Archibald had always loved his son and niece. After reuniting with his children, he realized he loved Mary as his own. Knowing how her parents neglected her and what his late wife would have wanted, Archibald made sure that Mary had a father's love by being her father figure she never knew.
It was late at night when he finished his work in the study and suddenly heard crying from a child. Colin was already asleep and Dickon took his sister home for the night. Mary was crying from the nightmare of the earthquake that killed her neglectful parents. Archibald walked to her room and picked her up despite his bad back and that she was ten years old.
Mary: Uncle…
Archibald: Mary whats the matter?
Mary: I saw it again
Archibald: The nightmare. My poor girl, uncle is here and nothing will happen to you. Your aunt would have loved to sing to you and I would carry you all night if I could *He smiled holding his scared niece*.
Mary: Would she have wanted me? Mother and father didn't.
Archibald: Of course she would. She would have adored you just as I do.
Mary: I thought mothers loved their children.
Archibald: Mary, your mother and Aunt were twins but complete opposites. From the moment you were born, we fought for you to be our child.
Mary: I have to show you something Uncle *get was put down and showed him the way*
Archibald: Lilias's room, you found it
Mary: This is where I found the key to the garden. The matching elephants statues and pictures of them together.
Archibald: I haven't seen this room since she died. *he sat down and pulled Mary to him* Your so much like my wife.
Mary: I want to stay here for ever
Archibald: Dont ever worry about that. This is your home and we are your family. Your my little girl *he tied Lilas's hair ribbon in Mary's hair*
It was blackest of night at the manor. So he carried his niece and she fell asleep in his arms. He said "Just this once". He took her to his room and stayed with her as they both slept.
An Uncles love for his niece is unbreakable.