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Richard sat in the folly in the late afternoon sun, smoking a cigar. He had come up here after a disagreement with Audrey, had turned into an argument. He leaned back on the bench and let the smoke curl from between his lips.
It had been going well between them until the subject of him selling Cavendish came up.
As far as Audrey was concerned, there was no point in him selling his company when he had put so much effort into making it what it was today.
Maybe she was right, Richard thought. Perhaps selling wasn’t necessarily the best idea anymore. But he was worried that Cavendish would take all his attention and leave him no time to spend with Audrey, his soon to be wife.
He loved her, loved her more than anything. But he feared that if the business took precedence over everything else, she would grow restless with him. It wasn’t just what she had said, though; It was how she said it. As though she didn’t want him to interfere with the running of the estate, now she had returned to her rightful place as lady of the manor.
And that’s what had turned a disagreement into a full-blown argument and ended with him storming out of the manor. Now here he was outside smoking a cigar on his own instead of spending the evening with Audrey. And he still didn’t know what he was doing about Cavendish.
Richard flicked ash onto the floor and cast long plumes of smoke into the air. He closed his eyes, trying to clear his mind, before taking another puff of his cigar.
“Are you hiding Bedrich?”
The sudden question snapped Richard out of his reverie, and he glanced over at the speaker to find his mother standing there watching him.
“No Mother, I’m not hiding. Just thinking.”
His mother walked over to the other end of the bench and sat down.
“I heard you arguing with Audrey earlier.”
Richard humphed, “Should I be looking forward to another lecture on marital harmony?”
She laughed. “You and Audrey are not married yet. But you really ought to get to know your future wife better. She only has your best interests at heart.”
Richard glanced down at the cigar between his fingers and sighed. “She doesn’t want me involved in the estate's running.”
“That is not true, and you know it.”
Richard looked away as she went on, “Don’t confuse Audrey with that woman you married before. She is nothing like her. Audrey loves you.”
Richard kept silent. His first marriage was an uncomfortable subject and one he didn’t wish to talk about.
His mother reached over and squeezed his arm. “Talk to her Bedrich.”
When Richard made no response, his mother shook her head sadly and stood up. I have to go, but remember what I said. Don’t let the past influence the future.”
“Where are you going anyway?” Richard asked, noticing how his mother was wearing her best evening dress and shawl.
“Mr Gordon is taking me to the over 60s dance at the village hall.”
Mr Gordon was a retired Scottish teacher who had lived in the village for the past two years. Richard hadn’t liked him, especially when he seemed to take an interest in his mother.
“Should you really be encouraging him? He might get the wrong idea.” He said, taking another puff of his cigar.
“And what wrong idea would that be, Bedrich?”
“That you want more than friendship.”
“And what if I do? I’m a grown woman and who I go out with is my business. And for your information, Mr Gordon and I care very much for each other.”
“Mother, you can’t be serious. Are you saying you and Mr Gordon are… are…”
“There is an old saying in Czechoslovakia. Do not ask a question you may not like the answer to.”
“I think you make all these old sayings up.” Richard grumbled.
“Don’t be rude to your mother, Bedrich. And stop acting like a child and talk to Audrey.” She said, marching off towards the Manor and leaving Richard alone once again.
“Does she really make all those sayings up?” Audrey’s voice floated through the air.
It startled Richard for a moment, but he quickly recovered.
“Probably,” He said, throwing his finished cigar to the ground as Audrey came and sat next to him.
“Darling, I’m sorry.” They chuckled when they spoke at the same time.
“Do you remember the last time we were here?” Richard asked, looking out over the estate.
Audrey nodded. “You were preparing your speech to the board. You were prepared to give this all up to stay as the chairman of Cavendish.”
“That was before we were together. I would never do that now. You are my priority, not Cavendish.”
Audrey smiled and reached for his hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. Then she went to lean against his shoulder, and they stayed in silence for a few moments.
“I’m sorry we argued, Richard. I want your help with the estate, darling. But I don’t want you to get bored here with me.”
“I could never get bored with you. And you don’t need to apologise, darling. I know you only want what’s best for me.” Richard wrapped his arm around Audrey and hugged her close.
“So, how are we going to work this out?” Audrey asked.
“If I sold Cavendish, it would free me up to spend more time with you and help with the running of the estate.”
“You combined running the estate and Cavendish before. I don’t see why you can’t do that again.”
“I didn’t have you then. You are my number one priority, Audrey. I won’t let Cavendish get in the way of spending time with you.”
Audrey lifted her head from his shoulder and gazed into his eyes.
“Darling, I love you. And if you want to keep Cavendish, I promise you we will make it work. You can work here at the manor like you did before, and if you need to be in London, I’ll go with you.”
If that was possible, Richard fell in love with her even more in that moment.
“You really are the most incredible woman Audrey and I love you very much.” Richard said, pulling Audrey into a sweet kiss before rising to stand up. He offered her his hand and helped her to her feet.
“Darling, did you know my mother has been seeing Mr Gordon?”
“She did mention something along those lines, yes.”
“And you didn’t tell me?”
Audrey rolled her eyes at him. “There really didn’t seem any reason to, darling. Your mother is a grown woman, after all. And it really is quite sweet, don’t you think?”
Richard smiled at her. “I suppose so. But if he does anything to upset her I’ll... I’ll set Bertie on him.”
Audrey laughed. “Bertie would no doubt enjoy tormenting Mr Gordon even more than he enjoys chasing squirrels.”
Richard smiled and pulled Audrey into his embrace. They stood there holding each other for some time when Audrey pulled away slightly and ran a finger down his cheek.
“Shall we go back to the manor? I’ll give you a preview of what I’m planning to wear on our honeymoon night.”
Richard waggled his eyebrows suggestively. “I hope you won’t be wearing anything on our honeymoon, darling.”
Audrey chuckled and slid her arms around his neck. “Oh, I won’t, not for long anyway. But I know how much you love me in black silk stocking and garters.”
Just the thought of her in garters sent desire surging through Richard and the colour rose high on his cheeks. Audrey smirked and ran her fingers through his hair while whispering the things she wanted him to do to her and then kissed him again. Richard groaned at the pleasure and warmth of her mouth sliding against his own.
After a few moments, the kiss ended and Audrey eased herself from his grasp and took his hand in hers.
She smiled and squeezed his hand. “Com on darling, let’s go home.”