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benalinae · Diagnosed Joined: 17 Sep 2007 Posts: 111

For lack of a better title I use this one because it is another way for Colonel Brandon's love.
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Benalinae

benalinae · Diagnosed Joined: 17 Sep 2007 Posts: 111

Part One

All were gathered for the pick nick at Delaford when a rider was seen galloping full speed towards them “Colonel Brandon! Are you Colonel Brandon?” He asked Lord Middleton.

“Here.” Brandon called from the other end of the party. The messenger dismounted and ran to Brandon handing him a note. Brandon open and read the message and without a word to his guests called for his horse. “I must away immediately.”

“Bandon can it not wait till morning?” Lord Middleton asked.

“Yes surely at least until after lunch. A few hours will not change the situation.” Willoughby called after him as Brandon rode off. “How very rude. There can be no pick nick at Delaford without the lord of the manor.”

Lord Middleton scowled at Willoughby. “If Brandon thought whatever the news in that message was important enough to leave in such a hurry I’m sure it was Willoughby. You may know nothing of such responsibly.” Middleton having served with Brandon in India was the closest of friends with the man and new most if not all of Brandon’s secrets and regrets.

No one said anything more on the subject and they simply went their separate ways. Willoughby returning with Marianne to Barton Cottage with the Dashwoods.

~ ~ ~

Brandon and the young messenger, who was Thomas Macy his stable hand, rode at full speed down the road for nearly half an hour until they reached the river that marked the end of Delaford and the beginning of Wellington. “Are you sure he wants her found?” Brandon asked the Thomas.

“Yes sir. Dr. Harris said he can do nothing to save the girl or the infant and only … only she might be able to save them. Though how a mad woman who lives in the forest can help is beyond me.” The young Thomas dismounted as did Brandon. “Might I stay here with the horses Colonel? These woods give me a mighty fright.”

“Yes. But do not move from this spot until I return. Do you hear me? No mater how late the hour or dark the night. Do not move from this point on the road.” Brandon gave explicit instructions. The young man nodded and Brandon moved into the forest.

Brandon had an idea where to look but only from the stories of the mad woman of Wellington Woods. Harris had also told him of the woman several times though never any details only that she was a remarkable healer and a general idea of where she resided in the wood so that should he need her one day Harris could rely on Brandon to fetch her.

Harris kept the woman’s secrets because she had shared with him some very useful healing techniques. He knew if those in the villages found where she lived one day when they need some one to blame their ill fortune they would call her witch, as some already did, find her, and do a terrible injustice to the young woman. Yes Harris kept her secrets. What Harris didn’t know was there was another who kept her secrets one even closer to Brandon.

“Finally.” Brandon whispered a sigh just before hearing the growl of a large gray wolf and freezing in his tracks.

“I wouldn’t move if I were you. He doesn’t take kindly to intruders.” A young woman of perhaps four and twenty give or take a year stepped from inside a small hut. She had chestnut brown hair that shined with golden highlights in the rays of sun the peeked through the branches of the trees and her eyes were more brilliant than any emeralds Brandon had ever seen. She was just as Harris described her and angle on earth.

“Miss Nina, Dr. Harris sent me. We are in need of your skills.” Brandon moved and the gray wolf growled baring its sharp teeth. Brandon’s heart beat swiftly in his chest as he watched her. His need was great and he had to convince her quickly to come. Something in him knew this was the woman who could save him … save Eliza. He shook his head “Yes save Eliza.”

“We need? You have an illness, do you?” The young woman walked up behind the wolf and ran her hand along its coat. “It’s alright now Gray. Go to your pack I’ll be fine.” The wolf made some sort of whimpering noise lick the young woman’s hand and ran off into the forest.

Brandon relaxed a bit and moved forward towards Nina. “No, my young ward, Eliza, is giving birth and the child is breach. Dr. Harris needs your assistance.” He was directly in front of her. “Please Miss Nina; if that is indeed who you are, Dr. Harris has faith that you maybe able to help, even save my ward and her child.”

Nina said nothing but turned and hurried into the hut. Brandon followed, “Please there isn’t much time. Even now we may be too late.” He pleaded.

“Then hold this while I pack what I will need.” She thrusted a bag into his hands and began placing jars of ointments and dried herbs into it. When she stopped she looked around and nodded more to her self than to Brandon. “That’s it then. Come along. Do you have a horse?”

“Yes, by the bridge between Delaford and Wellington. My stable hand waits there with two.” He followed her as she seemed to know the forest better than as they were on the Wellington side.

“I cannot ride I never learned though the animals are friendly enough. I will ride with you if you are confident with that.” By now they were running and it was nearly dark. How she could run and not hit a tree Brandon did not know but he remained close to her and soon they arrived on the road right at the bride.

They crossed over to the Delaford side where Thomas waited with the horses. “This is your man?”

“Yes his name is Thomas Macy.” Brandon took the rains of his horse and mounted offering his arm to Nina.

“Thomas Macy do you know of one called Meriweather, John Meriweather?” Nina asked clearly.

Thomas looked to Brandon who nodded to the boy. “Yes ma’am.”

“I am not a ma’am you may call me Miss Nina. Find him quickly and collect from him all the clear brew he makes that is available. Tell him Colonel Brandon will pay him in due time.” Nina took Brandon’s arm and with help finally was able to mount the horse.

Brandon nodded to Thomas. “Go boy do as she says.” When he spurred his own horse Nina nearly fell off and tightened her grip around Brandon’s waist. One of his own hands held tightly to her arm to further ensure she did not again lose her seating.

After riding at a gallop for quite some time Brandon finally rode up to a small house on a lonely road and helped Nina down to the ground then dismounted and tied the horse off and followed her in.

“Oh thank God Miss Nina. Please come in.” Dr. Harris took her directly to Eliza Williams’ room.

Mrs. Jervis stopped Brandon. “Colonel, no. Let them do their work.”

“Mrs. Jervis come here.” Dr. Harris called for her. Mrs. Jervis disappeared into the bedroom and then came rushing back out. “Come Colonel I have work for you. Come make some boiled water for us. We need as much as my largest pots can hold.”

Brandon went to work pulling water from the small well in the yard filling all five of Mrs. Jervis’ large pots. As he brought in the last of them he saw her pulling all her knives from the drawer. “What do you need knives for?”

“You do not want to know sir.” Mrs. Jervis was whiter than a sheet.

Brandon could take no more and as he turned to walk into the bedroom Thomas came in from the back yard. “I have the drink sir, but what dose the mad woman want with drink at a time like this?”

“Give it here Thomas. I know what to do with it.” Mrs. Jervis took the four bottles from him and poured one into a shallow pail placing the knives in it. “Stay out here Thomas incase we need you.”

Mrs. Jarvis followed Brandon in to the bedroom. “Harris what is going on? Why do you need …” He saw Eliza nearly unconscious and her belly bare with her arms tied to the bed posts. “What are you doing?! What is this Harris? You would allow some witch…”

Harris stopped Brandon from advancing on the bed. “BRANDON STOP!” He had to fight to hold Brandon back. “Brandon if you want your ward to live through this and the child you must trust me, trust this woman. She has experience I can only dream of.”

“Harris she’s going to kill Eliza!” Brandon yelled struggling to free himself and soon Mrs. Jervis joined Harris in holding back her employer.

“No, sir, it is very horrid, even nightmarish but what Dr. Harris and Miss Nina are planning if it works is the only way to save them. At the very least the child will live.” Mrs. Jervis wept not believing she was helping with the horrible plan.

Brandon stopped struggling. “What are you planning Harris?”

“Brandon we can wait no longer or Eliza will surly die.” Harris released Brandon. “Trust me my friend.” Harris watched Brandon who bit down on his lip and nodded.

Nina who had stood back away from Eliza all this time stepped forward and dipped her hand in the alcohol and washed her arms in it up the her elbows. Mrs. Jervis tied a clean white napkin over her nose and mouth as Dr. Harris tied one over his then also washed in the alcohol. For the next twenty minutes or so Brandon watched in horror as Miss Nina and Dr. Harris cut Eliza open and removed the breached baby then sewed Eliza up again.

When all was said and done Eliza was breathing very shallowly and extremely pail but she was still alive and the baby was quite well and in need of feeding. Harris and Nina came out to the kitchen and washed the blood off their arms and hands while Mrs. Jervis after handing the baby to Brandon fetched them some clean cloths.

“What can we do about the child? It will need feeding.” Harris said.

Nina sighed. “Dr. Harris you surly have had babies with mother unable to feed.”

“Yes of course but Eliza is able other than being so week.” Harris said in a corrective tone.

“It is not good for her not to cycle the milk. It will be painful and could also cause infection.” Nina commented. “Mrs. Jervis….”

“No.” Mrs. Jervis was coming back into the room. “Mrs. Jervis cannot even contemplate such a thing.”

Nina looked over at Brandon holding the baby. “If you want that child to catch Pneumonia keep standing in the doorway.” Brandon snorted indignantly at her and retreated into the room closing the door.

“He is not showing his best this evening Miss Nina. Go easy on the man.” Harris said.

“You told him where I live Harris. I do not appreciate that.” She replied and “Now these two also know more than I care.”

“We are much in your debt Miss we won’t tell a soul.” Thomas offered. “Especially if Miss Williams lives to see her child.”

“Thomas is sweet on the girl Miss Nina and I to care for her you have no worries from us. But I still cannot do what you were about to suggest.” Mrs. Jervis added.

“You will have to stay. I do not know a woman in the area whose sensitivities would allow for it.” Harris said.

“If I stay you know what will happen. The villagers all but think …”

“Yes, yes.” Harris stopped her before the word witch was out of her mouth. “Let me speak with Brandon. We should move you all to Delaford.”

“Not for a few days, until Eliza is stable and the stitches have healed some.” Nina stopped him. “If they tear she has no hope.”

“Then he will have to stay until that day to provide some sense to this arrangement. No one can claim anything of you with Brandon in the house hold.” Harris stopped at the stairs before going up. “There is one other who would lend an even more stable since…”

“No. I will not have him know Harris.” Nina looked off and for the first time Mrs. Jervis saw a lost child in the eyes of the strong woman who had been before her all along. “I won’t have him know.” Tears welled up and Nina wiped them away and the strength came back to her. “No. Your Colonel will have to do. I will be up shortly to take care of the child.”

“Very good.” Harris said sounding disappointed and ascended the stairs.

Nina took the cloths Mrs. Jervis offered which were actually some of Eliza’s. They were much too frilly for her but they were all that were available. When she entered the room Brandon stood and marveled at how lovely she looked now that she was cleanly dressed in ladies cloths.

Harris had been listening to Eliza’s heart. “She is getting stronger already.” When he looked up he gasped. “Miss Nina, you look lovely.”

Nina glared at Harris before saying, “If you will excuse us I will see to the child.” Nina went to the crib and picked up the infant and carried it to the bed where Eliza was sleeping. While Harris showed Brandon out and explained what Nina was about to do.

Brandon sat quietly in the parlor. He had dismissed Thomas nearly an hour ago. Harris was with Mrs. Jervis in the kitchen finishing cleaning up and he could over hear their conversation. “I’m sure Miss Nina could help you get the stains out. She really does know some remarkable things to do with herbs.”

“Every one says she is a mad woman, some think she is …” Mrs. Jervis’ voice lowered “… a witch.”

“That is nonsense Mrs. Jervis and I am surprised to hear such a thing from a woman such as you.” Harris chastised her.

“I am only saying what some believe.” Mrs. Jervis defended. “I never said that is what I believe. Though I would like to know how she came to know all she does. It isn’t right for a lady to know such things and be willing to do the things I saw tonight.”

“If she wasn’t and didn’t Eliza would be dead. Would you rather that?” Harris asked. “I for one am grateful the lord brought her back to us.”

Brandon stood and went to the kitchen. “What do you mean Harris when you say brought her back to us?”

Harris paled he’s tongue slipped and now he was in a position that one of Nina’s secrets was partially out. “Dr. Harris if you care to see to your patients once more before leaving.” Nina stood on the kitchen stairs.

All three occupants of the kitchen turned to stair at her. “Yes thank you Miss Nina.” He hurried passed her with a look of pleading forgiveness.

Brandon however stood tall. “Miss Nina I should like some answers from you.”

“Should you?” Nina walked to the kitchen table and sat down. Mrs. Jervis gasped that she sat in Brandon’s presences with out being asked or given permission.

“What did Dr. Harris mean by the lord returning you to us? How is it you know so much about medicine and healing? Where did you learn … what you did to save my ward and her child? How is it you … a woman is able to stomach such thing that you have done this evening? Why do you live in the Wellington Forest?” Brandon kept asking as he watched her head droop to her arms crossed on the table. “Miss Nina, are you listening to me?” When he walked over to her he found she had fallen asleep. With a sigh and strangely, a slight smile he shook his head. “Mrs. Jervis do you have a room made for Miss Nina?”

“Yes sir and one for yourself as well.” Mrs. Jervis moved towards the door to the dinning room. “If you follow me I’ll show you the way.”

Brandon gently picked Nina up so as not to wake her and carried her to the room made up for her. With Mrs. Jervis looking on he removed her shoes. After Mrs. Jervis turned down the bed he placed her in and Mrs. Jervis pulled up the covers. Watching as she stirred Brandon smiled. “We really do owe her a great deal.”

“Dr. Harris said we would be very lucky if she would be willing to leave the forest. How did you convince her to come?” Mrs. Jervis asked.

Brandon looked at Mrs. Jervis puzzled. “I had to do no convincing. I merely stated the urgency.”

They left the room and found Harris in the parlor. “They are both doing better. Eliza is still suffering from blood loss but in time and rest I think she will do well. If you can convince Miss Nina to stay I think she will recover faster. Mrs. Jervis do whatever Miss Nina asks.”

“Harris what can I ever do to thank you?” Brandon took Harris’ hand and shook it.

“Keep Miss Nina here for a few days and convince her to go to Delaford with you. Socialize her. She has been to long away from human contact she does not know the social graces. Helper to learn to read and write English without making her feel foolish. I have been trying any time she allows me close enough to her hut. Brandon that young woman is a treasure of knowledge to me if I can only get her to either write down what she knows or allow me enough time to sit with her.” Harris looked to the hall that lead to the bedrooms. “Find out where she learned all that she knows and how she was returned to England.” He lowered his voice. “I should not say this and I tell you the strictest confidence that you will not let her know I breathed a word. Nina is of English descend I am sure. Weather she was born here and taken away or born to citizens abroad I do not know but she as spoken of her father and that her mother died in child birth. She also spoke of a native woman in a far of country who raised her to a young age. Of her personal life that is as much as I know.”

After bidding Harris good night Brandon finished with Mrs. Jervis with the cleaning up then retired himself to the room next to Nina’s. As he slept his dreams took him to the memories of his service days and the jungles of India. A voice in the jungle was calling out.

"Na jane kyoon. Mahan raja. NA! NA! Na mein aapka patni banu ngee."

The voice was panicked as if in fear. Brandon moved through the jungle looking for the woman calling out in fear but could not find her.

He woke to her calling out again and he realized it was not a woman in the jungle but Miss Nina next door. She was calling out in Hindi. Her voice and words brought back the memories of his time in the military and India. He was drenched in sweat of his dreams. He rose from the bead and pulled on a dressing gown and left the room. In the hall he knocked on Nina’s door but she didn’t answer. When she called out again and Mrs. Jervis joined him in the hall he entered with Mrs. Jervis behind him. “What is she saying Colonel? It is a strange langue. It is the language of the devil?”

Brandon shot an impatient glance at her. “No Mrs. Jarvis it is a language of India. Obviously Miss Nina had spent some time in that country.” Brandon sat down on the edge of Nina’s bed and gently touched her shoulder. “Miss Nina.” He tried to wake her. She struggled against him. “Miss Nina you are dreaming. Wake up.” Still she didn’t wake. “Nina, wake up.” He spoke louder and when her eyes opened and she saw him she jumped away pulling a bladed from beneath the covers and was on the floor on the other side of the bed before Brandon could move. “Miss Nina…” Brandon realized she as confused because of the dream. "Bas itna sa khawab hai." He watched as she understood his words. "Aap kahan the?"

Nina looked over at Mrs. Jervis and back at Brandon then slowly relaxed. She closed her eyes for a few seconds as if pulling her thought together. "Chale jao!"

Brandon stood up as she moved back onto the bed and sheathed the dagger. “No, not until I am sure you are alright.”

“I’m fine it was just a dream.” Nina said as she pulled the covers back up.

“More like a full out nightmare if you ask me.” Mrs. Jervis said.

Nina glared at her. “I did not ask you. Either of you.”

“That was very rude.” Brandon said correcting Nina’s behavior. “Mrs. Jervis and I are only concerned for you well being.”

Nina looked back at Brandon. “A nightmare will not harm my well being.”

“On the contrary. Lack of sleep is harmful to any one’s well being and as you are now the primary medical care for my ward and her child your well being is of great concern to me.” Brandon moved back to the bed. “What were you dreaming of? You called out to a great king about not being his wife.”

Mrs. Jervis made a slight noise. “Mrs. Jervis perhaps you could look in on Eliza and the child.” Brandon waited until she left to return his attention to Nina.

“You speak Hindi?” Nina asked though obviously he did.

“I served in India for several years.” He responded. “It is unusual for a young lady to speak Hindi.”

“Who ever said I was a lady.” Nina pushed down further in the bed and turned her back on Brandon.

“Miss Nina I do not intend on leaving until you speak with me.” Brandon said in a stern demanding tone.

Without turning around Nina mumbled. “Then I suggest the chair so you are a bit more comfortable.”

Brandon sat there attempting several more times in both English and Hindi to get her to speak with him but in the end he found the chair and fell asleep. Mrs. Jervis returned to wake Nina to come feed the baby and Brandon to return to his own room.

In the morning Brandon found Miss Nina in the kitchen by the stove brewing something that smelled nauseous. “I do hope that is not breakfast.” He looked over her shoulder into the pot to see what looked to be weeds. “What are you making woman?”

“Mrs. Jervis asked if I know a way to remove the blood stains from her sheets. These weeds when brewed will create a strong bleaching water.” Nina dipped her hand in and tasted her finger spitting out onto the floor. “It is almost ready.”

Brandon was amazed at first then smiled. “You are certainly the most unusual woman I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.”

“You still call our meeting a pleasure?” Nina asked. “You do not know me well enough.”

“Or I simply do not judge a person as others do.” Brandon sat down at the table taking some bred to eat. “Where is Mrs. Jervis?”

“She is preparing to wash the sheets.” Nina turned and joined him at the table.

Brandon watched her and once she was settled spoke again. “I have many questions for you but I feel you will not answer them.”

“You won’t know till you ask, but I do not answer many that are about my self.” She took some bread as well and pulled it apart and ate more like a man then a woman.

“Harris was concerned you would not come with me, that I would have to do some convincing and yet I feel I did rather little. Why is this so?” Brandon poured some water from the pitcher for each of them.

“You stated your urgency clearly. I simply responded.” Nina stood and placed a pot of clean water on. “Would you like tea? What do I call you?”

“Most call me Colonel. I am Colonel Christopher Brandon, Lord of Delaford. Tea would be nice thank you Miss Nina. Your answer is not truly an answer.” Brandon reached for a bowl of fruit.

When Nina returned to the table she handed him a knife to cut the fruit as if knowing his intent. “It is all the answer you will receive today. I shall call you Christopher.”

Brandon smiled. “That is rather impertinent of you and quite improper and to familiar.”

“Does this embrace you?” Nina asked. “Tell me what I should call you then.”

“I have already said most call me Colonel.” He began to peel and apple.

“That does not tell me what I should call you only what most others do call you.” Nina toyed with his words.

Brandon laughed. “Very well, if you wish and will answer me straight on three questions with no games when we are alone just you and I you may call me Christopher, however when others are around you must call me Colonel, or Colonel Brandon.”

Nina thought about his proposition and nodded. “What would you ask of me then Christopher?”

“Who are … No what are or were the name of your birth parents?” Brandon smiled having caught him self on a technicality she might have played.

Nina also smiled. “You ask a question another could answer for you. But it is yours to waist. General Henry Wellington was my father until I was ten years of age. His wife I don’t remember her name was my mother.” Nina pulled a locket on a chain from under her bodes and opened it. “These pictures are very old and faded.” She showed them to Brandon. “She was very pretty.”

“Yes, I remember Lady Wellington she was lovely. You look much like her now that I know I do not know how I missed the likeness.” He handed the locket back to her. “You live in Wellington forest.”

“I know.” Was all she replied, after a few moments of silence Nina tucked away the locket and seemed to regain her self. “Your next question Christopher.”

When she said his name again he smiled. It was a strange sensation to hear her say his name, it warmed him. “What happened to you?”

“Too much. I would need much more than just your name for such a question.” Nina said sadly.

“Ask and it is your Miss Nina.” The words were out before he registered them.

Nina shook her head in a sad smile. “No, you do not have what I need.”

Brandon reached out and touched her hand and for a brief moment she did not pull away. Only a moment though and Nina did pull her hand away from his. “Very well then. How did you learn all that you know of healing and what you did last night?”

“That is two questions. Do you wish both answered?” Nina didn’t smile this time or frown it was as if she were devoid of emotion. Drained of life and any desire not wishing to live or die.

Some how Brandon felt the lack of everything in her and it pained him. “How did you learn of healing?” Each word was heavy and a burden to say so hard was the burden he felt seeing her so devoid of participation in life. He wondered if this was how others saw him.

“A royal healer who tended me would teach me as well. Before I left his company I learn most if not all he knew. I give you something for free Christopher; apparently I have an unusual memory. Everything I see or hear I remember.” Nina said quite coldly still having lost any care.

“Miss Nina, what … what can I do to help you? You seem so lost in this world. It pains me.” This wasn’t the question he planned to ask and yet it was the one that came from him.

Nina looked at him and he could see tears well up in her eyes. In a whisper she spoke the Hindi words "Help me find my self again. I’m lost and can not find my way back."

As tears rolled down Nina’s cheeks Mrs. Jervis came in. “Well we are all ready as soon as what ever that horrid smelling brew you are making is ready. Will the smell come out dear?”

Nina’s back was to the door she quickly wiped her face and again became the strong woman she almost always showed. “It will be ready soon Mrs. Jervis. I believe Colonel Brandon would like some breakfast. Would you show me what to make?”

Brandon sat astonished and speechless. So many thought went through him. Why did this woman show her weakness to him? How was he to help her? How could she change back and forth so quickly? He needed to know more but knew she would not simply give in.

“Colonel Brandon … sir …” He looked at Mrs. Jervis standing next to him. “What would you like sir? For breakfast?”

“Oh, some eggs and bacon if you have it will do fine.” He stood looking to Nina who was taking eggs from the basket on the table. “Has Thomas come yet.?”

“Yes, sir, he’s tending the horses. He wants to know if he can come see Miss Williams and the baby yet?” Mrs. Jervis took the eggs form Nina. “I told him not yet and we would see after lunch how things are.”

“Yes, that’ is fine. I’ll see how he is tending the horses. Then I should send him to Delaford with some letter to my whereabouts.” Brandon sounded a bit lost in his thoughts. “Mrs. Jervis do you have any readers here?”

Mrs. Jervis stopped at the stove and turned to Brandon wondering where that question came from. “Well yes sir, from when I taught my own children.”

“Good. Would you find them for me and leave them on the desk in the study. After breakfast is cleaned up and the baby and Miss Williams tended too I will expect you in the study Miss Nina.” He didn’t ask or say should or would. He made it an order. No words for her to play with. Brandon nodded to himself as he though about what he said. Yes an order. “I’ll be back for breakfast shortly Mrs. Jervis.”

Mrs. Jervis looked form Brandon to Nina a bit puzzled. She was sure Nina would raise a fuss and when she didn’t Mrs. Jervis raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Well dear, making breakfast isn’t so heard.” She began showing her how to cook eggs and bacon.

~~~

"Na jane kyoon. Mahan raja. NA! NA! Na mein aapka patni banu ngee." = I do not know why. No! No! I will not be your bride.

"Bas itna sa khawab hai." = It is just a small dream

"Aap kahan the?" = Where have you been? (meaning in the dream)

"Chale jao!" = Go away.

"Help me find my self again. I’m lost and can not find my way back." = Will have translated into Hindi soon.
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Benalinae

benalinae · Diagnosed Joined: 17 Sep 2007 Posts: 111

Did any one care for this story? Should I continue it?
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Benalinae