Disclaimer: I don't own The Secret Garden

AN: Sorry for the chapter mix up, I went to save this over an old document rather than upload a new one and it obviously didn't save. Last time I try and post when I'm half asleep.

Chapter 7

Colin was internally composing a rather nasty letter to his cousin about her lack of reply to his last letter when he was interrupted by one of the other boys inviting Colin to go with a group of them to meet up with some of the girls from the nearby finishing school. He mused on the invite for a moment, he could sit here and stew or he could go out and possibly see Emily. Finally he nodded to the other boy, Thomas, and after shrugging into a coat and hat he set off with Thomas to the park where they would meet the others.

A little over two hours later Colin returned to his room and resumed planning the letter to his cousin. He had the letter planned out but when he went to write it the words would not come as intended. Rather than sounding displeased with Mary's poor correspondence he sounded rather desperate and pathetic. Reading over what he had written he scowled at the paper before scrunching it up and throwing it across the room.

He paced the small room for a time before throwing himself onto the bed. Now that he really thought about it he wasn't really mad at Mary, but he did wonder why his reply was several days late now when she was usually so prompt. It was nearing Christmas now and it was his first away from home, the first not with his father and cousin in nearly six years and if he wasn't there the least they could do was write.

Finally deciding he'd had enough of such thoughts he set about doing some school work. Seating himself at his desk he gathered what he needed and began to read.

xxx

It had been three days since the doctor had been and while Mary wasn't much better she was improving. The ache in her chest had lessened; though she was still coughing dreadfully, and her fever had gone down considerably.

It was late afternoon and Mary was awake for once, reading a book of fairy tales she had not even looked at since she was eleven years old. Martha had dug it out for her, saying that it would help her pass the time and it had. She toyed with the edge of the page she was on and let her thoughts drift, she wondered what Dickon was doing; probably out on the moor or working she supposed. She pushed herself up in bed a little as she was wracked by another bought of coughing, she reached for the glass of water by her bed when she was through and sipped it slowly.

She looked up at a soft knock on her door and bid the caller enter, knowing it was probably Martha. When the door opened to reveal the young maid Mary smiled at her.

"Afternoon Martha," she said, voice a little hoarse.

"Good afternoon Miss Mary, how are ye feelin'?

"A slight improvement I suppose. Though this cough is still simply dreadful."

Martha nodded at the girl and reached out a hand to check her forehead, "Least ye fever seems a little better."

"Yes I noticed. Martha, how's Dickon? I feel terrible that we've missed so many luncheons."

"Don't fret Miss Mary, Dickon knows that ye ill, he asked me to tell you to get well soon but that he dinna wanna see ye outside 'til ye are well again.

Mary gave a small smile and nodded, "You can tell him that even if I wanted to go outdoors I'd never make it downstairs before someone found me and bundled me back into bed."

Martha laughed but nodded her agreement, "Aye ye right Miss Mary. But I will tell him for ye. Now you get some rest, you're uncle plans on seeing ye later. Sleep well Miss."

She curtseyed and left the room, leaving Mary alone once more. After attempting to read for another ten minutes or so Mary finally conceded to her bodies wishes and let herself sleep once more.

xxx

AN: Sorry for the short length of this chapter but I just wanted to get something done for this fic. I know it's been forever since I posted but I do want to finish this and while I make no promises about updates I hope to get the next one out soon. Thanks to all of those of you who've reviewed this fic, they're all very much appreciated.