Richard and Audrey were sitting in the old coach restaurant waiting for their meal to arrive, although Audrey had never liked witnessing public displays of affection with Richard she herself had become very public displaying her love for her husband.
Now she was happy to be seen in public holding his hand, hugging him, even kissing him, she just loved being with him.
So while they waited for their meal she rested her hand on his across the table, interlacing their fingers. Although Richard like to project the air of confident businessman he was a naturally shy man and had never been comfortable with showing his affection publicly but with Audrey he found he couldn't help but touch her or kiss her when they were in public.
The waiter brought their meal a few minutes later. Audrey was thankful for the quick service in the last few days she had been feeling hungry all the time.
"Oh this looks lovely" she said as she picked up her cutlery and began eating with gusto.
Richard laughed at her enthusiastic reaction to their meal.
Audrey looked up at him "Why are you laughing Richard?"
"I'm sorry Audrey, Its just I've never seen you act this way over lunch before Darling"
She grinned. "I don't know what's come over me in the last few days, I'm just so hungry all the time. What do you think it could be?"
Richard shook his head "I don't know darling, we have been very active lately though" he said wiggling his eyebrows.
Audrey smiled as a blush creeping up her cheeks at his words but she continued to eat her meal.
Richard put down his knife and fork after he'd eaten his fill, dabbing his mustache with his napkin watching his wife continue to eat. He'd never seen her like this over food before, he wondered if something was wrong but normally when someone was feeling ill they lost their appetite. Audrey's appetite had increased and she looked healthy, infact she was glowing.
Audrey looked over to Richard as she finished the last of her chicken "I think we should have dessert darling, I'm still hungry"
"Of course darling whatever you'd like, here" he said handing her the dessert menu.
After she had decided what she wanted Richard summoned the waiter to take their order: chocolate cheesecake for Lady DeVere and coffee for Sir Richard.
After the waiter brought their order Richard drank his coffee as he watched Audrey start on her cheesecake.
"Would you like a taste, darling?" She asked
Richard smiled "Yes I would"
Audrey held her fork out across the table as he leaned forward "mmm that is very good"
"Yes, but you have a little chocolate right there" running her thumb across the corner of his mouth she then put her thumb to her lips licking the chocolate off of it.
Richard raised his eyebrows surprised at his wife's actions, Audrey laughed at her husbands reaction.
"So how do you think they are getting on" Audrey asked her husband. She hoped Madeleine and Nicola had found things in common they could bond over.
"I don't know...darling do you think Henry would ask my mother to marry him?"
Audrey placed her fork down on the now empty plate "Honestly, no I don't, not because he doesn't want to but because he knows that she still loves your father and besides they seem to like the situation as it is"
"You're probably right" Richard sighed
"Are you ready to go darling"
"Yes come on let's go home and meet Nicola"
They found Madeleine and Nicola in the gardens looking at the roses. Nicola was the spitting image of her mother except for her blond hair.
"Richard, Audrey, this is Nicky. Nicky you remember Lady DeVere and Sir Richard" Madeleine said as she introduced her daughter.
"Yes I remember Lady DeVere and Sir Richard"
"Please call us Richard and Audrey and you prefer Nicky yes?" Audrey asked putting her hand on Nicky's shoulder
"Yes lady, I mean Audrey" Nicky smiled
Madeleine turned to Richard "Your mother has been showing Nicky the gardens Richard"
"Oh so you've met mother then"
"Yes and her boyfriend, he is very nice" Nicky giggled
Mrs Poo emerged from the manor and called to Richard "Bedrich your office is on the phone"
"Coming mother" he called back "I'll see you inside darling" he said to Audrey
"Why does Mrs Poo call him Bedrich" Nicky asked Audrey
"Because that was his name before he changed it, Richard is from czechoslovakia,"
"Cool, but he's British now isn't he"
Audrey nodded "Yes he has a British passport but his mother has always called him Bedrich"
"Now I think it's time for tea, I'm sure Mrs Beecham has some of her famous scones for us" Audrey said leading Madeleine and Nicky back into the manor.