Lunch at Maxims had been wonderful, the food was excellent and Audrey had enjoyed verbally sparing with Richard over his use of his helicopter.

Richard had found it highly amusing when she had complained given how quick she had agreed to travel in it to Paris, he found himself placing his elbow on the table and perching his chin on his hand as he listened to her.

She really was beautiful when she got angry he thought to himself. When she had finished he grinned at her.

"You know Audrey, you really are terribly attractive when you're angry,"

Audrey paused for a moment before she laughed out loud. Richard found her laugh intoxicating and decided to try and make her laugh like that more often.

Richard paid the bill and they made their way out of the restaurant, Audrey taking his arm again when he offered it to her.

Stepping onto the street, Audrey saw the Effeil Tower and sighed, "I've never been to the effiel tower,"

Richard turned to her with a smile on his face, "Then lets go now,"

"Richard! We can't…can we?"

"Of course we can we've got plenty of time, come on Audrey," he said grabbing her hand and tugging her with him towards the Effiel Tower.

Audrey closed her eyes and lifted her face to the sky feeling the happiest she had been for a long time. Opening them again she looked out across Paris, enjoying the sights and sounds of the most romantic city in the world.

Standing on top of the Eiffel Tower watching Audrey look out across the darkening skies of Paris, Richard felt the need to take her in his arms and never let her go.

He knew he loved her, had known for a while but being here with her in the city of love he knew in his heart that now was the perfect time to declare himself to her.

He moved closer to her, his hand close but not touching hers where it rested on the rail.

"Marry me Audrey," he blurted out.

Audrey's head whipped around to face him, a look of complete shock on her face.

"What!"

"Marry me," he repeated calmly although he felt anything but calm inside.

"Richard don't be silly, you don't mean that," she said sadly shaking her head.

"I never say things I don't mean," He replied covering her hand with his.

Audrey looked down at his hand on hers, she wanted so desperately to say yes. She had admitted to herself a while ago now that she was deeply in love with him but she didn't know his feelings for her and anyway she couldn't marry him.

"I can't marry you Richard," she said pulling her hand from beneath his.

She hadn't said no, she had said can't, Richard felt a glimmer of hope swell in his chest, "Why not?"

"Because I…" she stuttered before her shoulders dropped, "I just can't, now please can we go," she sighed turning to walk away.

Richard grabbed her arm stopping her and turning her back around to face him, "Not until you tell me why you can't marry me. I love you Audrey and I believe you love me,"

"You love me?"

"Of course I love you." Richard whispered taking her hands in his and stepping closer to her, "I've fallen in love with you Audrey,"

"Oh Richard…I love you too," she said, tears appearing in her eyes, "But I can't marry you,"

"Why? tell me." He murmured

"Because you might think I was only marrying you to get Grantleigh back," she said tearfully.

Richard grinned, "Is that all,"

"What do you mean is that all!" Audrey cried out, her anger rising at his response.

Richard shrugged his shoulders, "That's easily solved, I'll sign Grantleigh over to you,"

Audrey was in a state of shock, "But..but…" she stuttered unable to get the words out.

Dropping her hands he took hold of her waist and pulled her body against his, "I trust you Audrey, I trust that you love me and if Grantleigh is all that is standing in our way I will gladly give it to you,"

Audrey grinned knowing that life with Richard would never be boring. With her hands rested on his shoulders she shook her head, 'You are an impossible man Richard DeVere,"

"So…is that a yes then. Will you marry me?"

"Yes, yes I'll marry you," Audrey laughed as he hugged her to him and lifted her off the ground, his face buried in her neck.

Audrey threw her head back in delight not caring about the looks the other people standing near gave them. She was to happy to care at the moment.

Placing her down on the floor Richard pulled back to look into Audrey's eyes before slowly moving forward and touching her lips with his.

Audrey wrapped her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss, moaning into his mouth when her tongue touched his.

When they eventually came up for air, both of them were breathing heavily but Audrey need to tell him something and steadied her breathing.

"Richard, I don't want you to give me Grantleigh, I want this marriage to be a partnership,"

Richard smiled, "Half then, joint Lord and Lady of Grantleigh Manor and don't say no. You know I'm a good business man, I can convince you."

Audrey was well aware of his business acumen and nodded, "Alright then half. Shall we shake on it?" She asked

"I have a much better way to seal this deal," he smirked before kissing her again.

Ending the kiss Richard rested his forehead on hers and tightened his arms around her. He didn't want to let her go now that he had her, an idea suddenly occurred to him.

"Lets stay in Paris tonight Audrey, we could get rooms at The Peninsula," He suggested hoping she would agree.

The idea appealed to Audrey but she dint have a thing with her and would need at least a toothbrush, "But I didn't bring anything with me,"

"We can get you anything you need here, please Audrey I want to spend some time alone with my fiancee,"

"Well when you put it like that…" she smiled running her fingers through his hair.

"That's settled then, now where were we…" he smiled about to kiss her again when Audrey moved her head back stopping him.

"Yes, but Richard, Darling, we only need one room," she grinned.

"Whatever you say Darling," He chuckled.