Audrey had helped a very wet Richard out of the river still chuckling at his misfortune but when Marjory had started to fawn over him she decided to get Richard back to the manor as soon as possible.

"Hadn't you better see to your Girl Guides Marjory? I can take care of Richard," Audrey said

"Oh yes, alright…" Marjory said disappointedly and ran off to see to her guides.

While Audrey had been talking to Marjory Richard had taken his jacket off and was trying to shake the water out of it with little success.

"Right Richard, let's get you home," she said taking his jacket from him and twisting it to remove some of the water before handing it back to him.

Richard took his jacket and turned to walk in the direction of where he had left the car but was stopped by Audrey's hand on his arm.

"The Manor is closer than the car if we go across the field, you shouldn't be out for long in those wet things,"

He nodded already beginning to feel the chill even with the sun still shining. As they walked home, Richard felt the need to explain himself to her.

"Audrey, I'm sorry about today. I really did want to take you on a romantic picnic but then you mentioned the old days and the idea for the commercial struck me, so I thought why not do both. I can see how wrong I was now."

Audrey appreciated his apology but her mind was more focused on his use of the word romantic, "Thank you for the apology, Richard,"

He nodded, "Do you think maybe I could take you on a picnic again?"

"Perhaps,"

"No commercials I promise, just us…and no water," he smiled

Audrey laughed but frowned when she saw him shiver again, his hands rubbing his arms to try and warm himself up as they approached the lodge. She didn't want him to get sick and the lodge was right there, it seemed the logical thing to do to offer him the use of her bathroom.

"I think you better come into the Lodge Richard, you'll catch your death if you stay outside any longer,"

"Thank you, Audrey, I really do appreciate your kindness,"

"You're welcome, now let's get you inside,"

They quickly made their way into the Lodge, it was Brabingers day off so there was no now there to greet them.

Shutting the door behind them, Audrey pushed Richard towards the stairs, "Right to the bathroom with you, a nice hot bath will soon warm you up,"

Richard shook his head, "Audrey there's no need for that, a towel will do,"

"Nonsense, you need to get warm, now take your clothes off," She blushed as she realized what she had said.

Richard felt his body react to her words, how many times had he dreamed of her saying those words to him but this was not exactly how he had imaged the scene. Audrey turned from him and busied herself with turning the taps on. She added some bubble bath and placed a towel on the side for him.

When she turned around again he had removed his tie and unbuttoned his shirt, giving her a glimpse of his well defined and hair covered chest.

"I'll leave you to it then, if you need anything I'll be just across the hallway," she said moving hastily towards the door.

Richard grinned as the door closed behind her. Her reaction to him was encouraging and he hoped it meant their relationship was moving in the right direction.

Audrey made her way to her bedroom a hand on her chest feeling her heartbeat drumming wildly beneath her palm. She had never felt herself react to a man the way she did with Richard. The sight of his bare chest had sent a wave of arousal straight to her sex and she had had to stop herself from reaching out to run her fingers through his chest hair.

She shook her head trying to stop the erotic thoughts of Richard running through her head and moved to sit on the end of her bed to calm down.