop the back of your hand while he bowed ever so slightly.

He glanced up at you and then straightened before he released your tingling hand. “Until tomorrow then,” he said in that drumming, almost humming voice of his and you curtsied. “Until tomorrow, Colonel Brandon,” you said with a slightly subdued voice as your throat felt dry and your chest was a bit too tight while something gentle fluttered and spread out warmly in your stomach.

He smiled sweetly and there was a wish or a wonder in his eyes that you wanted to discover but then he turned and began to leave. You watched as he took long strides out of the all of a sudden very warm room and then you released a deep breath that left you with a wide smile. Colonel Brandon, Delaford, garlands and ladders. Is it wrong of me to be utterly giddy over him allowing me to stay? Of him asking me to help decorate his home? I hardly know the man, but do not all relationships start between two strangers?

With those thoughts in your head you rushed towards your bedroom to essentially turn your wardrobe inside out to find the absolutely best dresses you had brought with you. Why? Because you were excited and finally there was a man who had caught your interest, someone kind and gentle. Your smile widened and you felt thankful for all things garland.

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