After a half hour, I ventured downstairs to join everyone for Luncheon. Alannah and Kieran were present when I joined the table of my friends and family. I knew that the bruise was already forming and I would have a lot of questions to answer. I did not look at anyone as I took my seat, but I noticed Derek's seat was empty. Maybe he won't join us at all today. Alannah grabbed my chin and turned my face towards her.

"What did he do?" She asked quietly. "He's not turning into me Pa, is he?"

"No, he's not." I whispered, grabbing her hand. "Don’t make a fuss, please." Alannah nodded and kissed my cheek. Kieran looked over at us and I quickly turned my head. Kieran was like an older brother to me. If he knew what Derek did, they would be outside before I could lock all the doors and windows.

"Imogen," He said, moving towards the two of us. The rest of my family ate on, except for Bambi and Annabeth. "What are ye hiding?"

"Nothing," I mumbled, grabbing my fork and eating my lunch.

"You’re lying. Look me in the eyes." Kieran commanded. I did and his eyes widened. "He's a bloody bastard."

"Sir," Annabeth scolded, jumping to her feet. "How dare you speak of your gracious host like that?"

"Look at what your brother did tae her!" Kieran exclaimed. "Im's eye is bruising' as we speak." I felt multiple sets of eyes on me and I blushed.

"Oh my goodness," Bambi murmured. "We must get something for her."

"I'm fine. I've pressed meat to me eye already. In fact, we'll be eating it for supper." I said light heartily. "It's nothing, really."

"Im, I want you to come home with us. No buts." Kieran said, rising to full height. "He's no good for you. We'll get you an annulment, or something'."

"No!" I exclaimed, shooting to my feet. "I'm staying here!"

"What is all the commotion?" Derek asked as he strode into the room. Kieran turned towards him with his jaw set. Alannah and I lunged for him, but we were just a tad too late. Kieran marched over to him and grabbed his collar.

"We need to talk." He said, pulling Derek from the room. I followed them out and grabbed Derek's hand.

"No." I said. "Kieran, you're my guest. I do not want a fight in my house." I stood in front of Derek and squared off to my best friend.

"He hit you!" Kieran exclaimed. "He doesn't deserve you, Imogen."

"Don't you think I know that?" Derek shot at my friend, wrapping his arms around my waist.

"Get your hands off 'er." Kieran growled. "Im, let’s get you packed. We're leaving' tomorrow."

"I'm not leaving, Kieran. I'm staying here. It's my duty." I said, feeling my chest ache. I lied. It was not my duty. I could leave if I wanted to. But I was in love and I would not leave Derek. I felt Derek tense behind me. "I'll write to you if something happens, again."

"A'right." He murmured. "I’ll see you in the dinning' room." He mumbled, brushing past us. Derek spun me around gently and looked into my eyes.

"Im, I would like to apologize for my actions earlier." He said, cupping the side of my face.

"You can keep your 'pology." I snapped. "It don't mean noting. You've been on an' of with your emotions since Christmas! I'm done. I don' care if ye have an affair, I don' care if you hit me again, I'm expecting it to happen again."

"Why do you doubt me?" Derek said, closing his hands around my shoulders. "I care for you, Imogen, so very much."

"All ye say is lies." I whispered, shaking my head. "Our marriage was doomed from the start."

"Do not say that. We are not doomed." Derek said, finding for a rope to grasp.

"We are! But I'm not divorcing' you. I am not givin' you what you want." I said. "Do not come to bed tonight. You are not welcome in me bed."

"I understand." He said solemnly. "And Imogen, I will make you see I'm trying."

"I do not care, Derek." I said in a monotone voice. Derek grabbed my waist and pulled me hard against his body. He grabbed my face and kissed me hard on the mouth, like it was the last kiss he'd have for a long time. And it would be

*

*

*

The rest of February passed by quickly. Alannah and Kieran left the morning after I was struck. Johnny was thriving at school, or that's what mum said. The kids were doing wonderfully. Mum had moved in with Uncle Matthew and Aunt Elise. I had companionship in Colin, Lillian and Mr. Williams. There was a never dull moment in the house. We were preparing for an engagement ball and my birthday. I assume Derek did not know when my birthday was, but I didn't expect him to. We have not been talking for a few weeks.

"Imogen," Colin said, taking my hand in his. "You're quiet."

"I'm thinking." I mumbled. "I give ye me blessing, by the way."

"And Derek gives me his." Colin said. "You can hardly tell there was ever a bruise on your face, Imogen."

"Thanks." I muttered. I continued to glance at the stairs. While I said I did not care, I cared so much. We have not shared a bed, let alone say more than a few words to each other over meals. I missed my husband. "Has he talked to you?"

"No. He's hurting, Imogen. I've never seen him so upset." He whispered.

"I am so stupid!" I exclaimed, shooting up from my chair. "I told 'im I didn't care, but I do. What if he got a mistress?"

"Derek does not have a mistress, Imogen." Colin said standing and putting his hands on my shoulder. "Speak to him tonight at the ball. I know he wished to talk to you there."

"Just don’t propose to Anna without us there." I said, poking his chest. He smiled and kissed my cheek.

"Go get my fiancé ready." He said, pushing me towards the stairs.

After I put the children to bed, I waited at the main staircase. Anna and Bambi went down first, seeing as this ball was for Anna. I waited for Derek. Now that we were married, he was the one to escort me down the staircase. I found this dress on my bed after helping Annabeth. She looked so stunning; no man would be able to keep their eyes off her, including her Colin. The dress was left with a note, quite sweet actually. It said,

For my beautiful wife, a gown that could not even hold a candle to your kindness, beauty and warmth.

All my love,

D

I did not know why he felt he needed to buy my love, but it would not be needed.

"You're wearing it." Derek whispered in my ear as he offered me his arm. "You look breathtaking."

"T-Thank you," I stuttered. "Ye look handsome." Derek grinned and kissed my cheek.

"Thank you, my love." He said as we were announced. We descended down the stairs and were greeted by many people. I knew almost none of them, but they were friends of the family. I would be seeing them more often. Derek never left my side as we made our way around the room. It made me feel special.

"Imogen, can we talk?" Derek said as we neared the balcony. I nodded my head as we went out into the cool air. I shivered slightly and before I could protest, Derek had shed his coat and wrapped it around my shoulders. "I apologize for ignoring you, Im, these past few weeks. I have been giving you time to settle and hopefully forget your anger at me. I was miserable without you."

"Och, Derek." I whispered, taking his hands. "I was terrible too. I drove Colin nuts fretting over you. I want you to forgive me for being' awful to you." Derek pulled me close to him and kissed my nose.

"You have no reason to apologize. Your reaction was normal, I expected nothing less. I am the one who should be on his knees, begging you to take my apology, so I may try and gain your trust again." Derek said, lowering himself onto one knee. "Please, forgive me, Imogen. I do not deserve it, but I cannot go on without you."

"Of course I forgive you." I whispered, pulling my husband to his feet. "May I kiss you? I mean—If it ain't too forward." Derek smiled warmly at me as he cupped the side of my face.

"You never need to ask, my love." He said. I stretched up on my tiptoes and pressed my mouth to his and giggled as he pulled me closer. We kissed for a few moments until he pulled away. "I need to give you something, a birthday gift."

"Derek, my birthday is next week. Can it not wait?" I asked. He shook his head and kissed my forehead. Derek fished inside his waist coat pocket and produced a small box, then handed it to me.

"Open it." He urged softly. "It was my mum's engagement ring. I wanted to give it to you for our engagement, but I was too scared. I was going to give it to you the first day you arrived, but when I found you crying, I could not bring myself to give it to you. I did not want to force myself onto you. But I want you to have it, Im, because I know she would love you very much. He said, taking my hands in his. I teared up a little as he took the ring from the box and slid it onto the finger with my wedding ring.

"It's beautiful." I whispered. Derek kissed my forehead as he pulled me into his arms. I tilted my head up and kissed his lips, earning a groan from my husband. I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him, including consummating the marriage. Hopefully soon, tonight even.

"Sweetheart, we must stop or I will be forced to take you out here. That would not be benefiting either of our reputations." Derek murmured, tracing my cheekbones.

"Derek," I mumbled. "I want to--"

"Imogen, Derek, come! He's going to propose!" Bambi said, grabbing our hands. Oh, her sweet innocence. Derek and I allowed her to pull us to the dance floor, where Colin was down on one knee.

"Lady Annabeth Goddard, will you do me the honor of being my wife?" Colin asked. Annabeth dropped to her knees and hugged Colin. That was her yes. I leaned into Derek with a smile.

"Derek, let’s go upstairs." I whispered. He looked down at me and I smiled. He grabbed my hand and we whisked away to our bedroom, where we made proper use of our mattress.