Later that night sitting at her dressing table Audrey caught Richard's eye in the mirror "What happened with you and Henry today?" she asked him as she rubbed cream into her hands.

Richard undid his cufflinks and dropped them on the bedside table before he replied. "I was going to talk to you about that. He asked me if I would accompany him to Normandy for the D Day service in a few weeks"

"I didn't know Henry was in the army." She said surprised

"Mother mentioned it a few weeks ago, he was in the Commandos. He's been back to France of course on business but not to Normandy." He explained coming to stand behind her and placing his hands on her shoulders.

Audrey looked at his reflection in the mirror "You are going to go aren't you darling?"

He nodded "Yes, if it's alright with you"

"Of course its alright. I will miss you though, it will be the first night we've spent apart since we got married"

Richard moved to her side and knelt down "I know and I'll miss you too but it's only a couple of days and then I was thinking maybe we could spend the weekend after that away"

She reached out and touched his cheek "In London?"

"We could do but I was thinking maybe we could go to the coast somewhere" Richard said resting a hand on her knee.

"Richard that's a lovely idea and I know just the place darling"

"Oh really, where?"

"Paignton in Devon. It such a beautiful place, I used to go there as a girl but I haven't been for years. It would be so nice to go back"

"Right well thats settled then, shall I book a hotel"

"Actually darling leave it to me, I will organise everything. Now we should go to bed, you have a big day tomorrow"

Richard squeezed her knee before he stood up and walked over to the bed.

"Yes if I'm honest I'm still a little nervous" he said removing his shirt.

Audrey climbed into bed "Everything will be fine darling. They will make sure you know what to do when we get to the Palace, don't worry"

Richard nodded and removed his trousers, tossing them onto a chair and climbing into bed.

"No pyjamas tonight?"

"Well I was hoping maybe we could..." Richard murmured nuzzling his face into her neck.

She sighed as his lips found a sensitive spot on her neck. She pushed against his shoulder to stop him "Your mother is on the other side of that wall and Henry is just down the hall, what if they hear us?"

Richard leaned over her "We can be quiet" he said as his fingers carressed her stomach. His eyes locked on hers he moved his hand between her legs, his fingers stroking her gently then slipping inside her while his thumb rubbed her sensitive bud.

Audrey released a gasp bucking her hips against his hand. He'd worked her into such a state that she just had to have him.

She clutched his arm "Richard...please darling..."

When he heard the desperation in her voice he removed his hand giving Audrey the opportunity to quickly rid herself of her nightdress.

After she laid back down Richard settled himself between her parted thighs. When he entered her he couldn't stop the groan that escaped his lips at the feel of her.

Audrey reached up and wrapped her arms around him pressing him against her. Richard kissed her as he began moving slowly. His hips thrusting against hers in a steady rhythm.

He broke the kiss as he increased his pace gazing into her eyes. But as Audrey moans became louder he covered her mouth with his, the sounds she was making driving him closer and closer to the edge.

Richard moved his hands underneath her bottom lifting her up slightly as he drove into her faster, the pleasure between them building as he kissed her neck. The change of angle had Audrey crying out moments later as she climaxed, her face buried in his neck muffling her cry.

Feeling her tight walls spasm around him sent Richard into his own climax, he groaned as he felt the waves of pleasure surge through him. He held his weight on his forearms as he caught his breath.

When he had recovered he held onto her as he rolled them onto their sides. As they lay facing each other Audrey smiled "Well I have to say you were amazing Sir Richard DeVere"

Richard chuckled "You weren't to bad yourself Lady Audrey DeVere" he said kissing her gently.

Meanwhile out in the sitting room Maria and Henry were watching the television. When he had heard moans and a thumping noise coming from the master bedroom Henry knowing what the sounds were and not wanting to hear anymore had made his way to the living room.

When he entered he had found Maria already there. When she saw him in the doorway she had smiled and patted the space beside her on the settee.

"I thought I heard something" Henry said as he sat down.

Maria chuckled "Yes they are not very quiet are they but still it shows they are happy"

Henry smiled nodded "What are you watching?"

"The African Queen, it's one of my favourites. There is not long left stay and watch it with me"

"That would be lovely" Henry said getting more comfortable on the settee.

After a few minutes Henry placed his arm around Maria's shoulder. She turned and smiled at him then they both continued to watch the film happy that all was well in their own little world.