Mary had come to the manor when she was only ten years old. She found her friends in Dickon and Martha, her family in Colin and Uncle Archibald. She been under her uncle's care for eight years now and has finished boarding school for girls. Mary has returned to the manor every chance she got and while most were gone, her uncle was always there to welcome her home. While Mary was away at school she had plenty of time to figure out what she wanted in her life. By this time Dickon had died fighting in the war and Colin went on to university.

Mary had only know the love her uncle had for her as a father figure as her birth father and mother never wanted her in the first place. Archibald began to see his niece as a woman and not the child he took in all those years ago. Soon she would be getting suitors offering marriage and he had grown overprotective, thinking no man was good enough for his precious niece.

Archibald: No Medlock, none of these suitors are good enough for Mary. I will not have her become corrupted in this world.

Medlock: she was a child when she came here my lord. Now she is a young lady who finished her schooling. My lord, I know you want to keep her safe but how can you do that? It has been eighteen years since Lady Craven passed away and she want you, her son and niece to be happy.

Archibald: Mary doesn't want to leave the manor, she wants to stay here. Dickon lost his life fighting in the war and my son is at university.

Medlock: Its not like you can marry her my lord

Archibald: I want her to be happy, she has suffered so much. In her letters she has expressed no interest in the boys in London boy schools. Medlock, she wants to stay here and I will support her decision. You are dismissed.

Medlock: yes sir *she leaves*

Archibald: *looks at his niece in her room from the door way and thinks* I cant take her as my wife but I know what and who she wants. What do I do?

Martha: my lord

Archibald: Yes Martha what is it?

Martha: there is a chance for her to remain with you

Archibald: How?

Martha: She is of age to choose her husband and according to the custody papers you have, when she is 18 she gets to choose.

Archibald: Yes that was the agreement when she came to live with me.

Martha: it means Miss Mary gets to choose

Archibald: what will she choose I wonder

Mary: *she was walking in the garden* Uncle thank you for coming to our garden

Archibald: of course Mary, what do you want to talk about?

Mary: please sit

Archibald: *he sits down*

Mary: I have decided to stay. I want to be here because its my home. Someday my cousin will come home and I don't want to waste any more time. Will you let me stay?

Archibald:*he was lost for words and he hugged her tightly* Mary of course, I was scared you wanted to leave.

Mary:I love you uncle

Archibald: I love you my little girl

Mary: What I mean is more then that

Archibald: I know Mary, I feel the same. My child days are over, I just am happy you will be with me.