Colonel Brandon's Diary Book

The book starts off with an 18 year old Brandon being desperately in love with his father's ward, Eliza, who shares his feelings. Alas, they cannot marry due to his greedy father's plan of marrying Eliza to his older brother Harry instead.

Shocked and heartbroken, Brandon enlists in the army. After a few years he returns to find that his brother has divorced Eliza, who in turn has no choice but to rely on empty promises of other men. When Brandon finds her, she is dying of consumption. She has a daughter, also named Eliza, who will become Brandon's ward and later fall under the spell of Willoughby.

This part of the book is a fairly believable account of Brandon's past. As a young man he is passionate, strong, level-headed, romantic... and these qualities only get more refined as he gets older.

With Eliza settled in school, Brandon returns to the army. Over time he is promoted to Colonel. He has inherited Delaford upon the death of his elder brother, and decides to leave the army after a successful 9 year career. A few years later, Eliza runs away with Willoughby and the Dashwoods move into Barton Cottage.

So begins his love of Marianne. He is besotted with her from their very first meeting. Add compassionate patience to his admirable list of qualities, as he waits for her to get over her infatuation with Willoughby. He understands Marianne better than she herself does. Being the strong, silent type that he is, he waits, wanting to give her the world and loving her all the while. When she finally does come to her senses we are left without a doubt that these two people were made for each other. I closed the book feeling warm with their happiness!

Colonel Brandon is my third favorite Austen hero, and this book did not disappoint. The author captured the essence of Brandon very well. I liked getting a glimpse into his early years as well as his tragic first romance that would mold him into the perfect match for Marianne.

Captain Wentworth's Diary remains my favorite.