Lady Mary spent most of her time alone sitting in her solarium keeping herself busy with her
embrodiery and reading. Sometime she would have Lily by her side but for the most part Martha would be tending to Lily
as Mary spent her time by herself.
Collin knew where to find Mary when he needed her. He would often leave her alone unless she
rang.
The solarium was her private inside garden where she could be happy and it didn't so remind
her of the harsh cold Yorkshire Winters.
In recent years the cold winters were cause her to become melancholy and she would go into
reclusion except when Lily needed her. She would go to the nursery at once and spend her time with her daughter.
To Collin it seemed that Mary and he were drifting apart something he had prayed for that
would never happen. He would come to the solarium and knock on the door and Mary would call out from her chair, "Please come
in."
Collin would walk in and Mary would look and smile at him and Collin said, " My dearest Mary
it seems to me that we are drifting apart for each other."
Mary look up and say, " Nothing is farther from the truth nothing can make us drift apart
my dear Collin." Mary would smile and Collin would relax after he heard Mary talk to him.
"You spend so much time in your solarium." Collin said
"The solarium is my indoor garden since I can't go out into Lily' Garden." Mary said
"I know that the Yorkshire winters are hard on you. I know you miss the warm weather, sun
shine, but winter has a long time before it leaves and spring comes." Collin said.
"Yes I know but I have my solarium where all the flowers grow all year long." Mary said.
"I don't want you to become melancholy my dear Mary."Collin said.
"I am fine dear Collin." Mary said smiling up at Collin.
"Why don't you join me in the study for tea." Collin asks
"Yes I will be glad to join you for tea."Mary says.
"I am happy, I will see you in a few minutes." Collin asks
"Yes in a few minutes." Mary says and she watches Collin walk out of the solarium.
