The next chapter! Whoo! I had a spare moment to write. Well, I put off the reading I have to do to write a wee bit. I know this is short; I'm sorry. But, this is a between chapter as we kind of switch to bigger events. He-he, I'm so excited to reach the end of this. Hopefully, I'll have time to get some nice long chapters written. I've got another five planned, plus a possible epilogue; I haven't really decided yet.

I hope you enjoy this!

Chapter Twenty-Two

The cold had frosted the pane of the window. The weather outside the white-crisped glass was gray and dreary. Despite the ever dipping temperature, no snow had fallen from the heavy clouds that hung in the sky.

Jackson sighed; his breath taking visible form as the cloud of air collided with the glass before rolling out back into his face. He rested his forehead against the coldness, and shut his eyes. Mary had been gone for nearly a fortnight without any sign. His father and uncle had been scouring everywhere they could think of. When he had returned home, he had tried to join his uncle and aunt in going to search for her, but he had been told to stay with the family. His mother and sisters need a strong male to keep them up during this trying time.

Damn tripe, that's what that was.

His family would be fine.

Well, his sisters were handling it fine; they were too focused on keeping their mother sane to wallow much in their own worry.

He felt so damn helpless sitting here.

His fingers curled together; his short nails cutting crescent shapes into the palm of his hands. His lips pressed together in a thin line.

He could help. He knew her. They could use another set of eyes. He certainly was old enough to go out and search. He should be taking on responsibility, but that wasn't happening. Mr. Overland wasn't quick to teach his son much more than the basics because his property was to be taken after his death. Yet, his father never once thought that maybe if he taught his son better and let him look at the books, he could find a way to pay off the debt to Mr. Black so that the family could keep the house. He could do something. He wasn't irresponsible—fun loving, sure, but not irresponsible.

A dark horse pounded up the drive, hooves clattering against the frozen ground. The figure atop it pulled the creature to a halt and lept off.

His father was back.

Alone.

His stomach dropped.

He jumped to his feet and raced to the front door. He threw it open and stepped out in time to hear his father ordering a servant to return the horse to the barn. Mr. Overland pulled of his riding gloves and pushed passed Jackson and into the house.

"Father?" he questioned, spinning on his heel to follow the man inside.

The man just strode down the hall into his study.

His mother and sisters had apparently been alerted to his arrival because they paraded down the stairs and invaded his study.

"Oh, dear Mr. Overland, where's my daughter?"

"We haven't found her yet," he answered curtly.

"Then why have you returned?" Jackson's mother cried. "Why aren't you still searching for her? Bring my daughter back to me!"

"Quiet, woman!" he roared.

Mrs. Overland whimpered and curled in on her eldest daughter.

"Father, Mamma is just worried," Emma tried to soothe.

"We all are," he said. "But, worrying isn't going to help us. Your uncle's still in Corona searching. I have business I've been neglecting I need to attend to. So, please, if I could be left alone."

The women filed out of the room, but Jackson remained.

"Why don't I head out and help Uncle Clause?"

"No."

"Why can't I?"

"Because you're not going to get involved with this."

"Well, I've got to help with something. You just can't leave me alone like this. Teach me how to keep down household affairs, so you can go back out."

"Not now, Jackson."

"Father—"

"Not now. Please, leave me alone."

Jackson growled and stormed from the room, slamming the door behind him. He barreled towards the front door and blazed out, leaving his coat behind.

The cold air nipped at his skin in friendly welcome. He took a deep breath; the air needling the inside of his lungs. It was painful but refreshing. He could always count on the cold. Jackson closed his eyes and tried to push all his troubles from his mind. The moment they were unchained, green eyes came unbidden to the forefront of his mind.

"No." He cursed and opened his eyes.

He was restless and couldn't do anything to settle his mind. With an aggravated huff, he turned around and went back inside.

Several days later a messenger pounded on the front door with a letter from Corona came for Mr. Overland. The rest of the family gathered in the study as he read the news from Mr. Clause.

.

"Greetings brother,

I wished to inform you that our dear Mary has been found, still within the company of Mr. Fitzherbert. The two had plans of travelling to India of all places. Thankfully, I discovered them before they boarded their ship. We managed to settle on an agreement, and they will be married the day after next. Mary is currently staying with my wife until then, and he with me. Once the ceremony has ended, we will send the couple up to visit with you for the holiday.

N. Clause"

.

"Oh, rejoice. Happy day!" Mrs. Overland exclaimed, clapping her hands together. Even her husband allowed himself a small smile in relief.

Emma clasped ahold of Sarah. Tears glittered in both of their eyes. Jackson laughed and wrapped his arms around his sisters.

Knocking at the front door broke the family apart. After a moment, a servant entered with a letter for Emma.

A slight frown creased her eyebrows as she opened it. The crease slowly disappeared as her eyebrows lifted in surprise. She turned to look at her family and said, "It's from Ms. Vickson. Apparently, Mr. Liely and his party are returning at the end of the week for the holiday."

"Well, it certainly doesn't matter to this family," Mrs. Overland said, sticking her nose in the air.

Jackson rested his hand on his sister's arm. "Are you okay?"

She nodded. "I'm fine. I just…wonder is all."

"You don't have to see him."

"I know."