Nancy Drew: Mystery of Melbourne Manor

Chapter 9

Ned always felt like a small child when talking to Carson. Maybe it was the fact that he'd broken into their house before, or maybe because this was a life or death question. Shaking away his thoughts, he rung the doorbell.
"Oh, hello Ned! What brings you here?" Hannah asked.

"I came to see Carson. Is he here?" Ned asked.

"He sure is! Come and sit in the living room and I'll get him for you." she said.

Ned walked into the living room and sat on the couch. The only sounds were of his beating heart and the crackling fire in front of him. 'What if he says no?' Ned thought.
Shortly thereafter, Carson came walking into the living room.

"Hello, Ned. How are you? Hannah said you wanted to see me?"

"Hi Car- Mr.Drew- uh, I'm doing fine. Yes I came to ask you something." Ned said stuttering to find the right words.

Carson raised his eyebrow.

" Is it about Nancy?" he asked.

"Yes, sir." Ned replied.

"Alright. I knew this would come up. I don't know what's going on with her. She woke up last night from a nightmare, came over here to her study, then scribbled away in her diary upstairs." Carson said.

Ned was a little shocked to hear the news. What was up with Nancy? What was she writing down.

"Do you mind if I see what she wrote?" he asked.

"Do you think you can help?" Carson asked.

" Yes, I do." Ned said.

"Then be my guest," Carson said motioning towards the stairs.

He walked up the staircase and opened her bedroom door. Sprawled open on her desk was the diary. He read in his head.

" 2:30 am
I have to promise myself to never break his heart. Ned and I can never get married. I'll hurt him and he's too kind to be hurt. The work I do, I hate to see him so hurt. Every second he waits there, and I can't help but break myself. I won't be the reason he breaks. Never. "

So that's why she was distant. She didn't want to hurt him. However, Ned felt honored to have Nancy. Nancy was everything to him. Yes, he worried about her, buts that's the kind of love they have. He had to tell her. Ned walked back downstairs and faced Carson.

"I can help, but I have to ask you first." Ned said.

"Yes?" Carson said.

"Do I have permission to marry your daughter?" he asked.

Carson sat dead silent for a few moments before he smiled at Ned.

"You bring out the best in my little girl. She's lucky to have a great boyfriend like you. Yes, you have my permission." Carson said.

THE NEXT DAY 6:30 pm

Ned waited on Nancy's porch. They were to go on the special date tonight. He thought she'd ditched, but then he saw her car pull up.

"Hey Ned! Are you ready?" she asked.

"Yep! Let's take my car!" Ned said.

Ned and Nancy drove down the long roads until they were out of River Heights.

"Ned? Where are we going?" Nancy asked.

"You'll see, it's a surprise." Ned said.

An hour or so later, Ned parked the car. Nancy got out and looked around. There was tall grasses with wildflowers sprouting here and there. The sunset casted a stunning light on the long willow trees, but that wasn't all. In the middle of all this beauty was a gazebo. A gazebo she remembered quite well.
Nancy looked at Ned and he smiled, ushering her to walk ahead. She walked slowly through the field and stopped at the top of the gazebo. This place had bittersweet memories. Memories she'd hoped she'd never have to think about.