- Lemony Snicket

Rhea woke up with a modest ache upon her head and cringed at the way it pained her greatly. She looked towards the window and was shocked to find it nearly midday. Hadrian had already left their bed and gone elsewhere; at the thought of Hadrian came barraging thoughts of last night and Rhea blushed lightly at the sweet words he had whispered to her in the nighttime.

It had been nearly a fortnight since the picnic Hadrian and Rhea had arranged. She had never felt more gratis in her life than that day she did with her friends and Hadrian. She had witnessed a side of Hadrian that she had never the opportunity to view before; it gave her hope that she could possibly open his heart to have greater affection for her.

She carefully moved towards the bell-pull to ring for Lily. A few moments later, Lily entered and approached her Lady.

"Are you of needing assistance, my lady?" Lily asked.

"Oh, yes. I fear I feel a dreadful ache upon my head approaching, would you mind telling Mrs. Wilson to produce that herbal tea of hers?"

"Of course, my lady, right away." Lily made her way to the door but Rhea stopped her.

"By the by, do you happen to know wher Lord Vale is?" Rhea inquired. She had been meaning to have an outing with Annabel and had just assembled a day with her before.

"Yes, ma'am, he is downstairs in his study. Would you like me to beckon him here?"

"No, no. 'Tis alright, just the tea would be nice. I'll be wearing that soft violet dress that I purchased." Rhea smiled.

"Right away," Lily left and made her way down to the Cook to assemble Lady Vale's tea.

Meanwhile, Rhea lay back against the comfort of her bed and willed the dull ache to be away with. She did not wish to spend the day with Annabel in such a weak state. Not a moment later, Lily returned with the herbal tea clutched in her hand.

"Here you go, my lady, well in a jiffy, you'll be." Lily promised with a slanted grin. Rhea nodded her thanks and sipped at the hot tea. It was precisely what she needed in her state of being.

When Lily finished clothing Rhea, Rhea made her way down the staircase to find her husband. She let out a relieved sigh when she finally felt the pain leave her. She wandered over to Hadrian's study and found him hovering over a missive.

He looked up and caught her at the entrance and broke into a soft smile. He stood from his chair and strolled towards her. He took her into his arms as soon as he could attain her. She tilted her head up for his impending kiss. He did not disappoint her; he took her mouth with his and gave her a brief yet passionate kiss.

"What is the matter, my love?" he asked as he pulled back to look at her. Rhea took a moment to look at him and felt a sudden thrill go through her at his intent gaze.

He really was a force to be reckoned with, she thought. Without a sense of mind, she reached upwards and stroked his face in her hand.

Hadrian was wary of this act of affection, not expecting the sudden deed. Rhea couldn't believe she had done so, either. She shook her head and stepped back.

"My apologies-"

"Do not be sorry," he interrupted. Rhea met his gaze and then looked down; unsure of how to accept his words.

"I merely wanted to inform you of my excursion with Lady Delmont."

Hadrian raised his brow. "Does that happen to be at the moment?"

"Yes, 'Tis so," Rhea confirmed, "Is it alright with you, my lord?"

"Of course; I would never keep you detained in our home."

"Thank you, my lord. I shall see you before supper." Rhea said meekly. She hastily looked away, unexpectedly feeling shy. She bid her farewell and nearly tripped upon her own feet exiting the study.

She breathed a sigh of relief when she made it outside the door. Never had she felt a moment of intimidation of her husband as she had in that instant.

"My lady?"

Rhea looked up into the butler's face. She became crimson at being caught up against Hadrian's study like a criminal. She moved away from the door and smiled politely. "Yes, Mr. Clarke?"

"Lady Delmont is waiting for you in the parlor."

"Oh, thank you, Clarke. I'll be but a moment," Rhea sighed in relief when he turned and retreated to a set of doors that led to the kitchen.

Rhea had been counting down the days where Annabel and she could associate with one another. She took a step into the parlor, excited for the day to begin.

"By the by, my friend, I'd say Hadrian looks happy for a once!" Annabel commented. Rhea felt her cheeks reddened and turned to look at the lovely bouquet of linen on display.

"So you say," Rhea murmured.

"Rightly so, I've never seen him quite this happy before; though it is not too astounding."

"Why would you say?" Rhea gazed at her new friend with interest.

Annabel gave her an indulging smile. "Well, 'Tis obvious he is in love with you, my dear; as you are with him. He cares for you deeply."

"He has told you?" Rhea asked, astounded.

"Of course not! Oh, come now; do not act so dense, surely you see it."

"I'm afraid not. Has something happened?"

Annabel took Rhea's hand in hers and smiled gently. "Rhea, my dear, Hadrian despises picnic's; he has never taken anyone out to them, not even when we were children."

Rhea shook her head and stared in disbelief. "Surely you are mistaken. Hadrian had readily agreed to the picnic!"

Annabel laughed merrily. "Oh, gracious me, the lot of you are a pair of buffoons."

Rhea frowned shaking her head. "I say, you are the buffoon!"

Annabel only laughs harder. Rhea nearly had enough of such nonsense when Annabel finally contained her mirth. "Alright, alright. I apologize for the lapse, let us go to Madame Charlotte's across the way; I hear she just made a new set of dresses."

"Just so, I've been meaning to buy another dress and I've got a few shillings left," Rhea checked her pocketbook just to be sure.

"Did not Hadrian give you a few shillings?" Annabel wondered; she had Devin supplying her with a certain balance of a few pounds should she need it.

"Oh, he told me to let them send him the bill, but I do not want to take advantage of such kindness on my behalf!" Rhea admitted. She did not want Hadrian to think her an expensive woman who cared not for the amount being spent upon her. Rhea frowned even at the thought to be labeled as such.

"Rhea, you are being thoughtless. There is a reason why Hadrian gave you a balance; it 'Tis for his ego - he wants to know that he, and only he, is providing for his woman. Hadrian is quite that type."

"Goodness gracious," Rhea's eyes widen with the revealing thought. "Never would I have thought so."

"Ah, my dear, that is why I am here. I shall take you under my care and you will become my pupil; I shall teach you as much as I can about men."

"Oh, Annabel, 'Tis quite the act of kindness that you are bestowing upon me," Rhea said.

Annabel grinned knowingly, "Quite; now, let us purchase some of Madame Charlotte's beautiful gowns."

After an exhausting few hours spent at Madame Charlotte's, Annabel and Rhea went to a nearby bakery to have just a moment of rest and to have a bite of their newest sweets. When they indulged to their content they started to make their way back to the carriage parked but a few blocks away.

"Shall I hail a coach, or shall we walk it?"

"'Tis but a few blocks off, we should be all right."

Annabel nodded and grabbed their bags; they strolled a few yards before coming to the thoroughfare, the busiest street in London. A rather large crowd waited at the verge of the path to cross the avenue.

Rhea bent down to free herself of some of the weight of the baggage that she had when a mighty thrust sent her careening forward into the street.

The last thing she heard was Annabel's horrified cry of her name and a rather large carriage impending her way before darkness descended.

Hadrian stared at the ceiling of his study and expelled a lengthy breath. He had been diligently searching out for any possible suspects to the chaos of his house and for Lord Utteridge.

A knock sounded at the door and Hadrian beckoned the visitor in. He saw Lord Delmont entering his study and stood to greet his friend.

"Has anything come up?" Devin asked. Hadrian shook his head, irritated at the reminder of his task. He strolled toward the cabinet where Clarke kept his alcohol and pulled out brandy, he lifted it up to Delmont's face and Delmont quirked a brow.

"'Tis quite early for such indulgences, is it not?"

"By all means, if you have objections the door is behind you, my friend."

Delmont winced with a laugh. "Ah, my friend, it seems I have caught you in a sour mood. I am guessing the search for both parties have not gone so well."

"As always, my friend, you have demonstrated your impeccable ability to decipher the problem." Hadrian laughed bitterly, taking a gulp of his brandy.

"What can I say; I am a Delmont after all." Devin smirked as he took a seat. "By the by, has my wife been here? She mentioned an outing with Lady Vale."

"Yes, she has. They left but a few hours ago. They should be back shortly, you are welcome to stay and wait for her."

"Much thanks, my lord, I appreciate your-"

A brisk knock followed by the opening of Hadrian's study door had Hadrian standing. When Clarke appeared her growled out; "For goodness sakes, Clarke, wait-"

"I'm sorry, my lord, for intruding. Lady Vale has had an accident at the thoroughfare-"

Without waiting for the rest of the story, Hadrian dashed out of the door, whisking past his butler. The only thought that went through his mind was a desperate prayer for her safety.