Mary had gone to the hospital.
Her Uncle had still not moved.
"He actually was awake a few hours ago," Colin corrected her. "He was very hazy, though, and couldn't move the right side of his face." His voice was very quiet. So controlled. "He's just sleeping now."
The hour passed with more of the same. Silence. Stares.
Mary though more on her life. More on Dickon and Lord Navarlen.
She'd wished she brought the letter. It would've been a better way to pass the time.
But she noticed that anger had started to grow in her.
She was angry with Dickon. Completely and utterly furious. How could he appear after all this time and expect her to be in love with him? To forgive him for everything?
He'd ruined everything. Everything was perfect and planned.
I was to be a Countess, she thought ruefully. No. I will be a countess.
It is untruthful when you love another.
I DO NOT LOVE DICKON, she scolded herself. I hardly know him. I haven't known him my entire adult life. While I was off learning manners and literature he was God knows where doing God knows what.
With God knows who.
Am I just a conquest to him? A rich, virtuous girl to win over.
She knew that wasn't true, but she was still upset.
He has ruined everything.
Mary still felt the vitriol in her veins. Why wouldn't Dickon give her the truth? What had he to hide?
What if it was something horrible?
OOO
Within the hour they were back at their home and Mary was getting dressed again.
This time, for her dinner with Lord Navarlen.
Her dress was gold in color and bought especially for this occasion. She stared at her empty expression as Alice pined pearls into her hair.
"You look very beautiful, my lady," Alice said sweetly. At times Mary wished she were Alice. Such an optimistic and sweet girl.
Mary smiled, "Thank you, Alice. You can take all the credit for that."
Alice blushed and Mary knew the compliment was received.
Mary gazed back at her light eyes.
You will say yes to him, she told herself.
You have to.
OOO
The ring was gaudier than she had liked.
The diamond was too large and the rubies surrounding it too bright. It wasn't Mary at all but it was very Lord Navarlen.
Andrew. His name is Andrew. You may as well call him that if he is to be your fiancé.
If.
He hadn't even gotten down on his knee, he just placed the ring on her finger before she could even answer.
"It's beautiful," she said because that's what she was supposed to say.
Lord Narvarlen straightened in his seat, "Don't sound too thrilled, Mary."
"My lord, I-"
"Your courtesies are very well rehearsed, dear, but I see through them by now." He rasied his wine glass to his lips taking a large swig. "I know you do not love me, Mary. But I can be a good husband."
"I know, my lord," she said.
"Andrew," he corrected. After a moment, he cleared his throat, "And I know you fancy that writer of yours."
"I do not-"
His hand silenced her, "But I can offer you a better life than him." With his left hand, he reached across to squeeze her hands. "Just think about it, Mary. Will you? You needn't make any promises now, Just please think on it."
OOO
The weight of the ring was bothering her so she let her hand drop to her side.
Her arm felt paper atop the quilt on her bed.
The letter.
In an instant she sat upright, her head rushing from the movement.
The letter. His letter.
She flipped it over and a red wax seal held it shut. With a flick of her thumb, she broke it from the paper and reached in for the contents.
There was a small note with his beautiful loopy writing.
And there was dark and rusting skeleton key with a string around it.
It was the key to the garden. The one she had given him before he went off to war.
Mary's hand flew to her mouth. He'd kept it all this time.
He'd kept the promise.
With hungry hands, she reached for the note.
Consider this a promise kept.
I did not mean to offend you last night, Mary. I promise I can explain everything you want to know. Please come to visit me.
-JS
Her heart beat faster than it ever had before.
Mary wanted her answers. Mary wanted to see him.
She glanced up to her clock. It was nearing midnight.
You are absolutely mental if you go to see him at this hour.
OOO
Within ten minutes Mary had dressed herself in a blouse and some trousers and tucked her hair into a large floppy hat.
Tiptoeing as best she could, Mary left through the kitchen and out to the stables where she mounted her horse Felicity.
Within fifteen minutes Mary was riding to Dickon's home.
The garden's key bounced against her uncorseted chest as she rode off into the night.
Absolutely mental, she thought.
It made her laugh.