Hey guys, I was up and couldn't sleep and, yes, in pain, but I felt in the mood to write, so here's another chapter to the Duke's Wife ... and it isn't in a month! YAY! Lol, anyways, hope you like it! Don't forget to vote, comment and fan if you haven't already! I love hearing feedback!

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Chapter 9

A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no laws, no pity. It dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in it's path.

- Agatha Christie

*Rhea*

Rhea couldn't believe how fast things had been progressing in the past fortnight. Plans of the wedding were being applied and invitations had already been sent. Rhea felt a wave of overwhelming awareness come over her.

She couldn't comprehend the increasing steadiness of the days that brought her closer to becoming Hadrian's wife. While it terrified her it also excited her. She'd find herself daydreaming of Hadrian and what it would be like on their wedding, when they spoke their vows.

She knew she was being childish and perhaps foolish, but ever since the notion that she might be in love with the duke kept reappearing in her mind constantly. She thought of him throughout her days and nights.

While it had been obvious that he still held a polite nature around her, she couldn't help but noticed that he seemed indifferent. Had he changed his mind on her becoming his wife?

She hoped not.

As her wedding day approached with sureness she was becoming more and more nervous.

"Dear god; help me," she prayed.

She didn't know how long she could anxiously await for the day where Hadrian would be hers and she would be his. Thinking of this made a delightful shiver crawl up her spine.

"Rhea, you must stay still." Lucinda reprimanded. Rhea gave a nod of acknowledgement and stayed still while the seamstress continued her fitting. She sighed lightly.

With her wedding only three days time, the household was getting hectic. Rhea worried that by the time the wedding came, they might have over done everything. But, being the organized mother that she was, Lucinda would never allow that to happen on her only daughter's wedding day.

"Alright then, my lady. The dress fits magnificently and I believe His Grace shall be very pleased." The seamstress, Diane, smirked. "I also included several other gowns, dresses and undergarments to be shipped to the Vale Mansion on Lady Rhea's wedding day."

"Very good," Lucinda nodded and smiled at Rhea's questionable face. "I just thought it would be a nice wedding gift, seeing as it will be the last time I shall see you for a while."

Rhea stared at her mother. Lucinda smiled lovingly at her daughter and beckoned her forward. Rhea stepped down from the stand and went to her mother, her hands being drawn into worn ones.

"I know," her mother started gently, "that we have went about this in the wrong way, and I am dreadfully sorry for that." Lucinda paused and Rhea waited while her mother collected herself.

"I want you to know that your father and I love you very much and we would not have gone through with this agreement if we didn't think it was the best for you."

"I know, mama." Rhea said quietly. "I do not blame you; I only wished that you would have informed me before."

Lucinda cried softly, "I understand, dear. We should have done so, I should have done so." Lucinda breathed deeply, dabbing at her eyes. "But I am so very proud of you, my dear. I couldn't have wished for a better daughter."

"Oh, mama." Rhea enveloped her mother in her arms and held her tightly. Although her parents' betrayal had left their relationship scarred, she could not see herself not forgiving them.

After all, Rhea knew they believed this right for her.

A knock sounded at the door and both ladies turned. "Pardon my interruption, my ladies, but it is time for luncheon." Jamison informed.

"We shall be right down, Jamison." Lucinda smiled. As the door closed Lucinda pulled away from her daughter gently. "Now that we've cleared that up, I feel much better."

"As do I." Rhea grinned. "Shall we head on, then?"

"Of course. Your father must be impatient to dine to have sent Jamison." Lucinda grinned.

They made their way down to the dining room and Jamison dutifully held the door open for them both. Rhea smiled at Jamison and nodded thankfully.

When her head lifted to greet her father her voiced suddenly got cluttered and caught in a choke as her heart halted to an abrupt stop.

There, sitting across from her usual seat, sat the very own Duke of Vale himself. Rhea didn't realize she had stopped in the middle of the hallway until her mother laid a gentle had at her back.

"Oh, Your Grace, what a wonderful surprise." Lucinda exclaimed. A wry grin formed at Hadrian's lips.

"Please, Lucinda, I am to be your son soon, call me Hadrian." He nodded. "As for the surprise . . . it caught me unawares myself. I was close to the manor, so I decided to drop by for lunch. Please excuse my interlude."

"Nonsense," Lucinda grinned. She went to sit at Abraham's right hand while Rhea took a seat beside her. "We are happy to have you."

"Lucinda is right, my boy." Abraham nodded jovially. Rhea was shocked at the light mood being displayed, seeing as Abraham and Hadrian had been at odds not too long ago. Apparently, Rhea thought, the union between them both cured that.

"I am glad." He responded. His gaze suddenly settled on Rhea and Rhea couldn't help but hold his gaze. She was attacked by reminders of how she had longed to see those eyes from her dreams and how she wished to see his handsome face instead of images her mind conjured of.

She felt a light blush spreading across her face, feeling the heat of it. Hadrian smirked at her and continued to carry on eating, partaking in conversation with both her mother and father.

While he did so, Rhea took the few spared moments to admire him. He had recently shaved and from the way his damp hair was carelessly tossed back, he had hurried from wherever he was to get here.

His outing was stylish yet rugged. His body managed to outline every possible space in the dress shirt and pants. His muscles in his forearms and biceps bulged slightly, yet, not unattractively.

The young Duke was a sight.

*Hadrian*

Hadrian could feel her eyes on him, it was hard not to. He had spent a whole fortnight without seeing her and it had cause disruption in his life, something that he didn't want to admit freely.

He needed to get this need, this crush out of his system before it got out of hand.

He hadn't been lying when he admitted to the family that it had surprised him as well when he found himself knocking on the Hemmingway's Manor.

But he had, and this is where it had gotten him.

He managed to take a peek at the fair Rhea herself and saw that she had been openly staring at him. At being caught from the blatant show, she blushed but held his gaze.

Good grief, what this woman-child did to him! He was drowning in desire for her, something he had not felt for a woman in a long, long time.

He felt weak and foolish to let his feelings go so . . . loosely. She finally looked away from him and he couldn't help but develop a sense of loss inside of him.

He really must rid himself of these silly notions that he possessed for her. But how?

During the entire time they spent away from each other, Hadrian had never felt so lost. Every night he would lay tangled in his sheets, dreaming of her, yearning for her . . .

During the day he would loose track of time daydreaming of how beautiful she would look today and wondering if she ever thought about him throughout her day. It drove him damn crazy.

Even Matthew had commented on his manner, or the lack of it thereof. It seemed the beautiful and fair Rhea Hemmingway brought out the best and the worst in him.

He continued to look at her with wonder.

How could such a girl cause such distortion inside himself?

"Hadrian?" Hadrian snapped out of yet another daydream to look at Abraham. Looking at the man, Hadrian couldn't help but still feel the contempt he had for him.

"Pardon me; I seemed to have lost my wits." He grinned good naturedly.

Abraham nodded indulgently. "Of course," he paused. "I wanted to ask you of an important matter involving a Lord Utteridge. He happened to be in one of my circles and have a position with the Prince of Wales."

"Lord Utteridge?" Rhea asked, apparently hearing their discussion. "Why, isn't that Lord Ashwin's friend?"

Hadrian clenched his teeth from hissing. What was with the darn young lord that made his name come out of this fairy's lips? His fairy, at that!

"Is it, now?" Abraham mused. Rhea nodded.

"Yes, I remember. He introduced us at the park. Leia was with me. I admit to not having seen him in society before though." Rhea answered.

"I see." Abraham nodded again. "I just wanted to know. He offered me a position that had to do the Political Office. I considered taking the position, but declined."

"Are you sure the man is Lord Utteridge?" Hadrian asked.

"I am sure of it." Abraham replied. He looked at Hadrian skeptical, "Do you know the man?"

"I do not. He must have come from another country." Hadrian's voice hardened. Even though he was unsure of the man, the name sounded oddly familiar.

"If you'd like, I have sources who can do a background check." Hadrian offered.

Abraham shook his head. "Do not worry. I am sure we won't be seeing him soon, he didn't seem like the type to enjoy balls and those things."

"Well, I must say I've had a pleasant time spent here this noon." Hadrian announced, looking at Rhea.

"As have we all." Lucinda beamed. "We are glad you joined us."

"Before I go, I'd like to take a walk about the gardens with Rhea, if she has no commitments." Hadrian inquired. Lucinda shook her head.

"No, no, she does not. Take her." Lucinda urged.

Rhea looked sharply at Hadrian and he saw her hand tremble slightly before gathering her composure. She stood from her seat and nodded.

Hadrian grinned lightly at her and met her around the table and walked toward the double doors leading to the terrace. He offered his hand to her and she took it hesitantly.

Once he felt her slide his hand in his, he gripped it tightly, having no qualms of letting go anytime soon; no matter what his feelings.