Hello my loves! I'm very sorry for the long wait! July was a very hectic month for me and half the time I was sick, so please excuse my failure of not updating D: I know I cannot make up for it! I tried making this one longer . . . guys, I really don't think this is my best chapter, honestly. I mean, it's 2am and I'm wavering between headache's and a compulsion to do something - have you had any of those moments? - and I decided to just update!

Hopefully this chapter is ok and I'll be working on Chapter 15 and trying my best to make it better. Really guys - I'm not happy with this chapter but it's an update and, well . . . tell me what you think!

Loves!

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Chapter 14

"Time you enjoy wasting, is not wasted time."

- Marthe Troly-Curtin, Phrynette Married

Rhea gazed at the woman who was currently seated to the left of her husband at the head of the table. She couldn't help but feel a frustration bubble forth inside of her at the absurd action that this lady had taken - in her home, no less!

Hadrian didn't seem to mind the intrusion, which, honestly, baffled Rhea. Rhea continued to look on as the woman and her husband acted on as old friends; intimate old friends.

She had not dealt with a situation as such and couldn't help but worry what was going on between the two.

When she had carelessly interrupted her and Hadrian's moment, Hadrian had admittedly been irritated, but then seeing who the intruder was his entire demeanor changed. He introduced the incomer as Lady Carolotta Adair, the Viscountess of Alridge, or otherwise known as Lottie.

"My lord, when I heard the news of your matrimony and then your arrival in the country I knew I had to congratulate you as I was unable to attend your wedding." Lady Adair smiled.

"That is very kind of you, Lottie. My wife and I gladly accept your praises." Hadrian nodded. Rhea clenched her fists and tried to reign in this new form of feelings inside her.

It was consuming and powerful. She couldn't understand what was going on with her but she felt the urge to wring the woman's neck and kick her out of her home.

Good grief, she felt faint.

"I do hope you travel was well, the weather should have been pleasant." 'Lottie' batted her lashes.

Hadrian, who didn't seem to notice the vile gesture, smiled. "Yes, we had a good journey. Admittedly, we are still very fatigued, but we do not mind atall your arrival, do we, my love?" Hadrian now looked to her and Rhea's eyes widened.

How could she lie about her feelings? Surely Hadrian could see it through her eyes?

"Of course, my lord, it is a pleasure to meet your friend." Rhea sincerely hoped that Hadrian realized the emphasis on 'friend'.

"Oh, silly me. I'm forgetting my manners. You both have just arrived; it seems foolish now for my haste to meet you."

"Nonsense. We appreciate the welcome, my lady." Hadrian's grin was as charming as Lottie's reactions to her newfound, or maybe old, attention.

After they finished lunch, Hadrian went to escort Lady Adair back to her carriage for her ride home. Rhea sent a silent prayer of thanks, not knowing if she could stand these suffocating feelings any longer.

She soon started to wonder of the relationship of Hadrian and Lady Adair. How had they met? Did she know him long?

Rhea sighed lightly. She was not happy about the circumstances she had just been thrown in. She needed a ride with Almond. That would help her mood.

As she was about to make her way to the stables, a hand caught around her waist and she yelped. A deep chuckle reverberated from Hadrian.

Rhea narrowed her eyes and scowled at him. Hadrian seemed taken aback by her foul mood.

"Are you unwell, my lady?" Hadrian asked, he looked at her with tender concern that Rhea did not have the heart to bring up her worries.

"No, you just caught me unawares."Rhea murmured. Hadrian rewarded her with a grin.

"What do you say if we retire early, my love?" Hadrian leaned down to whisper the words in her ear and Rhea couldn't hold back the shiver that coursed down her spine.

But her eyes widened at the thought of making love to Hadrian in broad daylight. "But, my lord, surely one does not do such things in the middle of the day?"

Hadrian let out a husky laugh. "Oh, but I disagree, little wife. Come, let me prove to you it is done."

Hadrian casually held out his hand to her, with a wicked gleam in his eye.

No matter what, Rhea thought, at the end of the eve he is mine.

She glanced back up into his eyes and reached for his hands. He eagerly took her in his arms and guided her towards the manor and to their bedroom.

He showed her that, indeed, one does such things in the brightest of day.

Hadrian reluctantly removed himself carefully away from his slumbering wife. He gave a quick glance down at her figure and sighed. As much as he did not want to leave the comfort of his bed with his wife, he must.

He dressed efficiently and headed downstairs to his study where he could conduct the matters that were weighing on his mind.

Ever since Lord Hemmingway brought up the name of Lord Utteridge Hadrian was having a hard time getting out of his mind. After contacting his associates he was able to start a search of the name and the background.

Before Hadrian and Rhea left for the country home a letter was sent to Hadrian regarding the man. Apparently, there was no man named Lord Utteridge. Not local, at least.

Even more so, Dalting had contacted him saying that the man himself had disappeared. Hadrian couldn't help but feel a little paranoid of the fact.

What was the reason for the man's false identity? Where was he from and why was he engaging with the Hemmingway's? Where did the man come from?

Hadrian felt momentarily frustrated that these questions were not being answered. He sent the delivery boy a letter to Dalting, hoping to get more information on the man and what his identity is.

As of right now, all he could do was wait. Unfortunately, when it comes to situations as these, Hadrian wasn't fond of sitting around like a duck. He wanted to take action. Now.

He ran a hand through his slick hair and closed his eyes briefly. How did Lord Utteridge get in contact with the Hemmingway's anyway?

Hadrian opened his eyes, shocked.

Rhea had met him first through the young pup - Lord Ashwin. How did Ashwin know the man?

He was going to find out, the boy better have a good reason for getting mixed up with falsehood. Not when it involved his wife or him.

Rhea was awakened by Lily, announcing that supper would begin soon. She was currently stuck in the haze of Hadrian's love making and couldn't stop the satisfied grin from reaching her lips.

Hadrian was a powerful man, in and out of bed. Rhea groaned and started to rise with obvious reluctance.

She glanced to Hadrian's side of the bed and frowned, forgetting her happiness. Did he leave early? Where had he gone?

She shook her head and focused on getting ready, she wanted to dress up for her husband. Of course, she was still amazed by her thoughts and how much she desired to please her husband.

She wanted to see how he would react to her appearance this eve. Would he be surprised? She hoped so.

"Lily, the red dress, please." Rhea smiled. Lily gave her mistress an approving nod.

As soon as she finished dressing and Lily finished doing her hair, leaving tendril of hair loosely flowing around her face she allowed herself to be escorted downstairs to the dinning room.

Hadrian stood as she entered and she blushed lightly when Hadrian made an obvious sound of approval. Rhea's dress was meant to entice and Rhea believed that it was making it's worth.

"My lady, you look as beautiful as ever." Hadrian announced as she neared. Of course, her blush returned. "How was your rest? Satisfying, I hope."

"Yes, my lord. I slept very well." Rhea teased. Hadrian's eyes darkened and a small grin slipped to his lips.

"I'm glad to hear so. Please, let's sit, I'm famished." Hadrian helped Rhea sit and then sat down himself. Rhea watched as Hadrian devoured his meal as if it was his last.

He managed to catch her staring at him and looked at her seductively. Rhea giggled at him and he frowned, not expecting that reaction. She began laughing now, her eyes crinkling at the sides with the effort.

"Please, my lady, what is so amusing?" he asked. Rhea tried to muffle her amusement as she scooted closer and grabbed the table cloth, lightly dabbing the sauce on his cheek and nose.

Hadrian gave her a wry grin when he realized what the problem was. "I could've sworn you were mocking me."

"I would not dare, Hadrian." She smirked.

He narrowed his eyes wickedly. "I would hope so, my love. The consequences may be a very hard price to pay."

Rhea gazed at him, seriously. "Of course, my lord, I would accept nothing less."

"Ah, my beautiful wife, I am a fortunate man."

"That you are, my lord." Rhea giggled. Hadrian shook his head and started to rise.

"You have tested me far enough, wench. Now it is time to pay!" Rhea squealed as she revealed his intention.

She leaped from her chair and started to dash across the table. She made it to the other side and faced Hadrian opposite of her. She grinned at him.

"You are only making it worse, little wife." He clucked his tongue.

"I shall take my chances." Rhea answered boldly. Hadrian grinned and made a false left as Rhea moved right and then turned the opposite way, going straight for her.

Rhea gasped and cursed her dress for the limited movement it allowed her. She located the terrace doors and pushed herself to reach them.

They both broke out into the country air and chased each other until finally Hadrian caught Rhea, so abruptly, though, that they collapsed to the ground, Hadrian taking the brunt of the fall.

They breathed heavily between each other and Rhea could not wipe her smile away. She snuggled to Hadrian's side, seeking the heat he always seemed to have.

"I have not done this since I was a boy." Hadrian broke the silence by his quiet words. Rhea tried to look for any type of bitterness or sadness but couldn't find any. Instead, it was wonder.

"I did not know what I was missing until you came." Hadrian sighed into Rhea's hair. "You are a gift to me."

"I am the one who is gifted, Hadrian." Rhea objected. "I am glad that you chose me to be your wife."

Something in Hadrian's eyes shifted in that moment, something that terrified Hadrian in the emotion itself, the intensity of his feelings to his wife who he seemed to know but, yet, was a stranger to him.

Hadrian leaned over Rhea and brushed her ruined hair do from her face. Rhea had never felt more beautiful; with dirt covering her clothes and skin, her hair mussed up, her face glowing in the dark, Hadrian in her arms . . .

Hadrian moved closer and captured her lips with his. Rhea was definitely privileged to have this man and to call him hers. She knew how she felt about this man.

Now she must convince him that he can do the same, too.