Dropping his head back onto the pillows, Richard breathed in deeply as Audrey removed herself from on top of him and snuggled against his side, her head resting on his chest and her arm draped across his waist.

Audrey smiled up at her husband. He looked adorable, his hair at all angles where her hands had clutched it in the heat of passion. His chest hair curled from the sweat that had formed there caused by their exertions. She rubbed her hand across his chest feeling his muscles flex as her fingers ran through the covering of hair there.

Stroking his fingers up and down her back Richard sighed, "I wonder who did put that book in our luggage?"

"I don't care who did, that book is the best I've ever read" she chuckled

"I agree with you darling, especially after that demonstration" he smiled as he kissed her forehead.

On the first night of their honeymoon they had discovered a book in their luggage, The Kamasutra of Vatsyayana, after a few moments of embarrassment and then laughter they had browsed the pages, examined the drawings and read some of the passages.

Audrey had found the section on biting to be very educational and had put it to good use over the past couple of weeks and Richard had readily agreed to try out as many positions as she wanted after they had tried out one very interesting position she had found in the book.

"When we're in London we should try some of the more adventurous positions like that one on page 40 what was it called...the Barbell? Yes, that was it, I'm looking forward to that" she sighed with a smile on her lips.

Richard lifted her chin with his finger "My darling you never cease to surprise me." He chuckled.

Looking into his eyes she replied "Well that's good, at least you won't get bored with me darling" she then held her lips up for him to kiss, which he did.

"I will never get bored of you Audrey, I love you with all my heart, you are my heart, my soulmate" He whispered stroking his thumb across her cheek.

"Oh darling, it's the same for me, I adore you" she murmured kissing him gently again then settling back down on his chest.

Audrey felt the happiest she had ever been in her life.

"We should get some sleep, we don't want to be late for breakfast tomorrow," She said sleepily.

"Mmm...yes...I thought we might take a walk on the estate tomorrow, just the two of us, what do you think?…..darling? Richard smiled looking down at his wife's head on his chest, she had already fallen asleep, placing a kiss on her forehead he drifted off himself.

The next morning found Richard and Audrey were eating a leisurely breakfast and reading the morning papers in the dining room when Brabinger entered with the morning post.

After the new year's party, Brabinger knew in his heart that Madam would become Mrs. DeVere, he had seen the love that she had for the handsome Czeckslovakian and had seen that love equally returned.

Now from what he saw in the post this morning, the stones could very well be right again and she would indeed be Lady DeVere before the end of the year.

Approaching Richard he held out the silver tray with the post on "Post for you Sir"

"Thank you Brabinger" Richard put his paper down and lifted the small stack of letters from the tray. Opening the first one Richard couldn't believe what he was reading.

Audrey noticing the expression on her husband's face asked him what was wrong. "Darling, what is it?"

"I…I…well here see for yourself," he said getting up and walking towards her holding the letter out to her, she took it and began to read.

Audrey gasped putting her hand over her mouth as she read the letter.

Richard was going to be Knighted in the New Years Honours List, oh she was so proud of him, he deserved this and so much more she thought.

Standing up she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tight "Oh darling this is wonderful, you are going to accept it aren't you?"

Tightening his arms around her waist he replied, "Yes, yes I am, I don't know if I deserve it but…" Audrey placed her fingers over his lips.

"Now stop right there Richard DeVere, of course you deserve this. You are a marvelous businessman with one of the most successful companies in the world and a very generous philanthropist. You deserve this and so much more darling" she removed her fingers from his lips and replaced them with her lips in a gentle kiss.

Running her fingers through his hair Audrey deepened the kiss, pressing her tongue to the seam of his lips, delving into his mouth when he granted her access.

Finally, Richard eased the kiss, giving gentle pecks to her mouth and then leaning his forehead on hers.

"We can't tell mother, not until it's announced" Richard's breath mingled with hers as he spoke.

"Yes, I think your right. Oh she is going to be so proud of you darling, just as I am"

They were interrupted by Brabinger entering the room " I beg your pardon Madam, Sir, but Mrs. Polouvicka is on her way down".

Disentangling themselves, Richard smoothed his hair into place while Audrey straightened her clothes they then retook their seats with wide smiles on their faces just as Mrs. Poo entered the dining room.

Later that day they finally set out on their walk, as they walked Richard began to think this could become a very pleasant habit of his but only if Audrey was with him.

They had been walking for half an hour, wrapped up against the cold of an English Autumn, but he didn't feel the cold not with Audrey holding his hand. She had grasped his hand in hers and entwined their fingers when the front door of Grantleigh had shut and hadn't let go.

"Well Sir Richard, it seems you are my knight in shining armor" Audrey said smiling at him.

"I don't know about shining armour Lady Audrey, but yours definitely"

"Have you decided what to do about Cavendish"

Sighing Richard told her his thoughts "I thought I had, but with Uncle Grevel leaving me his business interests, it wouldn't make sense to just let the business go now, however I think I've come up with something that will work".

"And what is that," Audrey asked, her thumb caressing his hand.

"I intend to have a Managing Director at Cavendish, someone to take over the day to day running, that leaves me free to monitor the other business interests and more importantly spend time with you darling"

"That's a brilliant idea Richard it solves everything, who are you thinking of for Managing Director"

"I have a few ideas, but after all that business with Lumsden I need to be sure of the person, also with Gayforth still on the board it needs to be someone who can stand up to people like him and no old school ties either."

"I'm sure you'll find someone darling"

They walked up to Milne Bridge and stood in the middle looking down at the stream, Richard wrapped his arm around her shoulders bringing her closer to him. Audrey turned and wrapped her arms around his middle snuggling closer to him. Richard smiled at her and kissed her nose.

"Remember the first time we were here together? You taught me how to play pooh sticks, then you accused me of cheating" Richard teased

"I remember it very well" Audrey chuckled "Do you know, I think that was when I knew I loved you"

"Really?" Richard replied raising his eyebrows

Nodding she asked him "When did you first know you loved me Darling"

"That day in the drawing room just after I'd bought the manor. You were there with Marjory and you looked so sad, but your eyes..., my God I'd never been more drawn to anyone. That's when I knew I was falling in love with you" Richard finished with tears in his eyes.

Leaning forward he kissed her cheek, the corner of her mouth and finally kissed her lips. Ending the kiss but staying close he breathed "I love you"

"I love you to Darling"