One of the Unnamed

by Kiley S. Snape

As the horse I was riding tensed for what must have been the seventh time, I regretted my impatience at wanting to go out for a ride and not waiting for my horse, Perseus, to be returned from the farrier. I felt uneasy on this small-boned horse, and that unease added to the horse's. Suddenly, the horse reared and launched into a breakneck speed; despite my insistent, experienced tugs on the reins, the horse would not relent. That meant there was only option left; I would have to jump, or continue to race through the countryside. I released the reins, and slipped one foot out of its stirrup. Just as I prepared to jump, a baritone voice called out, "Hold on, Miss!" A rider astride a beautiful friesian appeared at my side; his arm wrapped about my waist and eased me out of my saddle. The rider reined his horse to a gradual halt, and eased me to the ground. "Are you all right, Miss?" he asked as his dismounted.

"I am well, sir, thank you ever so much," I replied breathlessly, and watched the horse I was previously riding continue off in the distance. I held a hand over my thundering heart, and looked to my rescuer. He was significantly taller than me, with sandy blonde hair and hazel eyes. His presence was of a subtle awe, one could easily overlook it if not patient enough to truly see him. I found his presence intoxicating, and finally I met his eyes.

"Allow me to introduce myself, I am Christopher Brandon," he spoke softly, his voice pleasant to hear, and then bowed.

I curtsied in reply and said, "Good afternoon, sir. My name is Kiley Jensen." I gave him a warm smile, and suddenly realisation dawned on me. "Are you the Colonel Brandon Sir John Middleton speaks so highly of?" I asked with intrigue.

"Yes, although I regret to inform you that Sir John's compliments are of high exaggeration," he mused, "How is it that you know Sir John?"

"He is great friends with my father," I explained, "They have been friends since they were children."

"Then by all means, you must accompany me to Barton Park. Perhaps your presence will spare me the scolding of Sir John and Mrs. Jennings."

I smiled at his suggestion and replied, "I am sorry, Colonel, but I do not think I will be able to join you- my parents told me not to be long and I am afraid I have exceeded the boundaries of that time."

"I insist, Miss Jensen," he countered, and pulled his horse close. I looked at him for a time, and eventually conceded; I gave him a slightly defeated smile of acceptance, which he returned with a smile of latent triumph. "May I assist you in getting into the saddle?" he asked gently.

"Thank you, but that will not be necessary," I mused, and swung into the saddled with ease. I smirked at his look of surprise, and did not give him the satisfaction of an explanation. He carefully guided his horse along the road, and soon, we came upon the legendary Barton Park. The faint notes of an ethereal voice floated through the air and reached our ears; succumbed to the siren call, Colonel Brandon strode to the open front door. A pang of loss struck at my heart as I silently followed him- surely the one whom possessed such a hauntingly beautiful voice was equally beautiful. I recognised Sir John and Mrs. Jennings, his mother-in-law, immediately; however, there were four I did not recognise- one of them the beautiful woman singing whilst playing the pianoforte, whom appeared to be year or two younger than myself. Shortly after our arrival, the young woman finished her song; all of us, unfortunately including myself, applauded politely.

"Ah, Brandon, you've finally arrived!" Sir John exclaimed in his usual joyful manner, "What delayed you for so long?"

"May I introduce to you all to Miss Jensen, I happened upon her on my way to Barton," Colonel Brandon introduced me to the masses, but his tone was airy as though he was distracted. A quick glance at him explained why; he was entranced by the beauty beside the pianoforte

"Jensen? You wouldn't be relatives with a Sir Evan Jensen, would you?" Sir John inquired.

"Yes, I am related. I am his youngest daughter, Sir John," I replied with a warm smile.

"Bless my soul, I don't believe it! My dear Mrs. Jennings, this is little Kiley Sue!"

"Indeed it is! Oh my darling, look how beautiful you have become!" Mrs. Jennings exclaimed, and came up to me to take me by the hands, "How long has it been since we last saw one another?"

"Six years, Mrs. Jennings," I answered her. I did not remember much of their visit to my family's home; yet I distinctly remembered how kind they both were.

Sir John and Mrs. Jennings guided us into their gardens where they had prepared a picnic, and I was placed beside a woman, who I now knew to be Miss Elinor Dashwood, Marianne and Margaret's older sister, and a couple years my senior. She was a quiet, sensible woman, but I deeply enjoyed her company. Whilst I conversed with Elinor, Colonel Brandon doted upon the beautiful Marianne. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Margaret sitting there quietly at the table closest to my seat. "Margaret, could you come over here, please?" I asked her gently. She warily came over to Elinor's side, and I inquired, "Do you ride, Margaret?"

"Elinor is the rider," Margaret mumbled in reply.

"Is that true Elinor?"

"Yes, Miss Jensen; however, as of late, we have no horse to ride."

"By all means, you must come and ride with me!" I exclaimed, and then returned my attention to Margaret. "And you must come learn archery," I mused.

"Really?!" Margaret's eyes lit with her eagerness and she looked at me with awe. "Oh can we, Elinor? Please?" she beseeched her eldest sister.

"All right," Elinor acquiesced, "As long as it is not inconvenient to you and your family, Miss Jensen."

"Not at all, Miss Dashwood," I assured Elinor warmly, "I am the child left at home, so it would be wonderful to call upon friends to visit, so please- come at any time." Margaret dashed away to inform her mother no doubt. My gaze once again went to Colonel Brandon; he was a truly handsome man, and equally chivalrous. He strolled through the gardens with Marianne with an ever-present soft smile upturning his lips. I gazed longingly at Marianne, oh how I wished I could have been her, so beautiful that the colonel was immediately lulled to me. I looked away, and stared out at the distant horizon; far off, were the tiny specks of cirrus clouds, a tell-tale sign of approaching rain.

"Miss Jensen, do you happen to know of any gentleman, whose name begins with the letter 'F'?" Mrs. Jennings asked me suddenly.

I quirked my brow at such a bizarre inquiry, and did not fail to notice Elinor tense slightly. I cleared my throat gently and answered, "I am afraid I do not, Mrs. Jennings, but then again- I am not well acquainted with many gentlemen." I flashed Elinor an inconspicuous smile of sympathy, and my attention was caught by Mrs. Jennings' conversation with Elinor.

"...and look at him- so attentive!" she exclaimed softly, "Colonel brandon, would you play the pianoforte? It has been quite some time since you have played for us here at Barton."

"You have a superior musician here," Colonel Brandon replied while motioning to Marianne. I cursed myself for the lack of musical prowess; oh believe me, my mother tried every instrument under the sun, yet I could not play one fluidly and without effort...thus being the reason she permitted me to fence and train in archery and riding.

"You two could play a duet! Come now, Brandon, I am sure you know as many melancholy tunes as Miss Marianne," Mrs. Jennings chortled.

I do not know any duets- forgive me, Colonel," Marianne spoke in a slightly displeased tone, and went to go sit beside Elinor.

Colonel Brandon seemed to remember that I was present still, therefore, he came over to me. "Miss Jensen, please forgive me for my terrible excuse as your escort," he apologized.

"You are forgiven, Colonel Brandon; however, you will have to find a way to regain my favour."

He gave me a warm smile, and laughed softly. He offered his arm as he said, "Shall I take you home, your parents will surely be most distraught?" Wordlessly, I took his arm and waved farewell to the rest of the company. As we turned the corner, Colonel Brandon stole one last glance back at Marianne, and my heart sunk even lower in my stomach. Colonel Brandon's horse was brought to us, and he help me into the saddle. "In which direction is your home, Miss Jensen?" he asked me softly.

"A half mile south of Delaford, sir." I smiled when he seemed pleased at my close proximity to his own estate. From what I heard, Delaford was a beautiful three story house with spacious lawns, and I longed to behold it with my own eyes one day. Once again, he led me with great care and my fondness for him grew all the more.

Soon, too soon, we arrived at the front of my family's home. Colonel Brandon eyes swept over the recently manicured lawns and the house that dominated the attention of all those who beheld it. Personally, I thought the house was far too grandeur for a family as small as ours, but then again, it had been in the family for generations, and my father had recently inherited it- so not much was to be done to change it. "I am glad to see such a beautiful house filled once more," Colonel Brandon said softly.

"At first, I was quite angry to move away from the home I was born in, but now..." I paused and met his eye, "I find myself overjoyed to be here," I finished with a small smile.

The front doors opened, revealing my parents' figures, and prevented Colonel Brandon from voicing his reply. "Kiley, where have you been?" my mother asked frantically, "The horse you rode out on returned over an hour ago, yet you were not astride it! Your father and I assumed the worst had befallen you!"

"My humblest apologies, Lady and Sir Jensen, but all the blame lies with me," Colonel Brandon explained, "Upon freeing your daughter of her spooked horse, I insisted she join me for a picnic that was held at Barton Park."

"Barton Park?" my father inquired with latent eagerness, "Kiley, you saw my dear friend John?"

"Yes, Father," I replied, but kept my eyes on Colonel Brandon. "Thank you for escorting me, Colonel Brandon, that was most kind of you," I murmured so that only he could hear. I walked up the steps, and when I reached the top, I glanced over my shoulder and saw Colonel Brandon watching me. I gave him a smile and waved farewell; he mounted his horse and then dipped his head in return.

"He is a handsome man," my mother commented with an omnipotence bestowed only to mothers. I blushed at her words, an action that did not go unnoticed by my parents. My mother ushered me into the house, and my father followed us inside. Later, when I lay in bed that night, I imagined Colonel Brandon smiling at me as he did when he smiled at Marianne.