Chapter 5: Spoiled Brat
The next morning, Mary sat in front of her vanity mirror, brushing her silky hair with a dazed look on her face. She was thinking about Dickon. She was thinking about the previous day when...was he going to kiss her? Mary shook her head, eliminating whatever progress she had made with her brushing. "No" she thought, "That's ridiculous." She laughed faintly out loud as she finished her chore of detangling.
She set her brush on the table and stood up. She stared impatiently around her room for a moment. She glanced at her clock and sighed with frustration as she calculated in her head that she still had thirty more minutes until breakfast. She walked over to her freshly made bed and sat down; the dreamy expression reforming over her features. Maybe he wasn't going to kiss her, she thought, but he did grab her hand. But that wasn't a big deal...was it?
"Mornin', Miss Mary." Mary jumped slightly. "I'm sorry, Miss. I didn't mean to startle ya." Martha had walked in to the room and sat on the bed next to her.
"Good morning, Martha."
"You're up a bit early this morning."
"Um, yes. I couldn't sleep." Mary flushed slightly as she remembered what she was dreaming before the barking dogs had prematurely awoken her. She had been dreaming about Dickon. Gosh, what was happening to her. Suddenly it dawned on her to ask, "What were the dogs barking at this morning?"
"It was a rabbit they were chasin', miss."
"Oh." She said with understanding. Then, the reoccurring glaze that came with her daydreaming overtook her eyes.
"You seem a bit distracted this morning, Mary. Is something the matter?"
"Well, it's just...no, nothing." She looked away; embarrassed.
Martha looked at her skeptically. "Well all right, if you say so, Miss Mary." She stood up and began to walk towards the door. "I've got to get back to work. You best be heading down to breakfast soon."
Mary was a bit surprised as she looked at the clock and realized that she twenty minutes had already passed.
As she came down the stairs, she met Colin at the landing where the two staircases from the opposite wings merged into one.
"Mornin'" Said Colin cheerily.
"Hello." Mary said, sounding a little distracted.
"You all right?" Colin asked, raising an eyebrow.
"What? Oh, yeah I'm fine." She gave him are assuring smile.
Colin wasn't convinced, but he shrugged it off. I can't wait to get down to the garden today. It's beautiful outside. I can't wait to see Lucky either. I hope she's okay. I'm sure Dickon's taking good care of her though."
Dickon. Suddenly Mary had completely lost interest in everything else that came our of Colin's mouth (yes, he was still talking).
"Mary? Hey, MARY?" Colin was looking at her expectantly. "Are you coming?" He was a few steps in front of her in the doorway to the dining room. Mary had subconsciously stopped walking. What was going on with her? She hurried to catch up with Colin and they walked into the dining room together. Lord Craven, Lady Craven, Lady DeMimsica and Dominique were already seated at the breakfast table.
"Ah, good morning, children." Lord Craven rose from his chair as Mary and Colin took their seats.
"Dominique was just telling us how excited she is about seeing the garden today." Lady Craven said while tucking her napkin in her lap. Mary and Colin exchanged annoyed looks. They looked over at Dominique who was looking triumphant.
After breakfast Mary and Colin ate hurriedly and excused themselves as soon as they were finished.
"Aren't you two going to wait on Dominique?" Lady Craven said as they reached the doorway. Colin and Mary groaned under their voices and walked back to the table. They sat down and waited for Dominique to finish her toast.
After she had taken her time swallowing the last bite, the three of them set off towards the gardens. No one said a word to each other during the two-minute walk.
"Good morning, Miss Mary, Young master Craven." Ben was hoeing in one of the bordering gardens. "Who's your friend?"
"Who's is that?" Dominique said with a disgusted look on her face.
Mary rolled her eyes. "Good morning, Ben. This is Dominique. She's our guest's daughter."
"Nice to meet you, miss." Ben said as he tipped his hat.
"Pleasure." She said, wrinkling her face.
Mary and Colin bid Ben adieu for the time being and walked through the door to the garden. Just as they reached the swing there was aloud sound from behind that caused Dominique to scream. Dickon had jumped out of the tree. He laughed; obviously amused with his joke. Mary's heart skipped a beat. "Dickon! Don't do that." She grinned slyly at him. Their eyes locked for a brief moment before they were interrupted by Dominique clearing her throat.
"Aren't you going to introduce me to your friend, Mary?" Dominique sounded remarkably sweeter than she had in every previous conversation Mary had ever had with her.
"Um, yeah. Dickon, this is Dominique. She's the daughter of a friend of grandmother's."
"Nice to meet you, Dominique." Dickon said as he shook her hand. Dominique smiled and shied away.
"Lucky's been waitin for ya, Miss Mary." Dickon smiled meaningfully at Mary. Her heart leaped into her throat.
"Oh, how is she?"
"Who's Lucky?" Dominique batted her eyes at Dickon. Dickon smiled and started to walk towards Lucky's basket. Oh she's this baby fox I found that's lost its mother. She's got a broken leg. We're taking care of her."
"Oh, Can I help?"
"No!" Colin yelled. "Lucky's our responsibility," he said in a more quiet tone.
"Besides," Mary added, "You'll not be coming back again."
"Oh really?" Dominique's snobby drawl was becoming apparent again.
"Why not?" Dickon asked. "Are you going somewhere?"
"No." Her innocent tone had returned. "I'm not going anywhere."
"Well then, you'll be able to come back and help take care of Lucky."
"Of course." She said, sending a smug look in Colin and Mary's direction. Mary's jaw dropped. What just happened? How could Dickon do this to her? How could he be nice to her? Did he actually like her? She looked over at Dickon to see him smiling at Dominique. Yuck.
"Uh, Dickon." Mary said hurriedly, trying to regain Dickon's attention, "Did you see that?"
"See what, Mary?" Dickon looked expectantly at Mary. "Uh," she looked around frantically. "Lucky. She just...tried to stand."
"Really?" Dickon ran over to Lucky's basket, followed by Colin and Dominique. "Oh, I missed it." The group looked disappointed.
"Pardon me," They all turned around to see one of the manor's servants standing in the garden doorway. "Lady DeMimsica has sent me to fetch her daughter." Mary smiled with relief. Perfect. Colin must have been just as relieved for he was smiling too. Dickon, however, looked rather disappointed.
"Oh, well perhaps I will see you tomorrow, Miss Dominique." He tipped his hat.
"Yes. Perhaps you will." She turned on her heals and walked towards the door. Mary watched for a moment as she saw Dominique throw a tantrum to the servant about having to return to the manor. Mary rolled her eyes and turned to join Colin and Dickon who had started weeding the rose bushes.
"She's nice." Dickon said as Mary joined them.
"Are you kidding? She's a nightmare!" Mary said.
"Mary, that's not very nice. I thought you'd be a little more open- minded." Dickon said. Colin and Mary both looked at each other in disgust and shock.
"Dickon, you don't know the real her." Colin said.
"You too, Colin?" Dickon rose and carried his basket of weeds over to empty. Mary and Colin looked at each other in bewilderment.
"I wouldn't 'ave thought he could be so thick." Colin said quietly.
"You think he'd be able to see right through her." Mary sighed and stared at Dickon as he emptied the weeds from his basket. "Just give it time Colin. She'll expose herself for what she really is all in good time." Mary broke her gaze and returned to her weeding.
"Mary! Colin! Quick!" Dickon was screaming excitedly from across the garden. Mary and Colin dropped what they were doing and ran to Dickon's side, where he was looking into Lucky's basket. Lucky was repeatedly trying to stand just before collapsing onto the fluffy blankets.
"She's trying to stand! That means her leg's not bothering her anymore!" Dickon was beaming with excitement. "I think she may be ready to walk. But she doesn't know how. Most foxes her age have been walking for weeks by now."
Colin suddenly stepped forward with a dreamy expression on his face. "So she's kind of like me." He said, looking from Mary to Colin, and then back to Lucky. "Maybe, I can help her learn to walk." Suddenly Colin snatched up Lucky and began to run. Mary and Dickon followed him as he ran to the area under the tree where he first learned to walk. "This was my lucky spot. So now it can also be Lucky's!"
Colin handed Lucky to Mary. He walked a few paces away, and then crouched, holding his hands out. Mary took the hint and crouched down as well. She set Lucky on the ground and supported her for a moment before releasing her. Lucky shook as she struggled to support her weight on her under developed legs. Slowly she began to put one paw in front of the other, and the other. A few times she stumbled to one side, but Mary or Dickon caught her and steadied her.
"Come on, Lucky. You can do it." Colin said, with his hands still out stretched.
Lucky's ears perked, and she made eye contact with Colin. "She knows what you're saying Colin" Dickon said. Lucky took a few more shaky steps, getting more steady with each.
"Come on!" Colin urged.
"You can do it, Lucky." Mary said. Lucky took a few more steps, and was snatched up by Colin. "Yay! You did it Lucky!"
Mary and Dickon were cheering loudly as well, and they all began to dance in a circle, holding Lucky high. The group took a victory lap around the garden, cheering so loudly that they attracted Ben's attention.
"What's goin' on in here?" Ben said with curiosity, as he poked his head in the garden door.
"Ben! Look!" Mary said, taking Lucky from Colin. Mary walked forward until she was about 5 feet from Ben, and set Lucky on the ground. Sure enough, Lucky hobbled in Ben's direction.
"I don't believe it, Miss Marry!" Ben grinned with delight. "The pup is walking!"
The rest of the afternoon was spent celebrating and watching lucky walk from one person to the next. The baby fox seemed to be just a delighted about her accomplishment as the rest. By the end of the day she was happily trotting from Mary, to Colin, to Dickon, to Ben.
"It's getting late." Mary said. "We should head back for dinner soon."
"Yeah, and I've got to get back to work." Said Ben. "Yeah," Colin said. "I can't wait to tell father!"
"You can go ahead Colin, Mary and I will clean up." Dickon said.
"Yeah, okay!" Said Colin. Then he turned and began to run towards the manor.
Dickon and Mary gathered up the baskets and blankets, and began to walk to the edge of the garden. "Well I guess I'll see you tomorrow, Dickon." Mary said.
"Well," Dickon said, shuffling his feet nervously, "I thought, perhaps if you wouldn't mind, that I would walk you to the manor."
"Oh." Mary blushed and smiled. "Okay, yeah."
Dickon picked up Lucky's basket, where she now lay exhausted from her active day, and they left the garden. They walked for several moments in silence before Dickon finally said, "I'm sorry if I got a little harsh about Dominique."
"Oh, it's all right." Mary lied.
"Mary, I..." Dickon trailed off. He opened and closed his mouth a few times, as though he was trying to find the right words. "I...I like your hair."
Mary looked confused. Somehow she didn't think that that was what he really wanted to say. "Um, thank you." She said with a smile. "I like yours too." She said.
After a few more moments of silent walking Dickon tried to speak again. "Mary...I..." But he was, again, lost for words. Now they were standing in front of the manor doors. "Well," he said, "I guess I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yeah, tomorrow then." She said. Then she peered into Lucky's basket. "Good bye, Lucky. We're so proud of you!" Lucky stirred and looked up at Mary sleepily, in acknowledgment. Mary smiled and looked up at Dickon, who was staring directly at her. They stared into each others eyes for a moment. Suddenly Dickon leaned in towards Mary. Their lips were only an inch apart when, "Hey! Dickon."
Mary and Dickon pulled away hastily and turned to see who had so rudely interrupted them. Dominique was walking towards them with a smug grin on her face, as if she knew what she had just done. "Dickon, I heard about Lucky. Can I see her walk?"
"Yeah! Sure." Dickon excitedly lifted Lucky out of her basket and set her on the ground. Lucky clung closely to Dickon, refusing to walk to Dominique. "Come on Lucky, go to Dominique." Mary silently thought that Lucky was a lot smarter than the average fox for not walking to that snake, Dominique, and said, "I'll see you tomorrow, then, Dickon." She then turned to walk in to the manor, feeling somewhat disappointed.
As she walked up the stairs to the front doors, she met Colin, who was glaring malevolently at her. Mary was confused by the look she was receiving from her brother. "Uh, hi Colin, did you tell father about Lucky?" He didn't answer. He only continued to glare at her. Just then, the silence was broken by Martha calling from the entrance hall, "Young Master Colin, Miss Mary. Dinner is ready." Colin glared a moment longer before turning and entering the doorway. Mary followed in silence.
The next morning, Mary sat in front of her vanity mirror, brushing her silky hair with a dazed look on her face. She was thinking about Dickon. She was thinking about the previous day when...was he going to kiss her? Mary shook her head, eliminating whatever progress she had made with her brushing. "No" she thought, "That's ridiculous." She laughed faintly out loud as she finished her chore of detangling.
She set her brush on the table and stood up. She stared impatiently around her room for a moment. She glanced at her clock and sighed with frustration as she calculated in her head that she still had thirty more minutes until breakfast. She walked over to her freshly made bed and sat down; the dreamy expression reforming over her features. Maybe he wasn't going to kiss her, she thought, but he did grab her hand. But that wasn't a big deal...was it?
"Mornin', Miss Mary." Mary jumped slightly. "I'm sorry, Miss. I didn't mean to startle ya." Martha had walked in to the room and sat on the bed next to her.
"Good morning, Martha."
"You're up a bit early this morning."
"Um, yes. I couldn't sleep." Mary flushed slightly as she remembered what she was dreaming before the barking dogs had prematurely awoken her. She had been dreaming about Dickon. Gosh, what was happening to her. Suddenly it dawned on her to ask, "What were the dogs barking at this morning?"
"It was a rabbit they were chasin', miss."
"Oh." She said with understanding. Then, the reoccurring glaze that came with her daydreaming overtook her eyes.
"You seem a bit distracted this morning, Mary. Is something the matter?"
"Well, it's just...no, nothing." She looked away; embarrassed.
Martha looked at her skeptically. "Well all right, if you say so, Miss Mary." She stood up and began to walk towards the door. "I've got to get back to work. You best be heading down to breakfast soon."
Mary was a bit surprised as she looked at the clock and realized that she twenty minutes had already passed.
As she came down the stairs, she met Colin at the landing where the two staircases from the opposite wings merged into one.
"Mornin'" Said Colin cheerily.
"Hello." Mary said, sounding a little distracted.
"You all right?" Colin asked, raising an eyebrow.
"What? Oh, yeah I'm fine." She gave him are assuring smile.
Colin wasn't convinced, but he shrugged it off. I can't wait to get down to the garden today. It's beautiful outside. I can't wait to see Lucky either. I hope she's okay. I'm sure Dickon's taking good care of her though."
Dickon. Suddenly Mary had completely lost interest in everything else that came our of Colin's mouth (yes, he was still talking).
"Mary? Hey, MARY?" Colin was looking at her expectantly. "Are you coming?" He was a few steps in front of her in the doorway to the dining room. Mary had subconsciously stopped walking. What was going on with her? She hurried to catch up with Colin and they walked into the dining room together. Lord Craven, Lady Craven, Lady DeMimsica and Dominique were already seated at the breakfast table.
"Ah, good morning, children." Lord Craven rose from his chair as Mary and Colin took their seats.
"Dominique was just telling us how excited she is about seeing the garden today." Lady Craven said while tucking her napkin in her lap. Mary and Colin exchanged annoyed looks. They looked over at Dominique who was looking triumphant.
After breakfast Mary and Colin ate hurriedly and excused themselves as soon as they were finished.
"Aren't you two going to wait on Dominique?" Lady Craven said as they reached the doorway. Colin and Mary groaned under their voices and walked back to the table. They sat down and waited for Dominique to finish her toast.
After she had taken her time swallowing the last bite, the three of them set off towards the gardens. No one said a word to each other during the two-minute walk.
"Good morning, Miss Mary, Young master Craven." Ben was hoeing in one of the bordering gardens. "Who's your friend?"
"Who's is that?" Dominique said with a disgusted look on her face.
Mary rolled her eyes. "Good morning, Ben. This is Dominique. She's our guest's daughter."
"Nice to meet you, miss." Ben said as he tipped his hat.
"Pleasure." She said, wrinkling her face.
Mary and Colin bid Ben adieu for the time being and walked through the door to the garden. Just as they reached the swing there was aloud sound from behind that caused Dominique to scream. Dickon had jumped out of the tree. He laughed; obviously amused with his joke. Mary's heart skipped a beat. "Dickon! Don't do that." She grinned slyly at him. Their eyes locked for a brief moment before they were interrupted by Dominique clearing her throat.
"Aren't you going to introduce me to your friend, Mary?" Dominique sounded remarkably sweeter than she had in every previous conversation Mary had ever had with her.
"Um, yeah. Dickon, this is Dominique. She's the daughter of a friend of grandmother's."
"Nice to meet you, Dominique." Dickon said as he shook her hand. Dominique smiled and shied away.
"Lucky's been waitin for ya, Miss Mary." Dickon smiled meaningfully at Mary. Her heart leaped into her throat.
"Oh, how is she?"
"Who's Lucky?" Dominique batted her eyes at Dickon. Dickon smiled and started to walk towards Lucky's basket. Oh she's this baby fox I found that's lost its mother. She's got a broken leg. We're taking care of her."
"Oh, Can I help?"
"No!" Colin yelled. "Lucky's our responsibility," he said in a more quiet tone.
"Besides," Mary added, "You'll not be coming back again."
"Oh really?" Dominique's snobby drawl was becoming apparent again.
"Why not?" Dickon asked. "Are you going somewhere?"
"No." Her innocent tone had returned. "I'm not going anywhere."
"Well then, you'll be able to come back and help take care of Lucky."
"Of course." She said, sending a smug look in Colin and Mary's direction. Mary's jaw dropped. What just happened? How could Dickon do this to her? How could he be nice to her? Did he actually like her? She looked over at Dickon to see him smiling at Dominique. Yuck.
"Uh, Dickon." Mary said hurriedly, trying to regain Dickon's attention, "Did you see that?"
"See what, Mary?" Dickon looked expectantly at Mary. "Uh," she looked around frantically. "Lucky. She just...tried to stand."
"Really?" Dickon ran over to Lucky's basket, followed by Colin and Dominique. "Oh, I missed it." The group looked disappointed.
"Pardon me," They all turned around to see one of the manor's servants standing in the garden doorway. "Lady DeMimsica has sent me to fetch her daughter." Mary smiled with relief. Perfect. Colin must have been just as relieved for he was smiling too. Dickon, however, looked rather disappointed.
"Oh, well perhaps I will see you tomorrow, Miss Dominique." He tipped his hat.
"Yes. Perhaps you will." She turned on her heals and walked towards the door. Mary watched for a moment as she saw Dominique throw a tantrum to the servant about having to return to the manor. Mary rolled her eyes and turned to join Colin and Dickon who had started weeding the rose bushes.
"She's nice." Dickon said as Mary joined them.
"Are you kidding? She's a nightmare!" Mary said.
"Mary, that's not very nice. I thought you'd be a little more open- minded." Dickon said. Colin and Mary both looked at each other in disgust and shock.
"Dickon, you don't know the real her." Colin said.
"You too, Colin?" Dickon rose and carried his basket of weeds over to empty. Mary and Colin looked at each other in bewilderment.
"I wouldn't 'ave thought he could be so thick." Colin said quietly.
"You think he'd be able to see right through her." Mary sighed and stared at Dickon as he emptied the weeds from his basket. "Just give it time Colin. She'll expose herself for what she really is all in good time." Mary broke her gaze and returned to her weeding.
"Mary! Colin! Quick!" Dickon was screaming excitedly from across the garden. Mary and Colin dropped what they were doing and ran to Dickon's side, where he was looking into Lucky's basket. Lucky was repeatedly trying to stand just before collapsing onto the fluffy blankets.
"She's trying to stand! That means her leg's not bothering her anymore!" Dickon was beaming with excitement. "I think she may be ready to walk. But she doesn't know how. Most foxes her age have been walking for weeks by now."
Colin suddenly stepped forward with a dreamy expression on his face. "So she's kind of like me." He said, looking from Mary to Colin, and then back to Lucky. "Maybe, I can help her learn to walk." Suddenly Colin snatched up Lucky and began to run. Mary and Dickon followed him as he ran to the area under the tree where he first learned to walk. "This was my lucky spot. So now it can also be Lucky's!"
Colin handed Lucky to Mary. He walked a few paces away, and then crouched, holding his hands out. Mary took the hint and crouched down as well. She set Lucky on the ground and supported her for a moment before releasing her. Lucky shook as she struggled to support her weight on her under developed legs. Slowly she began to put one paw in front of the other, and the other. A few times she stumbled to one side, but Mary or Dickon caught her and steadied her.
"Come on, Lucky. You can do it." Colin said, with his hands still out stretched.
Lucky's ears perked, and she made eye contact with Colin. "She knows what you're saying Colin" Dickon said. Lucky took a few more shaky steps, getting more steady with each.
"Come on!" Colin urged.
"You can do it, Lucky." Mary said. Lucky took a few more steps, and was snatched up by Colin. "Yay! You did it Lucky!"
Mary and Dickon were cheering loudly as well, and they all began to dance in a circle, holding Lucky high. The group took a victory lap around the garden, cheering so loudly that they attracted Ben's attention.
"What's goin' on in here?" Ben said with curiosity, as he poked his head in the garden door.
"Ben! Look!" Mary said, taking Lucky from Colin. Mary walked forward until she was about 5 feet from Ben, and set Lucky on the ground. Sure enough, Lucky hobbled in Ben's direction.
"I don't believe it, Miss Marry!" Ben grinned with delight. "The pup is walking!"
The rest of the afternoon was spent celebrating and watching lucky walk from one person to the next. The baby fox seemed to be just a delighted about her accomplishment as the rest. By the end of the day she was happily trotting from Mary, to Colin, to Dickon, to Ben.
"It's getting late." Mary said. "We should head back for dinner soon."
"Yeah, and I've got to get back to work." Said Ben. "Yeah," Colin said. "I can't wait to tell father!"
"You can go ahead Colin, Mary and I will clean up." Dickon said.
"Yeah, okay!" Said Colin. Then he turned and began to run towards the manor.
Dickon and Mary gathered up the baskets and blankets, and began to walk to the edge of the garden. "Well I guess I'll see you tomorrow, Dickon." Mary said.
"Well," Dickon said, shuffling his feet nervously, "I thought, perhaps if you wouldn't mind, that I would walk you to the manor."
"Oh." Mary blushed and smiled. "Okay, yeah."
Dickon picked up Lucky's basket, where she now lay exhausted from her active day, and they left the garden. They walked for several moments in silence before Dickon finally said, "I'm sorry if I got a little harsh about Dominique."
"Oh, it's all right." Mary lied.
"Mary, I..." Dickon trailed off. He opened and closed his mouth a few times, as though he was trying to find the right words. "I...I like your hair."
Mary looked confused. Somehow she didn't think that that was what he really wanted to say. "Um, thank you." She said with a smile. "I like yours too." She said.
After a few more moments of silent walking Dickon tried to speak again. "Mary...I..." But he was, again, lost for words. Now they were standing in front of the manor doors. "Well," he said, "I guess I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yeah, tomorrow then." She said. Then she peered into Lucky's basket. "Good bye, Lucky. We're so proud of you!" Lucky stirred and looked up at Mary sleepily, in acknowledgment. Mary smiled and looked up at Dickon, who was staring directly at her. They stared into each others eyes for a moment. Suddenly Dickon leaned in towards Mary. Their lips were only an inch apart when, "Hey! Dickon."
Mary and Dickon pulled away hastily and turned to see who had so rudely interrupted them. Dominique was walking towards them with a smug grin on her face, as if she knew what she had just done. "Dickon, I heard about Lucky. Can I see her walk?"
"Yeah! Sure." Dickon excitedly lifted Lucky out of her basket and set her on the ground. Lucky clung closely to Dickon, refusing to walk to Dominique. "Come on Lucky, go to Dominique." Mary silently thought that Lucky was a lot smarter than the average fox for not walking to that snake, Dominique, and said, "I'll see you tomorrow, then, Dickon." She then turned to walk in to the manor, feeling somewhat disappointed.
As she walked up the stairs to the front doors, she met Colin, who was glaring malevolently at her. Mary was confused by the look she was receiving from her brother. "Uh, hi Colin, did you tell father about Lucky?" He didn't answer. He only continued to glare at her. Just then, the silence was broken by Martha calling from the entrance hall, "Young Master Colin, Miss Mary. Dinner is ready." Colin glared a moment longer before turning and entering the doorway. Mary followed in silence.