Disclaimer: I own everything...Perhaps in the Twilight Zone lol. In this reality thoughI don't own any of the characters of the Secret Garden.
A Bit of Earth
Chapter 3
As the day wore on Mary began to feel steadily worse but did not complain for fear of being kept in during lunch. She needed to talk to Dickon, see if there was any chance of them being together and she would not let a cough spoil that.
She decided to wait before penning a letter to Colin; she was too focused on Dickon at that moment to write to Colin for she feared too many of her thoughts would spill onto the page. So she waited quite impatiently in her room for noon to arrive. She could not wander lest her cough be discovered by Mrs. Medlock, or worse yet, her Uncle Archie.
Finally the clock had reached noon and Mary quickly pulled on her boots, scarf and a woollen hat and grabbed a thick coat from her wardrobe to put on. She made her way downstairs and picked up the pre-prepared food to take for lunch and then after putting on her coat Mary left through the kitchen's exit.
Martha entered the room just in time to see Mary pull the door close behind her. She smiled to herself knowingly before continuing with her tasks.
XXX
As Archibald Craven sat in his study he looked at photos of his beloved Lily, sitting in the garden with himself. He still couldn't believe the resemblance between Mary and Lily, which only grew more obvious as Mary grew older. Although he had reacted badly when he first met Mary and saw how much she looked like his Lily, now it was a comfort. Lily was gone but she would live on through her son and niece.
He had changed so much in the last few years. No longer did he leave his home and his son during the summer and spring, rather he stayed at Misselthwaite as much as was possible. He loved his son and missed him fiercely and he loved Mary like a daughter. It was because of his love for his niece that he allowed her to be tutored and not sent away as Medlock wished. She had suffered as a child in India, although she was not abused in any physical way she was left without the love of her parents. He had never been fond of Lily's sister but didn't think she would practically forsake her own daughter in lieu of going to parties. He had also neglected Colin; he was never there for his son as he grew up. But since he had discovered them playing in the garden he had been healed in mind and body and was able to treat his son the way he deserved and to give Mary the love she had never known.
It was no secret to him of Mary's affections for Dickon Sowerby and although it was not a match fitting of societies ideals he saw no reason why they should not be together should they wish. After all, if he and Lily had done as her family wished he would never had known love, he never would have had Colin. Aside from that he knew Dickon, he was a hard working lad with a love for nature and he knew it was this that appealed to Mary. He would give them any financial aid, and would indeed invite them to stay on at Misselthwaite, as it was far too big for he alone. No, neither would ever be wanting for anything and neither would their children. He decided though to stop thinking that far ahead lest something different occur.
He knew Mary and Dickon were, as yet, nothing more than friends so decided to think of them as nothing more for now. He only hoped that Mary and Colin never had to suffer from tragedy as he and Lily had for he did not want either of them to become as he was for those ten long years.
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Dickon was waiting for Mary in the garden. He couldn't wait to see her for she brightened his day. He glanced up at the sky and though he knew it would soon rain he hoped they could finish lunch before it did.
He looked toward the gate when he heard it open and smiled warmly at Mary as she entered.
"Afternoon Miss Mary," he called.
Mary was about to call back when she began coughing once again. She tried to hold it back but it was of little use. Thankfully though it was over quickly.
Dickon came to her side and led her to a place where she could sit down. "Mary what are you doin' out here with a cough like tha'?"
"I've only come for lunch Dickon and I shall soon be inside again so I didn't see the harm."
"Does anyone in there know ye are poorly?" he looked worried and the concern was clear in his voice.
Mary shook her head, "Well, no. But Dickon, I promise once we've had lunch I'll go straight back inside and tell Martha, ok?"
"Aye, alright Miss Mary. But I'll never forgive mysel' if tha' got any sicker."
"I won't and besides, if I did get any worse it wouldn't be your fault Dickon and I don't want you to think that."
She then unpacked their lunch and the two ate with Mary holding back the coughs threatening to come to the surface and Dickon watching her worriedly. Once they were through Dickon stood quickly and offered Mary a hand that she took quite willingly and he helped her up.
"Now I'll walk ye back to the house Miss Mary and I want you to go tell my sister tha' you're unwell and get yoursel' to bed."
She smiled at him a little. "Whatever you say Dickon."
They walked slowly up the path from the garden to the house and when they reached the door Dickon spoke again.
"Now Miss Mary if tha' art still unwell tomorrow I don't want ye to come to the garden. I'll come and meet thee here and if you're still unwell have Martha come an' tell me."
"Oh alright Dickon if it will stop you're worrying."
Feeling quite bold Dickon have Mary a quick kiss on the top of her head before walking off.
Mary blushed a little pleased thathe had shown her more affection than usual; even if it really wasn't right. She made her way inside and soon found Martha.
"Miss Mary are you alright?"
"I can't escape it can I, first Dickon and now you. Well since you asked Martha I have a bit of a cough and don't feel so-" Mary's words were cut off as the cough she had spoken of made itself known.
"Oh dear Miss. You go on up to bed and I'll have some honeyed tea brought up to thee."
Mary simply nodded, finally deciding that maybe she really was sick, then headed off to her room as Martha went to the kitchens to prepare the tea.
xxx
A/N: Thanks again to those who reviewed. As I said in the first chapter, I such at the Yorkshire accent but I'm trying. Please let me know how I'm going as I'm still really unsure of this fic.