Richard and Henry were waiting for the Brigadier to arrive at The Manor. Although Richard had previously told Brigadier Lemington he didn't play cricket but liked to watch the Brigadier had persuaded him to play for the village team.
Henry having played cricket for most of his life offered to give Richard a few pointers, so here they were on the lawn of the manor with cricket nets set up and Henry bowling balls at Richard.
With Henry's guidance he was proving to be a very good batsman.
The Brigadier was walking over to them on the lawn when Richard hit a big shot that went sailing over the Brigadier's head and straight through the window of Ned's shed. Fortunately it was Ned's day off and he wasn't inside.
"I say good shot, carry on like that and you'll be opening the batting my boy" the Brigadier called out.
"Oh I don't think I'm up to that Brigadier" Richard chuckled
"Nonsense I'm sure with a little more coaching from Henry here you'll be on top form in no time"
Richard shook his head then directed the brigadier to the terrace "Come and have some lemonade, Audrey's decided we're to eat on the terrace this arfternoon"
Madeleine was already sitting down at the table and Richard introduce the Brigadier to her "Brigadier Lemington I'd like you to meet Madeleine Dutoit, Madeleine this is Brigadier Lemington a very good friend of ours"
"Hello there, nice to meet you. French are you, well never mind. Don't like cricket do you?"
Madeleine chuckled at him, he seemed like a typical English country gent "I'm afraid I do not"
The brigadier shrugged his shoulders "Shame, damm fine sport"
"Here you are Brigadier" Henry said handing him a glass of ice cold lemonade.
"Ah thank you Henry and how are you and Mrs Polouvicka getting on?" He asked nudging Henry with his elbow. Not to miss an opportunity to ruffle the Brigadiers feathers Henry was quick with his reply.
"Very well thank you Brigadier. How's you're niece? The one who was with you in London"
The Brigadier chocked a bit on his drink "Oh yes, fine she's very well"
Audrey came out on to the terrace wearing a pale yellow sundress, Richard couldn't help but admire her figure as she walked towards him.
"Hello darling, you look wonderful" he said putting an arm on her waist and kissing her lips.
Audrey ran her hand down his chest "Thank you, I must say I like you in your cricket whites darling, very dashing"
Madeleine rose from her seat "If you will excuse me I think I will go and tell Nicky lunch is ready"
Richard held out a seat for his wife as she sat down "Thank you darling," she smiled before turning her attention to the Brigadier.
"Are you ready for the match next week then Brigadier" Audrey asked
"Yes I think so and with Henry and Richard we've got a good chance of winning"
Madeleine returned with Nicky "Brigadier this is my daughter Nicky"
He stood to greet the young girl "How do you do young lady"
Nicky smiled "It's very nice to meet you Brigadier"
The brigadier shook his head "You know you look very familiar, I could have sworn we've met before"
Before anything else could be said Mrs Poo came out on to the terrace followed by Lord Brett Sinclair.
"Bedrich your friend Lord Sinclair is here"
Brett walked over to Richard with his hand outstretched "Richard how are you it's been a long time"
Richard nodded playing along "Yes far to long Everybody this is Brett Sinclair an old friend of mine, he's going to be staying with us for a few days"
This got the brigadier's attention "A Lord are you, any good at cricket?"
"Well I'm a pretty effective leg spinner if that's any good to you"
The brigadiers eyebrows rose "Bye George yes, right well your in the team for next Sunday"
Brett shrugged his shoulders down grinned "Oh well if you insist"
Later when the Brigadier was leaving Richard managed to get him on his own intent on asking him where he thought he had met young Nicky before.
Richard and Brett stood outside the front door of the manor with the Brigadier making sure there was no one to over hear them Richard asked him about Nicky.
"Brigadier can we have a word with you?"
"Of course"
"I was just wondering where you thought you saw Nicky before?"
The Brigadier rubbed his chin "Well I can't be sure memory's not what it was but there was a man at my club. He was there with a girl looked just like her, I remember you see because they don't allow children normally"
"Right...Brigadier you won't mention this to anyone will you" Richard asked
"Something underhand going on is there, we'll no need to worry my boy won't say a word." He said patting Richard shoulder.
"Thank you"
"Right well I'll see you both on Sunday, have a good evening"
They watched the Brigadier walk down the drive, Richard turned to Brett "Well what do you think?"
"I think I'll phone Danny see if he's come up with anything and you should go for that walk with your wife you promised her"
Brett motioning to Audrey who was waiting by the side of the manor having walked around from the terrace. Richard turned to see his wife waiting patiently for him, his breath catching in his throat at the sight of her in the late afternoon sun.
"Yes, God she's beautiful isn't she" Richard breathed.
Brett smirked at his friend "Positively glowing I'd say"
"They walked along by the lake they had visited a few nights ago palms clasped together, fingers entwined.
"What did Brett say about what the brigadier saw?" Audrey asked him
"He's going to talk to Danny so we'll just have to wait and see"
Coming to a stop Richard came to stand in front of her, his hands on her lower back while Audrey's rested hers on his chest. He leaned in pressing his forehead to hers.
"You are beautiful Audrey, you take my breath away darling" He whispered brushing his fingers against her cheek.
"Thank you darling and as I said you look very handsome in your cricket whites" she said fiddling with the collar of his shirt.
"Really? I thought you liked me wearing a lot less" he said wiggling his eyebrows.
"I do it's just I like you in other things to." She smiled up at him. "Like your navy suit. I admit I have a little fantasy of you involving that suit."
"Do you? I may have to wear that more often, perhaps you should tell me this fantasy of yours." His swept his eyes over her face.
Audrey ran her fingers through his hair gazing into his eyes "Maybe later darling...now kiss me"
Richard smiled and leaned in to give her a soft kiss but it wasn't enough for Audrey, pulling him against her she deepened the kiss, her tongue finding his.
When they pulled apart they were both panting "I love you Audrey" he said huskily
"I love you too darling" she whispered back.