Ah, I was evil leaving you there on that cliff, wasn't I?

Thanks for the reviews on the last chapter, and let's see what happened with Derek out there in the snow, and Meredith's reaction...

Chapter Twenty-three
Doing Penance

John urged the gelding forward, and after a few minutes, he was startled to see Midnight charging out of the darkness like a streak of black smoke, and past him towards the stables.

Riderless.

A fact that registered somewhat belatedly, and he kicked the gelding into a canter, suddenly concerned for the well being of Lord Shepherd. To be sure, he hadn't been that worried before, despite her ladyship's fretting; after all, the duke was a good rider. He followed the tracks in the snow and lifted the lantern high to try and see where His Grace might be. There was a dark shadow on the snow close to the far edge of the clearing, and he quickened the gelding's pace to reach it. "Lord Shepherd!" he called out.

Derek waved one hand, thankful to see John riding up. "Here..."

Snow swirled around them insistently, as John leaped down to the ground, letting the gelding trail behind him. "What happened?"

"Midnight threw me," Derek grimaced, letting John help him up. "Not my best moment."

Wisely, John kept his silence, merely helping Derek hobble towards the horse. There was a sharp pain in his left knee, but Derek managed to swing up in the saddle with John's help. Slowly, they made their way towards the stable, John holding the bridle and lighting the way with the lantern.

At the stable, Meredith looked up in surprise when one of the younger grooms started towards the far doors, shouting as Midnight appeared on his own, shaking snow off of his coat. Her heart thudded in fear, when she realized that Derek was nowhere to be seen. "Where is he?" she muttered, dashing forward and peering outside. She clutched her cape around her shoulders, and took a few steps out in the snow. Her delicate shoes were instantly soaked, and she shivered with uncertainty and cold.

"My lady, you should be inside," Dominic said, reappearing by her side.

"Did I not tell you to go back to the manor?" she sighed, but taking the arm he offered and letting him walk her into the stable's perimeter.

"Yes ma'am, you did. However, Miss Rose directed me back..." he replied with a sheepish grin. "If I may say so...I believe I saw a light coming this way...I am sure it is John with His Grace."

Meredith looked in the direction he indicated, and she could make out a bobbing light coming towards them. "I think you are correct." Her fears eased somewhat, as the figures materialized out of the snow, and she could see Derek upright on the horse as John led the gelding towards the stable. As they approached the circle of light at the doorway, she could see the expression of pain combined with resignation on Derek's face. Before Dominic could stop her, she was dashing outside again and taking Derek's hand.

"What happened? Are you all right? Are you injured?" The questions tumbled out of her, just as John and Dominic worked together to lift Derek out of the saddle and onto the ground.

"I fear my pride is wounded, but only my leg is actually injured," Derek admitted, standing somewhat unsteadily. John led the horse away, checking to make sure that Midnight was being taken care of.

"We will send for Dr. Wilding," she assured him. Everything else she was thinking of could wait until they were alone. For the moment, Dominic supported him, and they made their way towards the manor.

It wasn't until they were settled in their bedchamber, the fireplace stoked and a glass of brandy at his hand that Derek was alone with Meredith. The doctor had come as quickly as he could given the weather, and after examining Derek's leg, he had determined that there was a strain in the calf muscle. Nothing appeared to be broken, but the injury would require bed rest for a few days, with ice and compresses to bring down the swelling. Dr. Wilding also left some sleeping powders in case Derek had trouble with pain, and departed with some of the cook's fresh bread and strawberry preserves, and promises of seeing everyone at the Christmas fete.

After that, Derek's valet has bustled in and taken care to make sure he was settled, and warm, while Meredith had spent some time with the children. The setting of the angel on the tree and the other traditional moments would have to wait for the next day. A light dinner had been sent up, and waited in front of the fireplace.

"Will you be all right for the night?" she inquired, brushing her hair slowly, catching his eyes in the mirror of the dressing table. She had been quiet up until then, and Derek realized this was more ominous than if she had been railing at him.

"Fine..." he replied, but his calf throbbed, and he winced slightly as he adjusted his position on the bed. The brandy helped somewhat to alleviate the discomfort, and he laid back against the pillows thankfully. "How angry are you with me?"

"Mmm...I was quite upset when I saw Midnight running to the stable without you...the sight was shocking..." she said, turning to look at him. She rested her hand on the burgeoning swell of her abdomen.

"I am sorry, my love. I did not anticipate the weather taking that turn for the worse, and Midnight took me by surprise. It will never happen again." He pushed the bedding aside, and held his hand out to her. "Come now and give me some comfort..." he urged, with that look in his eyes that usually seduced her. He was naked under the feather comforter, and her response was both immediate and hotly arousing.

Still, she sat back, contemplating the brush in her hands, resisting that temptation of his body. "Derek..I was afraid of what I would find, when John sent word you had not returned. All I could think of was the time that Marcus fell off his horse and hit his head before our wedding. Not to mention what happened to Kate's first husband..." Kate had been left a widow after her husband had fallen from his horse while hunting, killing him instantly. It was all too common and terrifying.

Derek closed his eyes "But I wasn't, and I'm here now...is that not the main thing?"

Meredith pushed to her feet and made her way to the bed, standing with her hands on her hips. "Derek Galen Michael Shepherd! You have no idea how worried I was when I heard you were out there alone in the dark! I should be very angry with you – after all your concern about my delicate condition, and with the guests arriving soon, and the party...what if you fell and hit your head on a rock, or broke your fool neck! You could have died out there! Then what would I do?" She took a deep breath, feeling the tears threatening to spill that she had been holding back until now.

"Sweetheart, come here..." he urged, taking her hand and pulling her down to the bed. He smoothed away the dampness along her cheek gently. "I am so sorry about making you worry, especially in your condition. It was foolish of me to ride alone with the threat of snow. Will you forgive me?"

"Derek...of course, but you need to be careful. Your family needs you...I need you..." she reminded him softly. "I love you so much, I can't imagine life without you..."

"Meredith, you don't have to be without me..." He took her hands and kissed her fingers. "I love you and it was completely thoughtless of me. I will need to make this up to you..." he sighed. His lips founds hers, and the kiss was slow and sensual, despite the pain that throbbed in his leg. When he let her go, she settled in against his chest, while he held her tightly.

"I suppose you should do some sort of penance, however, in your present condition, it would be beneficial if you rest..." she murmured. "I should just tuck you in and let you sleep."

"Meredith, it is only my leg that is injured," he reminded her. "All the other parts are working quite well..." He gathered her closer, and kissed her again, and she surrendered for a few moments, grateful for his heat and strength. But before he could make a move to seduce her into something more than a kiss, she eased away.

"You need to eat something, and then sleep..." she murmured, as he gave her a puzzled look. "Let me bring you a plate, and then you should rest." She moved off the bed, before he could capture her again, and he fell back with an exasperated groan.

"Very well...so there will be no making love tonight then...?"

Meredith shook her head and managed to look innocent. "Only sleeping..."

"So what have you done to yourself?" Kate inquired as she greeted Derek and Meredith on their arrival two days later. The snows had been cleared away from the drive, and carriages had been able to make their way carefully towards the Manor. Now there were four carriages with horses, and footmen milling about, helping the occupants down, and sorting out suitcases. Derek and Meredith had waited at the top of the stairway, wrapped in warm coats, with Derek leaning on a carved oak cane to take some pressure off his leg.

"Ah, Kate, good to see you as well," Derek grinned, accepting the hug from his sister. Alex was marshalling the children, while Eleanor and Lord John were being helped over the slippery stones by Dominic and Charles. "It is a rather embarrassing tale, we can discuss that later."

Meredith hugged Kate next, giving her a little smile. "He is still in trouble over it."

"I cannot wait to hear all about that and your stay at court as well," Kate said, as the rest of the group joined them. Alex was followed by their oldest girl, Marianna (from his first wife who had died in childbirth), then Beatrice with the twins Patrick and Galen, and the youngest child Thomas, clinging to the boys' hands.

"My goodness, you all look so much bigger!" Meredith knelt down to try and hug all of them at the same time. Just as Eleanor and John joined them, and more hugs were given all around before they decided to move inside where it was warm.

The pandemonium continued there, as Rose had the children and dogs waiting somewhat impatiently, and the cousins all greeted each other noisily. While Winston and one of the other footmen worked to gather outerwear, the noise level rose as everyone tried to talk at the same time.

"We need to gather in the Great Room!" Derek finally called out over the din. "We have the tree there and there will be refreshments." He took his mother's arm, and led the way with John at her other side.

Eleanor patted his arm gently. "You will explain your injury, of course, won't you dear?"

"Nothing serious, Mother. Just a strain." He grimaced slightly, as they moved quickly over the tiled floor.

"Bad enough to warrant a cane, Derek," she noted dryly.

Derek could hear Meredith chatting with Kate behind him, and feminine laughter punctuated their conversation. He exchanged a glance with both Alex and John, but neither of them were able to help him at the moment. "Very well, once we are settled I will tell you all the sad tale of what happened, and I hope you can sympathize. And then we will not speak of it again..."

"At least until Sloan arrives," Alex laughed.

"Oh, and Lisbeth and Lucien," Meredith added, reminding him of his youngest sister and her husband.

Once they were ushered into the Great Room, and the rest of the group was occupied in admiring the tree and the myriad of festive decorations, Derek pulled Meredith aside. "My love, is this part of my punishment?" he asked softly, his hand warm on her cheek.

"What are you talking about?"

"Making me share the tale of my injury?"

Meredith smoothed the snowy white cravat at his throat, and gave him a little mischievous smile. "My lord, you did say you deserved some penance for making me worry."

"I do believe you have punished me enough..." He raised one eyebrow suggestively. "It has been two days now, and no intimate relief, my love...this is not like you..."

"Hush, now, not when the family is here," she murmured, giving his cheek a little caress. "We have to entertain them..."

"Meredith..." he muttered, but she was already gliding away, her silk skirts rustling, leaving him with just the scent of her lavender essence. With a resigned mutter under his breath, he joined the rest of the family. Obviously he was going to have to come up with something to make things right with Meredith, all while entertaining the family and hosting a grand Christmas party. Nothing like a challenge, he grinned to himself, as Alex handed him a glass of whiskey.

"Happy Christmas, Derek," Alex toasted him with his own glass. "It's good to see you. You look happy, despite the injury and all..."

Derek leaned on his cane, and sipped his drink. "I am happy, Alex..." His gaze travelled around the room, over the children, his mother and his father-in-law, and settled on Kate and Meredith together. "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the world."