The Debt (Now on Radish)

cнapтer 5

Derek and I stayed in Scotland for two months. We were blissfully happy in our little world. I know that Derek said he would wait until I was comfortable to consummate our marriage, but I don't think I can. I feel like he is holding out on me. There were several days while in Scotland I would not see my husband at all. He would come back sometime during the night and the next morning he would tell me he went hunting. But his nose would twitch when he said that. That was his telltale he was lying to me.

We left the summer house November 4th, 1815. It had been unseasonably cold for November, so winter was coming early that year. He promised me that we would stop at my village before returning to my new home. Derek took my hand and kissed my fingers lightly. I was wearing half gloves with my thick, plain dress.

"Imogen, do not fret, we will make it before night fall." Derek soothed. I gave him a warm smile in return.

"I know, Derek. I am just anxious to see them." I admitted. "I wonder if my mother is expecting a grandchild."

"Well, I believe your mother is a fairly reasonable on waiting for us to get better acquainted. My step-mother, Annabeth, and Bambi, on the other hand, will be expecting a small bump on your belly upon our return." Derek said, lacing our fingers together. "But as we agreed, we want to wait."

"You are correct, my dear." I said, putting my head on his shoulder. "D-Do ya think that we'll be good parents?" Derek remained silent. What was he considering would happen? Did he think that I would die giving birth to his children? Would he reconsider having a nanny? Did he change his mind about having children?

"You, Imogen, will be the perfect mother. I, on the other hand, am not so sure about my parenting abilities." Derek admitted. "Raising Edna and Edmund for the past four years was wonderful, but they are not my own children. I fear I will raise them wrong."

I pressed my face into his neck for a few moments. I knew he would be a wonderful father, no matter how scared he would be. "I believe that all fathers are scared at one point or another. I think you just need to hold our first born in your arms." I told him. "Now husband, I believe we should rest or when we reach the house, my siblings will surely drain us." Derek shifted his body so I could use it as a pillow, and I fell asleep.

When I awoke, I was in my childhood bed. It was still light out so the children must have been running about in the yard. I heard voices in the kitchen, three to be exact. I got up and padded down the compact dirt floor and stopped just before the corner. Mum, Derek and Johnny were seated at the kitchen table, deep in conversation.

"Jack Peddleton, Derek, his name is Jack Peddleton. Da took me to a meeting with him just before he passed. The bloody bastard demanded Imogen's hand in marriage t' solve all our debts with him." Johnny muttered angrily.

"He would have killed her, John. I know this man. I fought with him in the war, well, until he turned on us. He blames me for the murder of his wife and brother." Derek said.

"Did ye?" Johnny asked.

"No. My troop did. I was in a meeting with my superior when it happened." Derek muttered. "I know how to protect Im. No one will like how, including me. She shall be in complete isolation from the time we leave here until I can dispose of him."

"Why? You cannot keep my daughter away from me!" Mum cried. My heart broke.

"Mum, I have to. If I don't, you will never see her again! Jack will kidnap and murder her!" Derek growled. "I care for Imogen, Mum, I never want to lose her, but the only way I know to protect her is isolation. No letters, no visits, and I suggest you get the hell out of Ireland. Go live with your brother, somewhere that Jack does not know."