"It is not that I would not like to go, rather that I simply cannot leave my brother."

Dean's steely expression did nothing to lift Mr Godfrey's fatigued and irritable mood late that evening when everyone else was heading to bed. Dean thought back to the morning with Sam when they had drank beer and he had proclaimed his brother a man with pride in his heart. Now however, in his mind's eye his little brother was a baby again, vulnerable and in need of his protection. "It would be insupportable for me as his guardian and protector to do so".

"Mr Winchester I am afraid you have no choice in the matter. Your brother will be able to bear your loss for a good few months; it is not as if he is out on the streets. There is absolutely nothing to worry about. Besides he is not a dependent child, you yourself told me that in the past with pride in your voice."

"But you do not understand, my father would strangle me with his own hands if he knew I had done such a thing Sir. I cannot allow myself to do it!"

"There really is no need for such theatricals" the butler rolled his eyes at Dean's exaggerations, "I am sure your father will forgive you for following your line of duty-"

"But what if something should happen to him? What if I cannot get back to help him if he needs me?" Dean cut him off, overwhelmed by the prospect of being away from Sam or losing his job.

"Sit down Mr Winchester."

Dean had not realised it, but he had risen in his seat with his fervour. Somewhat taken aback at his unconscious behaviour, he hastily sat back in the seat opposite the butler at his desk.

"I admit I do not know quite how to handle a situation as unique as this. We shall call upon Mr Novak presently, and ask his opinion on the matter. If you are to stay in London, I hope you are aware that you will lose your employment here".

Dean swallowed. "I am aware, Sir."

"Very well" Mr Godfrey sighed at the young boy's determined stance and stood up, gesturing for Dean to do the same. "Let us go find the younger Mr Novak, the master has already retired to bed."

"Enter."

Dean followed Mr Godfrey into the mint coloured candle-lit drawing room. Its only occupant was Mr Novak, who seemed to have been reading before he was interrupted. The man carefully lay his novel down and looked up at the two from under his messy locks. Dean, though he had forgiven Mr Novak somewhat for his early actions towards him, had not fully changed his view that he was still an arrogant aristocrat. Even after his master had told him of how he had helped him, and talked of his struggle with choosing a path, the stable hand still saw him as any rich man - incurable of inbuilt callousness. He didn't trust Mr Novak, though he did see him as more human as he had a few days ago.

"What brings you here gentlemen?" Mr Novak's eyes fixed on Dean's, interested in what could be happening involving him this time.

"Mr Winchester it seems is unable to join the family in Sevenoaks for the summer." Mr Godfrey gestured to the stable hand beside him. "There appears to be an issue concerning his younger brother, Mr Samuel Winchester, which requires him to stay in town."

Dean, getting uncomfortable at the intensity of the man's gaze, let his eyes wander around the drawing room. The gentle glowing light from the flickering candles warmed the cool colours of the room, rendering the harsh mints pale and soft. The beige curtains were drawn against the night sky, the thick material blocking the cold from the single glazed windows. The fireplace to the right of Mr Novak snapped and crackled in its white marble frame, casting an orange glow on the side of Mr Novak's face and highlighting the gentle curves of his features. Dean briefly noted that this was the same room and that Mr Novak was sitting in the same place as when he had first met him those few months ago, and again when he had revealed revelations of his supposed change in heart. It seemed a remarkable place.

The wealthy gentleman gestured for the two to sit, drawing Dean's attention back to him. After they complied and were settled by the fire's hearth, he sought the need to clarify a few matters regarding Mr Winchester's confliction.

"So... I am led to believe that you do not wish to accompany my family to Kent for the season?"

"It is not that I do not wish to go Sir. I cannot go".

"And why is that?"

"My younger brother is working in the city, I promised my father that I would stay and watch over him. Yet I am needed in the country, so there is no possible way to satisfy both needs effectively."

"So you are putting your brother's needs before yourself in this?"

Dean nodded. A hint of a smile crept on to Mr Novaks's face at hearing this. "I am not surprised by your loyalty; I would expect nothing less from you."

"...Thank you Sir." Dean answered, a little unsure of the man's meaning.

Mr Godfrey, feeling tired and impatient to get to bed took charge of the conversation. "Well there is no doubt of the matter. I am afraid, Mr Winchester, that we will not be able to keep you in employment if you are absent for longer than three months. You are not needed at the house, and so I am grieved indeed to tell you that resignation of your position is the only conclusion to be had on this subject."

"Now, now Mr Godfrey there is no need for such haste. I have yet to come to my own conclusion."

Dean listened, his curiosity engaged due the distinctly playful tone of the man's voice. Mr Godfrey leaned in, eager to hear what the master had to say.

"What if I were to offer your brother..." he paused, pondering his word choice with a careful deliberation, "...unconditional accommodation and board in this house if he were to experience any trouble during the summer?"

At the mention of such a generous proposition, Dean momentarily lost the ability to articulate. Never could be have anticipated such a response. He stared slack-jawed at the gentlemen for a good few seconds, before his eyes flitted downward and his mind began to race on how to even begin thanking him for such an offer.

"Now now Dean, there is an example of exemplarily kindness!" Mr Godfrey placed a large hand on Dean's shoulder, patting him warmly with a merry tone in his gruff voice and shaking the young man in his seat. "The remaining staff will be informed sir, I am sure they will only be happy enough to oblige a relative of Mr Winchester under your orders, if he was to be needing help with anything at all."

"It satisfies both ends does it not?" he smiled at Dean, evidently enjoying the staggered expression of the stable hand. "Mr Godfrey, you may be excused. I need to discuss these plans with Mr Winchester for a while."

"Certainly. Good night to you both". The butler bowed and left the room, shutting the large white doors behind him.

Mr Novak, who had been watching him leave, now turned back to the stable hand in front of him. In contrast to the relaxed posture of the gentleman, Dean was sitting with his back as straight as a board, his hands constantly fiddling in his lap. He cast his eyes downwards, uncomfortable and completely unsure of what to do next in such a unique situation. He was thoroughly taken aback.

"Where does your brother reside exactly?" Dean's eyes briefly flitted upwards at his master's voice; he was still trying to form in his mind an adequate gesture of gratefulness and so answered briefly.

"He is currently in Whitechapel Sir. At number 24 Frankland Way. He is working for a respectable family by the name of the Gardiners." He paused. "Mr Novak...I, I want to thank you for this offer, it helps me and my brother more than you could imagine. You are very kind." Dean hated saying it, but in this case it was true.

The other young man smiled, which turned to a grin, "you are very welcome. It is the least I can do for you."

Dean glanced up to thank him again, but his voice died in his throat as he saw the gentle and almost fond expression on the young man's handsome face. For the second time that evening he was taken aback, why was he looking at him in such a way? A warm feeling spread through his chest as the soft blue gaze of Mr Novak met his own, and he could not look away, rather, he did not want to look away.

"What is your younger brother's name Mr Winchester?" He asked in a soft, slow voice, not averting his gaze from the stablehand.

"Sammy. I mean, um," Dean stuttered and reluctantly looked away in embarrassment. He cleared his throat and when he looked back to Mr Novak, his smile had reduced and the soft look in his eyes had disappeared from his features. Dean wondered what that was, and if he would ever see him look at him like that again. "Samuel, sir."

"Samuel is a good honest name. I am sure he lives up to it."

"Yes sir he does," he answered enthusiastically. "He is a very good boy. Well, I suppose he is almost a man now."

Mr Novak smiled again, almost wistfully. "I wish I had a brother."

Dean smiled back at him, feeling the mood relax. "But then you'd have to share your fortune."

"I believe I could fare it. It must be nice to have someone of your family by your side whom you can trust and ask for advice close in age. I envy those with siblings."

Dean considered Mr Novak's words. It then occurred to him that he must have a lonely family life, living with only his old father. Dean would have nothing to do if Sam wasn't there for him to look after or banter with. He wracked his brains for someone for Mr Novak to confide in.

"I remember you mentioning your aunt; do you have any cousins to fill the role sir?"

He hummed in agreement. "She is childless I'm afraid. Other than her I have no family."

"What about your friends sir? I recall Miss Eleanor Young coming to visit you on one of our first meetings." Dean remembered the horrible woman all too well, and tried to ignore the hurt he felt that Mr Novak would be friends with someone like that. "Perhaps she could be your sister?"

Mr Novak laughed a little, though there was no real humour in it. "I do not find Miss Eleanor Young very agreeable Mr Winchester. The same can be said for many of my acquaintances. I entertain their presence because I have to, as a member of polite society. Connections are everything. But to tell you the truth," he looked Dean in the eye "I find none of them half as agreeable as I do you."

Dean's eyes widened at the confession, "Truly sir?"

"Indeed. You're far more honest and good-natured. It is refreshing to have such a companion and I thank you for your company." Mr Novak smiled, his brilliant blue eyes crinkling at the corners.

"Sir, I don't know how to reply to that," he laughed, "I am honoured, thank you." Dean bowed his head and smiled. He felt truly happy that Mr Novak held him in such high regard. Not because the man was an aristocrat, and his opinion had more credit than another, but because Dean was beginning to see him more and more as a friend.

They smiled at each other for a moment more, and that warm feeling spread through Dean's chest. The antique clock on the fireplace chimed, causing them to jump. Glancing up, they observed that the hour was almost midnight.

"I will let you retire to bed Mr Winchester." Mr Novak said, standing from the setee. Dean did the same. "I will write to your brother and inform him of my offer, I advise you do the same."

"Thank you sir."

Dean bowed and walked to the door, treading lightly on the thick carpet. He cast a look over his shoulder and smiled as he locked eyes with Mr Novak, before leaving the room.

ooooo

At around four o'clock in the morning, an uncomfortable sensation filtered through to Dean's consciousness. He was rudely awoken by his bladder. Stumbling about in the dark, he made his way down the corridor, relieved himself and began the daily ritual of the morning wash.

The yard was still dark when he stepped out of the servant's hall, with only the faintest sounds of delivery men, mail carriages and stage coaches packed full of travellers making their way through the dark streets. The very edge of the sky to the east was a fraction of a shade paler, the stars there becoming transparent and losing their shine the closer they were to the edge. The air was still and cold, with a damp freshness that made Dean want to begin the day.

Apart from the four or so servants staying to mind the house, everybody else except the footman, and carriage assistants had left earlier in the week for the estate. The necessary staff consisting of Mr Singer, Mr Fitzgerald and himself, were the only ones to be travelling with the family in the morning. Since they could reach the house by the evening, they were only stopping once to change the horses and to have rest and eat in the afternoon. The route was convoluted due to the winding roads of varying quality. Wanting to avoid the 'trails of filth' as the Master put it, they were to travel the way that wouldn't impact on the presentation of his precious carriage. A journey that could have taken half a day turned into a whole day due to his stubborn refusal to travel on anything that wasn't deemed 'good solid road'.

By quarter to six, a fatigued looking Mr Fitzgerald had finished loading the remaining luggage into the space under the front seat of the coach. The stately carriage was large, painted red, black and gold, and was pulled by four horses. Mr Novak's personal horse had already been taken up a week previous; a few of the horses were staying behind in the estate to be rented out for local merchants. The white horses that were currently strapped in to the harnesses were pawing at the ground, eager to get moving. As were the staff, who had already been up almost two hours, working non-stop to get everything prepared.

Once the coach was walked round to the front of the house, Mr Fitzgerald positioned himself by the door, dressed in pristine footman uniform, ready to open it. Mr Singer sat at the front of the coach next to Dean, who rode shotgun next to him. They too were dressed from head to toe in uniforms of red and gold, similar to that of royalty. It was evident the older Novak was trying his best to appear to the populace as the next in line to the throne. Mr Singer adjusted the long leashes in his hands and waited with practised patience for the Novaks. Dean stared ahead down the road, his mind fixed on his brother.

After a few minutes delay, the elder Mr Novak came out of the house, dressed in a top hat and jacket, negotiating the stairs with his cane and climbing into carriage with a helping hand from the footman. After a bark of impatience from the older Novak, his son emerged from the house, looking more dishevelled than his elegantly dressed father. Dean watched as the man jogged down the cream stone steps, balancing several books under his arm and trying to insert his other arm into the sleeve of a beige jacket simultaneously.

"Come along, come along!"

"I had to rush back to the library father; I forgot my reading material for the journey." Castiel apologised to his irritable father as he entered the red velvet interior of the carriage and settled himself. With a respectful bow, Mr Fitzgerald shut the door and took up his position at the back of the coach. With a wave and a crack of the whip, the wheels began to turn and the horses sped up into a trot down the cobblestone street.

"I don't see why you need so much reading material; you are hardly going to finish three novels by this evening." Master Novak commented, opening up his newspaper for his own entertainment.

"Is that a challenge?"

"I have had enough of your challenges as of late." He shot him an arched eyebrow before disappearing beneath the folds of his broadsheet newspaper, not to be disturbed. Castiel nestled himself into a comfortable position, and began to read some new romance book by the relatively unknown author, "Austen."

ooooo

Come midday, London was far behind the travellers, to be replaced by small towns and fields of more rural appearance. Dean was reminded of the journey he and Sam had taken on their journey to their city. His mind frequently went to Sammy and the letters they had exchanged over the arrangements of the summer. He knew that his brother would be taken care of if disaster was to strike, but that didn't ease his worrying any less.

Mr Singer and Mr Fitzgerald rambled on to him about the house in Sevenoaks, what they could do on their day off, and what their duties would be there. Despite the prospect of new surroundings and a beautiful season, Dean remained in a glum mood, his thoughts fixating on the wellbeing of his brother.

ooooo