The Duke's Wife {Wallflower #1}

Chapter 17

Hello my fellow readers and fans!! I'm so sorry for the wait, I've been in a lot pain lately - I don't know if I've ever mentioned this but I have Fibromyalgia and it's where your joints swell up and your nerves feel hyper-sensitive . . . sometimes it's a good day and sometimes it's a bad week . . . but I've have it since 09 so . . . what're ya gonna do, huh?

Well enough of my sob storry of an excuse, please enjoy this chapter and don't forget to read the A/N at the bottom!! IT CONCERNS THIS BOOK AND I NEED EVERYONE'S HELP ON IT!!

Now enjoy!! :)

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Chapter 17

“I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.”

-               Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul

*Hadrian*

“Dear god,” Matthew Dalting, breathed, “I assume Lady Vale is alright?”

“She’s fine, a little shaken but strong.” Hadrian answered. He clenched his fists and watched as his other friend, Lord Delmont, stroke his chin thoughtfully. He glanced out the window for a while and then spoke.

“You are sure that there are no definite clues? Maybe something you’ve overlooked?” Devin suggested. Hadrian shook his head.

“As soon as Rhea left I scoped both bedrooms, nothing was left that would hint who the intruder was. I’ve notified a fellow Bow Street Runner about the incident. I’m hoping he’ll get more information.”

“It does seem unusual, who would want to harm you? What reason could they have?” Matthew asked. Hadrian sighed and dragged a hand over his face, wearily.

“I do not know. Besides the obvious, I did not call you over for this alone. Have you ever heard of a man named Lord Carson Utteridge?” Hadrian questioned, narrowing his eyes at his friends.

Matthew dwelled on it for a moment before shooting Hadrian a look, “Wasn’t he the fellow at your wedding?”

“Yes, he was.”

“Why would you bring him up?” Devin raised an eyebrow at his friend.

“Rhea’s father came to me, not long ago, and told me that Lord Utteridge approached him with a political stance, very similar to my own.”

Matthew smiled, “This is not very unusual, my friend, I’m sure you are over-reacting.”

Hadrian shook his head. “In the country, I had men find out more about Utteridge and his background, but they came empty handed – there is no Carson Utteridge, it was a forged identity.”

Devin straightened on his divan, gazing at Hadrian curiously, “What about Utteridge’s whereabouts? How was he able to have access to any political outing?”

Hadrian shook his head once more, “Of that, I have no clue,”

“Why don’t we pay the man a visit?” Matthew inquired.

“He has disappeared, gone; like he never existed. I think he was catching on that someone knew about him.” Hadrian explained. “I’m anxious to find the man; he’s spoken to my wife on several occasions.”

“Have you asked her about him?”

Hadrian scowled, “I don’t want to include her in any of this. She need not worry; I’ll handle it on my own. Besides, she does not need more on her plate after the break-in.”