Audrey awoke the following morning feeling very sick. She lifted Richard's arm from her waist and scrambled out of bed rushing to the bathroom.
The jostling of the bed woke Richard who opened his eyes just in time to see his wife running into the bathroom stark naked.
"Audrey?" he called out.
He heard the sound of her being sick through the open bathroom door. Throwing the sheet back and got out of bed and walked swiftly to the bathroom.
He found her on the floor hunched over the toilet looking very pale, he ran his hand down her back as she finished being sick.
He wasn't very good with things like this, normally the sight of someone being sick turned his own stomach. He had avoided having to deal with anything involving illness. But Audrey was his wife he loved her and would do anything for her.
"Are you alright now darling?" he asked
She nodded unable to speak at that moment.
Realising they were both still naked Richard went back to the bedroom and put his pyjama bottoms on, bringing the top back for her to put on.
She was still on the floor but was now propped against the wall. He picked up a flannel and wet it under the tap. Kneeding down in front of her he gently wiped her face and neck.
"Come on darling let's get you back to bed" he said holding his hands out to her.
She took them and let him help her stand. Richard held his pyjama top up for her to slip her arms into and then with his arm around her waist he lead her back to bed.
He sat her on the side of the bed and poured her a glass of water handing it to her he was pleased when she managed to take a few sips.
Richard touched her forehead with his hand, she felt cold and clammy. He crouched down in front of her taking her hands in his.
"Are you sure you're alright Audrey?"
She nodded once more "It was probably something I ate last night darling."
Richard was confused by this, he'd eaten the same things as she had and he felt fine.
"Do you have a headache or any pain? Perhaps you better lie down..."
Audrey squeezed his hands shaking her head "I'm fine Richard honestly, in fact I feel hungry now"
Richard looked puzzled "Are you sure you want to eat Audrey you've just been sick"
She nodded "Please darling I feel fine now and I really want some toast and jam"
He raised his eyebrows, if he'd just been ill like she had he wouldn't want food anywhere near him. But if his Audrey wanted toast and jam then she was going to have it.
"Of course darling I'll go ring for Brabinger"
While Richard told brabinger they wold be having breakfast in their room Audrey reclined back against the pillows.
Brabinger knocked on the door a few minutes later and Richard took the tray from him and placed it over her lap. Climboing up next to her he watched as she devoured her toast and jam with great enthusiasm, he was quite amazed at her quick recovery.
He helped himself to some toast and a cup of tea wondering what was going on with his wife. He'd never known her to be unwell, well apart from her back. But then he didn't know about any illnesses she may of had before he met her.
Audrey saw the worried look on his face "Darling what's the matter?"
Richard reached for her hand "Audrey, you will go and see Dr. Horton if your still feeling unwell later won't you?"
"Oh darling I'm fine really. I can't remember the last time I was sick, I'm sure it was just something I ate."
Seeing that he still looked worried Audrey added "But I promise I'll see the doctor if I feel bad later alright"
"Thank you darling" he said kissing her on the cheek
That afternoon Audrey felt back to normal in fact she felt very energetic. She was in the drawing room organising the bookshelves when Madeleine came in.
"Audrey I hope I'm not disturbing you"
"Of course not what can I do for you?"
"I just wanted to thank you and Richard for your hospitality and for helping me with Nicky. She has agreed to come and live with me in Paris so we will be leaving in a couple of days."
"That's wonderful Madeleine I'm so pleased for you both"
"Thank you, I'm taking her into the village in a moment to get some things she may want on the flight, if you will excuse me"
Meanwhile brabinger knocked on the door of Richard's study.
"Judge Fulton And Lord Sinclair to see you Sir Richard" Brabinger announced
Richard stood and walked around his desk "Thank you Brabinger will you ask Lady DeVere to join us please"
"Very good Sir" Brabinger nodded and went to fetch Audrey.
Once they were all gathered in Richard's study the Judge outlined what he had discovered about Thomas Martin.
"It's a simple thing really, Thomas Martin or Jack as some people call him is planning to use Nicky to get to Mademoiselle DuToit's money."
"But how would he do that?" Audrey asked
"Nicky is the only child of Madeleine which means in the event of her death all her assets would belong to her child" the Judge explained
"You mean he's going to kill her so Nicky can inherit the money and in turn he does" Danny said
Audrey put her hand over her mouth in shock "But she's just a child, she can't know what he's planning to do can she?"
"I don't believe she does he's probably told her things to manipulate her. He has already had papers filed claiming to be her guardian in the event of her mothers death" Judge Fulton told them.
"So if Nicky inherits Madeleine's money he will have control of it as her guardian?" Brett asked
"Exactly"
"So what do we do now?" Richard asked running a hand over his face.
"If we tell Madeleine will she believe us? I mean she's been going out with him a few times and he is the father of her child " Brett asked
"And who was that woman we saw him with" Audrey enquired
"She is his lover used to be a model, I don't think she knows what he's up to with Madeleine. I had a very interesting chat with Brigadier Lemington about her, she's been seen with quite a few of older gents of that social circle in the past few months"
The Judge paused before continuing "Look I think the best course of action would be to wait and see how he intends to proceed. With Brett and Danny here we may just catch him in the attempt"