Chapter Text
1981
The gold ADV monogrammed stationary had almost been depleted since Audrey's marriage to Richard two months ago in October. After sending out their wedding Thank You notes, numerous dinner party invitations hosted by Mr and Mrs DeVere and now Christmas Lunch invitations, Audrey made a mental note to order a larger quantity next time. She could order the maximum amount, as there was no doubt in her mind that she would be Mrs Audrey DeVere of Grantleigh Manor for many, many more years to come.
The last two months had been like a dream. A long, sweet, sensual, tender dream. From the lowest of lows nightmare when Richard told her he was selling up and leaving to the highest of highs, their engagement then exchanging their wedding vows Audrey had been floating through life. Never had she felt so happy, so satisfied, so content with her life and whom she was sharing it with. And it was well noticed. Her staff and the local people wondered who this new Audrey was, and when the old Audrey might come back. Audrey hoped never. The old Audrey had a constant undercurrent of dissatisfaction, firstly with whom she had to share her life and manor with and then after he died being evicted from her manor and falling from grace. It manifested itself in supreme and rigid control and disdain for those who rebelled. The new Audrey however, was more flexible, accommodating, generous, open to other’s ideas and overtly half of a strong partnership with her husband, Mr Richard DeVere.
Even as Audrey thought of him she felt a smile spread on her face. Her Richard. Sweet, strong, charismatic, caring Richard. He was a force to be reckoned with, but so was she, and together they were the perfect storm. Passionate, headstrong, loyal to each other before anyone else. It was the most intimate relationship she had even been a part of. Yes, it was how they made love, but it was more than that. It was how he would kiss the top of her head when he walked past her. It was the way he liked he hand grazing over his shoulder when she passed him. It was how they communicated without words - glances in church, across a crowded room or in the company of others, a reassuring or calming squeeze of the others hand depending on the situation. It was the time in their London flat, Richard laying on the lounge, head on her lap, her fingers playing with his hair. It was how they held hands when they walked together, had to touch each other whenever the other was near. He had opened her eyes to a whole new world in more ways than one.
He challenged the class system, her thinking about who deserves what. He collapsed her concept of a marriage, not a safe guard of old money, instead a fervent, joyful, joining of two people, who chose each other freely, who loves the other above all others. And Audrey certainly enjoyed their physical joining, very much and as often as possible. He had awakened a whole new side to her. She felt a blush creep up her neck and to her cheeks as she thought about the night before. Yes, Richard was tender, selfless, delicate, the waves of pleasure he created in her only increased as all inhibitions between them diminished. He really was the perfect man. She was so swept up in her daydream, she didn't hear Richard enter the room.
He observed her, in her natural state. Well, almost. He liked her natural state was with him in the bedroom, but here in the library sitting by her bureau and looking out over the estate she was in her element, especially as she was organising a big Christmas lunch party. What a surprise package Audrey had been in the last few months. From taking on the old boys who wanted to bring him down, to proposing marriage to him, the frosty, difficult, entitled Audrey had melted and his wife, the seductive, agreeable, considerate Audrey had emerged. She had always been passionate, now her energy was directed in showing her love for him instead of fighting him. They had hardly even quarreled since their engagement. She was everything he had dreamed of and more.
He walked to her quietly and startled her when he placed his arms around her from behind, “Richard! Honestly!” she tried to sound angry but when she saw his cheeky smile she shook her head as if annoyed. Her face tilted to him though and he didn’t disappoint, his lips meeting hers. Gently, warmly, insistently and he bought her to her feet so that his arms could gather around her waist, holding her close to him, their mouths never parting until they needed to breath.
“Mrs DeVere, how is your day going?”
“It’s just gotten a whole lot better.” her laugh was low and throaty and he wondered again how she could be even more magnificent than he expected.
“I’m feeling like I need to go to our bedroom for a rest.”
“You’re tired?” I know your game DeVere and you have to work a bit harder than that.
“No, but I would be happy to go to bed with you.” He kissed the corner of her mouth, along her jaw, just under her earlobe. She fought to control her breathing. Her day had been scheduled tightly and this interruption would wreck the entire flow. He didn't care for her schedules as his hands moved up into her shirt, their warmth spreading across her back and then around to her rib cage, slowly creeping up.
“I could be persuaded.” she whispered.
“Come on then.” he took her hand and moved them as quickly as possible through the manor to their bedroom.
Her whole day’s planned had been ruined. She sighed. But it had been worth it. Yes it had.
“Lucky I chucked the business. I would have had to sack myself for too many breaks.” Richard murmured as he pulled her closer to him, naked her warm curves melded into the hard lines of his torso.
“Hmmmm. Yes, that would be quite unacceptable.”
He tickled her and she giggled and moved away from him, turning so she could look at him.
“Do you regret it?” her tone became serious. Her greatest worry, Richard being away from what he knew, what he loved, what he did best. Well, almost what he did he best, in a professional sense.
“No. I got the girl.” They laughed but her expression stayed earnest. “I needed the break.”
Audrey could see that he was holding back from her and it hurt. “Darling?”
She read him like a book. “I don’t regret it. I miss it though. But lucky I have you to keep me occupied.” Richard didn’t give her a chance to respond, kissing her gently. Audrey broke away from him.
“Don’t let me hold you back darling. Do what you love.”
“That’s what I’m doing right now.” He pulled her to him and kissed her again. He was impossible!
Christmas week arrived and Audrey was in control. Everything was going according to plan. Diana, otherwise known as Hodge Podge was joining them along with Richard’s friends from London and the regulars. Audrey had culled most of the fforbes-Hamilton’s who for so many years took for granted her hospitality and did not only not contribute to her fund to retain the manor but then cut her off when she moved to the Old Lodge. The only one who survived was cousin Anne, and only because they had been at school together. She would be coming with her stockbroker husband, David, and three children, Adam, Sarah and Daniel.
Brabinger had a new assistant, Hamish, to help him in the big house, particularly with events. Audrey wasn’t sure if he was the right fit but Brabinger was happy and everything was getting done to her specification so she relented and concentrated on other matters. The table seating. She hoped Richard’s friends from London might be prospective suitors for Marjory or Diana, even though he had already told her that match making was off limits. Her eyes narrowed. Yes, she would make them a four at her end of the table, with the Rector, Brigadier and Plunketts next to them and then Anne and her family with Mother at the other end with Richard. Perfect.
When Richard saw it he has the audacity to suggest his friends move up to him, leaving the girls together with Anne and her family. A sensible idea but Audrey would not have it and he didn’t want to waste energy fighting her. They had just negotiated the church nativity set, a nice compromise of tasteful yet modern that could proudly be displayed for many years to come and it was well received at the church service for its blessing.
Christmas Eve came with the energy and excitement as their guests who were travelling to them arrived. First it was Diana looking incredibly glamorous and ready to have a lot of fun. Marjory was there to greet her and they laughed recalling their school days, Richard egging them on, keen for us much information he could get on the young Audrey. Anne, David and the children arrived next and the house was instantly filled with the sounds of children laughing, fighting and squealing. Brabinger reached for his aspirin, having much preferred the peace and quiet of the old lodge.
Richard’s friends arrived later in the afternoon. Audrey had met them only briefly at her wedding and was curious to spend some more time with them. Peter was recently divorced (a good match for Diana), a lawyer in the city and John had been widowed at the birth of his daughter Charlotte, a sweet girl the same age as Sarah. They became quick friends and Ned was called for to get the tractor ready for some rides through the fields before dinner. John was a veterinarian in Kent and, being softly spoken and polite, Audrey immediately thought he would be perfect for Marjory. Richard could read her like a book and gave her a clear warning look, which she did not appreciate, but heeded, at least for the time being.
There was much reminiscing of younger years - the girls boarding school shenanigans, the boys playing cricket in the lane ways of London's East End - poor but determined to do better in life then their parent's circumstances had afforded them and look at them now. Pride in what they had achieved, far more than what they would ever have been given credit for being capable of. Audrey watched him, in his element with these men that had ties with him far longer than she had, His boyish nickname 'Richie' being thrown about, "Richie by name, richie by nature." they teased him and he looked embarrassed, laughing along and giving as good as he got. It made sense why Richard became his new name.
And they watched him with Audrey. They had known, and been part a big part of his life, when he met and fell in love with Jane, were there for him when she died, just as they had been there for each other for John when his wife died. Audrey brought out something different in him, he was somehow more alive, more present with her. They were magnetic together, their chemistry was strongly felt by all. It was obvious they adored each other, he could hardly let her be out of his reach. It was the way he looked at her, how they could communicate without words, intimate touches that made it clear they were happy in their own world and they were happy for him.
Dinner was a loud, merry meal, new acquaintances and old coming together, the spirit of Christmas alive and well in the manor. Audrey retired a little earlier than Richard, pleased that he could spend some time with his friends, smoking cigars and talking about man topics. Marton spent most of his time doing this but Richard was different. He wasn't close to many people and was more isolated from his friends having moved away from London and now not even going there for business. Although he didn't stay too long with men, coming to their bedroom while Audrey was finishing her diary entry for the day.
"What's wrong?" she asked, surprised to see him so soon. He walked to her side of the bed and sat down, his arms either side of her legs.
"Nothing. It's our first Christmas. I didn't want you falling asleep without me." His eyes had that burn in them that Audrey knew and she felt her body tingle in anticipation.
"So, after I fall asleep you'll go back to them?" she teased.
"I shall be too exhausted I fear, and need of sleep myself, if everything goes according to plan." And just like that he undid Audrey every time, he leaned in to her, her diary quickly put on the bedside table so her hands could undo his shirt and feel his muscles, turning into hard ripples as she explored the familiar, yet still exciting, lines of his body. The extra alcohol that they had consumed that night had them both feeling very amorous and it wasn't long until all clothing was discarded, their bodies a jumbled mass, intertwined, joining as deeply as they could, loving in the most intense connections possible. Breathless and sated they stayed tethered together
"Merry Christmas, darling." he murmured.
"Merry Christmas Richard." she whispered. How different this Christmas was compared to every other one before it. The ones where she was in the Old Lodge, the ones with Marton in the manor, and her childhood memories. This was the best one yet, sharing it with the love of her life, it had already had a glorious start.
The sounds of children screaming roused Richard and Audrey from their sleep. "We should get up." she muttered, wishing to stay under the covers in Richard's arms for longer. He kissed her neck, down her spine, "Not yet." he replied, his hands moving over her soft, warm body. He was tender, loving and very aroused. "I want to give you your first present." Audrey surrendered to his attention, reveling in his affection, her back arching as he pleasured her, building the sweet tension in her body until she needed him to crash into her again and again, releasing the waves of gratification for them both. His kisses now trailed down over her breasts and up across her collarbone.
"We need something for that." he smiled and reached across to his side drawers, pulling out a present. "Merry Christmas Mrs DeVere."
"Richard!" Her eyes lit up, she loved presents and he was so generous. She tore the paper, to see a jewelry box and opened it. Gleaming inside was a matching set of diamond earrings, necklace and bracelet and Audrey felt her breath draw in. It was the first time he had seen her speechless and he became worried that she was unhappy. "Darling?"
"I, well, thank you darling. They're spectacular -"
"Like you." he interrupted. "Don't you like them?"
"I love them. Thank you darling." she leaned across and kissed him.
"Here, let me put them on you." He handled them expertly, clasping the necklace and bracelet on to her naked body. His eyes looked over her. "Now, they look spectacular, on you."
She smiled coyly. "Your present is under the tree." she said, embarrassed that she had not been so generous. Not that Richard would care.
"My present is right here." he brushed her cheek. "You're everything to me, all I need." He leaned in to kiss her again.
The normal order of Grantleigh Manor had been thrown into total chaos. Wrapping paper had been spread through the great room and hallways, the children were rowdy and excited as they played with their new toys. Brabinger retreated to the kitchen to organise breakfast and sent Hamish to deal with the urchins and their mess, swallowing more aspirin and missing the Old Lodge more than ever, despite his happiness in the joy that his Madam had found with Mr DeVere.
Audrey surveyed the scene. She was not a big fan of children, but their enthusiasm bought the manor to life and she had the staff now to clean up after them, so she could remain calm. Richard's present was one of the last few left under the tree and she pulled it out and handed it to him. "Not quite as ceremonious as yours, but Merry Christmas darling, I love you." They kissed briefly as he accepted the small gift. He was more careful than Audrey when he unwrapped it, his heart pattering when he opened the box and saw the cufflinks, RDV engraved on the outside, a delicate A&R on the inside. "So I'm always with you." she said shyly. He blinked back tears. "Come here." his voice sounded gruff as he tried to disguise his emotion. He held her tightly and whispered in her ear, "I love them. I love you."
Audrey blinked back her own tears from his emotion, wanting to stay holding him for longer than was polite in a room full of people on Christmas Day. He kissed her, not caring about what was polite and it was only the wolf whistles from Peter and John that had them pulling apart and laughing. Richard put the cuff links on, and then kept his arm around Audrey while the children showed off their new possessions. They gave the right 'oohs' and 'aahs' and 'isn't that super' to satisfy the children before they moved on for a light breakfast. Lunch would be the main affair, followed by games.
Lunch was surprisingly calm as the children's excitement was subsided with their hunger being addressed. The Rector said grace, too long for Audrey's liking, and Mrs Beecham had outdone herself with an exceptional meal that was devoured. Audrey felt her matchmaking had started nicely, Diana attentive to Peter and John patiently listening to Marjory's bird stories. Richard caught her eye and gave a brief shake of his head, she tried to look innocent and smiled beguilingly at him.
Ned had the children for another tractor ride when the games started. Charades was always a good post lunch game, as food settled. They split up into teams and the competition was fierce, Audrey and Richard being the worst of the lot, and taking their loss to Marjory and Diana sorely. Sardines followed, this year Richard and Mrs Poo were looking forward to playing the game they had learned their first Christmas at Grantleigh. Marjory was the first to hide. Diana found Marjory first. "Just like old times, Marjie." she whispered as they stood closely in the cupboard under the stairs. Marjory's heart was racing. What happened at the girls boarding school, was meant to stay there, and she felt her face burn as Diana took her hand. It was dark, but Diana managed to find Marjory's face and gently turned it so they could kiss and just at that moment the door opened and Audrey stood there, slightly puzzled but jumped in quickly to hide with them.
Had she just seen that? Was Diana kissing Marjory? Surely not. Audrey's mind was racing at what she thought she had seen as one by one they were discovered until all the adults were squished in and the last to find them, eventually, was the Rector. Audrey thought he had been very strategic in wanting to spend as minimal time as possible squashed in a cupboard and enjoyed the discomfort of the others who were all in there waiting to be found.
Marjory's head was racing too. What was Diana's intention? She admitted to herself that she enjoyed the feeling of the kiss, but she would much prefer it have been from Richard, or John, whom she found very attractive in a different way to Richard. He was kind and attentive and shared her interest in animals. Diana was acting as if everything was normal. Maybe Marjory had just imagined it.
Diana went to hide for the next round, and Richard was the first to find her. He felt slightly awkward standing so closely to her, but she didn't seem to mind. "This is cozy." she whispered and she giggled.
He felt her finger brush his face. "Audrey's a lucky lady. I've wanted to kiss you for awhile now." Diana cupped his neck, bringing her face to his, kissing him aggressively. He pulled back.
"Stop that!" his voice was quiet but firm and she giggled, "Calm down, you don't think Audrey hasn't kissed another man's husband in a game of sardines before?" she teased him. At that moment Audrey found them and jumped in. Richard turned into her so that his back was against Diana and put his arms around her. "Darling," she laughed, "it's not that squishy yet." But his forced, uncomfortable laugh in reply worried her and when they were finally found one by one with the Rector last again, she grabbed his hand and excused them from the next game, giving the Peter the role of hiding first.
"I hope he fairs better than me." Richard muttered as Audrey lead him to their bedroom.
"What is going on?" she asked him. He looked sulky. "Richard?" She took his hand.
"Diana - she kissed me!" he blurted. "And when I told her to stop she said that you would kiss other men when you played." He looked outraged. She should have been outraged too, Diana kissing him but she was worried about her friend and had no concerns that Richard would be seduced by another woman. She was amused at his reaction instead of offended, and she rubbed her thumb over his hand to calm him.
"I think I saw her kiss Marjory too." she told him and she kissed his forehead, then leaned against him.
"What?" He shook his head, too much to take in, but not enough to remove his greatest concern, "Did you kiss any other men?" he went on.
"Well, I haven't been the first to hide yet." she teased him and his face became thunderous. She laughed. "Only Marton. Unfortunately."
His face became another shade of sullen and she laughed again, "I was hoping I would have the chance to kiss you." She slowly ran her finger across his lips when she said this and her eyes were dark with desire.
He was sheepish at his jealousy and pulled her close to him, his lips taking hers delicately at first, wanting to get Diana off them, and then building so that they were soon in a passionate embrace. She felt the heat of his fingertips slowly move up her long legs and under her dress, causing an excited flip in the pit of her stomach, then his thumbs hooking on to her pants and pulling them down. "Darling, people will notice we're missing." she chuckled, but her breath was cut short by the feeling of his fingers stroking her and the thought of anyone else completely left her mind as she yielded to his attention. Positioning her on to the bed, his head buried between her legs, her breathing could not be contained. Her core exploded in waves of spinetingling bliss that needed more of him and he willingly obliged. Giving everything of himself to her, until they came together in an earth shattering crescendo and lay exhausted, breathing heavily, fingers still laced together, his weight satisfyingly on her.
"That's better than sardines." she purred and now he laughed, his hands moving to her hair, playing with it. He didn't want to move, to return to the houseful of guests. He wanted to stay in their private sanctuary, basking in the glow of their love making. She indulged him, letting him twirl her hair, trail his fingers on her legs, her neck, her chest. Letting him love her in this gentle way.
"We really should get back." she told him languorously.
"Really? Should we? Can't we stay here. Say we had a headache?" he suggested.
"We both had a headache?" she shook her head. "We need to go and rescue someone from Diana. She's probably kissed the Rector by now." They laughed at the thought of the Rector being attacked by Diana, Audrey quite enjoyed picturing it. She moved up on to her elbows, "Alright DeVere, let's get this show on the road." She pulled him up and went to tidy herself, but when she came out her cheeks were still flushed and Richard liked how it looked on her.
"Let's go." he took her hand and they went to rejoin their party.
When they returned to the Great Room the games had concluded and the guests had broken away. The Rector, Brigadier and Plunketts were waiting to say their goodbyes and they shared the sentiments that it had been the best Christmas at Grantleigh in quite a long time. Audrey privately took the compliment as a half insult and bade them farewell. To Audrey's satisfaction she heard that John and Marjory had gone for a walk together and Diana was in the Drawing Room with Peter. Her matchmaking was working perfectly!
That left Audrey and Richard the chance to spend time with Anne and David and it reminded Audrey how far she had come. She saw traits in Anne that she knew she had had in herself, unconsciously. They would never have thought Richard a suitable match for her, despite the fact that David's family didn't have the rich history of the fforbes-Hamilton's. Later, when Audrey and Richard had retired to their bedroom for the night, everyone getting an early night for the Boxing Day Hunt, he asked her, "Isn't Anne your cousin?"
"Yes."
"And she's married to David?"
"Yes."
"But their surname is fforbes-Hamilton. Is he a cousin too?"
"No, they wanted to keep it. Thought it sounded more important than Jones." Audrey rolled her eyes and laughed at them.
"Hey hey." he chided her and she looked at him perplexed. " Bedřich Polouvicek."
"Oh. Well, of course, it is perfectly acceptable for you my darling." she walked over to him. He was sitting in their bed, and she climbed on to his lap, her legs going either side as her finger clasped behind his neck. She moved forward so that her lips met his.
"Darling, I've been thinking." He said when their kiss broke.
"Mmmm?" Audrey kissed down his strong neck, his stubble rough.
"About what you said yesterday." His tone was serious, so she stopped kissing him and met his eyes. "About going back to work."
"Oh?"
"I want to start a new business. It's been on my mind. How I can help us, and the other farmers in our area, sell our produce to the big operators."
Audrey nodded. He looked nervous, but there was fire in his eyes.
"What do you think?"
"You should do it." she smiled at him, and he pulled her in to hold against him, loving the feeling and comfort of their bodies together.
"I will still need a lot of those breaks in the day." he whispered.
"I should hope so." She started to kiss the hollow of his neck and enjoyed his quiet moan. She slowly moved her kisses up his neck, and he closed his eyes, relishing her attention, until her lips reached his. Their small kisses building until she knew he was ready for more.
"Are you taking advantage of me?" he murmured.
"Perhaps."
No more words were needed, as they ended their day the same way they had started it, lost in each other and as Audrey fell asleep, she thought that this had truly been the best Christmas ever.