Audrey gasped when the man entered, it was the same man from Zermatt. She reached for Richard's hand holding it tightly.

Richard was shocked, was this man related to him and what was he doing here. He tried to stay calm and keep his voice even as he spoke "You're the man i bumped into in Zermatt, who are you? How do you know where I live?"

Frank removed his hat holding it in front of him "I think you know who I am Bedrich"

At the use of his old name Richard stood straighter "Szymon Polouvicka or is it just Frank now"

"Just Frank" he answered

"What are you doing here? What do you want?" Richard said impatiently.

"I'm not here to cause trouble. I believe some very nasty people tried to kill Maria today because of me and they may try to hurt you and your wife as well. I want to make sure that doesn't happen."

Richard tensed, the thought of anything happening to Audrey chilled him, he knew couldn't go on with life without her "Who are they and why are they doing this?"

Audrey tried to keep her husband calm still holding his hand she wrapped her other hand around his arm "Darling sit down, lets hear what Frank has to say"

Richard nodded at her and gestured for frank to take a seat.

Taking a moment to compose himself Frank began to tell them his story "Just after your father died, I found myself in some financial difficulties. I turned to the wrong people for money, I didn't know that they were involved with some very nasty Russian gangsters. They threatened me and when they found out I had no wife or children they said they would hurt your mother and you if I didn't pay what I owed them"

"So you ran away" Richard interrupted

"I thought it was the only way" frank protested

Richard was puzzled "But that was over 30 years ago, why would they carry out their threat now, why wait?"

"It wasn't just about the money Bedrich" Frank sighed

"Don't call me that, my name is Richard, only my mother calls me Bedrich"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean...anyway these people were involved with the KGB, spies all that sort of thing. They wanted me to work for them, steal something from a friend but I couldn't do it and told MI6 instead. They put me under witness protection. But it seems that someone has found out where I live and who you are to me. MI6 are after them now but until then you need to stay here, don't go anywhere on your own either of you, it's not safe."

"Why should I believe what you say" Richard asked

Sighing frank stood "I knew you wouldn't take my word for it so I brought an MI6 man with me, his name is Major Craig. He will explain everything"

Frank went to the door opening it and calling for the Major to come in.

Major Craig walked over to where Richard and Audrey stood showing them his ID "Sir Richard, Lady DeVere, my name is Major Craig I'm with the security services"

Richard inspected his identification carefully before giving it back to him nodding for him to continue.

"Everything Mr Polouvicka has said is true Sir, I'm assigning some men to watch the house and to be your personal bodyguards, I've also sent some men to provide security for your mother, she will be perfectly safe at the hospital for now, it will only be for a few days, just until we find the men we're after." Explained the Major

"You can't possibly know how long it will take to find these men Major" Audrey responded angrily.

"Actually My Lady, my sources tell me we are very close to finding them, I assure you that you and your husband will be safe if you remain here at let my men do their job."

"So what happens now?" Richard asked

"Well Sir Richard, If you would permit your Uncle to stay with you it would be a lot easier to protect you all"

"I need to discuss this with my wife, will you excuse us for a moment" Richard took Audrey's hand and lead her over to the corner of the drawing room.

"What do you think darling" Richard asked her

Audrey thought for a moment before answering "If having him here makes it safer for all of us then I think we should let him stay."

"Do you really darling?"

She nodded "Yes I do plus it will give you a chance to get to know him, apart from your mother he's your only living relative"

Richard sighed "I don't know if I want to do that"

Audrey squeezed his hand "You say that now but what if later you regret not taking this opportunity to find out about him, maybe you'll learn some things about your father"

Richard smiled at her "You're right Darling, alright we'll let him stay"

Later that evening

Brabinger had showed Frank to his room and then Major Craig had informed them of where the security men were stationed around the grounds and inside the manor.

Both Richard and Audrey having lost their appetite skiped dinner and had retired to their room.

Sitting on the settee in their bedroom Richard watched as Audrey paced up and down in front of him.

Seeing no sign of her stopping he reached his hand out towards her "Darling come and sit down you'll wear yourself out with all that pacing"

Audrey stopped but didn't take his hand "I just don't like knowing there's someone out there who wants to hurt you darling"

Getting up Richard stood in front of her taking both her hands in his "And I feel terribly guilty that you are a target because of me, if anything were to happen to you..."

Audrey placed her fingers to his lips stopping him from continuing "Darling what have I told you before, as long as we're together nothing else matters"

Smiling Richard kissed her fingers then capturing both her hands brought them up to his lips kissing her knuckles then pulling her over to the settee "Come on let's have a cuddle"

They lay on the settee on their sides facing each other Richard cuddling up to her, pushing her further into the back of the settee, one arm around her waist and the other below her head cradling her to him. Audrey snuggled into him her hand resting on his neck, thumb stroking along his ear gently.

She wasn't really a cuddle type of person, she had never wanted to be near Marton let alone cuddle him but with Richard she had was a changed woman, a cuddle with him was now one of her favourite things to do.

"Mmm you know there's a perfectly good bed over there" Audrey sighed showing no signs of moving.

"I know darling but this is cosy we can act like teenagers and make out"

Audrey narrowed her eyebrows at him "Make out? What exactly does that mean?"

"Well it means some of this..." he kissed her neck then pulled back.

"A lot of this..." touching his lips to hers the kiss started slowly but then his tongue found hers and he deepened it. Finally the need for air made him break the kiss.

Panting he finally added "And just a touch of this..." he ran his hand down her thigh then back up again moving to caress her backside.

"I think I like making out Darling" Audrey giggled

"Good but before I get carried away I meant to ask you about going to the Palace"

"Oh yes, your suit is ready to be picked up when we're in London and I've organised for my dress and your mother's to be delivered the weekend before the investiture."

"Well I see you have everything under control. I just hope this business is sorted out before then" he said smiling at her running his hand across her back.

Audrey carresed his cheek "I'm sure it will be darling you heard Major Craig, just a few days then we can go back to normal. You know I can't wait to see you in your morning suit, I'm so proud of you Richard I want the day to be perfect for you"

"Everything already is perfect darling, I have you that's all I could ever want" he leaned in and touched his lips to hers.

Breaking the kiss Audrey rested her forehead on his "You really are the sweetest man"

"You bring out the best in me darling" he whispered

"Richard?"

"Mmm"

"Let's make out some more"