Disclaimer: It feels strange to keep writing these disclaimers even though we all know that I don't own these characters at all…

Dickon was putting the carrots down in the kitchen when he overheard the other maids talking.

"Miss Mary will do some good with that new catch she's got." One of the maids whispered.

"Oh yes, the Duke is a fine catch. He's so handsome!" The other maid giggled.

"But aren't Miss Mary's affections pointed in a much different direction?" Dickon immediately looked up at this.

"Well there's no way Lord Craven would approve of Dickon, she should start pointing them at the Duke if she knows what's good for her." The maid's giggled. Dickon froze. Mary had affections for him? Was it true? He did feel that there was something there when he almost kissed her. He almost kissed her. He remembered how close he had been. Mary had not backed away from him so that could only mean she did have feelings for him. Dickon had dreamt of kissing Mary and he had been so close. Why were they always interrupted? He wished there would simply be a time and place where they could hide away and let him tell her everything.

Mary was wishing the exact same thing, especially when The Duke had found her and tried to comfort her from her fake panic. Anne was also relieved to have her new companion back, much to Mary's dismay.

"Fitzwilliam told me all about what happened. You're lucky you didn't get hurt by that horse!" Anne proclaimed as she wrapped her arm around Mary's and strolled with her while Colin and the Duke were in heavy conversation and Mrs. Buescher and Lord Craven sat playing a game of cards.

"She was just spooked is all." Mary said flatly.

"Well my brother was right worried about you. He went running around looking all over for you!"

"Well, the thought was appreciated."

"Miss Mary, may I be so bold?"

"What is it?"

"How do you like my brother? I know he fancies you. I would love it very much if we became sisters." She looked so ecstatic with the idea of it but Mary tried as best she could to hide the disgust from the idea of marrying the Duke from her face. Luckily her answer was spared by her cousin.

"Mary, we were all going to the theatre tonight, will you be joining us?" Colin looked so excited.

"Of course." Mary smiled. As long as they were all in a big group it shouldn't be that difficult to bear. "What are we going to see?"

"It's an opera. You'll like it." Colin said happily. Mary could only hope that it would be fast and that the visit of Duke Buescher and his family would soon be over. She felt miserable though because she had promised to meet Dickon. Now there was no going around missing the time with him. Once again, her entire time with Dickon had been ruined.

That night Mary looked at herself in the mirror as she prepared to leave. She couldn't deny that she had grown into a pretty girl. At times she thought she even looked like her mother and Aunt Lilias. She wondered how Dickon saw her. Did he think she was pretty?

Of course she thought he was handsome. Well, he was beautiful. Mary remembered when she first laid eyes on him when he returned. She had been so happy and relieved he was alive and unharmed, that he was still the Dickon she knew and loved. He had grown so tall, he towered over her. His hair was dark and curly, Mary had always wanted to run her fingers through it, imagining how soft it would be. His eyes, of course, were her favorite part. Most people would simply say that Dickon had blue eyes but Mary saw more than just the color. She felt when she looked In his eyes, she could see his soul. His beautiful shining soul that loved all creatures and plants with such care. She just wished that she could be included in that love.

When it was time to go Mary could see Dickon on the moor, riding his horse although Jump had grown too old for him. Now he rode upon a black stallion. She dreamily looked out the window as he rode while she rode with Duke Bother to the opera. He talked to her the entire way but Mary took no real notice of what he was saying except to either nod or agree to pretend she was listening. It always seemed to satisfy him.

The theatre was grand. Mary had never been to it before and she was quite excited to see it. Colin would remark on the architecture of the place while Anne would just comment on how excited she was to see the actors in the opera.

The Duke had arranged for a private box for them to sit in and Mary found herself quite uncomfortable with him sitting next to her ever so closely. When the music began and the lights dimmed Mary found herself shaking in fear of the man that inched closer and closer to her. She tried to move towards her cousin but her seat would not budge from where she sat and besides, it would cause a disturbance. The Duke did not stop his advances. Halfway through the play he tried to take her hand but Mary quickly pretended that she had a cough and moved her hand away from him. She spent the rest of the opera in an awkward position just to keep her hands out of his.

Finally the opera was over. Mary couldn't even really pay attention to it from her struggles. She was only relieved to be going home. However, when they got out of the carriage the Duke had held her back as the rest of the group went inside to retire.

"May I have a word with you, Miss Mary?" The Duke asked politely. There was no escape for her this time. No horses and no cough could save her now.

"Of course." She replied. The Duke offered his arm to her and Mary reluctantly took it.

"Did you enjoy the opera?" He asked as they strolled.

"Oh yes, very much." Mary replied even though she honestly didn't remember it now.

"Good, I'm glad. Mary, I want to be open with you." He moved in front of her and Mary took a step back from his abrupt change of direction.

"Oh, Duke, I don't know if It is the right time for such conversations." Mary tried to get away but he stepped in front of her.

"If I don't say it now I'll explode. Mary, I love you." Mary stood frozen and horrified at his words. "I've loved you ever since I saw you. Please do me the honor by becoming my wife." He got down on one knee and whipped out a beautiful diamond ring. Mary felt the heat rising in her body to her head. "We can be happy together, Mary. You'll never want for anything with me. You can have as many gardens as you want and even chat with the servants if it pleases you."

"Chat with the servants?" She said offended. "How dare you! No!" She thrust her leg up and kicked him square in the nose before running away.

"MARY!" He shouted for her but she could hear him stumble around in pain. "MARY! COME BACK!" He shouted but Mary had no intention of doing so and ran straight to her garden. She didn't even notice her favorite person follow her in as he noticed her distress.

Mary rushed to the pond and cried into it.

"Mary?" Dickon's voice came. Mary jumped up and saw him standing behind her. "Mary, what's wrong?" He asked with worry written all over his face. Mary felt Aunt Lilias' presence again. She felt her push her forward.

"Oh Dickon!" Mary couldn't take it any longer. She ran to him and threw her arms around him. Dickon held her tightly, trying to comfort her.

"Mary? What's the matter?" He didn't want to let go but he wanted to look into her eyes so she could explain what was going on. He took his arms away but she only loosened her grip to look up at him but did not take her arms away.

"Oh Dickon. It's that stupid Duke. He's asked me to marry him." She cried into his chest. Mary suddenly was feeling intoxicated by his earthly scent.

"I s'pose congratulations woul' be in order then." Dickon said bitterly. The time for their separation had come he thought.

"No! No, Dickon! I refused him!" Mary pleaded. Dickon looked down at her in shock. "I can't take it anymore, Dickon. I have to tell you."

"Tell me wha'?" He asked and led her to the bench to sit down and calm her.

Mary looked into his eyes and suddenly became lost in them. Mary could only hear Aunt Lilias in her head now, telling her that it was alright and to keep going.

"Well, um." She stuttered. Her voice had seemed to disappear on her and no sounds would come out. Why was this so difficult? She thought.

"Mayhaps, I can speak firs'?" Dickon asked and Mary could only nod her head. Dickon stood up and made a revolution in pacing before he stopped and looked her dead on. "Mary, I know tha is a lady and I is jus' a poor moor lad. But I canna keep it in me any longer. I've tried to no' say anythin'. I've tried to let tha go but I canna see tha unhappy like this if that is the man of tha's future." He clenched his fists in hopes to relieve his nerves. "I've loved tha since I can remember. Maybe since Martha tol' me 'bout tha. When I went to war the only though' on my mind was to come back to tha's garden and see tha again. To tell tha how much I love tha. I dunna e'spect tha to feel the same but I had to tell tha. I love tha, Miss Mary Quite Contrary." He let out a deep breath as he finished. Mary sat on the bench staring up at him with tears streaming down his cheeks. "I have upset tha. I'm sorry." He apologized and went to turn away.

"Dickon!" Mary called and suddenly Dickon felt her grip on his wrist to turn him back around. The next thing he knew was the soft, warm feel of Mary's lips upon his own. He couldn't believe it. Mary was kissing him. She held her arms around his neck and tightened herself to him. Dickon wrapped his arms around her waist and held her closer, deepening their kiss. When they finally broke they were both out of breath. He looked into her eyes that looked like sparkling stars.

"Dickon, I love tha too." She said in her best Yorkshire. Dickon smiled and let his lips descend upon hers once again. Everything was so right. It was perfect. Dickon had the girl of his dreams in his arms, kissing him, and there would surely be nothing in their way. After all, Lord Craven had already told Dickon that if Mary chose him there would be no restraint on her part as long as she had been able to broaden her horizons. It was clear Mary did not want any other man. She had proven that by the way her lips brushed his ever so softly as they sat in the moonlight in the Secret Garden. The magic had still worked. The magic had done so many things for them. First, it brought Mary to him as children, it had given Colin a new life, it had brought him back from war, and now it continued to give its magic and bring Mary to him for the second time and in the most beautiful way it had ever done before. Dickon was in heaven now until Mary suddenly broke their kiss.

"Dickon, what are we to do?" She sounded panicked but her face showed no signs other than pure happiness. She leaned her head on his shoulder.

"What does tha mean, my love?" He had wanted to call her that for many years now.

"Uncle Archie and Colin, do you think they will disapprove of us?"

"I think they will be the least of our worries." Dickon explained what they had both told him, much to Mary's delight. "The only thin' we migh' have to worry 'bout is the damage to Duke Buescher's nose."

"You saw that?" Mary blushed and looked down to their feet.

"Aye, and I mun say tha' I was impressed. I shall ne'er make you so angry." Dickon laughed and Mary giggled. She felt herself a fool for giggling like this but she couldn't contain her happiness, not when everything had worked out so perfectly. Nothing could destroy their happiness now.

Or so Mary thought, not taking notice of someone else who had followed them to the garden but quietly left to tell her brother what she saw.

A/N: Dun dun dun! What will happen next? Reviews please!