Mary watched as Dickon's strong arms flexed. The muscles in his back bunching and releasing. The sweat that dripped down the side of his neck, on the hot summer morning.
She felt her mouth go dry, her heart beat faster, her cheeks warm with a scarlet flush as she felt her stomach tie in knots.
Then his eyes met hers.
The warm twinkle in his eyes and the joyful, friendly grin was replaced by puzzlement when after a moment Mary had still not returned his smile, then concern as he noted her fevered cheeks, the far off look in her eyes and the slight heave to her bosom, as if she couldn't get enough air.
"Miss Mary, is tha' aright ? Tha' doesn't look well." He asked. Her eyes finally focused on his. Her brow creased in confusion. She knew he had said something she just had absolutely no idea what it was.
"Is the heat botherin' thee?" He asked, leaving the small rock wall he'd been repairing and moving to where she was knelt in the dirt, spade forgotten in her hand when something far more interesting than planting bulbs had stolen her attention.
"Oh, uh, I suppose so, I'm fine though." She managed to piece together, hoping he didn't notice the tremor in her voice. "I'll get tha' a drink." He said and went to fetch the little silver pitcher Ms. Medlock sent out with Mary every morning.
However when he returned Mary was gone. "Master Colin," he called approaching the swing where Colin sat. Colin looked up with a secret grin "Master Colin, has Miss Mary fallen ill?" Dickon asked and glanced around in case she was just playing hide and seek.
"No Dickon. I believe Mary has just realized, that while we have been away at school, you have become a man."