- Joseph Parry

- Fred Gregory, The Duke's Wife

Over the next few weeks Rhea experienced marital bliss. She felt the bond between her and Hadrian growing stronger and could not contain her glee over the fact. Although, Hadrian may deny it publicly, she was sure he felt something for her.

Currently, she was in the garden strolling down the pathway. She was coming to love the country. It was quiet and peaceful and it felt very much different from London's polluted air.

Rhea momentarily closed her eyes and inhaled the sweet smelling roses. In the past days, Rhea found Hadrian working determinedly in his study; she was curious to what he was doing. Many times she wanted to bring it up, but it never seemed the right time.

She wondered if that was his way of avoiding her and these emotions that she was positive he felt. It had to be. As much as she wanted to dwell on those matters, she felt herself succumbing to the pleasantness of the outdoors.

"Lady Vale?" Rhea looked up at the interruption of her thoughts. She smiled slightly when she saw a young boy stumbling his way towards her.

"Edward! How do you do?" She asked.

Edward gave her a shy smile and commented softly, "Fine, my lady." He looked down and, then, abruptly remembering something, he stood straight and announced that she had visitors.

Rhea's eyebrows raised; who did she know that was in the country?

For a moment, Rhea dreaded walking into the parlor. She prayed that it was not that vile woman, Carolotta Adair. She did not think she could withstand another visit from her.

She turned back to where Edward vanished to, leaving her to her thoughts. She should've asked about the visitor.

With a shake of her head she headed back toward the house and stood tall. She felt her curiosity overtake her and couldn't help but quicken her step to find out who the person was.

She entered the house and started toward the parlor. She opened the doors and scanned the settings and found a blonde haired woman gazing at her, she smiled awkwardly at the stranger.

"Oh, um . . . good afternoon, my lady." Rhea stammered. The young lady smiled and giggled.

"Oh please, no one has called me that in years!" The young woman protested. "My, Hadrian really did it." the woman murmured.

Rhea was starting to feel frustrated. She'd never been this helpless before . . . other than the time her parents announced her arranged marriage. She strolled forward and sat down on the settee. Rhea hoped and prayed this was not another one of Hadrian's conquest. She did not think she could take another "Lottie".

"Oh! Gracious me, I did not introduce myself," the young lady had the grace to flush. "I'm afraid I am not use to not walking in here."

Rhea wanted to groan. It was another "Lottie", lord help her!

"My name is Annabel Smith; I am an old friend of Hadrian." She smiled. "My husband is also one of his friends; we all grew up together so we're very close."

Rhea wanted to exhale with relief but nodded along with Annabel instead. At least she wasn't another of Hadrian's amours. Sometimes, Rhea felt the need to strangle the man and kiss him at the same time.

"Great to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Smith-"

"Annabel, please. That is Devin's mother, not I." Annabel grinned.

"-Annabel, I am Hadrian's wife, Rhea Vale." Rhea introduced herself. It was a wonder, of course, since they had not been introduced formally before, but Rhea did not argue. She felt the need to learn everything she could about Hadrian through this woman.

Not to mention, Annabel seemed friendly and approachable; definitely better than "Lottie".

"Oh, I know that. It's in the papers!" Annabel squealed with glee. "Never would I have thought to see the day that Hadrian would marry."

"Why is that?" Rhea inquired. She had not known they put her and Hadrian's ceremony in the papers . . . Although, Hadrian was deemed a fine catch.

"Hadrian has never been a socialite. He hated involving himself unnecessarily with the ton. Of course, no one could blame him. Hadrian did not exactly have the best childhood." Annabel explained. "What interests me, Rhea, is why he chose to marry now and why you."

The blatant question caused Rhea to flush self-consciously. Did Annabel disapprove? Somehow, Rhea felt the need to feel accepted by Hadrian's old friend, one who knew more about her husband than she did.

"Oh, please, do not take offense, I am just curious, it is my nature." Annabel grinned sheepishly. "How did you and Hadrian meet?"

"It is not like you think it is," Rhea said uneasily. Should she confide in this complete stranger? She knew nothing about Annabel Smith other than the fact that she was part of Hadrian's life.

Though, it did not strike a wrong cord in her to reveal the reason behind Hadrian and her's marriage.

"T'was arranged." Rhea announced. Annabel's eyes widened.

"Surely it is not so." Annabel protested.

"It is. I had only ever heard of Hadrian before two months ago. My father and mother announced the arrangement near three months ago." Rhea sighed. "Although, it seems as if Hadrian and I might've known each other more than those two months."

She flushed in embarrassment at the revelation of her feelings. She looked across at Annabel and saw a strange expression flicker in her golden eyes.

Before Annabel could comment on anything on what Rhea said, the parlor door came open and in strode Rhea's husband and another man, presumably Annabel's husband.

"Anna, I hope you are not troubling the poor girl." Devin, a dark-haired man with light eyes, grinned. Rhea looked between Devin and Annabel and saw the obvious love that surfed between them.

She envied Annabel. She wanted that for Hadrian and herself. She gave a light sigh and glanced towards Hadrian, he was gazing at her with an odd expression.

She immediately blushed and tried to look away but Hadrian's eyes held her still, not letting her do as she wished.

". . . very lovely, I hear." Annabel said. Rhea shook herself from thoughts of her husband and turned back to Annabel. She was grinning at her.

"Excuse me?" Rhea murmured. Devin, who now sat by his wife, chuckled.

"I was just mentioning to you about hearing how lovely your ceremony was. Everybody was entranced with the bride and groom. It is said that many were speechless." Annabel's eyes became eager.

"As was I, my lady." Rhea turned, shocked to hear the comment from her husband. He was smiling at her, his eyes twinkling with mischievousness.

"Oh!" Annabel sighed. "How lovely that is! Rhea, you must tell me all about your wedding when I come again."

Rhea found herself looking forward to that time. She saw Annabel as a potential friend and couldn't wait to bond more with the vibrant woman.

"Rhea, I'm afraid you haven't formally met the Smith's. Forgive me, it is my mistake." Annabel grinned and waved away Hadrian's words. "Please allow me to introduce my old friends, Lord Devin Delmont and his wife; Lady Annabel Delmont."

Devin murmured a polite hello and a grin. "It is good to meet you Lady Vale. Felicitations to your marriage, I apologize for myself and Annabel that we could not make it."

"Please, call me Rhea, and of course, I understand. I do appreciate the thought, though." Rhea smiled. She did appreciate it; the Delmont's were a lovely pair.

"I'm afraid we must be going, then, my love." Devin laid his hand upon his wife's back.

"So soon?" Annabel asked, a frown marring her beautiful face. Devin looked at her sharply, a look that did not bode well for any protest. Annabel sighed. "I am not an invalid." She muttered.

Rhea chuckled softly at the small scowl on Annabel's face; of course, it could not even be called such a word. The look itself on the woman was cute, at most.

Annabel stood reluctantly and walked over to Rhea, she hugged her tightly. "I am so very glad he picked you. Take care of him for me." Annabel whispered lightly in her ear.

Rhea became confused; had something happened to Hadrian that she did not know? Had he been hurt?

Annabel let go and crossed over to Hadrian and held him tightly, also. "You treat that girl kindly, now." Annabel commanded. Devin rolled his eyes at the woman he loved and urged her to the exit of the home.

Devin grasped Hadrian's shoulder with gruff affection. "I will see what I can do." Hadrian nodded slightly and led the couple out. Rhea perked up at the comment.

What was going on, exactly?

After they had left, Hadrian kissed her lightly on the forehead and told her he had something to attend to at the town nearby. She had not even said good bye before he was out the door.

She did not feel right, something was happening and she had no clue what it was. She only wished Hadrian would talk to her. Instead he'd only touch her and caress her with tender words.

Was he hiding something from her? Would she become upset should she find out?

Rhea let out a defeated sigh. She would not press him for answers, she'd let him figure it out in his own time and once he did, hopefully he would let her in.

He honestly was getting nowhere with this situation.

It had been several weeks since he last heard any news about Utteridge. He was getting impatient and anxious for more answers.

"M'lord! 'is good to see you in town." One of the townsfolk walked towards him and greeted him with an eager handshake. Fred, was his name, he was a storekeeper. "Will you be staying long, then?"

"I'm afraid not, Fred. A few more weeks and then back to London." Hadrian smiled sadly. He would miss this place. This was his home most of his childhood. This was where he felt he belonged.

"I hear you went an' got married, eh?" Fred grinned.

"That I did, Fred." Hadrian let out a sweet smile at the thought of his innocent wife.

"Felicitations to you, then." Fred nodded. "Mary's just about ready to give birth to our sixth."

Hadrian grinned at the man who had been his friend for a while. "Congratulations, man. Tell Mary as well, I am happy for you."

Fred beamed. "Yea, I cannot wait to greet 'em; nothin' similar to holdin' a new one in your arms while they look up at you, knowing that's your pa."

Hadrian paused. He gazed at Fred with a strange look. Never had he heard something like that before, but it was obvious at the look on Fred's face that he was excited to meet his unborn child. You could hear it in the words that he spoke when talking about holding this child in his arms.

For a moment, Hadrian pictured himself in that situation. He imagined Rhea swelling with his child, cupping his hand over her belly and seeing his child in his arms.

Hadrian felt a swift feeling of pride and hunger. He wanted a child with Rhea, he wanted to see her grow with his seed, and he wanted to hold his baby in his arms and watched him for the first time. He craved it.

Hadrian was shocked by his urge to make it so. Since when did he imagine having a family with Rhea? Of course, she was his wife and in the end she would bear him a son to take on his name, but he wanted more than that.

He wanted her to want this child that would be conceived because of their love.

Hadrian stopped abruptly.

He shook his head, clearing the ridiculous thoughts in his head. He bid Fred a farewell and reminded himself to send them a gift and then moved on to finish his business.

He could not be distracted by these twisted emotions, even if he did want them to come true.

He knew, from experience, what the outcome would be and he would not wish it upon his worst enemy.