Richard had just finished buttoning his shirt when there was a knock on the bedroom door. Bertie who had been lounging on the bed jumped up barking "It's alright Bertie" Richard soothed him as he opened the door to reveal Emmeridge.
"I'm sorry to disturb you Sir but there is a phone call for Mrs. DeVere."
"She's still in the bath Emmeridge can't you take a message."
"It's the local constabulary Sir they are insisting they speak with Mrs. DeVere"
Richard sighed "Alright I'll come down and speak to them."
Seeing Richard leave Bertie quickly jumped up and followed. Although he had got him for Audrey, Bertie had seemed to really have taken to Richard and followed him everywhere. Hearing Bertie's paws on the hard floor of the landing behind him Richard turned and picked him up. He was still a little small for the main stairs so they had been carrying him up and down just until he got a bit bigger. However, his small size had not stopped the energetic pup from jumping on their bed every morning.
"Come on then Bertie let's see what your Mistress has been up to shall we?" he said adjusting Bertie in his arms as he walked down the stairs.
Holding Bertie in one arm he picked up the telephone in the other, "Hello...no I'm afraid she isn't available at the moment...I am her husband...I see...yes...well thank you for letting us know...Goodbye"
"Well Bertie that was a surprise. Shall we go and see what mummy has to say for herself?"
Bertie barked in reply then licked Richard's face.
Depositing Bertie back on their bed he then stepped into the bathroom finding his wife was still enjoying her bath.
Crouching down next to the bath he ran his finger along her arm "Darling would you like to tell me why the local police station just called to inform us that no further action will be taken after your arrest for drug possession."
Audrey's face paled, she was going to tell him she just hadn't found the right moment since being back at the manor. "Ah...Yes...That was last week when we went clubbing."
Richard raised his eyebrows "You went where?"
"Clubbing darling, with Marjory and I shan't be doing so again I can tell you. It was awful, the music if you can call it that was so loud."
Richard chuckled, he shouldn't have been shocked really. For more than 25 years she had constantly surprised him. "Once again you've surprised me darling. Why did you go clubbing?"
"Research for the licensing hearing. I thought it would be wise to see what we were up against" she replied running the sponge up her arm.
"I see, so where do the police and getting arrested come into this little adventure of yours?"
"The music inside the establishment gave us both a terrible headache so we went outside. The stupid police officers mistakenly thought that the paracetamol we were taking were drugs"
Understanding dawned on Richard's face "So they arrested you for possession?"
Audrey nodded "Yes but the tests proved our innocence and they let us go. It was so embarrassing."
Here Richard couldn't help but laugh, he could just imagine the stink she had kicked up, he wouldn't want to have been the police officers who had arrested her.
When he carried on laughing Audrey threw the sponge into the water splashing him.
"It's not funny Richard" She grumbled
Getting himself under control Richard tried to look sympathetic "No, no it's not. I'm sorry darling"
Picking the sponge up he lathered it with her favorite soap "Shall I wash your back?"
She smiled and lent forward giving him access to her back "Thank you darling that would be lovely"
He ran the sponge across her back getting lower each time, then started to wash her shoulders. When she felt him move to her chest she caught his eyes. There she saw his eyes darken with restrained passion, normally she would encourage him to get in with her and continue his exploration of her body but tonight they were going out and she had been looking forward to it.
"I know that look, you are not getting in this bath Richard."
"Why not?" he asked with a disappointed look on his face.
She took his chin between her fingers, bringing his face close to hers "Because darling you know what happens when we share a bath"
"Mmm...you seem to enjoy it" he grinned leaning in to kiss her but before his lips could touch hers she moved her head back.
"I do darling but you promised to wine and dine me and if you get in here we'll never leave the house tonight" she said kissing his nose.
Richard sighed "Alright I give in but only if you promise tomorrow we share bath time." He said seriously.
"Deal, I'll even wash your back now hand me my towel please" she asked pointing to the towel resting on the chair by the door.
He stood and retrieved the towel his breath catching in his throat when he turned around and saw his wife stood up in the bath her body glistening from the water.
Shaking himself he opened the towel and wrapped it around her securing it under her arm. When she moved to step out of the bath he stopped her taking her in his arms and lifting her over the edge onto the floor.
"Thank you darling" she said rewarding him with a kiss for his gallant display.
They had enjoyed a wonderful meal at one of their favourite restaurants and had moved on to coffee when Richard produced a small pocked from his inside pocket and placed it on the table.
"What's that darling?" Audrey asked puzzled.
Richard pushed the box in front of her "This is your anniversary present"
"But I thought Bertie was my gift?"
He nodded "Yes but he was more of an I'm sorry, please forgive me gift. I got this for you before all the Farmer Tom business happened."
Audrey opened the box to reveal a diamond eternity ring "Oh Richard it's beautiful" she exclaimed taking the ring out of the box.
"Here let me" He took the ring from her and taking her hand placed it on her ring finger next to her engagement and wedding ring. Bringing her hand to his lips he kissed the ring he had just placed there.
"Twenty-five diamonds for the happiest twenty-five years of my life." He said bringing there joined hands down to rest on the table.
"Mine to darling even when your an impossible man" she teased.
When they arrived home Richard jumped out of the Range Rover quickly making his way round to the passenger side to assist his wife out of the car. Emmeridge opened the front door as they approached "I trust you had a pleasant evening Sir, Madam" he asked shutting the door behind them.
"We did Emmeridge thank you, it was very pleasant" Audrey smiled
"By the way madam, Miss Frobisher telephoned for you. She would like to see you so I advised her that you will be available here tomorrow at 10 o'clock."
"Very well Emmeridge, goodnight" she replied her arm around Richards's waist, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders as they began walking up the staircase.
Audrey opened the bedroom door expecting to find Bertie lounging on their bed but instead found him asleep in his own bed by the window.
"Look darling he's learning to stay in his bed, what a good boy"
Richard wrapped his arms around her waist from behind pulling her back to his chest "Yes very good but I'd like him to learn a little quicker not to jump on the bed in the morning. Seriously darling if he carries on we won't need an alarm clock." He said kissing her neck then released her from his arms.
Audrey chuckled removing her earrings and dropping them on the dressing table. Richard had removed his jacket and began to undo his tie.
"I wonder what Marjory wants?" Audrey mused.
Richard shrugged his shoulders "Perhaps she's missing you" he teased
She shook her head "I don't think so Darling"
Grabbing her hand Richard pulled her into his arms, her chest pressed to his. Laying kisses against her throat then resting his lips on her pulse point "I missed you" he murmured.
Her hand clutched his neck as she felt his mouth on her neck his teeth nipping her skin then soothing the flesh with his tongue.
"Darling not in front of Bertie" she sighed
Richard brought his head up from her neck and looked over to Bertie.
"Bertie turn around" Richard commanded
Bertie raised his head at his master's voice and obeyed him immediately. Rising up he turned around and faced the wall plopping back down and pushing his back legs out to get comfortable.
Audrey chuckled at Bertie as she watched him do exactly as Richard had told him. Bringing her face back to her husband's she grinned at him.
"Good boy" she murmured before capturing his lips in a passionate kiss.
Richard wasn't sure if she was talking to the dog or him and to be honest he didn't really care.