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It was just passed 8 in the morning and the watery rays were streaming through the curtains onto Audrey’s face. Richard’s arm was draped over her stomach as he dozed.
“Good morning” he said sleepily, looking up at her, blinking in the sun.
Audrey was staring at the ceiling, tracing the ornate ceiling rose with her eyes.
“Oh sorry Darling, Good morning” she kissed him on the forehead “I was a million miles away then”
“What were you thinking about?” he asked, tracing his fingers up and down her sternum.
“I was considering what to do about surnames after we’re married” Audrey replied still looking wistfully at the ceiling.
“Well surely you’ll be Audrey DeVere, that’s the tradition” He said in rather a matter of fact tone
Audrey sat up and turned to face him abruptly, leaning on her elbow, her face stern and eyes glaring.
“Richard, the Fforbes-Hamiltons have lived on this estate for 400…”
“Since William the conqueror, I know you’ve told me at every possible opportunity” He interrupted with feigned exasperation and propping himself up so he was eye level with Audrey. “ well we can’t exactly by the Fforbes-Hamilton-DeVere’s can we, anyone who tried to say it would have nodded off before they could finish” he continued.
“I dont want to be Mrs Polouvicka either, just in case you were going to try that one” Audrey added firmly.
Richard simply chuckled “No, I can’t begrudge you that, even I couldn’t stand being Polouvicka” he replied trying to lighten the mood.
It did not have the desired effect as Audrey simply flumped down and went back to staring at the ceiling. Even when she was angry, Richard couldn’t help but admire how beautiful she was, the rays of sun had cast one side of her face in shadow and the other side was glowing which highlighted the line of her distinguished nose and jaw, the peaks and dips in the curve of her body that her silk night dress clung to. She was truly a work of art and he could have admired all day but alas she would not allow that level of observation if this surname situation wasn’t resolved.
“Does your name really mean that much to you? You weren’t born a Fforbes-Hamilton.” Richard tentatively asked.
“Yes Richard, it does. I don’t expect you to understand, you gave your name up in pursuit of a better life”
“I’ll never understand if you don’t tell me, and I’d like to… understand”
Audrey took a deep breath and rolled over again to face Richard, her hands tucked under her head.
“You’re right, I wasn’t born Fforbes-Hamilton but it has been my name now for as long as I can remember, it’s integral to who I am. Just as those who went before me are integral to who I am. 400 years, Richard, the Forbes-Hamiltons have survived wars and diseases and uprisings, and seen such great leaps in science and technology. Marton and I never had children so, it feels selfish that such a line should end with me… well us” she explained.
Richard decided not to mention children, now did not seem like the time instead he pocketed it for a later date. He couldn’t find flaw in what she had to say and thought it very noble of her to consider her ancestors even now.
“I can understand that you know, you feel you have a responsibility, a duty to them that sort of thing”
“Yes precisely”
“Have you ever considered you have a duty to yourself Audrey? What you want. I mean all things come to an end I suppose” He tried to sound as considerate as possible.
“I haven’t given it much consideration, no. But it’s a lot of pressure to end one’s lineage” Her brow had furrowed as she mulled over the possibilities.
Richard broke the contemplative silence. “Richard Fforbes-Hamilton doesn’t sound awful you know”
Audrey just hummed in agreement, “Neither does Audrey DeVere however”
“Oh well now we’ve still got the same dilemma we’ve just swapped places” They both chuckled at the ludicrous nature of the debate and Audrey turned onto her back in an attempt to look defeated. Richard felt this was his loss to take, Audrey’s ancestry and heritage clearly meant a great deal, if he hadn’t learned that by now then he was a fool, his name as Audrey had put it was a figment of his imagination, a pretence one could say.
“Audrey darling, I’d change my name to Basil Brush if it was important to you. If you’re happy that means I’m happy”
“Thank you, sometimes I think I don’t deserve you Richard” she shuffled over to him and placed her hand gently on his cheek, pulling him into a kiss gentle and heartfelt. Richard soon deepened the kiss and slid his arms around Audrey holding her tight so he could flip them both so she was on top.
”I love you Richard”
“I love you too, my darling Audrey”