Madeline let out a frustrated sigh as she struggled to put on the diamond necklace Judge Turpin had given her, her nerves getting the better of her at that moment.

"Here, let me help you," a deep voice behind her said, and when she looked up she found Judge Turpin standing there behind her.

"Thank you," she said as she let him take the necklace from her.

"You're welcome," he murmured as he clasped the necklace shut, and had her turn around to face him. Looking her over, he added, "You look stunning, Maddie."

She smiled at this. "Thank you, Joseph," she said as she fixed the collar of his jacket. "You look handsome tonight. This suit looks wonderful on you."

He simply smiled at this and leaned down to kiss her softly. "Nervous?"

Admittedly, she nodded. "I fear your guests will not approve of me."

"Oh, nonsense. Just be your sweet self and they will adore you."

"I am afraid we both know class placement means more than personality in this society."

"I assure you, you have nothing to worry about," he gently reassured her as he touched her cheek. "Ready to face them?"

Taking a deep breath, she nodded. "I suppose so," she stated, and softly grasping his arm, she allowed him to lead her down to the party.

"My lord, we were beginning to wonder when you would come down," Beadle exclaimed, bringing the entire room's attention to Judge Turpin and Madeline, who were standing at the foot of the staircase.

"I would like to thank you all for coming tonight for the belated celebration of our wedding." Placing an arm around Madeline, he continued, "Seeing as most of you were not in attendance at the actual ceremony, I would like to introduce you to my wife, Madeline. We are settling into our married life quite well, and working diligently on producing our first child."

Everyone laughed and clapped at this, going back to their individual conversations as the music picked up. Madeline looked down, a deep blush coming to her cheeks. "What's the matter?" Judge Turpin asked.

Looking up at him, she asked in a low voice, "Why did you say that? Those sorts of things should be private."

"Maddie, darling, don't be so modest. I assure you, these people have a very liberal mindset," he replied, and before she had the chance to protest he leaned down to kiss her tenderly. "I have some business to discuss with Beadle, so feel free to intermingle with our guests," he informed her as he pulled away, and when he saw the nervousness in her eyes he added, "I am still here in the room with you. I won't be long, my dear."

Reluctantly, she nodded, and stood on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek before he walked off. Looking around, Madeline saw many eyes on her, yet found herself unable to approach any of the individuals studying her.

"Mrs. Turpin, it is so lovely to finally make your acquaintance," a man's voice suddenly said. Looking over, she found a man around Judge Turpin's age standing next to her. With curly, dark brown hair and twinkling brown eyes, he was quite handsome. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Jonathan Miller. Your husband and I used to work together, and have remained good friends."

"It's lovely to meet you as well, Mr. Miller," she said with a smile, and extended her hand to him. When he brought her hand to his lips to kiss her knuckles, she blushed furiously.

"Have you met many of your guests?" Jonathan asked, motioning to the others.

"Unfortunately, I have not," she admitted, glancing down in a bashful manner.

"Would you like for me to introduce you to the gentlemen I have been talking to?"

Madeline gave another soft smile at this. "That would be nice," she replied, and followed him over to the group of men he had motioned to.

)))))

"Congratulations again, my lord," Beadle said to Judge Turpin as they once more joined the others. "Your wife is quite the beauty."

Judge Turpin gave a small smile at this. "Indeed, she is."

"How is it you managed to get your hands on such a pretty young thing?"

"Her father and I made an agreement," Judge Turpin admitted. "I agreed to help him get out of the legal troubles he was in, in return for his daughter's hand in marriage."

"It seems to me you made a wise decision, my lord," Beadle replied, making Judge Turpin grin. "Speaking of her, where has your bride wandered off to, sir?"

Judge Turpin looked around the room in search of Madeline, and found her in the middle of a group of men. His blood began to boil when he saw one of the men kiss the back of her hand before saying something in her ear, the laugh and blush she gave filling him with jealousy. "I see her over there. Pardon me, for there is something I must discuss with her," he said, and before Beadle had the chance to respond he walked over to where she was. "Forgive me, but I must speak to my wife for a moment," he stated, and whisked her off to the kitchen, not caring about the conversation he had interrupted. As soon as they were away from the prying ears of their guests, he demanded, "Just what do you think you are doing?"

Madeline was clearly brought back by his anger. "What did I do?"

"That is what I would like to know. What DID you do?"

"Joseph, I do not understand why you are so upset-"

"Do not act naïve, Madeline. I saw the way those men were groveling over you."

"I was simply getting to know them as you instructed."

"Is that so?"

"Joseph, please tell me what I did wrong," she pleaded.

"I asked you to interact with the guests, not act like a whore."

Madeline was taken aback by his hurtful remark. "You bastard, how could you say that?" she demanded, her voice rising.

Enraged, Judge Turpin in one swift motion reached out and slapped her across the face, the impact of it making her stumble backward. "How dare you talk to me like that, you little bitch," he spat at her. With tears in her eyes, she backed away before making her way to the back staircase, letting out a choked sob before disappearing from his site upstairs. Gaining control over his anger, he took a deep breath before walking back out to where the guests were. Thankfully, they seemed to be blissfully unaware of what just happened.

"Where is Mrs. Turpin, my lord?" Beadle asked when he noticed Judge Turpin, and suddenly the attention was on him.

"I apologize, but my dear Madeline retired early for the evening. She is not feeling well, and sends you all her best wishes," he fibbed.

"Perhaps your efforts to reproduce have paid off," one of the guests quipped, and everyone else laughed before going back to their individual interactions. Judge Turpin simply forced a smile, knowing exactly why she left.

(((((

It was nearly three in the morning before the final guests departed, and Judge Turpin finally made his way upstairs to the master bedroom with full intentions of seducing his wife into a night of mind-blowing love making. However, when he reached the room he found she was nowhere to be found, which made him panic. Going from room to room, he frantically searched for her, and let out a sigh of relief when he found her in what used to be Joanna's room. Walking over to where she was lying, he watched her as she slept, a twinge of guilt hitting him as he really studied her. Even in the soft candlelight, he could see the tears staining her face, and how swollen her cheek was where he slapped her. Damn his bad temper. He knew his accusations were not only false, but also hurtful to her. Heading down the hall to the master bedroom, he knew he had to make it up to her somehow.

AN: I apologize for how long it has taken to update. I appreciate your patience- hopefully you all have not lost interest! I will try my darndest to update quicker in the future.