Look who's finally back! This story wasn't abandoned! I'm so sorry that it's taken me almost to year to update this. School just got so crazy. Hopefully, I'll be able to get this done before the end of the summer. Once again, I'm so sorry that this took so long. I hope you enjoy it. Let me know what you think!

Disclaimer: I don't own "ROTG", "HTTYD" or "Pride and Prejudice"

Chapter Eight

Deep brown eyes held no warmth as they carefully watched the outline of Mr. Black's form on the road ahead of him where he walked with Mary on one arm and Sarah on the other. He felt the hairs on the back of his neck raise in agitation as he studied the possessive hold with which he guided them down the lane towards town.

A light hand rested on his shoulders and he shook from himself from his angered thoughts. Eyelids fluttered over the dark irises before they landed on Emma. Her brow was etched with worry as she gazed intently at him.

"Jack?" she asked gently, her fingers tightening around his forearm where he had tucked her hand at the beginning of their journey.

He sighed, not wishing to concern her, only—warn her. Let her know of what he was suspecting, but he understood her gentle spirit more than any. He didn't want her to worry, so he curled his lips into his characteristic smirk. "I heard Mother reprimanding Mr. Black earlier. Do you wish to know why?" he taunted.

"Jack," she groaned. "You shouldn't—"

"Well, if you don't want to know what was said about you," he exclaimed, leaving her hanging. She was an Overland. Curiosity was in her veins.

"About me?"

"Yes."

Out of the corner of her eye he surreptitiously studied her chewing her bottom lip in nervous thought.

"All right," she finally gave in.

Jackson smiled in triumph as he leaned in closer to his elder sister. His eyes darted around and he lowered his voice into a conspiratorial level. "Apparently, he expressed interest in you after assuring Mother that this way her dear children would be cared for. She then assured Mr. Black that you were already taken by Mr. Liely—thank you very much," he finished, raising the pitch of his voice and mimic their mother with accuracy that could only be called art.

"Truly?" Emma squeaked out.

"Would I lie?" he asked, pulling back and arching an eyebrow.

"Yes."

He chuckled at the resoluteness in her voice. Yes, he had lied now and again. One didn't simply going around speaking every truth when there were pranks at risk and secrets to hoard. "Perhaps, I have, but on this occasion I'm not. How do you feel?"

His sister tucked a loose wisp of hair behind her ear. "I'm not sure which I should be: mortified by mother's presumptuousness or flatter by his attention."

"I think in this insistence a proper mix of both. However, to be frank, I would not be flatter by his attention."

"Well," she smiled, "you will thankfully never have to be worried about such a thing because he will surely never dote it upon you."

"You seem so confident in such a statement. I'm offended. I believe myself to be a highly desirable young man worthy of anyone's attentions."

Her soft brow puckered for a moment as she processed his flippant words. "Jack, I don't know whether you're serious or not."

"When have I ever been serious?" he retorted.

She smiled and looked away from him, focusing on the three figures ahead.

Jackson's smile faltered slightly as he turned away from her and swallowed. Sometimes he wished that topic could be taken seriously. He was growing weary of lightly treading over the one issue he wanted to be straightforward on. He raised his spare hand and draped it over his sister's, his thumb absentmindedly tracing the smooth skin as he searched for a small comfort for his nerves.

"Jackson?"

"Hmm?"

"Are—never mind," his sister said before falling permanently silent until they reached the outskirts of town.

"They're back!" Mary screeched as she released Mr. Black's arm and rushed towards the sea of red that flooded the town.

"Mary!" Jackson groaned. He quickened his pace and darted after his youngest sister after leaving Emma in the care of Mr. Black.

His eyes strained against the red coats in attempt to make out the flurry of red hair that was Mary. He finally spied her talking to a group of four soldiers, her bright eyes drinking in all they said.

"Mary!" he shouted as he approached her.

She elected to ignore him until he stood at her side and grabbed her arm.

"Mary, you can't do that."

"Ow," she complained as she pried his fingers from her arm. "And you can't talk to me. I didn't acknowledge you."

Mr. Overland growled. "I'm your brother."

"So?"

"I'm the exception."

She huffed as she turned back to a lanky soldier with ratty brown hair whose nose could rival that of Mr. Black.

"You were going to introduce me to your new companion, Mr. McIntosh," she said pleasantly.

"Yes." He reached behind him and pulled a man forward.

Jackson eyed him carefully. Brown hair stuck out from under his hat and brushed his bushy eyebrows. Underneath those eyebrows were bright eyes that reminded Jackson of the caramel his father would once bring home as a special treat.

"Miss Mary, this is Mr. Fitzherbert."

"Hi," he drawled, his lips pulling back into a smooth smile. He picked up her hand and brought it to his lips. He pressed them to the soft skin and let them linger.

Jackson's jaw tightened for a moment before the man stood up and turned to him. Mr. Fitzherbert inclined his head. "I heard you say you're her brother. May I inquire your name?"

"Jackson Overland," he replied, inclining his head.

"Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Overland."

"How long will you be in Burgess?" his sister piped up.

"A fortnight. Then we'll be heading to the camp outside Corona," he answered with ease.

"Jackson!"

The young man looked over his shoulder to spy Emma waving at him from across the street. She was still on the arm of Mr. Black with Sarah decorating his other.

He raised his hand in acknowledgement and waited for them to cross the street.

"A friend of yours?" Fitzherbert asked.

"My sister," he responded. He reached out an arm to his eldest sister who latched onto it and pulled herself closer to him.

Mr. Black led Sarah up onto the pavement as well, crowding into the already packed area.

"Mr. Fitzherbert," Jackson said, "this is my sister, Ms. Overland."

"A pleasure," he said, reaching for her hand and giving it a kiss.

"And Miss Sarah, my other sister, as well as Mr. Black, our cousin."

"A pleasure." The soldier kissed the young girl's hand and inclined his head to Mr. Black.

The tall man returned the gesture. "Tell me, Mr. Fitzherbert, are you—"

His question was drowned out by the clatter of hooves against the street. The assembly turned to see to men galloping towards them. As they slowed to a light canter before stopping, Jackson made out Mr. Liely and his friend.

"Mr. Overland!" he called out.

"Hello, Mr. Liely," Jackson said in greeted.

His sister chimed in their greetings as well, and Mr. Liely happily acknowledged them.

"May I ask who this is on Miss Sarah's arm?"

"Our cousin, Mr. Black," Ms. Overland supplied. "He's staying with us for the week."

"Well, I'm pleased to make your acquaintance. It's a joy to meet the family of the Overlands. If you so desire, please, make yourself familiar with Dreki Vollr."

"That's very generous of you, Mr. Liely."

"What has your entourage been up to?" he inquired.

Jackson allowed his sisters to take over and engage the man. His own eyes turned to Mr. Haddock who sat atop his skittish horse behind his friend. The young man pondered whether or not the horse's actions mirrored its rider's feelings. He couldn't make out the bright green eyes of Haddock; they were hidden underneath the brim of his top hat, but his mouth appeared turned down in a disappointed frown.

Shrugging, the young Mr. Overland turned away to see Mr. Fitzherbert looking in the direction of Mr. Haddock. His mouth was pulled into a straight line, but there was a playful glint in his eyes.

"I'm glad I spotted your family," Mr. Liely began to say before he was interrupted by the flurry of hooves as his friend took off down the street back the way he had come from.

"Haddock—Haddock!" Mr. Liely cried out after him. "Forgive me, but I must—"

"Of course," Ms. Overland soothed.

He gave her a brief smile before turning his horse to face his retreating friend; he looked up to face the whole group. "But, before I go, I wished to invite you ladies and Mr. Overland, and you as well Mr. Black, to the ball I will be having Saturday next at Dreki Vollr. The soldiers are more than welcome to join."

With that he tore down the street, weaving effortlessly through the crowd.

"Well," Jackson said, "shall we head to the store? We did come all this way for some new ribbons. It looks like you now have a reason to wear them."

"No, we need lace now," Mary corrected as she looped her arm through Mr. Fitzherbert's. "Lace and ribbons. You will escort me, will you not, Mr. Fitzherbert?"

"How could I refuse such an opportunity? I will meet up with you three later at Annie's," he said to his companions who nodded and sauntered off.

"Good. Tell me everything," she rattled out as she pulled him down the pavement.

"Everything?"

"What battles have you been in? Have you been deployed? Are you planning on going to India? I heard that there—"

Jackson sighed, shaking his head as he followed the gabbing pair down the street with Emma on his arm and Mr. Black and Sarah a step behind.

When they finally reached the dress parlor his sisters rushed inside. He hung back outside along with Mr. Fizherbert, none too eager to deal with the talk of lace and ribbons. Mr. Black had elected to go inside and as he watched through the glass window he felt a moment of pity for the poor man and almost wished he had forewarned him—almost.

"Was that Mr. Haddock with Mr. Liely?" the soldier next to him asked.

"Yes," Jackson replied. He remembered the shared look between the two before the gentleman had ridden off. "Do you two know each other?"

"Yes. Well, we used to. I have known him since infancy. Are you two well acquainted?"

"As well as I'd like to be," he huffed. "I spent a few days in the same house as him, and I've had my fill. I have no desire to further my knowledge on his character. It's quite pompous if you ask me. Though, even if I'm loathe to admit it, he has a sarcastic nature I would not expect from him, yet I do not know whether it adds to his disagreeable character or lessens it."

"I am not one to give you a response that isn't based in my bias. I've known him too long to allow for that possibility."

"Despite what dear Emma will say—she'll never speak a bad word to or of anyone—everyone who has come in contact with him is disgusted by his pride. You will find it difficult to find someone, apart from Emma and his own, who will speak kindly of him here."

"I'm not very surprised," Mr. Fitzherbert said, crossing his arms and leaning against the store's window. "But, I am glad that so many have been able to see through his fortune and title. I wonder how much longer he'll be staying at Dreki Vollr, I assume, if he's here with Liely."

"I don't know. But, do not be let it be of consequence. I'd hate your time here to be ruined by his presence, especially since Mary seems so attached to your stories."

The soldier chuckled. "She's a charming kid. But, no worries. We might not be on friendly terms, but I won't be driven away by Mr. Haddock. If he does not wish to encounter me, he can leave. Though, it does pain me that we are not as close as we used to be and that our relationship has become so tenuous. His father, the late Haddock, was one of the best men; he was a strong, brave man and a brilliant leader, always willing to go the extra mile for his own. And then I see the young Haddock; he has so greatly diverged from what his father would have wanted. I could forgive his cruel behavior towards me, if it was not for the thought of him disgracing his father."

Jackson felt his body tilt in, eager to absorb this new information, but Mr. Fitzherbert moved on to general topics as he turned his eyes into the store to watch the young girls darting around the store, Emma trailing behind trying to tie up everything.

"I enjoy good company; that's why I joined this corps, and my friend McIntosh pushed the issue further, tempting me with the excellent acquaintances available in Burgess. I, uh, I hate being alone. Society, surrounded with good people; that's where I'm at home. I should have joined the church—I was destined for the church and I was eager to pursue my time there, and I would have been in such a profession had it not been for the gentleman we were just discussing."

"Really?"

"Yes. The late Mr. Haddock was my godfather and had bequeathed to me the best living; I cannot do justice to his kindness. He meant to provide for me so I could enter the church, but it was given to another."

"How was such an insult suffered? How could Mr. Haddock do such knowing full well that it went against his father's will? Have you not yet gone to a lawyer?" Jackson ranted, his brain whirling with this new information.

Mr. Fitzherbert shrugged as he looked back to the busy street. "It was an informal promise, not one to be held up by law despite how fixed it would be for an honorable man. Haddock had always been a head strong child; never easily following his father's wishes. Perhaps he was jealous that his father was prouder of the man I had become than him; I do not claim to know his mind. But, as long as I live with the memory of his father, I cannot disgrace him."

Jackson laughed humorlessly. "Even I hadn't pegged him at so low a character; I've been proven wrong. I recall him talking about his inability to forgive at Dreki Vollr, but I never imagined it would be quite as harsh as this."

"Well, I'm afraid it is."

"Perhaps you should just go to the ball in spite of him, or to spite him."

"No. I don't wish to worsen the tension between us. Too much is at stake to do such a thing."

Their conversation was ended as Mr. Overland's sister filed out of the store with Mr. Black on their heels.

"Shall we return home, Jackson?" Emma asked.

"If you so desire."

"I should be leaving," Mr. Fitzherbert said as he stood up and straightened his coat. "I told my friends I'd meet up with them; they're a crowd I'd hate to keep waiting."

"You couldn't escort me back?" Mary asked with a pout.

"I'm afraid not, Miss Mary." With a quick bow, he turned and left.

"Your brother will have to do," Jackson said as he offered her his arm.