This chapter is dedicated to this girl @ice_qreenm because she really broke it down for me "I like your story - so update", but seriously, I thank all of you for your awesome comments, even the pushy ones! I wish I could add more people, but I can't. All of you are amazing for not giving up on me! So please enjoy this chapter, I think you guys will like it!

- Eda J. Le Shan

It was quite a morning in Hyde Park, Rhea thought. Dawn was slowly creeping at the edges of the heavens. Rhea breathed in the fresh air; she felt a little better once she had fresh air. For the past fortnight Rhea would awake constantly in the night to use the chamber pot, emptying the meals she'd had beforehand. Fortunately, Hadrian wasn't aware as he'd gone off to Windsor, more than a week ago, to conduct business with Lord Dalting and other men.

When she'd continued getting sick, especially in the mornings, she contacted Doctor Humphrey. She could still remember the conversation.

"I tell you, sir, I've been sick constantly for the past two months! I demand to know the cause." Rhea said. She'd been furious and weak with distraught over the possibility of having contracted some fatal sickness. Usually, she would never dare treat another so rashly, but she couldn't seem to take control of her moods. She demanded answers and the doctor wasn't giving them fast enough.

"Your Grace, I apologize for your late illness-" Rhea interrupted.

"Doctor, I've just explained that I've been ill for the past two months. Surely this is unusual, is it not?" Rhea waved away his answer. "I would like to know now what the diagnosis is and have the cure ready by the morrow."

The doctor shook his head. Rhea pursed her lips.

"You can have it sooner, then? Good, I shall not want my husband to arrive while I'm emptying my meals in a chamber pot. You may return this evening with the cure-"

"Your Grace, I do apologize for the interruption, but if you would let me speak a moment, then you shall get your answers and the cure."

Rhea, having gained some sense by then, promptly shut her mouth and nodded for the doctor to continue.

"I understand that you've been sick for quite a while and there are many causes as to why, but with your symptoms, Your Grace, I believe there is only one cause." Doctor Humphrey paused and Rhea nodded for him to continue.

"My lady, I do believe you're carrying the next heir to the Dukedom of Vale." The doctor announced.

Rhea, who had previously been standing, collapsed on one of the settees and froze.

Pregnant? Rhea thought.

"How could this be?" Rhea thought aloud.

Doctor Humphrey became uncomfortable and shot her an exasperated look.

"Surely, my lady, you know the acts of conceiving a child. I'm sure there is really no other way of gaining an heir other than-"

"Thank you, good sir, but I believe that was a question for myself." Rhea said embarrassingly.

The doctor nodded once and began to pack his things. Rhea watched on with a strange detachment.

She was pregnant with a child - with Hadrian's child. They were to have a baby, a baby with Hadrian's hair and eyes, a baby with Rhea's mouth and nose. Rhea laid a hand on her abdomen; their child was growing inside of her and soon she would be able to hold it and Hadrian.

"Oh, Hadrian," Rhea smiled magnificently, tears budding in her eyes. She glanced at the doctor. "Please, what else should I know? Is there nothing at all that will cure the sickness?"

The doctor pondered for a moment before answering. "There is not much we can do about the nausea, although I do have some smelling salts and an herbal paste that you place on your wrist and temples, I've had many mothers encourage the paste, though."

Rhea nodded decisively, "I should like both. What about the baby? What do I do now with the baby?"

"Continue on eating; eat as much as you can now that you're providing for two. Be careful, though, I've heard that some mothers could not eat some of their favorite dishes. Smells also help repel you against certain foods, which can also set off your sicknesses. And do not consume much wine, as I know you are partial to it."

Rhea nodded eagerly and thought furiously of some foods she would stay away from. "What about the birth? When shall we expect the baby?"

Doctor Humphrey faced her, "You say you have been ill since early September?" Rhea nodded, "Then I'd say the middle of April to May. Is that all? Would you like me to send a missive to the duke?"

Rhea shook her head, she would much rather tell her husband herself. "No, thank you. I wish to express my gratitude, doctor, I've your payment here."

"Thank you, Your Grace. Should you have further concerns, you send for me." Doctor Humphrey exited the parlor and Rhea got up and twirled around the room happily. Oh, how she couldn't wait to let Hadrian know!

Now, as Rhea continued her walk down Hyde Park, arriving closer to her home, she pondered on how Hadrian might react to the announcement. Her heart pounded in her chest at the thought of Hadrian possibly rejecting their child.

Surely, this would not happen. Though he did not come to love Rhea, perhaps the equal love for their unborn babe would give Hadrian the love for her and if not, the love he had for their child would be enough.

Rhea truly hoped so, despite the ache it brought to her heart at the chance of Hadrian not loving her.

Rhea sighed and pulled the cloak tighter about her. Though it was nearing winter, the cold had yet to fully settle in. Rhea wanted to take these last few moments of the cool weather and enjoy them before the snow fell and stayed for months to come.

Rhea now had her home in sights and continued to walk in her leisure pace when someone stepped in her path. Rhea craned her neck back and met the startling gaze of Lord Utteridge.

Shocked, Rhea donned a hesitant smile. "My lord, what a surprise to see you here!"

Lord Utteridge bowed and straightened and Rhea took the time to study his person. He appeared quite unkempt and ruffled; she wondered where he'd been. "My lady, it is also quite a pleasure to stumble upon your path."

"Have you been visiting the manor? Were you looking for my husband?" Rhea asked.

"Yes, it seems so." Lord Utteridge responded.

Bemused, Rhea answered, "Well he's away on business, so you'd have to visit another time, when he's come back. I shall tell him when he has arrived home.

"Yes, please do, I left my calling card, just in the case that he arrived home."

Rhea nodded, feeling a bit uneasy now. Lord Utteridge continued to gleam at her, openly gazing at her as if she were a strumpet! Knowing it was probably unwise to accuse him of such notions when they were alone, she let it pass reluctantly.

"Well, I must bid you good day as I've quite a busy schedule today." Rhea said politely. Lord Utteridge persisted in staring at her, as if he hadn't heard her. Rhea contemplated reiterating her question, but then he smiled and bowed his head.

"Of course, Your Grace, I must apologize for taking up so much of your precious time. Of course a beautiful woman such as you would have a busy schedule, no place available for me. Of course, am I right, Your Grace?"

Suddenly, Lord Utteridge was too close to Rhea and He clutched at her hand tightly. Rhea turned her terrified eyes up at him and tried to scream, but somehow her voice was lost. His hand moved up her arm and grasped it hard, pulling her closer.

"What happens when your dear husband is not around, Your Grace?" He leaned in closer, his nose brushing her jaw. "Soon, love, we'll have our chance."

"Your Grace?" Rhea nearly sagged in relief at the sound of Clarke's voice.

He slowly led his hand to her cloak and she prepared to scream. He grinned maliciously, "Do not scream or else I shall have to do something I won't regret."

Rhea trembled as he continued his pursuit; he stopped right next to the pocket of her cloak, slipping something inside. The hand holding her arm stroked it.

Lord Utteridge bumped her chin up with his other hand. "We shall meet again soon."

Just as quickly as he appeared he was gone the next minute. Clarke came bounding up the road to her. "Your Grace, are you alright?"

"I-I . . ." Rhea took a deep breath. "I am not, Clarke."

"Let me assist you inside so that cook may get you something. I believe I saw someone out here with you, 'tis why I called out to you."

"Thank you, Clarke; someone was out here, but just a passerby." Rhea lied. She needed time to gather her thoughts about what had just occurred. She did not want to raise Clarke into a panic, which would then raise Hadrian into a panic.

Clarke led her inside to the parlor and had cook bring her some warm ginger tea. As she sipped at her tea, Rhea recalled the item in her cloak that Lord Utteridge had given her. She pulled it out with shaking hands after she'd put her cup down.

My dear Rhea,

I hope you are counting down the days, as I am, to our next union. At that time we will not have to deal with the formality of your marriage. We shall soon be together again.

Rhea's eyes widened as she let the parchment fall to the floor. She could no longer hold back on the fact that the other note had been coincidence. She had to tell Hadrian.