- John Keats

Rhea slowly awakened her muscles deliciously sore from last night and a small smile on her lips. Her eye lids fluttered slowly as she felt light kisses along her cheek.

Hadrian was hovering above her with a wolfish grin on his lips. "Good morning, little wife." He smirked. Rhea flushed, her cheeks burning and gave her husband a tentative smile.

"Good morn." She whispered. Hadrian chuckled at her shyness and leaned down to kiss her full mouth. Rhea soaked in her husband's new attitude. He was acting like a renewed man! "You are well, my lord?"

Hadrian laughed aloud. "My dear wife, I have never been better. But we must awaken now; we leave for the country in an hour or so."

"Oh?" Rhea's eyes widened. "So soon? But I have not met the staff . . . nor have I-"

"Hush, sweetheart." Hadrian brushed away her curls from her face. "My household arrived in the country last night, they are awaiting our arrival; you will meet them there. Your ladies maid is waiting outside our door; she will assist you in dressing."

Rhea thought for a moment. Apparently, Hadrian had everything sorted out. She gave him a smile and looked away, aware that both she and he were wearing nothing atall.

"Do not become shy, little one. I am now your husband in every way." He whispered the last part in her ear. Rhea groaned when he kissed her ear bud and continued downward to her neck.

A sudden knock interrupted them and she nearly jumped. Hadrian pulled away from her and gave a puff of air towards the door; he turned towards her, becoming gentle. "Did I hurt you much, my love?"

Rhea blushed scarlet and tried to turn away but Hadrian held her chin in his firm grip. He was determined to get an answer out of her. "Not much, I am a little sore, though."

Hadrian nodded, another knock made Hadrian roll his eyes in exasperation, "Just a moment."

He quickly removed himself from the bed a donned a robe. He went to open the door and allowed Lily in. Hadrian looked back towards the bed and smiled slightly at Rhea. "I will wait for you at the dining room for breakfast and then we leave for the country."

Rhea nodded and Lily came to help her dress once Hadrian left. She took a quick bath and directed Lily to don her in the light blue frock that her mother had bought her. Once she finished dressing in that she allowed Lily to plait her hair swiftly and then accompany her to the dining room.

As promised, Hadrian awaited there for her with a pleasant smile and took her hand once she stepped through the threshold. "Clarke, assist Lily to the carriage. We shall be out shortly."

Clarke gave a distinct nod and then guided Lily through the kitchen. Rhea was seated by Hadrian and they breakfasted on eggs and ham and stew soup. It had been prepared for them the night before.

"You look lovely, Rhea." Hadrian commented. "You should keep your hair like that, I like it down."

Rhea murmured her thanks and continued eating, finding herself famished after last night's activities. Once they finished eating, Hadrian led her to the carriage waiting for them outside and they began their journey.

"So you own a home in the country?" Rhea asked. Hadrian nodded.

"One of three, my third is in America, I usually conduct business there if need be." Hadrian informed.

"America? How often do you travel there?" Rhea asked.

Hadrian shrugged. "Maybe once or twice a year, not often. My partner, Matthew Dalting, usually takes care of most of it."

Rhea gave him a bright smile. "Hadrian, would we by any chance be going to America?"

"If you'd like to," he said softly. Rhea beamed at him.

"Oh, my lord, that would be absolutely wonderful!"

Hadrian laughed, "I will be sure to make plans for it then. I am sure you will enjoy yourself at my townhouse though too."

"Mmm," she murmured. "What is it like?"

"Quite magnificent. The land is beautiful there, that is what caught my father's eye when he was looking for land. When I was a boy, I use to go with him and my mother and we'd spend summers there, Dalting and I would romp in the backyard and doing mischievous things."

Rhea saw the flicker of emotion in Hadrian's eye, before she was able to comment on it, though, it flitted away. She frowned momentarily at the abrupt switch of his thoughts. She imagined a dark headed young boy with soft brown eyes playing in the dirt . . . she suddenly felt a longing to meet that boy, to love him.

"But you'll enjoy it there." Rhea was brought back to the present with Hadrian's words. "I'm sure you'll also get to know the staff well enough there too."

"How long will we remain there?" Rhea inquired.

"Around a month and a half, two at most. I have business back in London and I don't wish to leave you there by yourself."

Rhea nodded and yawned, she blushed when Hadrian raised a brow at her. "I'm afraid I did not allow you enough sleep last night. Come," Hadrian pulled Rhea almost on to his lap. He pushed her close in his arms and she rested her head on his shoulder.

"It is a long ride; I shall wake you when we arrive."

Rhea was already asleep.

Hadrian looked down at the small sleeping form beside him, feeling the familiar possessiveness overtake him. How could such an innocent girl make him feel these emotions that have never even reached the surface in his entire six and twenty years?

He lightly stroked Rhea's side and felt her shift and murmur something under her breath. How magical she was! Hadrian thought. Never had he even thought of those words before she came into his life.

What he thought would be a suitable arrangement for him to acquire an heir turned out to be a wild ride with Rhea beside him, making him feel emotions for her that he felt for no woman before.

It angered him at times, though, to feel this weak vulnerability. He held back a scowl and shut his eyes, trying to envision himself married to another.

Just the thought made him want to cry out in outrage. Thoughts filtered through his mind - Rhea marrying another, Ashwin per say, Rhea kissing the young lord, Rhea making love to Ashwin.

Red clouded his gaze and he forced himself to take deep, calming breaths. He reminded himself that Ashwin was nowhere near Rhea and she was now untouchable to him.

Hadrian dragged his thoughts away from those despairing visions and thought of his old summer home. How many summers had he spent there as a young boy . . . even when his mother had died and his father no longer visited.

Fond memories were made there. Hadrian recalled times when his father had been approachable, when his father would, on rare moments, allow his son to sit by his feet and reiterate stories his father had told him.

Hadrian's eyes darkened. Soon after his mother died, his father became more of the barbarian he was known for. He despised anything that reminded him of his late wife, which usually included Hadrian, and made attempts to avoid the manor at all cost.

Now, he would bring Rhea to that home, to make new memories with her as his wife. She would bring light to his darkness; create a loving home where, unlike his father, he would be eager to come to every time he left.

He would care for his wife like his father never did with his mother. He would be a wonderful father, he vowed, loving the babies that Rhea and he would bring into this world.

He gazed back down at Rhea, breaking his reverie, feeling a rush of tenderness come through him.

Yes, he would be better than his father.

Rhea was now standing in front of her new staff that would aid her in their new temporary home. Hadrian stood beside her and she felt the rush of awareness she usually felt with him beside her.

He had woken her in the most tender way possible, brushing kisses along her temple, slowly bringing her from her sleep. Finally, after the teasing he claimed her lips with his and brought her to life with his vigor.

She had appreciated the fact that he had dismiss the carriage driver before doing so in open daylight, though she was sure that whether the driver had been there or not, it wouldn't have mattered to him.

She brought herself back to the present and started familiarizing herself with names and faces. She promised them that after a while she would get used to the new faces and names and would soon be acquainted with all.

Hadrian had looked at her proudly, giving her more reason to love him and give her heart a small ache at the thought.

The cook, Mrs. Wilson, approached her hesitantly and asked her what she had in mind for the week's meals and Rhea eagerly divulged into a set of times and idea's for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

While she did that, Hadrian excused himself to see to some quick business and guide the maids to put their belongings in his room.

This gave Rhea an opportunity to get to know more of the staff and meet the stablemen, on Hadrian's request.

Hadrian was just then walking towards them with a smile and Rhea felt felicitous and smiled along with her husband, thrilled at his good mood.

"Rhea, I hope you have not entered the stables yet?" A hopeful look settled upon Hadrian's features. Rhea shook her head.

"Not as of yet, my lord." Rhea grinned.

"Good. Jeffrey, fetch the carriage horses, please." Hadrian took Rhea's hand and led her to the stables. Rhea gasped upon beholding the sight before her.

"Almond!" Rhea rushed forward to embrace her mare as she neighed softly. Rhea stroked Almond's mane and grinned at the horse.

She turned to Hadrian and beamed at him. Throwing herself into his arms she kissed him with passionate vigor. Hadrian chuckled lightly and held Rhea in his arms.

"Hadrian, this is absolutely kind of you. Oh!" Rhea chattered excitedly. She had worried about riding another horse other than her beloved Almond . . . and oh, how she loved riding with a passion!

Hadrian's eyes darkened and he pulled her flush against him. Rhea's hands landed softly on his chest and he leaned forward. "Say my name once more." He demanded.

"Hadrian . . ." Rhea whispered.

Hadrian groaned hopelessly and took his wife's mouth with his. His hands trailed along her body and traveled downward. Rhea moaned and tangled her fingers in his hair, pushing him into her even more.

"Hadrian!" A shrill voice called out. "Oh . . . I do so hope I'm not interrupting."