Archive of Our Own

They were at an event, Richard couldn't recall what it was for, and Audrey was dressed in a beautiful gown that clung to her svelte figure. Richard was in a tuxedo. His arm was around her back possessively and her hand was placed on top of where his rested on her waist. Her other hand was resting on his chest. The picture had been captured while they were looking at each other and laughing. The love on their faces shone through. It was one of Richard's favorite photos of them.    

It was the first event after their engagement and Richard remembered being so proud to walk in to it with Audrey fforbes-Hamilton on his arm. He had been in love with her for years when she had finally been the one to propose to him. Audrey had the courage that he was missing, she was the love of his life. 

She captured his heart soon after they first met. He was drawn to her charm and charisma, her confidence and passion, her stubbornness and vulnerability. He loved how her eyes changed from sparkling blue to thunderous grey, how her nose crinkled when she laughed, how she felt in his arms when they danced, how he wanted to be a better man because of her. 

Richard remembered their first kiss. Audrey has just proposed and they were walking back to the manor. They stopped outside the church and he pulled Audrey close to him, her arms wound around his neck and her fingers scrapped through his hair. Their lips met softly and tenderly. It became more intense as years of passion began to unleash. He trailed kisses down her neck as she sighed in pleasure. 

“We need to get back Richard, people will wonder where we are.”

“Let them.”

Audrey laughed, “Oh darling, we have all night ahead of us still.” She paused, “That is, if you want to stay.”

“I thought you’d never ask.” Richard replied. He loved hearing Audrey call him ‘darling’. “Can we clear them out as soon as we get back?”

Audrey laughed again as she leaned in to kiss him on the lips. It was meant to be a quick kiss but Richard could not get enough of her and he pulled her close to keep kissing her. His tongue touched hers and she responded by gently nipping his lip. Richard’s body started responding and he felt himself growing hard. He knew Audrey felt it too as she drew in her breath when he pressed against her. 

“You’re incorrigible, darling.” Audrey trailed her finger along his jawline. 

Richard remembered how he had to restrain himself from taking her right there but he wanted to give her as much pleasure as she gave him and so he stopped. The walk back was the most intimate one he had ever had. They held on to each other, stopped to kiss multiple times, whispering to each other and laughing. They had finally made their feelings known and they couldn’t wait to start their life together. 

Later that night, when everyone had gone, they took a bottle of champagne and glasses to their bedroom. Audrey had a music record on low. Richard had poured them both a glass, and looked into her eyes, “Audrey, darling, here’s to us and a long life together. Thank you for making me the happiest man alive.”

How he loved her eyes and he still thought about how she looked at him. There were so many emotions in her eyes. Love, adoration, desire. They clinked glasses and Audrey sipped her champagne. She put her glass down, kicked off her heels, leaned into him and started to undo his bow tie (thank god it wasn’t a ready made one). Richard shrugged off his jacket while Audrey kissed his neck and, as she unbuttoned his shirt, her kisses trailed down his chest. 

He knew how important both traditions and appearances were to Audrey and he was uncertain of how far she would want to go. She must have sensed his concern and she took the lead, her hands reaching his trousers, undoing the button and zipper and they fell to the ground with his boxer shorts. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her then led her over to the bed, "You're very traditional Mr DeVere." Audrey teased him with a wicked smile.

"Just you wait and see..." he replied.

He slowly unzipped her dress, his strong hands delicate in touching her skin. He kissed the crook of her neck and she sighed. Her dress fell to the ground and she stepped out of it. Audrey was naked in front of him. She was even more beautiful than he expected. Her legs were longer and leaner than they looked in her riding breeches. The curves of her stomach and waist were soft and as his eyes moved up to her breasts he felt himself visibly take in his breath. He could see that she was blushing as she smiled shyly.

He held out his hand to her to accept. "You're stunning, Audrey darling. More than I could have ever imagined."

It was a soft and tender moment as their bodies came together for the first time. He drew her into his arms and their mouths met, hungry for each other. Richard was worried about hurting Audrey, assuming it had been a while since she was last sexually intimate. 

"Darling, I don't want to hurt you." he murmured. 

She looked at him with love, "You won’t, I want to feel you inside me."

They moved to the bed and Richard had to pause and think how lucky he was. He had dreamed about Audrey for so long now, he wanted to take his time and enjoy every moment of their first time together. He wanted Audrey to feel his love for her.

Her skin was soft and smooth and as his kissed trailed down her body he heard Audrey whispering his name and his hands cupped her face as he moved up and kissed her lips. She tasted like the champagne they had been drinking and Richard knew he would never tire of kissing her. He couldn't believe it, that morning he had almost chickened out of coming to her Welcome Home party, and now here they were.

"I love you darling. I have loved you since the day I first met you."

"Really? Even though I was quite horrible to you?" she laughed.

"Yes, even then. I knew I wanted you Audrey, more than I have ever wanted anything."

"I want you too Richard, forever." she told him as she pulled his face down to hers to kiss.

Forever. Richard reflected on that now, he wanted Audrey forever. It had only been 6 months since she passed away, but the time went slowly without her there. He ached for her every minute of every day. He opened his cigar box and read the letter that she had put in his room on the morning of their wedding.

"Darling Richard,

Today is the first day of the rest of our lives together. It is the last day I will ever be Audrey fforbes-Hamilton, the only name I have ever had. I cannot wait to be Mrs Richard DeVere.

You must know Richard how much I love you, I have told you this many times. I love everything about you - your heritage, your stubbornness, your thoughtfulness and how you make me feel like I am the only woman in the world.

My darling, today you make my dreams come true.

Always yours,

Audrey xo"

He smiled at her writing and he thought about their wedding day, or moreover their wedding night. After their morning ceremony and reception lunch at Grantleigh, they had flown to London in his helicopter and stayed in their Mayfair flat. They loved staying in the flat. Flat was not quite accurate - it was a big and luxurious penthouse apartment. It had 4 bedrooms and as many bathrooms, a huge formal lounge, informal lounge room, formal dining room and a gorgeous balcony which overlooked Hyde Park.

They enjoyed the time alone, no live-in staff to be concerned about they had christened almost every room (Mother's bedroom was off-limits). Here Richard saw a playful side to Audrey that was not as evident in the manor. She could relax without any eyes on her. 

On their wedding night Richard had presented a gift to Audrey - a black, silk robe with the initials AD embroided on the breast pocket. Richard had one made for himself as well, with RD embroided on it. Audrey laughed in delight at the gift. It was kitsch but she absolutely loved it. 

"Well, I think we need to put these on." she giggled.

"Come here." Richard grabbed her around the waist and Audrey laughed again as she pulled him closer with his tie. He kissed her as they slowly started to undress each other. They had started to find a rhythm - whether it be slowly and tenderly or passionately and desperately. Tonight, they were starting slow. No doubt a next round would be passionate and desperate.

"Mrs DeVere." he whispered as he kissed down her neck.

She moaned, "Oh Mr DeVere, that feels so good." They gently moved to lay down on the rug in front of the fire. The soft glow from the firelight turned their skin into a show of shadows and Richard kissed down her body.

In the flat they had the freedom to be as loud as they wanted, there was no one to overhear them, and Audrey called his name in pleasure. They moved together as one, needing one another with a loving desperation and a need for fulfilment that only the other could provide.

After, they lay for a few minutes to catch their breath and she looked up at him. "I love you Richard. Don't ever forget this moment, and how much I love you. Because I know we will fight, and we might have tough times, but don't ever forget that I love you and I always will. There is nothing you could do that I wouldn't forgive. That is how much I love you." Then Audrey leaned in and kissed him. The memory was seared into Richard's brain for his life. And they did have fights and he did recall that exact moment, like he did now.

Later, they put on their robes and ate ice cream in front of the fire and laughed at the run-ins they had had. He treasured this time with her. Richard had some ice-cream on his face and Audrey leaned in to lick it off him. She smiled and her eyes looked mischievous. Now it was her turn to slowly undo his robe and the tempo changed. She kissed him passionately and he undid her robe pulling her closer to him as their lips met, hungrily kissing each other. She paused briefly pulled away so their eyes met and she whispered, “I love you Mr DeVere.”

“Audrey you’re amazing. I have never felt like this before.” He replied and he cupped her face in his hands and bought her into him for a soft kiss. 

Audrey smiled at him, “Me either. Isn’t it crazy? I wish we hadn’t wasted so much time.”

Their honeymoon had been a week in Spain, enjoying tapas and sangria, laying by the beach and swimming in the ocean. It was precious time together that Richard had savored and they grew even closer. On the last night they sat by candlelight and Audrey looked so beautiful. Her skin had tanned and she looked relaxed and in love. She was practically glowing with happiness. They held hands and giggled like children. It was a completely new and endearing side of his wife and he loved her even more for it. 

Richard smiled as he looked at a picture from their honeymoon taken that night. In this picture they were at the table at the restaurant, Audrey was sitting on his lap with her arm around his neck. Richard had one arm around her waist and the other on her knee. They were both smiling joyfully at the camera. It felt like a lifetime ago. 

So much had happened in their life together. 

Not long after the honeymoon they had discovered that Audrey was pregnant. They had hoped for this baby, but thought it was unlikely to happen quickly, given Audrey had just turned 40. Soon into the pregnancy they were given another surprise that they were expecting twins. Audrey had been funny while she was pregnant. Far from being precious and pampered she insisted on keeping up her busy schedule. And her sexual appetite! She practically tired him out but he could never get enough of her and he happily serviced all her needs. 

When Mother found out she was going to be a grandmother to two babies she cried for hours. Other than Richard, only Mother was allowed to touch Audrey’s growing baby belly. If anyone else even tried Audrey would quickly tell them to keep their hands to themselves. Audrey and Mother had a special connection though, both strong and independent woman who loved Richard with all their hearts. 

The twins were delivered with Richard being the first to hold them both. Eleanor Maria DeVere came out first and Richard was in love with her at first site. She had her mother’s blue eyes and was noisy until she was on Audrey’s breast. When Richard saw their son, David Greville DeVere, it was like looking at himself as a baby. Big brown eyes in a serious face, quiet and curious to look around and discover the world. 

Audrey was a wonderful mother to Ellie and David. Despite her less than maternal attitude to other children, she adored the twins. They were breast and bottle fed and Richard happily shared the load with Audrey and the nanny. He and Audrey were not as traditional as he thought they would be. They loved having the twins in bed with them of a morning, their whole world together. 

Richard could still remember Audrey’s face, baby talking to the twins then looking up at him in complete satisfaction. “I love you darling,” she had said, “you have given more happiness than I could ever have dreamed of. Look at our perfect babies.”

Ellie had proven not only to be a Mummy’s girl, but also to be a mini Audrey in every sense - stubborn, determined to get her own way and utterly charming. Richard was wrapped around her little finger. She walked and talked before her younger brother and bossed him around non stop. 

David was “just like Bedrich” as Mother continually reminded them all. Unlike his loud sister, David was more reserved, although equally stubborn and adorably cheeky. He followed Richard everywhere and they playfully referred to him as ‘Richard’s shadow.’

Both Ellie and David adored their ‘Babička‘ who they affectionately called ‘Babby.’ The feeling was mutual - Mother could not get enough of them and loved to spoil them with sweets when their parents weren’t watching. She told them stories about ‘old Czechoslovakia’ and Richard’s upbringing in London. 

The twins were gifted horse riders and skiers like their mother and spent much of their childhood outdoors exploring Grantleigh. They went skiing every winter and on a holiday to the beach every summer. They were expected to learn the value of community service and as such participated in many community events and volunteer activities. They were not spoiled (Audrey could not stand spoiled children) but did not want for anything. 

It was a hard discussion deciding on their schooling. They wanted the twins to have a good education but struggled with the thought of boarding school. Eventually they came up with a compromise of local primary schooling and then boarding school through the week for high school. When high school started, Audrey and Richard missed them terribly. Richard could still remember Audrey moping around the first month Ellie and David were gone. Unfortunately this was also the year they lost Mother and Brabinger and the manor felt very empty at times without Mother bustling around or the twins running and yelling through the halls. Brabinger had been declining in his health, and had retired as butler a few years prior, although he continued to work at the Manor, training his replacement Campbell. Audrey had known Brabinger her whole life and mourned for him like a parent. 

This was the hardest year in their marriage. With the loss of Mother and Brabinger, the twins going away for school and trying to find a new sense of normal was trying at times. Audrey and Richard were often short and snappy with one another. Of course they had always fought. They wouldn’t be Audrey and Richard DeVere without a few good quarrels. Their first one after their engagement had been over Bertie’s presence in the house. Richard did not approve of dogs in the house and Bertie had been Audrey’s constant companion. There was no way he was being evicted from his rightful home in the manor. 

Richard planned a holiday for the two of them - a second honeymoon. They loved the French Riviera and so he booked a gorgeous villa for the week. They were across the road from the beach and had a beautiful view from their terrace balcony. 

Richard and Audrey were able to indulge in mornings in bed together, making love with the fervor of their early days, a leisurely brunch, sun baking and swimming at the beach and exploring the little streets around the village. 

Their love for each other had only deepened over time, and the holiday was exactly what they needed. They enjoyed reconnecting in every way possible. There was nothing now that they didn’t know about each other. They could read each other’s moods, finish each other sentences, know what the other would order at a restaurant but it wasn’t boring. It was a closeness that Richard had longed for and found in Audrey. 

They also spoke about the gaps in their lives that occurred that year and agreed that Richard would spend less time on Farmer Tom, Audrey would spend less time volunteering and that they would spend more time together. They would do a daily walk of the estate, or ride, a few nights in London each month and have an annual week long holiday together. They came back refreshed and more connected than ever.

Strengthening their foundation together, they were able to navigate the coming years with relative ease. It was a joy for them to watch Ellie and David mature into young adults. To Audrey's relief they did not turn into rebellious louts, they were smart, motivated and respectful. 

Ellie decided early on that she wanted to be in business, like her father, and so after finishing school she attended Cambridge University to complete her double degree in Law and Economics. She started work at Farmer Tom in a low level position to get a full understanding of the business and was now the Chief Financial Officer there and was next in line to be CEO. She had her mother's charm and quick wit with her father's business mind.

David had of all of his Dad's dark, handsome looks but he had his mother's love for Grantleigh. He studied to become a veterinary doctor and was working locally whilst starting to take over running of the estate.

Richard and Audrey were so proud of their children. Richard looked at the photo of the four of them together at Ellie's graduation. He smiled to himself. They were good kids. Audrey loved them fiercely. She continued to surprise him. 

As the kids grew older Richard and Audrey continued to make an effort to make sure they had time together. They genuinely loved spending time together, although Richard did not enjoy the steeple chase events so much. 

Richard’s eyes fell to a more recent picture from last Christmas. It was a full family picture - Richard and Audrey, Ellie and her husband Max with their daughter Lucy, David and his wife Emma and their boys Riley and Oliver. It was the last time they were all together. 

Richard and Audrey loved having the grandchildren at the manor. David and his family had moved in when the boys were young and Audrey had spent a lot of time with them. She taught them how to horse ride and loved walking around the estate with them and Richard. Richard was surprised that Audrey was so patient with them and didn’t mind their noise or dirtiness. She took it upon herself to tuck them in bed every night and read to them. Even though they were 12 and 13 now, they still loved this night time ritual. 

Lucy, like her mother, had also inherited Audrey’s looks, ‘strong fforbes-Hamilton genes’ she liked to tell anyone who mentioned their likeness. Lucy also inherited her grandmother's independent and determined spirit. Audrey loved it when Lucy would come to stay and she also taught Lucy to horse ride. She would sometimes even sleep in the bed with her, which confounded Richard. Audrey loved the summer break when Lucy would come and stay with them while her parents worked. Audrey and Lucy were extremely close and when Lucy turned 16, Audrey gave her the fforbes-Hamilton necklace. Audrey just adored Lucy. 

A couple of years ago as Audrey and Richard were on their daily walk around Grantleigh, Richard asked Audrey if she had regrets. 

“Only one - I wish we had met and married earlier. I wish I had more time with you and our family - especially the grandchildren.”

Richard laughed, "I think you'll be around for a long time yet - aren't the fforbes-Hamilton's a hardy breed?"

Audrey laughed and he held her close "Yes my darling we are, but there feels like there is never enough time. I will always wish I had more time with you." 

He too wished they had more time together. 

“I love you Audrey darling.” He told her. 

Richard closed his eyes to remember that day. How she felt in his arms. His heart tore as he wished he could hold her again. They’d had a good life and he missed her terribly. He missed cuddling her in bed, he missed walking the estate with her, he even missed her fforbes-Hamilton history lessons. 

He would never forget the day Audrey didn’t wake up. The night before had been the same as normal. They had a nice dinner, she tucked in the boys, she read in bed and then they kissed goodnight, said “I love you.” and Richard held her while they slept. She had to get up through the night to go the bathroom and came back to bed and his arms, where she fell asleep and didn't wake up again. His heart broke and he remembered how cold she had felt that morning.

Richard had not quite recovered from losing the love of his life. The kids tried to keep him happy and occupied but it wasn’t the same. Every night he hoped he would join his Audrey. 

He held close his favorite picture of them - their wedding photo. He thought of the wonderful life she had given him and he wished he could be with her. They were meant to be together, and he had never felt so lonely as he had since Audrey died. He closed his eyes as he felt himself get sleepy and thought about their first night together.

"Daddy! Daddy! Come quickly, it's Pa - he's not waking up!" Oliver yelled.

David ran into the room and over to his father, who was holding the wedding photo. He felt his father's neck for a pulse and could not find it. Tears streamed down his face as he said to Oliver, "Go and ask Mummy to ring an ambulance." although he knew it was too late. His father had finally got his wish of being reunited with the love his life.

Audrey and Richard were together again.