― JaTawny Muckelvene Chatmon, Getting Lost

*Rhea*

Rhea turned to face the owner of the hand that was clasped around her wrist and was surprised to see a familiar face. She broke out in a happy smile.

“My lord Ashwin,” she greeted, glancing at Leia with mutual surprise, “How surprising to see you! I admit to not expecting a familiar face out in the crowds, much less for anyone to spot me among them.”

Drew Ashwin grinned at both ladies in amusement. “I couldn’t imagine anyone not being able to spot my lady Rhea easily in a crowd. You are indeed a beauty stuck out like a sore spot among the traffic of the streets.”

Rhea waved a hand at him, flushing prettily, “My lord, you flatter me, but I must deny your statements. Indeed, it was most likely Leia you spotted.”

Leia’s eyes widened, “Oh, but of course. ‘Tis the only reason I can think of for anyone noticing the two of us. I am told I am quite the beauty.”

Rhea hid her chuckle behind a dainty cough in her hand. Lord Ashwin seemed torn between wanting to be a gentlemen and his true feelings for the married lady, but finally settled on politely smiling at Leia and inclining his head towards her.

“I must ask, my lord,” Leia began, “what brings you down these streets? Truthfully, Rhea and I ourselves stumbled upon this small festival of sorts.”

“Ah, yes,” Ashwin nodded. “I admit, I am here on behalf of my mother, as you know she has a keen ear for occasions such as these. In fact, I believe her and my father are caught up in that exotic cloth shop.”

“How coincidental, my lord,” Rhea commented.

“Indeed, I am happy to see you my lady. I have not seen you for quite some time, other than glimpsing you and your husband at the ball a fortnight or so ago.

Rhea nodded sadly, “I’m afraid I am quite guilty in those matters. I had fallen quite ill a few weeks back, and then my lord husband had business to attend to out in the country.”

“A shame, I say,” Ashwin murmured. They continued to walk away from the carts, further downtown in London. Rhea, Leia, and Ashwin had gotten caught up in conversing and catching up that they had gotten quite far from the festival and became lost.

“Drag it!” Ashwin called out, as the trio tried in vain to find a way back to where they had started, but it seemed impossible as all of the old, looming buildings seemed the same to them. Even if they continued to wander, they would most likely circle back to the same place again.

Ashwin turned to the ladies and frowned, “Forgive me, my ladies, I seem to have lost track of not only our path, but the time of day, too, I’m afraid.”

Both Rhea and Leia glanced up to the sky and realized Ashwin was quite right. The time had gotten away from them and it was nearing the evening sun. Rhea bit and worried her bottom lip.

“What should we do, my lord?” Rhea asked. Ashwin looked at the two ladies and then at his surroundings.

“Perhaps we should seek out a conveyance or a shop of some sort? We could ask for directions back to the festival before it becomes too late.

Leia nodded, “That seems appropriate. We don’t want anyone to worry now,”

Rhea and Leia followed Ashwin as he continued to walk further down the street in search of any shop or carriages along the road. Rhea became more anxious when it started to become even darker and they had still found no way to return where they came from.

“Mayhap we should turn back around?” Leia offered. Ashwin was busy trying to see if there was anyone that might’ve given them just a hint of where they were.

Finally, they had reached an inn of some sort, close to the docks. Rhea herself had no clue where they were, and at the moment she couldn’t be bothered as her stomach yawned for food. She hadn’t eaten since this morning, before she had met with Leia for their outing. Somehow she had completely forgotten to do so.

Ashwin had set them down at a table for three in the eatery before going in search of the innkeeper, or locals who could possibly tell them where they are.

Leia and Rhea were served with shepherds pie and ale, and were nearly finished when Ashwin came back, his body soaked. He sat down at the table and gave a small smile to Rhea.

“I found out where we are, about a couple blocks from central London, on the outskirts near the sea. Unfortunately, my lady, there is naught a sight of a conveyance anywhere ‘round and its started to pour mightily outside.”

Rhea’s heart dropped. No way to get home? Goodness, Clarke and Lily must be going mad with worry? Was Lily still at the festival searching for her mistress? Rhea hoped that at least, hopefully, she had made it back to the manor safely.

Hopefully by the morrow she would be back safe in the manor, with naught to worry about, forgetting this day had ever happened.

*Hadrian*

“I’ve sent a correspondence to another Runner near central London, he should arrive it within the hour or so. I’ve already put eyes on the manor, there is no way Beckham could possibly touch her.” Hadrian stated confidently to his friend, but as the hours pass by Hadrian felt himself pacing inside, raging to actually see his wife in person and make sure she was alright.

Dalton agreed with him, “Of course. By the time we reach London we’ll have the proof for ourselves.”

But Hadrian couldn’t halt his thoughts spinning around in his head, “Why would he target her?” he wondered.

“Vale.” Dalton interrupted his overflow of emotions and thinking. “Let it be enough for now that we are headed back to see her.”

Hadrian nodded. They had gathered whatever little they could find on Beckham and made arrangements to be in London by the next day, but Hadrian had sped up the process, his gut telling him that something wasn’t right with Rhea.

If he wasn’t working, he was pacing. If he wasn’t thinking, he was raging. The time had finally neared for him to be reunited with his wife, and he looked forward to making love to her, and assuring himself that she was nowhere but in his arms. He could only hope that Beckham himself hadn’t turned his sights on her. Hadn’t reached her before he could . . .

Enough, he halted his thoughts midway, this will not aid me in finding Beckham. There is no reason to think, after all this time, that he would target his wife.

God he hoped so.

“Hadrian, they’ve drawn the horses out front of the inn,” Dalton announced. Hadrian nodded gratefully towards his friend for his quick thinking. Grabbing his coat hanging on the chair, he turned, walking in the direction of the door.

“Good man, we leave tonight.”

*Rhea*

Rhea relaxed against the tub, warm water seeping into and over her skin as she exhaled, tickling the curls that had fallen out of the sloppy chignon on the top of her head.

After Ashwin had given the news on the state of their situation, he had the innkeeper prepare rooms for an overnight stay, just until the early morning when they could send for a conveyance after the storm had settled.

Rhea currently shared a room with Leia, who had taken her bath in an adjourning room. Rhea was just happy to be off her feet, which had become swollen in their seemingly endless walk from early afternoon to evening. She had also continued to eat, bringing up some articles of food into her and Leia’s room.

Hopefully, the babe was ok and eating well, at least she hoped so. Briefly, she became concerned over her weight. She had put on quite a few stones ever since she’d conceived little Hadrian . . . or maybe even a little Rhea.

Rhea soaked in the joy and happiness she felt as she stared at her slightly protruding abdomen. It wasn’t quite noticeable as of yet through her clothes, though she had stopped wearing her corset, and was still scandalized by that change. She was sure that once Hadrian got her without her clothing he would immediately notice the change.

Not only the change in her abdomen, but also in her breasts, which, to her surprise, had become even more sensitive. She continued to ponder a life with her child and Hadrian beside her for a few moments more, before briskly soaping her hair and body.

She heard the adjourning door open and knew that she had probably spent too much time already in the bath if Leia was already done. Indeed, Leia was known for her lengthy time spent in the bath, regardless of whether or not she was pruned when she was finished.

“I must say I’m surprised, Leia,” she smiled, standing up cautiously and grabbing the towel left on a small bench beside the tub, drying herself off. “I’m never one to lounge in a bath all day, but it seems you’ve beat me out of it this time.”

She gingerly stepped out of the full tub, making a note to call one the ladies maids to empty the tub. The small part of the room she was in was separated by a simple wood-crafted divider, that stood a little taller than her. She grabbed her chemise and robe, compliments of the innkeeper.

She paused for a moment as she pulled the chemise over her body. “Leia? What’s the matter? You haven’t spoken a word.”

She donned her robe, tying a lazy knot at the center before moving from behind the divider.

“Leia?”

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