Hello my fellow readers and writers, I just wanted to make a quick announcement about The Duke's Wife. Previously I've been mentioning that the present year was 1854, but it is actually 1856. I've already gone back and changed it, so no need to worry. Continue reading now! Hope you enjoy it!

Anna

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Chapter 28

"All deception in the course of life is indeed nothing else but a lie reduced to practice, and falsehood passing from word into things."

- Robert Southey

November 13, 1856

*Hadrian*

"Bloody hell!" Hadrian growled viciously, slamming his fist against the table of John Courtland's study. The Bow Street Runner gazed wearily at the Duke of Vale. "How could this have happened?"

"We had 'im right there, sire." Courtland muttered. "The bastard just slipped through our fingers, went back to the hell he came from, he did."

"Dammit," Dalton said, rubbing the back of his head, contemplating the situation they were in.

Hadrian couldn't believe how close they were to find Beckham - Lord Utterdige - in the warehouse in Windsor. They had been right on his trail. Hadrian had wanted to be sure that this was the man they had been looking for, so he'd sent the Bow Street Runner to investigate the situation. After Courtland gave him a familiar description of the man, Hadrian departed for Windsor, accompanied with Lord Dalton.

As they arrived, they went to the scene of where Beckham was found. It had been obvious someone had been there, dwelling in the premises; scraps of clothing thrown here and there, food resting on an old and broken barrel, old and rotting pits of wood identified a recently used fire pit. Yes, Beckham had been frequenting the area of the warehouse, using it as refuge.

Hadrian would've never guessed the man to be so close to where he himself dwelled. So close to Rhea . . . the thought burned through his skin in a fit of rage.

Now, the bastard could be anywhere.

They had planned on laying a trap for Beckham the night before. Everything had been planned and the guardsmen had been ready and waiting for him to appear. All night they waited for the man, but he'd gone off and disappeared. As if he'd never been there.

Hadrian became troubled, wondering how this could have happened. How the hell were they supposed to find the man now?

"We must keep looking," Hadrian announced. Dalton nodded curtly.

"Aye, the man could be anywhere, but he couldn't have time to leave the country." Dalton agreed.

"I'll find the son of a bitch; count my words." Hadrian said darkly.

*Rhea*

"How are ye, mum?" Lilly inquired, pouring her mistress a cup of tea and delivering a plate of scones in the parlor room.

"Just fine, Lilly, thank you," Rhea smiled. Gazing at the scones before her, she eagerly bit into one and reveled in the taste of apple and cinnamon. The cook had been spoiling her terribly after it had been revealed of her pregnant state. Rhea daily partook of cranberry tarts, sweet smelling cakes, and soft croissants with a buttery softness. Rhea moaned just thinking about all the treats she'd been devouring the past fortnight.

According to Doctor Humphrey, Rhea was already three months along now. Rhea was amazed at how fast the months were now coursing by. Nearly three months ago she'd almost perished when she'd been pushed in front of the carriage. After, when she'd been deemed fit to move about, Hadrian had expressed his devotion to her many times. They'd made love several times during the day, her husband had hardly been able to bear it when she'd part with him to use the privy, but Rhea was determined to draw the line of their relationship at that point.

Now, Rhea glanced down at the object of nearly everyone's fascination in the household. She'd been wary of letting anyone else know, but soon she decided that she wanted one and all to know that she was carrying the heir of the Duke of Vale. She was proud to bear his child; she would not hide away as if she'd fornicated out of wedlock.

Taking the initiative to do so, Rhea had sent out an invitation to her two closest friends and her mother. She didn't want to share to the world about her circumstance without her husband, so she was determined to wait until he came home. She'd sent a missive to her husband about the exciting news and the bad news about the incident with Lord Utteridge.

As of today, she'd yet to receive a return letter. She refused to let herself be disappointed in the fact that he hadn't bothered to reply, but did he not care for her welfare? Certainly, he should, Rhea believed.

Shrugging off her nonsense, Rhea reminded herself of how she'd been feeling quite . . . out of sorts since conceiving the babe. Truly, she did not remember being quite so sensitive and possessive. Rhea had not liked the way of her senses, but she was determined to keep herself in control, at least for the babe's sake.

Startled out of her query, she looked up at the sound of a gentle, but insistent knock at the parlor entrance. "You may enter," she allowed.

Clarke entered and announced that her posse had arrived and Rhea smiled readily and went to greet her friends and family.

"Mother, Leia, Beth, how good of you to come!" Rhea exclaimed happily, glad to see familiar faces after being stuck in the manor alone for almost a fortnight.

"But, of course," Leia replied, "How could we not accept such a gracious invitation from the well and busy Duchess of Vale?"

"Oh shush," Rhea grinned, then, pondering Leia's statement, she looked at her worriedly, "Truly, though, have I been neglectful? Surely, you've seen my letters. I do apologize for my lack of-"

"Oh, hush up, Leia," Beth said to the dark haired vixen. Turning to Rhea she smiled gently, "She was only teasing, Rhea."

Rhea exhaled in relief. "I do apologize, though, it has seemed quite a while since I've been deemed to see my friends. Oh, mother, how I've missed you so!"

All three of the women became alarmed when Rhea began to burst into tears. Looking worriedly at each other, Lucy ventured towards her daughter and took her into her arms.

"Rhea, my dear, pray tell, what is the matter? Have you been sick?" Lucy inquired, ushering her daughter back into the parlor room and seating her on the settee. "Clarke, please acquire some refreshments for us, would you?"

"Of course," Clarke nodded deeply, casting a concerned look at his mistress, he turned to do as he was bid.

"Now," Lucy said, turning to face her daughter, "tell me what has happened. I've never seen you so upset, my dear."

"Oh, posh," Rhea waved her hand, irritated, "It is nothing, sincerely, I've just gotten a muddled brain."

"Goodness," Beth gasped, "You haven't gotten another disease have you? What happened to your head?"

"Nothing, I swear, I did not mean to say it in such words. I swear I am well . . . it is just that . . . well, I must say . . . oh!" Rhea cried anxiously, "I am with child!"

Rhea looked around the room at the shocked faces and began to feel a prickling anxiety at the nape of her neck. Finally, Lucy found her voice and cried out cheerfully.

"Oh, Rhea, such good news; I am relieved to hear it. Truly, I began to think there was something of grave matter." Lucy laughed, relieved to understand the circumstance of why her daughter seemed out of person.

"I . . . I do not know what to say, but I swear I am happy for you," Leia grinned. She arose to bestow a fierce, yet gentle hug upon her dear friend of many moons. Pushing back she gazed down at Rhea's abdomen. "My, I cannot believe I did not see it afore!"

"I agree, Rhea," Beth chuckled, "you are positively glowing, yes, but you've the telling's of carrying a child. Your figure is becoming more pronounced."

"Indeed," Rhea nodded, "I believe the babe is settling in quite well."

"Certainly," Lucy smiled, "How far along?"

"Only three months now. Doctor Humphrey visited mere weeks back after I continued getting sick, he examined my symptoms once more before mending his mistaken view of me being ill. It was quite the argument, I believe."

"Do you always feel . . . well, out of sorts?" Beth questioned. Rhea shook her head.

"Not always, only when a truly significant moment has passed," Rhea answered.

"Well, where is Hadrian? Is he out?" Leia asked, her brow furrowing, noticing that the father of the child was not present.

Rhea sighed with disappointment, "I'm afraid he is not here."

"Will he be returning soon? I'd wish to give my felicitations." Lucy said.

Rhea shook her head, becoming more agitated at her present position. She did not want to become childlike with her actions, so she merely shook her head once more and explained, "He is out on business. I believe he mentioned Windsor."

"Does he know at all?" Leia wondered.

"I'm afraid not. I called the doctor only after he departed." Rhea answered ruefully.

The group fell into silence, immediately Beth began to notice Rhea's depressed expression. "Surely he'll be back soon, right?"

Leia and Lucy understood the cheerful statement and took part in encouraging Rhea that her husband should soon be home, well before Rhea knew it.

With brightened spirits, Rhea continued chatting with her group, engaging in conversations of her friends and mother's past engagements. But, deep down, Rhea continued to feel as if she'd lost a part of her with her husband's absence.

~~**~~

"You nearly got caught, you fool," the young man spat disgustedly at the disheveled and slightly older man, postured in front of him.

"But I didn't, and you'd be well to watch your words boy," the dark haired man cuttingly replied.

"Best be careful, I don't want my name to be slandered for the likes of you." The younger man continued to stroll around the badly worn room. "I'm beginning to believe you are a lost cause, it has been months now."

Utteridge scowled at the other man. "Perhaps you'd best find other means, then, in accomplishing your dirty work. I shall have my revenge, boy."

"Of course, but I want what is mine."

"And you shall have it, but you've the need to acquire patience." Utteridge muttered, busying himself with future plans.

"To hell with patience, damn you. You've three weeks, Utteridge. I expect progress,"

"And you shall have it."