- William Shakespeare

Rhea gazed at the place she had now called as home after the month her and Hadrian had dwelled here. She hated to leave the country; it was peaceful and beautiful. She did not feel pressured here as she did in the presence of the ton in London.

She sighed.

She should be happy to be able to go, though. Now, she and Hadrian would officially begin their life together as man and wife. She felt a thrill shoot down her spine.

Last night, Hadrian had retired late; being kept up from business matters, and tenderly awakened her and then made love to her. Her cheeks flamed at the memory. He had been gentle and loving; she could almost fool herself into thinking that he really and truly loved her.

She was brought back to the present when a hand encircled her waist. She jumped and heard a low chuckle emanate behind her. She glanced up into Hadrian eyes; a dark abyss.

"You frightened me," she flushed; she was so easily intimidated, especially when Hadrian was around. He had created this routine feeling in her stomach.

"My apologies, my lady, I did not mean to do so." He gave her a slight smirk. She nodded and looked back towards the country manor.

They would be in London no longer than a few mere hours. She frowned, wanting to run back inside and stay there forever with Hadrian by her side.

"I will miss it, too." Hadrian murmured in her ear; his hot breath blowing on her. She held in the shiver that he created. She looked at him and frowned.

"I don't want to go." She said. She watched as Hadrian brushed her cheek with his hand. His fingers trailed down to her lips, brushing her bottom lip. Rhea's mouth was dry, these feelings Hadrian seemed to elicit were still shocking.

She would somehow have to find a way to deal with it, seeing that she was now with him forever. She reached up and held his hand in hers; she was admittedly shocked by the bold move but, nonetheless, held it tightly.

"We'll visit again?" she asked softly. Hadrian's expression went from being soft to surprise; he was also taken aback by her boldness.

"Yes, we will," He nodded. "Rhea I . . ."

"My lord?" Hadrian snapped toward the intruder, Clarke; who calmly gazed at him.

"Clarke."

"Your presence is needed in the manor," Clarke informed. He glanced briefly at Rhea and then back at Hadrian as he nodded and gave a quick kiss to her forehead.

"Wait in the carriage; I'll only be a few moments. We'll leave after this, I promise."

Rhea gave him a small smile. "I assure you, my lord, I am in no hurry to leave."

Hadrian gave her a slight grin and then followed Clarke back to the manor. Rhea was lead to the carriage by Lily and then waited patiently for Hadrian's return.

With a small frown she prepared herself to be reintroduced to reality.

It was nearly evening when the carriage drew up at the Vale Manor. Rhea was jolted awake when the carriage stopped. She felt Hadrian's hand on her shoulder and moaned lightly, her back stiff from the long ride.

"Come, sleeping beauty, we're home." Hadrian announced.

Rhea looked around and exhaled softly, she was ready to fall into her comfortable bed and possibly spend the rest of the evening sleeping . . . with Hadrian, of course. She nearly tripped while stepping out, she was that weary.

"Watch yourself," Hadrian warned. Rhea looked down to see that London had gotten some rainy weather, the ground was still wet. Hadrian held onto her elbow, escorting her from the carriage and into the manor.

"Clarke."

Clarke came in immediately. Rhea wondered if he was just following them around, waiting to be called on. It did not sound very pleasant but she highly doubted that, mostly because when a person looked upon Clarke they saw a devoted butler, nothing more or less.

"My lord," Clarke's face was grim, his tone abrupt. "I'm afraid someone has broken into the Vale Manor."

Rhea immediately became aware of her surroundings. She glanced towards Hadrian's butler in shock. Someone broke in? How? She spared Hadrian a glance and saw him tense; he shot a warning glare to his butler and turned to her. Rhea didn't stop to see what he was saying, instead she addressed Clarke.

"How could this have happened? Was no one present in the manor?" She demanded. Rhea could feel Hadrian's surprised gaze on her. She didn't care, Hadrian's home was now her home; her concern. Hopefully he would feel the same.

Rhea nearly panicked from the thought; did Hadrian not feel this was their home? Had she been too forward? The man in question did not give her time to speak.

"My lady is correct, I want to know who was here and when this happened," Hadrian said. Rhea peeked at him and saw his jaw was set. He was angry and he had every right to be.

Who would want to break into Hadrian's home? Why would they do this? Did Hadrian have enemies or was it some coincidental break in?

Apparently, she was so transparent that Hadrian caught on to her thoughts. He held her hand in his and dismissed Clarke, demanding that the house be searched.

"Rhea, do not fret; I'm sure 'Tis a misunderstanding, we'll clear it up soon enough," Hadrian assured. Rhea didn't understand how he could put the situation lightly. What if they had been here during the attack? What then?

"Hadrian . . . are you not concerned? I do not think . . ." Hadrian cut her off.

"That is exactly what you should be doing; don't think of the situation at all." Hadrian urged. Rhea had a feeling he was trying to avoid the whole subject, but before she could ask again he spoke, "You are weary, my love. Why not go upstairs to rest? Clarke has already checked our room, you should be fine."

Rhea pursed her lips. Why would he not share his concerns with her? Did he not care? Instead of arguing with him, though, she nodded. "Alright," she paused, glancing up the stairwell, "But you will tell me if anything happens?"

"Of course, my darling, I would never put us, or you, in danger."

Rhea was soothed by his reassurance. At least he would not lie about that, right? She heeded his command and traveled upstairs to their bedroom. As soon as she saw the bed she exhaled in relief. Today had been a long day, too long, she was ready to collapse into the magnificent bed.

Rhea started when she realized that this would be her second time laying in Hadrian's bed in the Vale Manor. She felt giddiness run through her exhausted body. The fact that she was about to fall asleep in Hadrian's bed again made their marriage more apparent.

Hopefully Hadrian felt the same about her, also. As Lily helped her undress and help her change she wondered about the break in and what her husband planned to do about it. If he had anything to do about it, there would probably not be another one and for that Rhea was thankful - she just wanted her marriage to convince Hadrian that she was worth loving.

When she finally crumpled in bed she gave a light sigh, almost sure that she was halfway through completing her mission.

Hadrian slammed his fist on his desk and cursed swiftly. He could not believe this had happened! Who would be bold enough to enter his home while he was away?

He gritted his teeth in anger. The fact that he had to deal with this situation while he had his wife upstairs in their bed, alone, angered him even more. He shook his head and paced briskly. He belonged up there beside her.

Hadrian glanced up sharply when someone knocked on his door and entered. Clarke came in and distributed a glass of brandy. Hadrian snatched it up and took one large toss down.

When he was finished, he looked at Clarke warily, "What did you find?"

"Apparently, my lord, no one was present in the manor when the intruder came, when they came back, nothing was amiss." Clarke announced.

"When did they realize there was an intruder?"

"Nearly two days ago, my lord," Clarke informed. "Miss Andeline went to do her weekly cleaning of the rooms and found the entire master bedroom in chaos, the other room, the one Lady Vale should be occupying, was also in disarray."

"Do we know what they were looking for?" Hadrian demanded.

Clarke shook his head, "I'm afraid not, my lord."

Hadrian grunted and threw another glass full of brandy and swallowed. "I want the constables notified immediately tomorrow morning. Send a note to Matthew Dalting and Devin Smith; he should be back from the country, for a meeting before noon."

"Right away, my lord," Clarke nodded.

Hadrian dismissed him and sat in his chair at the desk. He was feeling restless; not only did he have Lord Utteridge to investigate but now his home had been invaded."

Hadrian let out another curse, frustrated with the turn of events. He tried to think of ways he could try and ease the mind of his wife, who no doubt was as worried as him. He hated the thought of dragging her into this; especially if she could be harmed in some way.

Clarke had mentioned earlier that Rhea's room adjoining his was destroyed. What had the intruders been looking for that might've been in Rhea's room?

Hadrian felt an uneasy feeling develop in the pit of his stomach. Whatever was happening was not going to be good and Hadrian was desperately afraid that it had everything to do with his wife.