I love being on holiday - it gives me time to write, and I do love writing. It's nice to be able to get these chapters up quickly, as opposed to having to update once every couple of weeks.

Please leave me a review and let me know what you thought! your comments are always appreciated.


Beyond the Secret Garden:

Chapter 7

The carriage had been called and Mary Lennox sighed inwardly as she watched it pull up to the front of the house. It was time for another trip to the village – this time, to be fitted for new shoes. She followed Mrs Medlock down the marble steps that lead to the drive, casting her eyes across the grounds of the manor.

It did not take long for her to locate Dickon, who was sitting with some of his workmates, outside the small brick cottage he shared with them. Mrs Medlock saw her staring, and frowned.

'Come now, my girl. We do not have all day to stand around dilly dallying.'

They took their places in the carriage, and Mary once again turned her attention to the group that assembled outside the cottage. A petite, red haired girl was with them, laughing and jostling the men. She was sure she had seen the girl somewhere before, and before she knew what she was doing she was turning to Mrs Medlock, who was seated opposite her.

'Who is that girl, Mrs Medlock? I cannot recall seeing her before.'

'She is one of the new maids,' came the housekeepers prim reply. 'I believe she started working two weeks ago. Her name is Miss Susie Birdwood, if my memory serves me correctly.' She gestured towards the group that were sitting outside the cottage. 'She is first cousin to Robert, who works with Ben Weatherstaff.'

Mary was reminded once again of how the old woman knew every coming and going that involved the staff at Misselthwaite. A pang of longing went through her as she watched the group, jovially chatting. What she wouldn't give to be at Dickon's side, instead of stuck in the stuffy carriage with Mrs Medlock! She watched the young woman, envying her freedom. One day, Dickon, she thought, one day I too will be free.


Mary Lennox sat stiffly in the carriage, as it jostled and bumped down the gravel road. She turned her attention from the old housekeeper who was sitting opposite her, to the view outside the carriage window. She watched the scenery as it flew past. It was one of those beautiful and calm spring mornings. Birds were taking wing in the sky, the heather was beginning to bloom, and Mary had no doubt that a warm breeze was now gently whispering over the moor, carrying with it the promise of a long, hot summer. She squirmed in her seat, feeling restless, longing to be outside, and she found herself thinking of Dickon. More than anything she wanted to be with him, enjoying the beauty of the day in his company.

As she stared out of the window, Mary breathed in deeply, holding the image of Dickon in her mind. She found herself slipping into the luxury of replaying the scene that had unfolded yesterday in the garden. In her minds eye she could hear the rain falling around them, she could see the earnest look on Dickon's face, she could feel his hand gently wiping away the raindrops from her forehead, and then she could taste him - all wild heather and honey – as he reached down to kiss her.

She had wanted that kiss to last forever, that feeling of being so close to Dickon that they were almost one person. She allowed herself now, to dwell upon that moment, and it wasn't long before the now familiar heat began to rise up inside her.

'My dear!' Mrs Medlock looked up from the book she was reading, her face set in a prim line. 'Is something the matter? Your cheeks have gone rather red.'

Mary was at once jolted back to reality, all thoughts of Dickon gone. Her hands flew up to her cheeks.

'It must be the heat, Mrs Medlock. It is a warm day.'

The housekeeper nodded. 'And yet you have worn such an inappropriate gown for the weather. Will you never learn, child?'

With a scowl on her face, Mary went back to looking out the window.

'I think you should know, your Uncle expects you for dinner tonight. '

The housekeeper passed on the information in her usual dry tone, not waiting for an answer.

'He does?' she girl replied, feeling her heart sink. She had hoped to have the evening free, in order to see Dickon once again. She wasn't sure how much longer she could go without seeing him. What was wrong with her? She wondered. Why was she feeling this way. All these feelings were so unexpected, frightening, and wonderful. She wished she had someone she could talk to about it. Was it normal to be feeling this way?


If Friday was a long day, then Saturday was even longer and it seemed to stretch on forever.

Mary paced back and forth, around her room, casting her eyes up to the old grandfather clock every few minutes, listening to her boot heels click on the wooden floor.

If I pace long enough, perhaps time will go faster, and I will be able to see Dickon sooner?

She knew that Dickon finished work at around four o'clock, so she figured that if she was to walk past the kitchen gardens just before the clock struck the hour, she would have a good chance of catching him.

I need to see him, I must see him! She thought.

She paced over to her dressing table, and caught her reflection in the mirror.

Ugh, she thought, looking at her appearance as though for the first time.

Pale skin, freckles, eyes with dark circles under them from lack of sleep…. And to make things even worse, her hair was pulled back into a severe bun at the back of her head – all Mrs Medlock's orders, of course. She grimaced and began removing the pins that held her hair in place. She knew that Dickon preferred her hair loose. Her hair spilt in ringlets down her back, the colour of ripe hay. She sighed in relief, feeling the tension in her forehead begin to dissipate. There, that was better.


Susie Birdwood was completing her duties for the day, when she heard the sound of boot heels clicking down the corridor. The young maid stopped dusting, and listened. Quietly, she got up, and poked her head through the door, watching the disappearing form of the young Miss Mary Lennox. Susie frowned. Mistress Mary had let her hair down, and Susie guessed that the young woman was not about to go to visit her Uncle, or Mrs Medlock. There was only one place she could be going. Silently, Susie crept through the door, and began to follow her.


Hiding around the corner of the hedge, Mary watched Dickon as he finished his duties for the day. His brow was furrowed in concentration, and he stopped briefly, as one of his fellow workers approached.

'Hey! Dickon!'

Mary saw a young lad, with light hair approach Dickon. She could only assume this was Robert, she was certain Dickon had mentioned him a few times.

'Nearly finished then, eh Rob?' she heard him say.

'Aye. Thank goodness. T'was hard workin' today, after tha' dance last night.'

She saw Dickon smile. 'Well, tha' did stay a little late.'

The young man wiped his brow, before continuing. 'Tis a shame tha' left s' early, Dickon. Our Susie was verra disappointed.'

Susie? Thought Mary. He must be referring to Susie Birdwood from Misselthwaite. She frowned, moving in closer.

She saw Dickon shift uncomfortably.

'Well, I was tired an' I ….'

Robert looked at him strangely. 'Tha' should know, Dickon, most men around here would give their eye teeth t' be asked t' dance with Susie Birdwood.' He smiled 'O' course, as she is family, I am a wee bit biased.'

'Hows it goin' wi' thee, boys?' Ben Weatherstaff's voice could be heard, stopping their conversation.

'We'd betta finish up here before Ben comes along.' Dickon said quietly, glancing over his shoulder at the old man. 'Shall I see thee back at th' house then?'

'Aye. Speak t' tha' later, Dickon.' Said Robert, before moving off.

Mary waited until Robert was sufficient distance away before whispering loudly ' Psst! Dickon!'

The lad turned around, startled, and cautiously made his way over to where she was standing.

The lad glanced back over his shoulder before he spoke. 'Miss Mary! Wha' is tha doing?'

'I came to see you of course, silly.' She said, feeling her heart pounding. Dickon was standing before her, clad in his work clothes, with dirt streaked across his forehead, yet he had never looked so beautiful. 'I want to see you. Alone.' She could barely believe her boldness, and she saw Dickon's face flush. He moved closer to her.

'Aye.' He said, taking her hands in his. 'I want t' see thee also. Not here though. Meet me in th' gardens in say…. Half an hour. I should be done by then.'

He bent down to quickly kiss her, and she felt a thrill rush through her. She took his head in her hands, pulling him down closer to her and felt Dickon respond willingly as he pulled her towards him. They had not been kissing for more than a few seconds, when they heard a muffled noise coming from further down the path. They quickly pulled apart, and Dickon smoothed his hair.

'Wha' was that noise?' Dickon asked.

'I don't know… it must have been some kind of animal…' Mary said, frowning.

They were both too late to notice the disappearing form of Susie Birdwood, as she fled around the corner of the walk, her eyes wide in amazement at what she had just witnessed.


'Dickon, I have gone over and over things in my mind. I don't think what we did was wrong.'

They were sitting together on the large swing seat, just as they had done when they were children, almost six years ago. How things have changed since then, thought Mary ironically, breathing deeply in satisfaction at the feel of Dickon's warm body next to hers. And would he….? Yes he did, he put an arm around her shoulders pulling her close to him, and she leant into his chest – wondering if it were possible to die of happiness.

'Aye. I've bin' thinkin' about it too.' The lad whispered into her hair. 'I've cared about thee for a verra long time, Miss Mary.'

Wordlessly, she tilted her head up and kissed him once again, amazed at the feeling that surged through her. They broke apart and she spoke, in little more than a whisper.

'I care about you too, Dickon. An awful lot.'

She saw him smile, and found herself unable to contain her own grin of pleasure. He looks so lovely when he smiles, she thought. The way his eyes lit up and the small lines that crinkled in their corners. He really did have the loveliest smile of anyone she knew.

'I do think you must know me better than anyone.'

He responded by pulling her closer. Her head was resting on his chest and she could feel his heart beating. She closed her eyes in contentment, savouring the warmth and nearness of him, inhaling his clean scent.

'I have somethin' t' ask thee.' Dickon said, and she suddenly felt his body stiffen in tension.

'What is it?' she asked, idly stroking his chest with her bare hand.

His next words sent a thrill through her body.

'Will tha' come an' meet me t'night?' he asked hurriedly. 'That is, if tha' wants to, o' course.' As if trying to explain himself, he continued. 'I would like t' see thee without bein' interrupted. Can tha' get out o' th' house?'

'You want me to sneak out of the house at night, when everyone is in bed? Defy the wishes of my Uncle and Mrs Medlock?'

The lad was taken aback. 'I … well, only if tha' wants to….. I'm sorry. It was probably a bad idea.'

'I would love to, Dickon.' She grinned looking up at him. She stifled a laugh at his shocked expression. Poor lad, he really does wear his heart on his sleeve!

It was as if Dickon had been able to read her thoughts. There was nothing she wanted more than to be with him, alone, away from the prying and suspicious glances of everyone around them. And the thought of sneaking out of the house to do so was proving to be only too exciting.

'Tha will?' he asked, still unbelieving.

'Yes!' she laughed. 'Oh Dickon, there is nothing I would rather do. Although,' she said in mock seriousness, 'I will have to check my social schedule to make sure I'm available.'

They laughed, and he hugged her tightly to his chest, enclosing his arms around her. She could not remember when she had felt more safe…. More loved…. And for that matter, more happy.


A/N - Our little Susie is going to bring some trouble to Mary and Dickon, so stay tuned!

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this chapter, xx Elyzia