Derek

I kissed my wife's forehead and excused myself for the festivities. Who in the hell comes to my home on a Sunday, unannounced? I ran up the flight of stairs, grabbing my pistol from the desk in the hall and entered my study quietly. When I entered, I put the gun down on the desk. There was no need for weapons between friends.

"Colin! What are doing here? I thought you were in India." I said, moving to embrace my best friend.

"I was, but I was on my way home a few months ago. When I returned home, I had a letter from Annabeth saying that you're a married man." Colin said, returning the hug. "Where is the wife?"

"Downstairs with my siblings, she insisted on decorating the tree as a family today." I said, looking at my desk. I had all of their portraits lined up; Imogen, Annabeth, Bambi, Barnabas, Caiden, Edgar, Edna, Mum and Father. They were all the important people in my life. "I've been cooped up in here since we came home and she was tired of it."

"Why? Are you looking for your father's will? Anna told me about Aaron--"

"No, it's not about my father. It's Jack. He knows I am married now." I said sullenly. "I think I know who tipped him off, but I'm not about to go pointing fingers until I know for sure."

"Adalynn," Colin whispered, I nodded. I had this suspicion that Jack and Adalynn were related somehow, I just didn't have the information.

"Some of the staff reported seeing a few figures lurking around the property, and it's rumored that Jack is back in the country." I said, wringing my hands together.

"What does he want with you and your wife?" Colin asked, moving closer to me.

"Jack wants to make my life miserable. He wants to start with my Imogen, and end with Edna." I said.

"Revenge for Jenny and Archie." Colin stated and I nodded once again.

"He vowed to make my life hell. The only thing stopping him is me." I said, running my hands over my face.

"Come on, let’s go join everyone. I'm sure that Anna is dying to see you." I said, slapping him once on the back before we moved out of the room.

"Will you allow Anna and me to marry?" Colin asked. He had been on my father's heels ever since she turned eighteen. They were perfect for each other, but father had a hard time letting go of his daughters.

"After an appropriate mourning period, my old friend," I said as we descended down the staircase. "I do have my limits."

"And I respect them." He said. We reached the bottom of the stairs and walked in the direction of the living room. We merely caught up on lost time as we walked into the sitting room. The moment we stepped in, I caught sight of my beautiful wife lifting Edgar up. Her hair was in a sloppy bun, which allowed wisps of her hair to frame her face in the most spectacular way. Her freckle dusted face lit up her cheekbones when she smiled, like just then. She lowered Edgar and smoothed down her apron and skirt. I glanced over at Colin, who was staring at my wife as well. I was not jealous because I knew he loved my sister. But he was enchanted by my wife.

"You never told me she was an Irishwoman." Colin murmured. I nodded with a smile.

"Her name is Imogen, and she's eighteen." I said.

"She's never had a season and you've already married her?" Colin asked.

"Her family is too poor for her to have a season. My deal with her father was to marry Imogen upon his death to settle his debts." I said.

"Does she know?" Colin asked.

"Yes." I replied. "And yet, she does not hate me for it. For that, I am forever grateful."

"Derek!" She called, skipping over to us. I pulled Imogen into my arms and kissed her freckled nose. She scrunched it up as she smiled, looping her arms around my torso. "Who's this?"

"My love, this is Colin Wentworth, my best friend from school." I told her, moving her body to face my closest friend. He was practically a brother to me. "Colin, my beautiful bride, Imogen O'Boyle," Imogen stuck her hand out to Colin with a warm smile.

"It’s wonderful tae meet ye! Derek told me many stories 'bout you two in school an' the war." She said, leaning in to me. "Thank you for saving 'im."

"I would do anything for this man, Imogen. And I will do anything for you, too." Colin said, making her blush. I chuckled and kissed her lips lightly.

"Sweetheart, get Anna, please." I told her, releasing her for only a moment.

"You love her," Colin stated.

"With every fiber of my being, but if Jack were to find out... I dare not think of what he would do to her." I whispered. "I'm scared that I will not have a full life with her. Colin, what should I do?"

"Kill Jack before he kills Imogen." He said as our girl’s game back to us. As much as I wanted to watch my sister and her love reunite, I felt it best to give them their space. I took Imogen's hand and led her back to the children. I was going to have to do the one thing I never wanted to do. I have to make my wife hate me.

*

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*

Christmas day was not as joyful as years past. Today was my father's last day on Earth, the last day my wife would truly be happy with me for a long time. The twins, Caiden and Barnabas were cheerful, the innocence of youth not allowing them to think of our dying father. Bambi and Anna, on the other hand, had to excuse themselves several times throughout the day to collect themselves. 

Imogen was my support today. She held me for at least half an hour after waking up. She knew that I would become Duke at knight fall, and she would become Duchess. None of us were ready for this, but it would be our future in a matter of hours. Then my plan would have to go into action.

I had to make Imogen hate me. If Jack though I was distant from her, that would buy us some time.  I have enlisted the help of a freelance, ex-military man that had saved under me during the war. He agreed to protect my wife from afar until Jack was caught. I had to make Imogen something she's not, so she can retaliate and hate me for God knows how long. I will detest it, but it is better than her dying.

"Derek," She mumbled against my neck and tightening her arms around me. We had all retired early, but no one was asleep. We were awaiting the news of my father's death.

"Yes, my love?" I whispered, turning to look at her.

"I will be here for you. I swear." She whispered. I smiled and kissed her lips. I badly wanted to bed her, watch her abdomen swell with our baby, but that would have to wait as well. I loathed Jack Peddleton.

"I know you will, Imogen. I wish I was there for you in your time of need." I told her. She smiled weakly as she curled into me. 

"You would have thought me a silly child, Derek." She said.

"No, I would not have. You were brave, and I would have told you, you did not need to harbor all of that pain by yourself." I told her. She kissed me again, this time, crawling on top of my body. I had to control myself, or I would not be able to stop us from going further.

"Derek, when will we consummate our marriage?" She asked breathlessly against my lips. I groaned internally, she was killing me.

"In time, Imogen, I want just a few more months alone with you." I told her as there was a knock on the door.

"Enter!" Imogen called, returning to her side of the bed. Mr. Williams entered with a mournful look on his face.