((Sorry for the wait, everyone!!! Here it is, Chapter 3… Enjoy!))

There is a feeling one gets when one knows they have made a huge mistake. It's a wrenching and twisting of all the internal organs, making one sick to their stomach. Mary felt that the moment she spotted the lights glowing in the manor ahead of them.

"We're home," Colin muttered, wrapping his black coat tighter around him. The night air had really started to drop in temperatures lately, making it unpleasant to step outside, even for Mary.

The automobile drove up the pebble drive, where three maids were waiting for them. They were dressed in simple gray dresses with white aprons and caps. One was elderly, and the other two were Mary's age.

"Fetch Mrs. Sowerby's things," he ordered one of the girls, who curtsied dutifully and stepped forward.

Mary placed a hand in front of her. "No, it's quite alright," she insisted, lifting the small case she had brought along.

Colin softened as he chuckled. "Don't be silly. We must get to Father's chambers immediately. They will see your bag is safe in your room, darling," Colin pressed. Mary handed the bag to the girl and followed Colin into the manor.

Nothing had been changed. The grand hall was still ominous and old, and the rooms were still chilled and lacking the touch of a woman. Mary frowned disappointingly.

"Is something the matter?" Colin asked, helping her from her coat.

Mary shook her head. "No, not at all."

Colin pressed his hand gently into the small of her back. "Come now, we must immediately see you to your room, and then your uncle would like to have a word with you."

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"Will this do, madam?" the youngest servant asked, placing Mary's bag gently on the thick blanket on the bed.

Mary nodded blankly, stepping into the bedroom. Dark mahogany furniture, ivory sheets and blanket, and a round table all too familiar; this was her old room.

She turned at the sound of someone clearing their throat. "Are you satisfied with your sleeping arrangements, darling?"

Mary smiled. "Colin, it looks as though it's been untouched since I left. Thank you." She ran a finger lightly over the jewelry box on the dresser. She could still smell the perfume she stole from her aunt's bedroom amidst the air. She smiled, then patted her hand to her sides. "Well. Shall we?"

Colin stepped out of the way to let her pass, then took the lead to Archibald's quarters. The walls of this particular hallway were an earl gray, and very, very dull. Mary was determined that her visit would be a productive one.

They reached the double doors to Uncle's bedroom. Colin stared at the doors intently. "Now," he started after a short pause. "He informed me he is to give you orders, which you will fulfill before he dies. He needs your help, Mary. His heart could barely take the loss of Mother. Your not being here has really made it hard." It sounded as if he breathed, "on all of us," but Mary couldn't be sure.

The doors opened, and he waited as Mary turned away form him and walked inside hesitantly. It was dark in the room. Only a couple lonesome candles provided breaths of light around the walls. She turned towards the bed, and saw him. Her uncle. The crippled man looked even worse than when she left.

"Who's there?" he croaked, as if he hadn't spoken in years.

Mary reached out to him, almost jumping at how cold he was. "It's your neice, Archibald. I'm here."

Archibald opened his eyes and faced her. "Mary? Miss Mary, is that you?" A smile crept up to his face.

Mary wiped away the tears on her face. "Yes, Uncle. It's me." She stifled a laugh as she embraced him. "I cam as soon as I heard. Colin is so worried about you."

Archibald ignored the statement. "Yes, well… I'm very sick, and I need to give you a few instructions for while you're here."

"I hadn't thought of staying that long, Uncle. I'm married and a mother of a son, now. I can't be away from him for too long."

"Mary, please. I need you to do some things for me. Just three tasks. And then you can be on your way. I'll have stationary sent to your quarters to write home."

Mary thought for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. I suppose I'll have to manage."

Archibald laughed weakly. "There's the spirit I know you've had in there. Now. First thing's first. This home is so... ghastly. It cannot due. You and the servants will be turning this place around to make it look homely. It needs a woman's touch."

Mary smiled. Thank the Lord someone agrees. "I can do that, Uncle. What else?"

"I adopted a French girl from one of the orphanages in Paris. She's a mere six years, and I cannot understand a word of what she says. She needs a mother-like figure, because God knows Colin cannot be relied on with such a task as raising children." He paused and inquired, "You do speak French, do you not?"

"Enough, sir. What is her name?"

"Sophie, my dear. I don't know of a last name… perhaps you can figure it out when you meet her. I shall need you to also teach her about being a lady, basic academics, as well as… any other things you might think of."

Mary nodded. "I'll try my best. And the third task?"

Archibald smiled. "Oh yes. This one you will rather enjoy. Before I die, I want to go back into the garden." Mary opened her mouth to speak, but he gripped her hand. "Everything's dead again… no one has been in there ever since the old gardener passed away. I need you to bring it back to life. Can you do that?"

Mary was shocked. To go back into the garden… that'd be like walking into a time machine. How she missed that garden. Her own bit of earth.

Mary kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you, Uncle. I will get straight to work."

Archibald smiled. "Good. Now run along. Time is of the essence."