Hello, readers! The next chapter is here! Thank you for all the follows, favorites and reviews so far.

Ya know, I really do love this idea, and I'm having so much fun with it, but trying to cram all of Hiccup's awkwardness and raw Viking power into a prideful Mr. Darcy while staying true to both characters can be a bit difficult. Phew. I have some work ahead me. At least I have a set direction for the story to ease my struggle!

I shall shut up now and let you read. I hope you enjoy and please leave a review!

Disclaimer: I don't own 'ROTG', 'HTTYP' or 'P&P'

Chapter Three

Jackson and Emma sat alone in the quiet living room across from each other, both pairs of eyes trained on the flickering light of the dying fire. As the lively flames were lulled to a dull ember, the eldest finally allowed herself to speak aloud of the praise she had been cautious in expressing earlier.

"He is just what a gentleman ought to be," she confessed, her eyes softening at her reminiscing as a gentle smile pulled at her lips, "kind, wonderful disposition, spirited and humorous. Not to say you do not also fill these requirements," she added hastily. "But rarely have I met such a man apart from you and Father."

A smirk tugged at the young man's lips. "He is quite handsome as well, wouldn't you say Emma? It certainly completes his character."

He chuckled as a light pink infused his sister's cheeks that he knew was not from the warmth of the fireplace. "Perhaps," she admitted quietly. "I was quite flattered that he asked to dance a second time. It was a great compliment."

"You are always so surprised at such things while I am not. You are wonderful woman, Emma, never believe anything else. He was quite right in being smitten by you. I daresay you are the most sane in this family, especially so if you limit it to the women of the household. He is a nice man, and I give you leave to like him," he answered with a smirk. "You have liked many a stupider man."

"Jack!" she scolded, reaching out a hand to slap him on the knee. "Can you not be serious for one moment?"

He, however, was just beginning to have fun as he jumped from her reach, mischief glinting in his eyes. "It is true. You are far too ready to like someone. I don't think I've heard a complaint or cross word to or of someone from you since I was born."

"I do not wish to judge prematurely," she explained flustered.

"I know, but it is such a rare thing. We see it everywhere, but to meet someone who truly wishes to see the best in people, who is able to take the smallest shred of decency and turn the person who possesses it into a saint—that power lies solely with you, Emma. So, in this case, I am glad to be able the say the man you hold in such high esteem truly does exist in the way you paint him. Congratulations," he ended with a flourished bow.

"Jackson," she warned, her harsh voice betrayed by the laughter hidden underneath.

He met her gaze with a wide smile, and she dissolved into giggles. Once she had calmed down, she reached out a hand from his. He humored her and clasped onto her small fingers. "Thank you," she said quietly.

Jackson leaned down and gave his sister a quick kiss on her forehead. "Anytime," he whispered. "But," he said pulling back, "it's a shame those cousins of his do not share the trait. I wish it was more dominant."

"They are quite pleasant women. Not at first, no, but they are dears once you speak with them. Ms. Vickson is to remain here to keep his house. I believe we will find her a charming neighbor."

The young man groaned as he fell back into his seat. "And here I had hopes that maybe you had started to learn to sort through people," he teased, earning him another light smack.

Sitting back, he listened to his sister continue with her assumptions, but he was not as hopeful as she. He had a feeling that the new resident of Dreki Vollr and his guests would not leave the town as peaceful as they found it.

The Bennett family lived only a short walk away from the Overlands. Sir Bennett had been involved in the trade business where he had made a substantial fortune and had risen to the honor of knighthood. The honor was perhaps too heady and had given him a sour outlook on his business and his house in the small market town. He decided to quit them both and move his family to a house a few miles away where he was able to sit and reflect on his own importance, and, since unshackled by business, occupy his time by being civil to those who crossed his path. For, though his rank had grown, he did not grow pompous. In fact, he threw his attention to everyone. Knighthood had made him courteous.

His wife was a good woman, not too clever but a valuable neighbor. They had several children; the eldest, being Jennifer, was a free spirited, yet intelligent woman well into her twenties and a childhood friend of Jackson's. She had proved to be the only one willing to keep up with his antics and tomfoolery, and after the ball the previous night, she was curious as to what had dampened his lively mood at the end of the evening. Ever the good friend, she called upon the Overland household near midday.

"The evening certainly began well for you, Jennifer," Mrs. Overland exclaimed once she set eyes on the young woman. "You were Mr. Liely's first choice."

"Yes," she said with a smile, "but he seemed to have preferred his second."

"Oh!" the older woman exclaimed in mock realization. "You mean Emma," she continued to brag, glad of the ability to do so, "I suppose so. He did dance with her twice. He certainly appeared to have admired her—indeed, I rather believe he did. I heard talk about it floating around."

Jennifer nodded politely, her eyes darting around the room until she spied Jackson entering. Her attention turned back to the prattling woman. "I did here that he was speaking to Mr. Robinson who asked him how he was enjoying himself, and whether or not he thought that a many pretty women were present in the room. He immediately responded: 'Oh, yes! The eldest Ms. Overland beyond a doubt is the prettiest. There can be no second opinion on the fact.'"

Mrs. Overland whimpered in joy as she clamped her hands over heart. "Upon my word!" she exclaimed. "Well, that has decided it indeed—I mean if it seems—but, nothing may come from it."

"Emma is a pleasant young woman. I doubt that nothing will come from it."

"You are too sweet, Jennifer."

The young man cleared his throat and stepped further into the room. He smiled at Jennifer before turning to his mother and sisters. "I hope you will allow me to take Ms. Bennett away from your company."

Without waiting for an answer, he held his arm out to his friend. "How about a walk through the gardens?"

Smiling, Jennifer accepted his offer and excused herself from his family.

"So tell me," she began once they were out of earshot of the house, "what caused your foul mood last night?"

"I don't know what you are speaking of."

"Come on, Jack," she begged as she pulled him to a stop and turned him to face her. "You were enjoying yourself until the end. I saw you near that Mr. Haddock. Did he say something to offend you?"

"Not at all," the young Mr. Overland responded tersely.

"You're lying. I've known you since I was five, Jack."

He sighed and continued walking. "Alright, yes, he said something," he admitted.

"Well, it must have been a great insult to have angered you. You're too free spirited to let a small comment affect you so. Besides, you can be quite witty with your own insults when the fancy suits you," she continued as she fell into step next to him.

He laughed as he reached down to hold her hand as they walked, the harsh sun beating down on their bare necks as dull buzzes droned in the warm air.

"Well," he began good-naturedly, "he pondered the possibility of me having a brain in my possession, and that I am too amused by simpler things to comprehend the bigger ideas."

"Surly it could not have been that bad," his friend insisted, appalled by the words she was hearing.

A smirk crept across the brown haired man's face. "You sound like Emma. She informed me that she had spoken to Ms. Vickson and had been told by her that he does not speak much unless he is with intimate acquaintances and to them he his most pleasant."

"I can believe that, and you certainly can too, Jack."

"Perhaps, but an inability to mingle doesn't excuse one from crude comments made in the presence of the person they are directed at."

"Maybe he did not see you," Ms. Bennett tried to reason.

"It does not excuse his insufferable pride."

"His pride," the young woman pondered, "does not offend me as pride would usually in another. There is an excuse for it. He is a very fine young man with family, fortune, and everything in his favor. I believe that warrants one to think highly of himself. He has a right to be proud."

"That is true," he sighed in agreement, "and I could easily forgive such a fault of his pride if he had not attacked mine."

Jennifer narrowed her eyes at him before laughing and tightening her grip briefly on his hand before letting go to walk ahead.

"What?" Jackson asked.

She shook her head and smiled as she looked back over her shoulder at him. "You are one to speak of pride."

"What is that meant to mean?"

"I have never met one more prideful than you," she responded on the beat. "You're free spirited, you're passionate and you know it. You will not suffer someone to tell you contrary."

"Because they would be an ill-educated fool if they believed such descriptions not to be true."

The young woman only laughed and turned from her, her bright eyes focusing on a pale butterfly that flitted over the path in front of her.

"Jenny?" he asked in confusion.

When she only continued her chuckles and began to leave him behind, he shook his head and followed after her.

Mrs. Overland soon dragged her daughters and son to call upon those in Dreki Vollr, and the visit was returned. The eldest Ms. Overland soon grew on the ladies that resided there. The mother and younger sisters were frowned upon and deemed not worth speaking to while a wish to become better acquainted with the eldest two was expressed.

Emma received the attention with pleasure and obliged their wish. Jackson, however, saw their manners as capricious and pompous, even towards his sister, and could not bring himself to enjoy their company for any length of time. Though, perhaps their kindness to her was most likely from the influence of Mr. Liely's admiration of her and had some value in it.

As for the gentleman, it was apparent that he was quite taken with her, and, to Jackson, it was equally so that she was with him. He found some pleasure that her feelings were not likely to be discovered by the general population of the world since his sister had such a composure and consistent cheerfulness that would prevent such suspicions, and he shared his feelings with his friend.

"Perhaps now it is pleasant," she stated after mulling the situation over, "but if she remains so guarded it may become a disadvantage. If a woman conceals her affection from the object of it with the same skill, she may lose the opportunity."

When her eyes observed the confusion puckering Jackson's brow, she sighed and explained, "There is vanity in every attachment—very few have a heart that is able to truly love another without encouragement. A woman does best to show more affection than she feels. Liely admires your sister—of that I have no doubt—but he may never feel more than that if she does not help him."

"But she does, as much as her character allows," he defended. "I can see the affection she feels for him in her, and if he is unable to do so as well, perhaps he is stupid man."

"Remember, Jack," Jennifer warned, "he does not know her as you do."

"But, I would assume that if a woman was partial to a man, and doesn't work to conceal it, he must find out," he responded after a moment's pause.

"Perhaps," she responded with a small smile, "he must, but it does not always work out as such. He must see enough of her, and though they meet often, it is never for many hours together."

She shook her head lightly as if to relieve a previous thought and met the eyes of her friend earnestly. "Liely and Emma always see each other in large parties; it is impossible that every moment would be of them talking between themselves. Emma must make the most of each minute granted to her to gain his attention. Once she has him, there will be time for falling in love."

Jackson sighed as he shook his head. "It's a good plan, if there was nothing in the goal except getting married. You know Emma's feelings, and those are not them. Besides, what is a marriage if there is no love? I can't see the fun in that."

"Things are simpler for you than it is for us. A woman does not always have the convenience of loving whom she marries."

"Things were easier when we were younger. Marriage was such a distant concept that would eventual trample out the fun."

"Perhaps for you," Jennifer said with a laugh.

"Don't tell me you would fantasize about such a day," he groaned.

"I was a young girl, Jack, of course I would at times."

"And here I had thought I had found someone to have fun with."

"Are you saying we never had fun?" she inquired, her eyebrows raised high.

"I'm saying my view of you has changed drastically," he countered back with a laugh.

Ms. Bennett soon followed suit and collapsed into her own set of giggles.

The young Mr. Overland smiled as he wished, as he had most of his life, that such things would remain permanent.

So focused on what he wished to keep permanent and his observations of Mr. Liely's attention towards his sister, Jackson was far from suspecting that he was becoming an object of fascination to that of his friend. Mr. Haddock had first barely allowed him a brain and with each time they met he had looked to criticize his lack of knowledge. But, with each meeting and comments shared, he was beginning to see the intelligence that lay hidden underneath his comical personality. He was loath to admit that perhaps this man was not all what he appeared to be at first, and began to wish to know more of him. And as he grew to admire the hidden knowledge, his heart began to soften towards his outgoing personality which, if he were to be truthful, was quite refreshing and endearing.