Richard had just put his morning coat on when he caught site of Audrey putting the finishing touches to her outfit.

She wore a knee length pale blue dress and a jacket of the same colour. Richard couldn't help run his eyes up her body. Audrey feeling her husbands eyes on her lifted her head smiling at him.

He never failed to make her feel loved and cherished but when he looked at her like he was now she felt like he was undressing her with his eyes. It made her feel incredibly desirable.

"Audrey you look breathtaking" He said finally finding his voice.

"Thank you and you look very handsome in your morning suit darling" she said placing her hands on his chest and kissing him softly.

"You have lipstick on you" she chuckled wiping his lips with her thumb.

Maria rolled her eyes when she peeked around the bedroom door and saw Richard and Audrey standing closely together with large grins on their faces.

"Come on you two, you don't have time for that"

"We'll be out in a minute mother" Richard replied

Audrey waited until she heard Maria's footsteps retreat down the hall then patted Richard's chest "Before we go darling I have something for you," she retrieved a small box from her handbag that was on the bed.

"Its just a little something to let you know how incredibly proud I am of you"

Richard took the box from her opening it to reveal an oval signet ring.

"Audrey this is..."

"Do you like it?"

"Yes I do very much"

Taking the ring from it's box he examined it more closely "Wait what's this? It's got a coat of arms on it"

"Its our coat of arms darling, I had it commissioned just before our wedding. I thought it fitting to have our own now that I'm a DeVere and today seemed the perfect time for you to have this."

He cupped her cheek, his fingers stroking her jawline "You really are very sweet Audrey."

Sliding his old signet ring off he placed it on the dressing table but before he could put the new one on Audrey took it from him.

"Allow me" she said sliding it onto his little finger.

"There a perfect fit" she whispered running her thumb across the ring.

"Just like us darling" Richard smiled

Standing waiting to receive his knighthood Richard wiped his palms on his trousers for the third time in as many minutes. He was nervous and couldn't stand the waiting. Seconds later he heard his name being read out. He walked forwards turning at the exact point he had been told to do so by one of the Queens aides.

As he approached the Queen his heart started to beat wildly in his chest. He bowed and then kneeled on the stool as Queen Elizabeth dubbed his shoulders with a sword.

Rising he stepped forward and the Queen put the medal over his head to rest around his neck. Holding out her hand for him to shake she gave him a reassuring smile.

"I have seen many of your inner city programs for children in action, they are a very noble pursuit for someone in your position, you should be very proud."

"Thank you Your Majesty"

"In case I forget to say at the reception tonight please do tell your wife that the Bee-eater honey was delicious"

"I didn't know it had made it as far as London" he smiled, slightly puzzled how the queen had got hold of a jar of Audrey's honey.

"Oh yes one of my ladies in waiting bought a few jars back from Somerset, I haven't had another brand since. Unfortunately I only have one jar left"

"You may be in luck Ma'am my wife has expanded her hives at our estate and we hope to stock it in our Cavendish stores soon"

"That is marvellous news. I look forward to seeing you and your wife tonight at the reception"

Richard bowed and walked to where he had been shown, on his way he spotted Audrey beaming at him and couldn't help but give her a wink.

She was standing next to his mother and Henry. Richard couldn't help the chuckle that escaped his lips as he saw his mother being handed another hanky by Henry to dabb at her eyes.

Outside there were pictures taken of the new Sir Richard DeVere and his wife for the newspapers and a television interview for the evening news.

Then they had a family photo taken, Henry didn't want to intrude and had stood to the side until Richard beckoned him over "Come on Henry, it's a family photo and it's not complete without you".

Henry had never been an overly emotional man but hearing that from Richard produced a tear in his eye. With all the photos and interviews done Richard had treated them all to lunch at the Ritz before going home to get ready for the evening reception.

Only the honourees and their spouses were invited so Richard had given Henry two tickets to see a west end show for the evening so his mother wasn't too disappointed.

Being a black tie event Audrey had bought a new dress and was little worried about it being lower cut than she would normally wear.

Standing looking in the mirror she sighed "Are you sure it's not to revealing darling"

Richard stood behind her his arms winding around her waist.

"Audrey you look absolutely stunning and no I don't think it's to revealing although when we get home I hope to reveal an awful lot more of you" he murmured touching his lips to her neck.

"Now lets go and enjoy ourselves" he said smiling.