Derek

I slammed our door shut and went down the hall to Adalynn's room. How dare she harm my wife! She knew exactly what she was doing, helping her son, the bastards.

"Adalynn, a word," I seethed as I stormed into her room. She looked up from her book with an innocent look on her face.

"Whatever for, Derek, have I done anything to upset you?" She asked sweetly. I growled and slammed my fist on her tea table.

"How dare you." I growled at her. "You almost killed my wife."

"Ah, but Derek, it is you who almost killed your wife." She retorted calmly. "You wanted her to change. You wanted her to be more aristocratic. Everything comes back to you. Not me. I merely supplied her with the knowledge." She was right. I did this to her. Not Adalynn, me. With my jaw clenched, I exited her room. I needed to apologize to my wife. I needed to start anew with her. I walked up to the closed door and turned the knob slowly. I heard voices, two, one male and one female.

"Im, please, come home with us." He said. "He's no good for you!"

"I can', Kieran!" Imogen exclaimed. "I need him."

"He's practically abusin' you! How could ye stay here?" This Kieran questioned.

"Because I think I'm falling' in love wit 'im." She admitted softly. "But ye can' tell him, he doesn' feel de same way."

"Please, Im, consider it, Ally an' I aren’t' leaving till Sunday." Kieran said. "I love you, Imogen."

"I love ye too, Kieran. Forever an' always," My wife mumbled. "Now get before Derek finds ye. He'll have me head."

I let go of the doorknob and turned around slowly. She deserved better than me. I need her to divorce me so she may remarry someone better.

Imogen

I sighed and leaned into my pillow. Derek had not come back to our room since I collapsed. I felt horrible without him. He ordered that everyone leave me alone for the rest of the day except for Mr. Williams and Lillian. Lillian stayed with me for most of the day, keeping me entertained, but I wanted a word with Derek. I wanted to find out what I did wrong. I did not want to leave, but Kieran and Alannah's offer to go home was so tempting. But I need him. I never realized how much I could need one person until the thought of leaving him came to my front door.

"Mum, His Grace requested that you eat in bed." Lillian said softly as she came through the servant's secret entrance. "He seems quite worried about you." I scoffed and sat up.

"Don' let 'im fool ye, Lilian." I muttered, patting the empty area next to my bed. "Sit and eat with me. I am quite lonely."

"Mum, it's not proper for me to sit with you. His Grace could sack me." Lillian rushed out. I smiled and extended my hand to her.

"Please?" I whispered. "You are me only true friend."

"Yes, mum." She whispered.

"Imogen," I said. "Please, call me Imogen."

"Okay... Imogen," She giggled, sitting next to me with the tray. "His Grace really does care for you."

"How do you know?" I asked.

"When His Grace returned home from the war, Lady Adalynn set up many balls for him, trying to sway him from marrying you." Lillian admitted. "He refused to see the women. He was faithful to you before he even met you." I bit my lip as I pushed my spoon around in my broth. I guess I should give him some slack, but he neglects me even though he says he cares.

"Please eat, Imogen. You haven't been eating much, and don't give me a fib because I know you don't eat as much anymore." Lillian scolded. I smiled and brought the bowl to my lips to sip it.

"You sound like me mum." I commented. "How old are you?"

"Twenty four, I should be married by now, but my sister who worked here died from an infection. I took her place because my family needs the money." She said softly, averting her eyes. I put down my bowl and touched her hand.

"If my sister was alive, you would be tending to her and not me." I told her. "And if my brother was not a still born, Annabeth would come to live with my family. So many things could happen that are out of our hands."

"I'm glad it's you, Imogen. I have not seen Master Derek this happy in a long time." Lillian said as I finished my soup for her. There was a tentative knock on the door before it opened.

"Am I interrupting?" Derek asked, poking his head in. I shook my head as Lillian shot to her feet and took my dish.

"I-I'll be leaving now, mum." She murmured as she brushed past Derek.

"You make her nervous." I said, switching to my clean accent. Derek frowned as he came to my side of the bed.

"Why did you switch your accent when I entered the room?" He asked as he sat on the edge of the mattress.

"You told me to be proper, aristocratic. I am doing what you want; I want to make you happy." I told him. Derek groaned as he ran his hands over his face.

"Imogen, do you care for me?" He asked. I bit my lip and looked at my lap. I did not want him to see me blush.

"I care for you deeply, Derek." I admitted. 

"You shouldn't. I keep hurting you." He said sadly. Derek took my hands in his and squeezed them tightly.  "You need to divorce me. I know it will be humiliating, and I know I can never remarry, but you can. I want you to live a better life than the one I am giving you." I raised my head and stared at him in disbelief.

"What? No!" I exclaimed. "Derek, ye can't-- Ye-Ye promised meh-- Ye-Ye--" I bit my lip. No, he was breaking his promise, his vows. I felt the tears well in my eyes. This hurt beyond words. "Get Out."

"Imogen--"

"I said, Get Out!" I yelled at him. "I hate you!"

"As you should," Derek said quietly. He stood and left the room in silence.

*

*

*

I do not think Derek came to bed last night, which was a good decision on his part. I can't look at him without feeling the need to cry or throw something at him. I would rather throw something at that thick skull of his. I had gotten dressed that morning and joined my friends and family at the dining table. The only person missing from the table was Derek.

"What is on the agenda for today?" I asked. "Sledding, tutors?"

"Derek gave the tutors a day off. He wanted to give us a break from mourning and school." Bambi said, spearing her fruit. "I plan on staying in the drawing room, though."

"Barnabas, Caiden, you two will stay out of trouble, correct?" I asked. They nodded and went back to their chatter. The twins were sitting between Colin and Annabeth, making a minimal mess of their breakfast.

"Annabeth, where is your brother?" I asked, eating my porridge.

"His study; he spent the whole night in there." She said and I hummed in response. "Aren't you worried?"

"No. Not after what he said last night." I murmured.

"Excuse us, please." Annabeth said standing and pulling me with her. "What did my idiot brother say this time?"

"He- He wants a divorce." I whispered. "Why would he say that?" I whispered as I shed the tears I wanted to cry since last night.

"Shh, Im," She whispered, pulling me into her arms. "I will talk to him, Imogen and sort out that empty skull of his."

After Annabeth left up the stairs, I joined my family in the drawing room. I had a clear view of Colin and the boys in the white snow, while I listened to Bambi play the piano. I played with the twins on the floor, like I did with Bridie. My heart ached when I thought of my family. I missed them terribly. Johnny was off at school now, leaving Aiden and Alastar the men of the house. I have not received any letters from my family, which makes me think that Derek is hiding them from me. Why would he do that?

"Im," Annabeth squealed as she rushed into the room. Bambi stopped playing and scooped up Edgar as Annabeth scooped up Edna. "I'd run if I were you. I must have hit a nerve." She said; scampering from the room as my husband stormed into the room.

"Upstairs, now," He growled, grabbing my arm and pulling me to my feet. "You had no business telling Annabeth our business, Imogen. This is between you and me."

"The hell it is!" I exclaimed. "This involves our family! Do you really think your siblings are that naive to believe I've just gone away one day? And that I'll never return?" His grip on my arm tightened as he pulled me up the stairs. We ascended to the family floor and to our room within seconds.

"I don't give a damn, Imogen! I am trying to protect you!" He exclaimed, squaring off with me.

"What de 'ell does protecting me 'have tae do with anything'?" I yelled at him. I'm tired of this excuse. What the hell does he have to protect me from? I am starting to think this Jack Peddleton is made up. 'I haven' seen dis Jack, Derek. He's made up."

"He's not!" Derek protested.

"Then stop being an arse and talk tae me!" I exclaimed. "I'm tired of you keepin' things from me!"

"Im, I'm not--"

"Maybe I should take Kieran up on his offer." I muttered, pushing my hands through my hair. Derek's eyes widened and his face paled. "Maybe I should take you up on yours, too."

"No." Derek said, almost a growl. "You are not leaving this house!"

"Why, you hate--" I stopped talking when I felt a sharp pain against my cheek. He struck me. He's never done that before.

Derek paled instantly, realizing what he just did. His hand was frozen in mid-air, trembling just slightly. My face tingled with unpleasant feelings from the contact of his fist. I've never been struck like that before. I've done nothing wrong, yet my husband, my jailor, touched me with such anger. I have not deserved to be treated this way. I have only desired his affection, for I believe I may love this man and he does not love me.

"I-I will fetch Miss Smith, milady. Do not leave your chambers." He ordered as he left the room. I sunk to the floor. He was a soldier by nature, never showing emotion. I wish that he would just annul the marriage. It is obvious that he does not want a wild Irishwoman as his wife, as his Duchess. I would rather him be happy than with me. Is that not what a person in love wants for the man they love?

"Your Grace?" Miss Lillian Smith whispered, as she peaked her head around my door. "His Grace sent me to tend to you." Lillian moved into my chambers and came to kneel next to me. "Milady, what happened?" She asked as her delicate fingers skimmed over my face.

“It’s nothing, Lillian," I whispered, clutching her fingers in my trembling ones. "His Grace was only angry."

"Milady--"

"Imogen." I interrupted.

"Imogen, the Duke should not have struck you." Lillian told me softly. "It is a husband's duty to protect his wife, not hurt her."

"Please get Mr. Williams, Lillian. I need to speak with him." I ordered my maid. She nodded and scurried from my room. I absolutely adored Lillian, but at a time like this, I need a father figure. Sometime later, Mr. Williams entered my room with something wrapped in a towel.

"Miss Smith insists that you keep this on your eye, Imogen." Mr. Williams said in a nurturing tone. He placed the towel on my mattress and bent over to pick me up. "What did Mr. Goddard, Miss O'Boyle?"

"My Lord struck me." I said. "I did not mean the anger him. Why would he react in such a horrible way?"

"I have known Derek since he was a babe, Miss O'Boyle. He has never once met his match in wits, until he became your husband. He is used to the demure, debutants of English society, not an outspoken, wild, red haired Irishwoman like you. I believe my lord is remorseful forever striking this delicate face." Mr. Williams said, pressing the cold cloth to my face.

"Mr. Williams, I believe that I may be in love with His Grace." I whispered

*

*

*

Derek

How could she possibly say that after I became the monster I never wanted to be? After I struck her? She should not love me, no matter how much I reciprocate her feelings. I do not deserve such an angel like her.

"Imogen," Mr. Williams said. He allowed me to listen to their conversation from the servant's passage way. I needed to hear that she wanted to annul the marriage. She could be happy, marry someone who could make her happy. "Are you sure that it is not lust that you are--"

"I love the way he is so passionate about his work. I love that he is not afraid to be blunt with me. I love the way he gets a little shy when bringing up topics of romance and children and intimacy." She said, looking at the old man. "I love the way that he makes me feel, right here." She must have pointed to something, but I could not see it.

"Mr. Williams, do you think that me husband will be happy if I ask him to annul our marriage?" She asked her accent slipping. Oh, how I'll miss her adorable accent when she leaves.

"Miss O'Boyle... Mr. Goddard would be utterly shattered if you ask for that." Williams said. What the devil? "It may not seem like it, by the Duke cares deeply for you." The old bastard, I think I may have to thank him.