Chapter Three

"The image of his own father," the butler applauded a week later.

Jack stepped out of the vehicle as his eldest son, William Jack, turned and held himself tall and he squared his shoulders at the butler's praise. A week passed since Rachel's funeral and it awed Jack to believe it occurred so quickly. The month of April was progressing into March and for the convenience of his friends in the business world, Jack decided to allow a two week period of mourning over Rachel's loss. He'd received letters as well and cards of condolences at her passing and most of them consisted from family who weren't able to attend the funeral. He swallowed when he turned and noticed that the only reminder he had of her was John. John was nearly his sixth birthday and it pained Jack to remember how he'd been born and the features of Rachel were evident on him while with his eldest son, William, there displayed more of his features. His mustache seemed to twitch when he watched as William squared his shoulders again as the young lad answered.

"Thank you, sir; and I may add you did an excellent job driving."

"I want to be race driver when I grow up!" a voice chimed in and Jack placed his hands on his hips when John, who been picked up from school, scurried over to stand beside his brother only to receive a hard shove from the older as William took over.

"Pest," William hissed at John as the boy attempted to avoid the bush beside the manor.

"Papa! William shoved me!" John shouted as he rushed over to stand beside Jack. All Jack did was blink when William put on a smile towards his father as John whined.

"Tell him to not do that again!"

What was he to do? Jack witnessed how William shoved his brother but all Jack did was narrow his eyes as he spoke to William but it was in a tone which wasn't he'd used before.

"William? Don't shove your brother like that again. It would that you don't treat him in that way. Especially since you'll be turning 9 soon."

William's face continued to hold that smile but Jack shrugged it off when he took John by his hand and led the boy into the house. He avoided the butler when he strictly spoke to John.

"Don't do that to your brother or interrupt him when he's speaking next time. Is this clear, John?"

His son's hand was pulled out of his father's when he didn't answer. Instead, as Jack watched, the little boy let out a little whimper before he rushed forward and as Jack watched, his eyes widened when John ran straight into the legs of Mrs. Rose Mayfield who was making her way out of the living room to the left of the doors. Jack held his breath when he heard John's cries when his son exclaimed.

"Rose! Papa's being mean! He said that I shouldn't mess around with William when he's speaking with the butler!"

The stunned widow and widower stared at each other the minute this occurred. Jack blinked when he realized that Mrs. Mayfield nearly toppled over when John collided and wrapped his arms around her legs as if she were his mama, ready to defend him against his father and older brother. Jack felt hot under the collar suddenly and his throat dried. He heard the sound of the doors close behind and William's feet trump across the floor. He ignored his sneering expression when John pointed his finger towards his older brother, who merely blew a raspberry at him, as he cried out.

"See! Even William's being mean!"

"Blowing a raspberry?!" Jack thought when he suddenly turned and narrowed his eyes towards William. The young boy was making his way into the other room but Jack managed to reach out and he roughly took Will by his ear as he spoke.

"William Jack! I wouldn't have noticed a bit of your character if you didn't bother to treat your brother like this!"

He was actually doing this because Jack noticed that Mrs. Mayfield turned a shade white when John wrapped his arms around her as if she were Rachel. Jack knew that John knew his mama was gone but this passed over him like a bird in the air. When he heard William react to him pulling him by his ear, Jack spoke.

"I believe someone owes a younger brother an apology."

"Ow! Not so hard, papa!" William exclaimed as he attempted to pull away but Jack held on. His son needed a little discipline in this moment and he wasn't about to tolerate having a guest of the manor feel embarrassment. Especially if the embarrassment appeared from his own children!

Jack only tightened his hold on William's ear as he asked.

"William?!"

The little boy sneered but he turned and after Jack released his ear, he turned and apologized.

"I'm sorry I hurt your feelings, John. I won't do it again. Can you forgive me?"

Jack watched as his youngest son turned and narrowed his eyes on his older brother. If Jack wasn't observing, he would have noticed that Mrs. Mayfield was as sturdy as he was with a business man who wasn't willing to comply with his commands and he remembered how Rose was like this. The color white was gone and she raised her eyes a bit. When they rested upon William, Jack knew he needed to take some action to make sure his son knew he was serious.

"You promise not to hurt your little brother's feelings like that again, William, or you will have no dessert for two weeks."

Rose watched as Willie turned and seeming to roll his eyes, he spoke to his brother.

"I'm sorry I hurt your feelings, Jack. I won't do it again."

But as Rose watched, she noticed William placed his hands behind his back. She only raised a brow when she concluded he lied before he turned and speed in the other direction. She knew she needed to speak with his father about it but time wouldn't allow that. As the little boys' were shooed off to prepare for dinner, Rose heard Jack speak.

"Well… best get ready myself! Cook doesn't like it when the meal goes cold!"

Dinner was silent.

Once Rose seated herself, she kept her eyes away from Mr. Dawson, who sat at the head of the table. The place where Rachel was empty yet the man held himself tall and firm. She knew speaking about William's lying would either to two things: disturb the moment or maybe rouse Mr. Dawson into disciplining him a little more. She wasn't able to push it away because of how William sped off earlier. John soon was dressed and Emma brought him in. William was yet to appear when John's voice called.

"Papa! I don't want to wear this!"

Rose peered over and noticed he was wearing a fine little suit; unlike the uniform he wore after being picked up from school. Mr. Dawson answered.

"John. Sit and stop pouting."

Rose's heart ached when she watched as the little boy bit his lip before he was seated. He sat opposite her and he kept his focus down. She remembered how he used to play with his legs and swayed them back and forth a week ago. She didn't question Mr. Dawson when another door opened and the image of William appeared. Neatly combed and smelling fresh, he made his way over to the table and clicked his heels towards his father. Mr. Dawson, who only turned, nodded to him before he gestured for his eldest to take his place. When he did so, William turned and cocked a brow at his brother.

"Shall we say grace before the meal arrives?" Mr. Dawson asked.

The audience was silent but all agreed. After Mr. Dawson made the Sign of the Cross, all held hands but when Rose took William's, his touch was as gentle as a lamb's. Then before Mr. Dawson began, William turned and spoke to her.

"You look absolutely beautiful, Mrs. Mayfield."

"William? Talking after grace is prayed." Mr. Dawson spoke.

"Yes, papa." William replied but Rose was holding his hand. He gently tightened his hold but didn't speak. Then Mr. Dawson began and soon grace was finished. Then the course meal began but for some reason… Rose felt something about William wasn't right. Once one of the maids served her soup, Rose put her guard up when William turned and gave a silent snicker towards his brother. John, on the opposite side, was struggling to spoon the soup, while at the same time, trying to act as composed as his older brother.

"Mrs. Mayfield? When will your uncle respond to your letter? Do you know?" Mr. Dawson asked after a moment.

Turning to him, Rose replied.

"I have yet to receive word from him. He hasn't answered for a week."

"And who would blame him? The world is beginning to sort through what took place with the Unsinkable. You were most fortunate indeed to survive that, Mrs. Mayfield."

The soup didn't taste as great after hearing this. Mr. Dawson, ignoring her, as well as avoiding John's struggles to eat his own soup, and William, toying with the bread, all avoided her and she felt slighted. Instead, she wondered what she was to do. Answer Mr. Dawson's question or comment? She felt a little hurt when she remembered the two were in the same situation: without their spouses. Here she noticed William was seated in the chair where Rachel would have sat and John was seated in front of her. Then the silence was broken when John screamed.

"I burnt my tongue!"

He jumped out of his chair and started to hop around. Rose, upon noticing this, watched when William suddenly sneered at him as he answered.

"Serves you right."

"William!" Mr. Dawson spoke but William wasn't finished.

As Rose watched, the eldest Dawson boy stood and taking the bread, tossed it towards John and it hit him on his cheek. He let out a cry but the impact wasn't that hard.

"That is enough, William Jack!" Mr. Dawson shouted as he Rose.

But John was as angered by his brother's bullying as Rose was. She narrowed her eyes when Mr. Dawson slammed his hand on the table before he turned and spoke to William.

"You: up to your room now! And you!" He turned to John who stopped in his tracks. Rose noticed the little boy stared at his papa like as if he were a giant and he was the ant. She felt bad when Mr. Dawson addressed.

"Stop behaving like a child. You're almost 6 and need to keep your manners."

"Ha." William barked but Mr. Dawson turned and gestured for William to take his leave. The elder boy gave one last snicker towards his brother, where Dawson silenced him, before he left.

"Excuse me for a moment, Mrs. Mayfield." Mr. Dawson spoke before he turned and left the dining room. Rose was left with John and she was the only one seated. Now she wondered if her uncle would reply to her letter. She wanted nothing more but to disappear from the Dawson residence. She realized she'd appeared at the… not the best of times… prior to the passing of Rachel Dawson… it was arranged she and her husband would remain a few days with the Dawson's' before moving on out of New York. But when the Unsinkable sunk and her husband passed? It appeared she was to remain with them until some changes to the plan would be sorted out.

Then she felt a gentle tug on her sleeve.

"Rose? Can you help me with my soup?" John asked.

She turned and met the little boy's expression. Rose could tell that his feelings were hurt and she noticed the dripping of the butter on his cheek. The innocence in his eyes touched her so much she forgot all about the letter and her uncle. The little boy managed to walk around and was standing where William's seat was vacated. She turned and his bowl was on the other side. Returning to his sweet expression, she replied.

"Indeed, John! I wouldn't mind. How would you like me to help you?"

"Help me use the spoon. Mama always did."

Rose blinked when she realized it hadn't dawned on him that his mother was gone. But she didn't voice this as she nodded. Watching John walk back to his place, he seated himself before he waited and she realized he wanted her to sit beside him. She Rose and soon sat beside the little boy. Turning to her, he held the spoon out as he asked.

"Can you show me how to use this? William always brags he's better at it than I am."

"William." Rose thought but she pushed him out. How his brother threw that piece of bread at him…

"Sure. Here." She replied as she took the spoon and started to show him how to use it properly. Soon: the little boy learned quickly and Rose marveled when, at the finish of his soup, he turned to her and holding his bowl out, said.

"I'm done! I want something else!"

"And what may that be?" she asked, charmed. She forgot all about Mr. Dawson, William, and even the servants. Mr. Dawson was yet to re-appear but she didn't notice. All her attention was focused on little John as he turned and after he placed his bowl down, he pointed to a fresh piece of bread as he answered.

"I want one!"

"A little goes a long way." Rose answered but she reached out and retrieved a piece. It was fine and fresh and not one William threw. Then John placed his hands under his knees before he started to sway them. As she started to cut a little piece, she heard John say.

"Would you like to know I William's part of a group?"

"A group you say?" Rose asked. She was absentmindedly not listening. She wanted to give the little boy his portion but the word was a little… unsettling? When John answered, he spoke.

"Yes. He's spending his hours after school with the other boys and this one… who did I overhear him say his name was?"

Here Rose turned and raised a brow. Some part of her hoped he wasn't making a story. Boys' his age were known for doing that. But when he answered, her eyes widened and she nearly dropped the bread.

"Kingston. Richard Kingston. But everyone calls him Rick."

She picked the bread and gave it to John. He thanked her and hungrily ate but then a figure stood in the doorway. The figure folded his arms and scowled when he'd heard this. Unknown to Rose or John… but William turned and pressed his lips together… he thought to himself.

"He's going to regret saying that." Then he silently turned and made his way back to his own bedroom.