Disclaimer: I own nothing, just borrowing them.

A Bit of Earth

Chapter 6

Colin was beginning to get impatient. He had been waiting several days and still no letter had arrived from his father or cousin. Although he knew that there were often delays in the post, it usually took no more than a week for a reply to one of his letters.

Although he no longer threw tantrums and fits, Colin Craven still expected things to be done to his taste and timing.

He resolved that if he did not receive a reply within the next few days he would write again and let his feeling be known on the lateness of his letter.

XXX

While Colin was planning a rather nasty letter to his cousin for her late reply, Mary was confined to her bed.

Her illness had not abated as both Martha and Mrs. Medlock had hoped, but had worsened. After two more days of fever, fatigue and a pain deep within her chest that only got worse every time she coughed, the doctor was called to see to Mary.

The doctor arrived on the morning of Mary's third day of illness. After spending a fairly short amount of time with her the doctor exited the bedroom and drew Archibald aside to speak of his niece's health.

"The child has pneumonia. Left any longer and she probably wouldn't have survived too much longer. The infection in her lungs is quite severe, but she should be fine in a few weeks. I don't have the medicine's she needs with me now but if you send one of your servants with me to bring it back, I can instruct you on what needs to be done for her so that she may begin treatment. For now though give her plenty of fluids and she needs absolute bed rest."

While the doctor gave his instructions for Mary's medicines, Mrs. Medlock was called over to listen and Martha was sent to fetch her brother to travel with the doctor.

XXX

Martha met Dickon near the kitchen door where he had been waiting for any news on Mary.

"Martha how's Miss Mary?"

"Not at all well Dickon. Master Craven wants ye to go with the good doctor to fetch some medicines for Miss Mary. Have ye got Jump with ye?" she paused while Dickon nodded in confirmation. "Good, go an' wait 'round the front then, they won't be long now."

Dickon turned to leave but paused and turned back to his sister. "Martha?"

"Yes Dickon?"

"Is she goin' to be alright?"

Martha smiled sadly at her younger brother; the love in his eyes for the ill girl upstairs was obvious to any who looked. "She'll be alrigh' Dickon, as long as ye hurry up and get tha' medicine's she needs.

He nodded once and was off, Martha hurrying back into the house.

XXX

It wasn't until after the lunch hour that Dickon returned with a parcel he would have guarded with his very life if need be. He would do anything for Mary, and right now he needed to get this to her so that she might be well again.

XXX

"Master Craven!"

Archibald hurried over to the boy and retrieved the package he had been waiting for since the doctor had left, Dickon in tow.

"Thank you lad. I'm sure Mary will thank you too once she is feeling better. Perhaps if you return in a few days you may visit her, I'm sure she would like that."

Dickon bowed his head slightly toward the older man and smiled, "Thank ye sir."

Archibald nodded once toward him and turned back to the house, package held tightly in his grasp.

XXX

A/N: Please don't hurt me! I'm so, so sorry that this hasn't been updated in forever. Everytime I go to sit down and write things happen or I just go blank and it's too crappy to post. I'm not at all happy with this chapter, it doesn't flow like I wanted it to but I hope it's better than nothing. This fic isn't dead, I have not abandoned it, it just went into hibernation for a little while. I'll try to continue soon, and maybe improve this chapter too, but it all depends on finding time between work and study and everything else I'm supposed to be doing. But if I go that long again without an update, nag me til I do lol! And now I will shut up before I ramble any more.