Opening the door of his Rolls Royce, Richard stood and straitened his tall form then moved around the car to open Audrey's door. Audrey took his outstretched hand as he helped her out and closed the door.

He then bent down and swept her into his arms bridal style, shocked Audrey gasped and wrapped her arms around his neck "Richard! What are you doing". "Carrying you over the threshold darling, I thought that was obvious" Richard said as he approached the front door to the manor.

"But you did that at the hotel, are you going to carry me over every threshold" she chuckled. "If it's the first time we have crossed it since we married then yes" Richard replied stopping just in front of the door to Grantleigh as he pressed his lips to hers.

Brabinger opened the door to find Madam being carried in the arms of Mr DeVere, smiling he gently cleared his throat. Richard and Audrey broke their kiss and turned their faces towards the butler. "Welcome home Sir, Madam, it's nice to have you back" "Hello Brabinger, did you miss us" Audrey asked smiling as Richard started walking towards the door again. Moving to the side to let them pass Brabinger replied "Oh yes madam, it's been very quiet".

Putting Audrey down in the great hall Richard asked "Is mother here Brabinger" "I believe she is with Miss Frobisher Sir, they are lunching with the older people's group" Richard nodded. Brabinger then turned to Audrey "Do you require luncheon madam" "No thank you Brabinger we've already eaten but if you could bring us tea in the drawing room that would be most welcome" taking Richard's hand as she walked towards the drawing room.

"Oh by the way Sir, Mr Plunkett called for you, I informed him you would be returning this afternoon. He will be here at 4 to see you" "To see Richard? I wonder what he want's" Audrey asked puzzled "Thank you Brabinger, will you send him through when he gets here please" Richard asked "Very good sir" Brabinger then went to prepare their tea.

Richard sat staring at the flicker of flames in the fire, it was nice to be back home he thought but he needed to sort the business of Cavendish out, get everything settled so he could spend more time with Audrey. He's thoughts were interrupted by Audrey's gentle voice. "Darling, are you still going to London on Monday, only I was thinking of coming with you, I have a few errands to run" Audrey asked him as she poured his tea. "Yes I am, I need to start thinking about what to do next with the business" Richard replied taking the cup and saucer from her.

Pouring a cup for herself and then taking a sip of tea she said "Richard as I have told you before, you need to take your time there is no rush to as you say chuck the business" Placing his free hand on her knee he squeezed it gently "I know Audrey, I just want to have things settled in my own mind before I decide how to proceed" "I will support you with whatever you want to do darling, just remember that" she then placed her hand over his on her knee, rubbing the ring that she had placed there two weeks ago. "Thank you darling" Richard said turning his hand over beneath her and entwining their fingers.

Later that afternoon Brabinger showed Arnold Plunkett into the drawing room at precisely 4 o'clock "Mr Plunkett to see you Sir"

"Thank you Brabinger, that will be all"

"Audrey, don't you look beautiful, marriage certainly agrees with you" Arnold commented while greeting her. "Thank you Arnold, and yes this marriage does certainly agree with me" she smiled at Richard who returned it with an even wider grin.

Richard then turned to Arnold "Arnold, it's good to see you but what's all this about" he asked shaking Arnold's hand and then gesturing for him to take a seat, while he and Audrey took a seat on the opposite settee. Sitting down and removing several envelopes from his briefcase Arnold began "As you know, Grevel left the bulk of his fortune to you Audrey".

Richard and Audrey nodded "However his many business interests...he has left to you Richard" Richard was dumbfounded "I...I don't understand, I hardly knew him, why would he do that" Arnold removed an envelope from his jacket pocket "he left this letter for you, I think it will explain everything" he said as he gave the letter to Richard.

"He owned many shares in different companies which granted him a seat on their boards, they are now yours Richard. You'll find the all details here". He pointed to the several envelopes on the table in front of him. "I would say that all of these added to Cavendish means you are now one of the most powerful men in England".

"Grevel also left you something he thought you would appreciate, lifetime membership of his clubs" Richard was in shock, realising he still had Grevel's letter in his hand he started to open it, with Audrey looking over his shoulder Richard began to read.

Dear Richard, Or according to Audrey nephew in law.

That day in your office I knew that Audrey had told me a little lie so that I would help you, but I also saw the truth in both your eyes.

Although you may have not been together then I saw the deep love you have for one another even if the two of you were not yet ready to tell the other.

By now you will be married, I am sure of that, and I know that both of you will be very happy. Richard my boy, I didn't only help you because of Audrey, I helped you because in you I see a lot of my younger self, someone willing to take a risk, to do the right thing.

I hope what I have left you will help to secure your future in the business world and also show you that it is not the old school ties that matter in life, it's the character of the person, the way they live their life and the people they love and who love them that does as I'm sure you now realise with Audrey by your side.

I wish you both a very happy life together.

Uncle Grevel

"He was such a dear man"

Audrey sighed as Richard looked up from the lether "I don't know what to say" looking to Audrey he shook his head. Reaching out to hold his hand Audrey spoke "Uncle Grevel was a good judge of character darling, he knew you were a winner and a kind, decent loving man who loves his favourite niece very much"

Arnold rose "Well if you'll excuse me, I must be getting back to London, don't worry Brabinger will show me out" Audrey stood and said goodbye to Arnold as he left the drawing room.

As Arnold closed the door behind him, Audrey smiled and let out a sigh. She turned to face her husband who had moved over to the bookshelves behind the settee, his back to her, reading Grevel's letter again. Quietly she walked towards him. He looked so good in his navy suit she thought, it extenuated one of her favourite features of his, those broad shoulders.

Now standing closely behind him, her fingers moved to the middle of his back. She moved her hands slowly down the back of his jacket and then wrapped her arms around his waist her hands resting on his stomach, her chin on his shoulder. "Darling, are you ok?" Audrey asked as her hands gently caressed him, slowly moving her hands up and down the front of his shirt. Richard sighed, trying to keep his emotions contained. He continued to look at the letter, still not believing what Grevel had done.

He smiled to himself, of course Uncle Grevel had known about Audrey and him, he hadn't got to where he had without good instincts. Remembering that day at the office and the smile on the old boys face, yes he thought, Grevel knew all along that eventually they would come to their senses and admit their love for each other. The feeling of Audrey's hands on his stomach and chest and the way her body pressed against his back brought him back to the present, he loved how she touched him, how open she was to showing her affection for him.

"Richard ? You're not upset about this are you," Audrey wrapped her arms tighter around him. "No darling I'm not upset, just very honoured he would think me worthy of not only taking over his business interests but more importantly that he trusted me with his favourite niece" Richard said as he put down the letter. Bringing her lips closer to his ear she whispered softly "I love you richard, you are the best thing that's ever happened to me" she then gently kissed the spot just below Richard's ear. A spot she had discovered on their honeymoon that was very sensitive. Turning in her arms Richard cupped her face in his hands "I love you to Audrey, so very much" he then leaned in and kissed her gently.

The moment was interrupted by Mrs Poo coming into the room "Bedrich, Audrey, Oh I'm so glad you are back," she exclaimed as she hugged both of them. "Come sit down tell me how was the honeymoon?"

Taking their seats on the opposite sofa from Mrs Poo Audrey replied "It was wonderful Mrs Poo, just wonderful" reaching for Richard's hand on his knee she entwined their fingers.

"Well you know there is a saying in old czechoslovakia, the most memorable honeymoons have been spent entirely in a hotel room." Audrey's blushed and looked down hiding her smile. "Mother please" Richard said sharply. "Oh Bedrich sometimes you can be so English" Mrs Poo laughed