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Chapter Eighteen

"You know, Berk is close to here," Mrs. Clause remarked as she stared outside the window. "I have always wished to see the estate. I am sure winter or summer would be prime time to do so, but surely the trees must be lovely shades at this time of the year."

"I doubt it would hurt us to make a small side trip since we are so close," her husband muttered thoughtfully, stroking his thick, white beard. "What do you think, Jackson?"

The young man chewed at the inside of his cheek. It didn't do much in way of stopping his stomach from churning with nervous energy. His eyes darted to meet his aunt's; they were alight with hopeful joy. He smiled. "Aunt will burst whether we do or not, I suggest we at least give her some joy before she goes."

She swatted his arm as her husband hooted with laughter, grasping his jiggling stomach.

"Good, good," he said. Mr. Clause opened the carriage window and hollered the new directions to the driver.

Jackson leaned back in his seat and rested his head against the vibrating glass. He closed his eyes against the dull autumn sun. He really didn't want to go to Berk. He wasn't ready to face Mr. Haddock. But, surely he wasn't there regularly; his business should keep him away. But, he had his sister; Jackson highly doubted he'd leave the young girl alone for longer than necessary.

His fingers snuck up to his breast and squeeze. A quiet crackle of paper caught his ear. He'd lost count of how many times he had read it. He no longer had the need to read it. Jackson would recite it aloud every time he read it now. He wasn't even sure why he kept reading it. Nothing changed. The words were always the same. But, he always found something new; he always felt something new after rereading it.

Letting out a puff of air, he opened his eyes. Emma had convinced his aunt to plead with him to go with them on this trip around the country to see the harvests and enjoy the quickly cooling weather before the holidays were upon them; she was under the impression that the travels would relax him and put him in a good mood; it would push the whole ordeal with Mr. Haddock from his mind. He smiled wryly at where he was at now.

Jackson sighed and focused on what lay outside the window. The trees fell away from the lane, spreading green fields and rolling hills preluded a grand house standing proud and square. Forest framed the background; dark trees stretched bristly limbs upwards. Jackson wondered briefly if he would be calling this home by now if he had accepted Mr. Haddock's proposal.

No, he answered himself. I would appear as nothing more than a friend. Perhaps I'd visit here, own my own house nearby, but I would not call Berk my home.

Even with that answer, as he trailed behind his aunt and uncle up to the manor, he couldn't help his mind drifting off to if.

He would already be here, moved in and comfortable, familiar with the grounds. He would receive his aunt and uncle with a smile and invite them to tea. After a relaxing conversation and catching up with the latest news of his family and introductions to Ms. Haddock, he would guide them on a tour of the grounds. They'd return in time to greet Mr. Haddock who would be arriving from business. Dinner would be served and then to the parlor for cards. He and Mr. Haddock would be the last to retire…to their shared room. They would…

He shook his head, dislodging the thoughts. It wouldn't do him any good thinking about that. He'd just get hot and bothered and even more confused. He was supposed to be relaxing right now and not thinking about a certain gentleman.

The butler opens the door. He's a tall man with wide, muscular shoulders. His dark hair slicked back from high cheekbones and square jaw. Small, beady green eyes studied the trio that waited on the steps. His broad nose twitched in a manner that reminded Jackson of a rabbit.

Mr. Clause introduced them. "My wife has been eager to see Berk. Is the estate, perhaps, open for visitors?"

Shrewd eyes glanced over them again; they rested ever-so briefly longer on the brown haired youth than the other two.

"Certainly," he said after a moment. "Follow me."

"Is your master home?" Mrs. Clause asked.

"No, he is away on business. We are not expecting him until the end of the week."

Jackson's brows puckered as he followed the man. His voice was low and rumbling, but it had a deep lilt he had never heard before.

"Can I inquire as to where you are from? I've never heard such an accent before," he asked.

The butler's eyes darted to him as he led the group through the halls. "I spent several years of my youth with the convicts in Australia. And no—not as one."

"I did not think that."

"Well, most believe so. I have found it easier to clarify immediately. I was a young officer. My mother refused to allow me to travel to India—she's convinced on the savage demons that the Hindus must me—however, apparently, working with the scum of this country was preferable. I abided her wish."

"Did you have any dealings with the Aborigines?" Mr. Clause asked.

"Some," came the curt answer. He stopped and swept his arm down the hall before them. "Down this way, you will find the portraits of every Haddock that as lived in this house in addition to several distant relatives. Some portraits even depict those patrons who owned the estate before it came into the Haddock family possession. "

Mrs. Clause stepped into the hall and began to examine the painted faces, her husband at her heels.

"Do you miss it there?" Jackson asked as he stepped next to the butler.

"The heat, yes." He shivered, whether it was because he was cold or to make a point the young man wasn't sure. "It's too cold here. It just gets worse from here on out."

"Shame. I quite enjoy the winter. Mr. Jackson Overland," he said, personally introducing himself.

"Mr. Aster Edmund," he returned.

The butler's ears twitched as he listened to Mrs. Clause question: "Is this the current Mr. Haddock?"

Yes, Jackson thought, definitely a rabbit.

Mr. Edmund walked forward until he stood in front of the portrait under question. "Yes," he answered.

The young man walked over to the group and turned his eyes to the flat face above him. There was the scar—he still wished to know what that was from. The shaggy auburn hair fell in an orderly mess for the portrait. Green eyes sparkled with a life that Jackson had never seen before.

"What do you say, Jackson," his aunt asked as she threaded her arm through his, "is it a good likeness?"

"It is."

"You know Mr. Haddock?" the butler asked.

At least, he thought it was a question. The wording and the way it was said could easily make it appear a statement or…a confirmation.

"Yes," he said, taking the words as a question. "He was in the party of Mr. Liely at Dreki Vallr a few months ago."

"Mm, yes."

"Is Ms. Haddock as handsome as her brother?" Mr. Clause asked.

"I believe so. They share the same eyes, both in color and in their liveliness. She's quite accomplished as well—more than any other woman I have met to date." He gave a small laugh. "She plays and sings all day long, when she is not painting of course. Actually, in this room is her new easel and the paints she recently acquired—a gift from my master."

"Is she here?" Jackson found himself asking.

"No, we are expecting her to return tomorrow with him."

The young man pondered the remark. Mr. Haddock seemed very protective of his sister. Where had he gone on business that he would allow her to accompany him?

"Is he at Berk much throughout the year?" his aunt asked. Her words appeared demanding, but her manner betrayed her inner enthusiasm and curiosity.

Mr. Edmund answered with a twitch of the nose. "Not as much as he was in his youth, nor as much as his sister wishes. But, I daresay he spends about half the year here. He's become a tutor of sorts for Ms. Haddock, so he is required. He stays as long as it takes to fulfill such a duty."

"Perhaps you would see more of him if he married," Mr. Clause said as the group was led into the small art studio.

Jackson could've sworn the butler's eyes flickered to him before he replied. "Yes, there is a chance, sir, but I do not know when or if such a thing will occur. I do not know who is good enough from him, or who has caught his interest."

"You must think highly of him," Jackson asked before he could rein the words back.

Mr. Edmund smirked. "I speak only truth. I have never heard a cross word from him in my years working here that was not well deserved. He is utmost caring to those close to him."

The young man's curiosity was spike; his mind swirled. These words were so different from what he had heard of the man prior. He wanted more; he wanted to hear all he could about this man. He wanted to fill his memory with every story Mr. Edmund could give him. He was thankful when his uncle remarked, "To find a man you can say such things of is rare. You are lucky to have him as a master."

"Yes, sir, I know I am. I doubt I could have found a better man to serve under. He has always been open minded and caring; you can see from his decision to hire me: a soldier back from Australia."

Jackson arched an eyebrow. He'd never heard such words in relation to Mr. Haddock before.

"His father was a wonderful man," Mrs. Clause stated.

Mr. Edmund nodded. "I unfortunately arrived when he was ill; I only knew him in such a state. But, the others remark that he will be as great a man as his father, perhaps even better in some areas."

Jackson listened eagerly. He took in the words, chewed them slowly and thoughtfully before swallowing; after he finished the first bite, he was eager for more. He didn't want to hear about the history of the room.

"He certainly is a good brother," he stated, his finger brushing over the easel.

"Yes. Ms. Haddock will certainly be delighted when she sees this."

"She doesn't know?"

"Not yet, but she will once they return."

"Why not wait until the holidays?" Mr. Clause asked.

The butler shrugged. "It is his way. I've never known him to do anything less. He would do anything to keep his sister happy."

With that comment, the group was led from the room to inspect the rest of the house. When everything to note had been visited, Mr. Edmund let them back to the front of the manor. He called over a gardener and sent them on their way.

The small, leathery man led them around the grounds. He pointed a crooked finger to significant trees, reciting their ages, species and who had them planted. He directed them to a path that led through the forest to Berk's pond that was yearly stocked, but first he directed them towards the stables

"The stables," the gardener pointed out.

As Jackson approached the building, he heard a familiar voice pouring out.

"—where Aster is? He wasn't there when we arrived."

"I believe he was showing visitors around. Mrs. Reynolds has not been feeling well."

"Ah, well, as the doctor been around?"

"He was sent for this morning. I have not heard word since."

"Would you send Victor to go see if arrived? If not, I would breathe easier if he went to fetch the man personally."

"Yes, sir."

An unfamiliar laugh in a well-known voice filled the air. "Thank you, Roger. I'd like to keep the old woman around longer."

The other voice laughed. "No worries, sir. I'm sure she will outlive all of us."

"I would not doubt that for a moment."

The voice was getting louder, closer. Jackson wanted to run from the stables, away from the door where he would be seen. He wasn't ready for this, but his feet wouldn't move.

The gentleman stepped out. Lids blinked rapidly over green eyes.

Jackson's jaw was limp, his tongue numb.

Mr. Haddock was the first to recover—at least in civility if not composure; an endearing lopsided smile pulled at this lips. "Mr. Overland, a pleasure to see you.

Quick little history lesson for anyone confused on why I keep talking about men going to India and now talking about Australia. Without going into too much, the British Empire had a wide rule (through various reasons and events that if you are curious I will point you in the direction of). They became ingrained in the India governmental system despite having been originally there for trade. Because of several choice figures who made big money in India, several young men went off to the country with hopes of doing so themselves. These men weren't always welcomed back into Britain with the best graces, and they weren't really welcomed in India, too.

Now, as for Australia. The British settlement there quickly became a way of getting rid of the overflow of people in correctional facilities/prisons. These people included thieves, prostitutes, murders, etc. The Aborigines were the indigenous population of the country.

I'm going to leave it all at that. I don't want/have the time to go into much more than that. If you are interested in anything, look it up! (Wikipedia is a good start, but take your facts with a grain of salt and search for more information.) If you have specific questions, I'd be happy to help you find answers. Just beware, these issues have insane complexity and multi-faceted reasoning, history, opinions, beliefs, etc.