The next chapter is here!

A/N: So, I move into the dorm next week and classes start next Thursday for me. I've got what could turn into a pretty busy semester lined up for me. So, that means I will more than likely not be able to keep up with weekly updates. I will do my best to write when I can, but updates might slow down to bi-weekly, monthly or very sporadic. I really hope I can finish this soon. I've only got seven chapters, and I really want to get there! Anyways, I asked that you keep this in mind, and I hope ya'll understand! Thank you you so much for your support so far!

Chapter Twenty-One

He slept surprisingly well with everything that had happened last night. He awoke to the gentle poking of the sun's light in his eyes. His jaw stretched open as he sucked in a large breath and quickly exhaled it in a yawn. Sitting up, he ruffled his hair and stretch his arms upwards before slowly bring them down to his sides. Jackson felt a smile curl his lips as happiness gurgled in his chest; he wasn't sure why, but after everything, he was going to enjoy it to its fullest.

Throwing off his covers, he leapt to his feet and dashed to his closet. He selected his garments for the day and quickly slipped them on. He made his way to the vanity and poured some water into the basin that sat upon it. He stuck his hands in, cupped the lukewarm water in the palms of his hands, and splashed it on his face. With eyes shut to ward off stray water droplets, he reached out blindly for the bar of soap. When his fingers made contact with it, he rubbed it fiercely between the palms of his hands before setting it down. He rubbed the suds over his face and rinsed them off. He snatched a hand-towel and dried his face. Then, he dunked a corner of the towel into the pitcher of water and wiped his teeth with the dampened material.

Once he was done, he gave his reflection a smirk before leaving the room. Jackson made his way to the dining room where his aunt and uncle already sat eating. He gave his aunt a peck on the cheek before slipping into his seat, gathering a piece of toast and slathering it with butter.

"Your uncle and I are going for a walk around town. Will you join us?" Mrs. Clause asked as he took a bite.

He chewed and swallowed. "I think I will stay in today. I brought a novel, and I have yet to read it past the first page."

"All right, dear. You must be exhausted from the dinner last night, especially with so little sleep. Was last night better?"

"Yes."

She smiled and nodded her head. Wiping her mouth cleaned, she called for a servant to bring her her bonnet. "Are you sure you do not wish to come?" she asked.

"Gracious, woman," her husband boomed with a mighty laugh. "Let the boy eat!"

She flinched in embarrassment. "Sorry," she apologized.

"It is quite fine," he assured her around another bite of toast.

The servant returned and his aunt took her requested item with a word thanks. Standing, she urged her husband to do the same.

"Oh, before I forget, you received a letter this morning from Emma," she said as she tied the ribbons on her bonnet. Her eyes pointed towards the small parcel resting at the end of the table on a silver dish.

Jackson nodded in recognition.

Mrs. Clause grasped ahold of her husband's arm as he declared, "Let's go!" and led her out the room and down the hall to the door.

The young man chuckled at his aunt and uncle's enthusiasm. He dusted his hands and stood up, leaning over to reach the letter. He plopped back down in his seat with a heavy huff and broke the seal. Jackson pulled the parchment out and unfolded it; then, he set to reading the shaky, curled handwriting.

.

"Dearest Jack,

I had wished not to disturb you during your travels—you so desperately needed to escape the troubles that this family brought as well as your own affairs, and I hope these things have occurred. However, I could not bring myself to hold off on telling you this any longer. Our dear Mary has run away with Mr. Fitzherbert. Mrs. McIntosh informed us a few days ago; she assured Father and Mother that her husband was out looking for them. Father immediately set out to search for her. We have yet to hear anything from him.

I hope for the best and that this has been nothing more than a misunderstanding. She left a few lines prior to her leaving of their plans, but we have yet to hear from them. I had never anticipated Mary to be one to wed so soon—I truthfully expected her to remain quite single, exploring the world as she always claimed she would do—but one can hope that Mr. Fitzherbert persuaded her. I can only pray that his intentions are noble. You know Mary as well as I; she is brash and stubborn and will quickly jump into anything if she takes interest, and I fear he may have taken advantage of this.

I do not know if what I write is still legible. We are all quite shaken here, and Mother has not stopped wailing. Sarah has tried to console her to no avail. I do not wish to pull you away from your travels, but I implore you to return with Aunt and Uncle. Father could use his help in searching."

.

Jackson checked the date on the letter; it was dated three days ago. His blood ran cold. Mary had been missing for nearly a week. He jumped to his feet, his knees wobbling and knocking against each other and the table. "I need to find my uncle!" he cried.

He dashed into the hall and towards the door and collided into a narrow body. Fingers grasped ahold of his shoulders and held him up. Warmth poured into his chilled body.

Jackson glanced up to meet bright green eyes.

"Mr. Overland, is something wrong?" he asked earnestly.

"I beg your pardon, but I must go. I need to find Mr. Clause. It is a matter of urgency," he stumbled out through, his heaving chest as he struggled to push himself upright.

"Odin's beard! What's the matter?" Mr. Haddock exclaimed, abandoning politeness to express his concern. "I won't hold you back, but please, allow me or a servant to go after him. You are not well enough; you can't go in this condition."

Jackson hesitated. He felt his worry sapping the strength from his bones and sinews. His head lolled forward until it rested against a bony shoulder. He took a deep breath before pulling together the small bit of strength he had left to push himself away, but he didn't make it far. Arms cradled his shoulder and led him into the drawing room where he was gently deposited in a chair.

Mr. Haddock called for the servant and quickly sent her to town to fetch Mr. and Mrs. Clause from their walk. He then knelt in front of Jackson and said, "Let me call a maid. Are you ill? Is there anything I could get you to bring some relief? Perhaps a glass of scotch, or brandy. Shall I get you one?" A warm hand pressed against his forehead.

Jackson waved him away, his pride not allowing him to give in to the attention. His eyes focused on his knees. "No, thank you. I am quite well, only distressed by some news I just received from home," he finished saying through his constricting throat.

He felt the tears bristling around the corners of his eyes, but he couldn't cry, not here, not in front of him. He took a shuddering breath and dared to glance up. Muted green eyes held his gaze. Lips were pulled back in a soft frown.

Mr. Haddock reached upwards and brushed his thumb underneath his eyes, collecting the moisture and wiping it off on his pant leg. He pulled out a handkerchief and offered it to Mr. Overland.

The young man took it gratefully and blew his nose. "I just received a letter from Emma this morning. There's no use in keeping it silent; I'm sure the whole town knows—soon the whole country might. My youngest sister, Mary, has run off—eloped possibly. God, I hope she's eloped; I'd prefer it to what else could happen. You see, the one she ran off with is no other than Mr. Fitzherbert. You know better than I to doubt what may occur. She has no money or connections, nothing that could prompt him to tie himself to her. She is ruined."

Mr. Haddock stared at him with wide eyes that blinked slowly.

Jackson ground his teeth together. "When I think that I could have stopped this from happening." He leaned over, propping his elbows on his knees and cradling his head in his hands. "If I had just mentioned what I knew—not all, of course, but some. Had she'd known what his true character to be, this might never have happened."

"Yes, well, this is just great," the gentleman huffed sarcastically. "But are you absolutely certain?" he implored earnestly.

"As sure as I can be. They left the military camp near a week ago. No one has heard from either since nor caught sight of."

"I am truly sorry for this, Mr. Overland. What has been done so far to find her?"

"Mrs. McIntosh and her husband searched. My father recently went to Corona to join them. Emma wrote to request my uncle come to assist him." Jackson's eyes darted to the door, hoping to see the man and his wife stumble in. "I hope we can leave shortly after they arrive."

Mr. Haddock remained in solemn silence.

"God, if I had just said something," he growled, his fingers clawing at the roots of his hair. "If I had just warned Mary. I knew she was going there. I knew he would more than likely be there as well. If only I had said something and not placed my wavering trust in Mrs. McIntosh to watch her. I made such a stupid, wretched mistake."

No vocal reply came from Mr. Haddock; he had gotten to his feet and, after squeezing Jackson's shoulder, took to pacing the length of the room. His air was dark and troubled, and it didn't take the young Mr. Overland long to figure out what the source of it was. Here he was, trapped in the company and association of a family that was declining rapidly in merit. He couldn't bring himself to blame the gentleman.

After several minutes he paused in his pacing and turned to address him. "I am sure you would prefer if I withdrew now. I have nothing to plead that I stay except my concern; I wish I could offer you consolation during this time, but I do not believe I am the one for that."

Jackson's stomach churned. His fingers twitched, aching to grab ahold of his lapel and pull the gentleman to him. He wanted to kiss him, to just forget everything, but he couldn't. He had to focus on his sister.

"I had originally come here at my sister's request, to extend an invitation, but I feel you will not be paying Berk today."

"Oh," Jackson breathed. "Yes, please do apologize to her for me. Tell her that urgent business called us home. Try and conceal the truth as long as possible."

"Certainly," he assured him with a nod of his head. Mr. Haddock danced around the doorway that led out to the hall.

"Please, do not feel that you must stay with me. I am sure you have other matters of business to attend to," Jackson said.

"Yes," the gentleman drawled out. "Um, yes, I should leave you. I wish you a safe return trip, and I hope this finds a happy resolution."

"Thank you." He allowed himself a small smile.

Mr. Haddock returned a sad, lopsided one and ducked out of the door, but not before colliding with the doorframe first.

Jackson let out a small puff of a laugh.

Not too long after the gentleman had left, Mr. and Mrs. Clause returned at the heels of the servant that had been sent to fetch them. His aunt flittered around him nervously poking and prodding once again in examination. He waved off her worry, insisting that he was fine—it was not him who had befallen trouble. In halting words, he repeated the content of Emma's letter to them.

He was met by stunned silence.

Mr. Clause was the first to speak, his voice ricocheting around the room, "We will leave now. I must help your father. Mary must be found."

"I pray before something happens," his wife agreed.

Jackson nodded and set about to pack so that they could leave within the hour. Guilt gnawed his stomach. If only had had said something about Mr. Fitzherbert earlier…