Chapter Text
Audrey’s eyes blinked open at the insistent ringing of her alarm. She reached over the side of the bed, groping for the small clock to silence it before it woke the whole house. She sighed and stretched, then rolled onto her side to face the bedroom window, dim with predawn grey. She smiled as she felt her husband’s arm reach around her waist and gently tug at her, inviting her to move closer. She complied as she pondered how quickly this had become her new normal; how natural it was to have him near and how already, after only five weeks of being Mrs. Farnon, she had trouble sleeping when he was out on a night call. After lying awake for a few hours more than once, she had started leaving a knitting project or two in a small basket by the bed so she could at least be productive those times she couldn’t fall back asleep.
Thankfully, this hadn’t been one of those nights. James had offered to take the night calls last night, but she didn’t recall hearing the telephone at all. Either there had been no calls or she had slept more soundly than usual. No matter; the point was, Tristan had not missed any sleep. And that was important because Audrey’s alarm clock had heralded the dawning of Tristan’s wedding day.
Audrey rolled over to face her husband. “Sleep well?” she whispered.
“Like a baby,” Siegfried mumbled, apparently unwilling to fully wake up just yet.
“It’s always men who say that. Men who have never actually had to put a baby to bed.”
“Well then, I slept quite well.” He opened one eye to peer at her. “I’ve noticed my quality of sleep has mysteriously improved recently.”
“Give over.”
“It’s true, my dear.” Siegfried propped himself up on his elbow and kissed her for a long moment.
She smiled up at him. “That’s a fine way to start the morning.”
Siegfried quirked an eyebrow and moved to kiss her again, but she stopped him. “It’s Tris’ wedding day. And you’re best man. So time to get goin’.”
He feigned a pout, but she was already throwing back the covers and reaching for her dressing gown. “I’ve got lots to be gettin’ done today, and I’ll not ‘ave you slowin’ me down.”
“The wedding’s not until this afternoon.”
“I know that, but I promised you three a good breakfast, and I told Helen I’d ‘elp with the children so she can get up to the estate early. She’s gettin’ ready there with the other bridesmaids. And aren’t you openin’ surgery for the morning?”
“Right.” Siegfried sat up, then brought a hand to his forehead and groaned.
“How much did you drink last night?”
“Not much.” Audrey gave him a reproachful look. “Really! I was the epitome of restraint. I had no need to win any more pet rats.” He sighed. “I must be showing my age.”
Audrey bit back a smile. “Want me to fetch you an Alka-Seltzer?”
“No, no. A coffee should do the trick.”
“I’ll leave ye to it, then.” Audrey smiled and left for the bathroom.
Siegfried sighed and leaned his head back against the headboard. Tristan’s wedding day would be quite the event, put on by the bride’s father, General Beauvoir. Half of Darrowby would be there, plus many of Charlotte’s friends from her time in the Women’s Auxiliary. A couple of Tristan’s army pals were due to arrive around lunch and would be staying the night at Skeldale after the festivities. Audrey already had her old room made up and she would be preparing the bedsit later this morning. Siegfried wasn’t overly enthused about hosting Tristan’s friends when the weekend was already busy enough, but Audrey argued they had plenty of space; no reason it shouldn’t be used.
Siegfried’s thoughts jumped to his wife. Over the last week or two, he had sensed Audrey was anxious about something. He had felt it building up in her as the wedding drew closer. He had hoped she would bring it up when she felt ready, but the day was here, and she hadn’t said anything.
Siegfried swung his legs over the side of the bed and put on his robe. He loved Audrey’s strength and resilience; her dependability and calm in the face of emergencies were invaluable to him. But at the same time, the desire he had to take care of Audrey and protect her had only grown with their relationship and marriage. If Audrey was worried about something, he wanted to know what it was and help in any way he could.
The bedroom door opened and closed as Audrey returned. “Bathroom’s all yours now,” she said. Siegfried paused, realizing that it would be better to ask now than later, when her mind was occupied with wedding preparations.
Siegfried sat back down on the bed. “Audrey, is everything alright?”
She looked at him, her mild confusion evident. “’Course it is. Why?”
“You’ve seemed a little…preoccupied this week.”
“There’s been a lot goin’ on with the wedding coming up,” she said. “Weddings are always busy, no matter ‘ow many staff General Beauvoir may have to ‘elp.”
Siegfried wasn’t to be put off. “I know. That’s what I mean. It seems like something about the wedding has been causing you…concern.” Audrey looked down at the towel she held in her hand.
Siegfried stood and moved towards her, reaching for her hand. “What’s wrong?” he asked gently.
Audrey looked at his hand holding hers. “I suppose I am a bit nervous.”
“Nervous?”
“About ‘ow…people might see me.”
“How people see you…”
“I know we’ve been married for a bit, and ‘most everyone in Darrowby knows me, but…I can’t ‘elp but wonder what some o’ them will think. I was your housekeeper and now we’re married. ‘ow does that look? What if they think you…married beneath yourself?” She bit her lip. “I don’t want anyone to think ill of you.”
Siegfried used his other hand to gently tilt her chin up. “Audrey Farnon, no one will think poorly of you. You are a kind, loving, beautiful woman, and everyone who knows you has the utmost respect for you. And if some of them don’t, so bloody what? If others can’t see you for who you are, I don’t have any desire for their admiration. We are one now, you and I, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Audrey blinked back the tears that threatened to form in her eyes and touched his cheek with her hand. “You’re a good man, Mr. Farnon. And I love you.” She gave him a quick kiss and made a shooing motion. “Now off wi’ you. There’s a whole ‘ost of other things to be done before this afternoon, and I’ll not be slowed down anymore by you.”
~ ~ ~
Tristan strolled into the kitchen and couldn’t contain his exuberance when Audrey smiled her good morning to him.
“And a spectacular morning to you, Mrs. H.!” He gave her a kiss on the cheek.
“Don’t let your brother ‘ear you call me that,” Audrey warned good-naturedly. “I take it you slept well?”
“He’ll have to get over it. It takes a while to break the habit of a lifetime. Well, half a lifetime, anyway.” Tristan plopped down in a chair. “And as a matter of fact, I slept terribly. Barely at all. But somehow, it doesn’t matter in the least.”
Audrey smiled and filled a plate for him. “It’s not every day one gets married. I were a bundle of nerves, too.”
“Which time?”
Audrey opened her mouth to reply, but Tristan interrupted her. “On second thought, I don’t want to know.”
Audrey pressed her lips together to hide her smile and turned back to the stove as James strode in.
“Happy wedding day, Tris! Sleep well?”
“Not a wink, Jim. You?”
“Surprisingly well. Not a single call all night. I got up at one point to make sure the phone was on the hook. I don’t know the last time we went a whole night without a call.” James smiled up at Audrey as she placed a full plate in front of him.
“No Siegfried this morning?” he asked her.
“He’ll be here any moment. He ‘ad a bit of a slow start this mornin’, thanks to your carryin’ on last night.”
Tristan protested. “We were home at a decent hour as promised. It’s not my fault he’s getting old.”
Tristan made a face at James and James ducked his head to hide his smile as Siegfried entered the kitchen. “Morning, all,” he greeted them briskly.
“Morning. Have a hard time getting up, big brother?”
“Not in the least. I’m as robust and alert as ever,” Siegfried declared. Tristan glanced at Audrey who stared back at him placidly, her expression completely neutral. It seemed he was on his own if he was going to continue this line of attack. He decided to drop it.
“Well, good. Because I need a best man who’s on his toes.”
Siegfried glared at Tristan. “I’d be more worried about myself, if I were you.”
Audrey spoke up before an argument started. “Breakfast is ready,” she told Siegfried. “You’d better sit yourself down before the food gets cold.”
~ ~ ~
An hour later, everyone was off on their own tasks. Unfortunately, the animals of Darrowby and the surrounding countryside seemed oblivious to the fact that there was a big event that day, so James was out on a call while Siegfried opened the surgery. Tristan was the only vet who had the whole day off.
As such, he took his time with breakfast and enjoyed a second cup of tea while Audrey washed the dishes. “When you’ve done your tea, would you bring down your suit? I’d like to get it pressed now so that I don’t ‘ave to worry ‘bout it once Helen brings the children.”
“Sure thing, Mrs. H.” Tristan took another sip of his tea, then asked, “Do you mind that? Me calling you ‘Mrs. H.’?”
Audrey looked up. “I suppose I don’t think much of it after ‘earing it for so many years. But it’s not me name anymore, either.”
“I know. But “Mrs. F.” just doesn’t sound the same.”
Audrey chuckled. “You don’t have to call me Mrs.-anything, Tris. We’re brother- and sister-in-law. Audrey will do.”
“I probably just need more time to get used to it. Though why Siegfried gets so upset about it I’ll never understand.”
“Would you like it if Siegfried called Charlotte ‘Miss Beauvoir’ for the rest of your lives?”
Tistan sighed ruefully. “Point taken. I’ll get my suit now.” He stopped at the kitchen door. “Now that I think about it, ‘Mrs. Farnon’ doesn’t sound so far off after all.”
Audrey smiled and shook her head as Tristan’s footsteps faded away. Those brothers. Determined to be opposites when they were, in fact, so alike.
~ ~ ~
Audrey had just finished ironing Tristan’s and Siegfried’s suits when the kitchen door opened and two small humans launched themselves into the house. “Hello!” Audrey greeted the junior Herriots. “Are you ready for Uncle Tristan’s big day?”
Helen closed the door behind them and stepped into the kitchen. “I can’t thank you enough for this, Audrey,” she said. “With both James and me in the wedding party, I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“I’m happy to ‘elp,” Audrey smiled. “Did you bring James’ suit for me to iron?”
“Right here. It shouldn’t need too much but it needs it all the same. Thanks for doing that.”
“Won’t take but a moment. You just go on to the estate and enjoy yourself. We can handle things ‘ere.”
“Where’s Uncle Siegfried?” Jimmy piped up.
“He’s in surgery. You can say hello if he’s not busy at the moment.”
Jimmy took off down the hallway at full speed with Rosie on his heels. Helen shook her head. “That boy has only one speed,” she said. “And Rosie’s never far behind ‘im.”
Audrey smiled. “Did you eat this morning?”
“Just tea.”
“Well, you’d better sit yourself down and have a scone, then. It’s ‘ard to find time to eat with all the busyness of a wedding.”
“That’s true. I hardly ate anything at ours. But that’s because I were too excited, I imagine.”
“That’s most brides, I think. But when you’re in the weddin’ party, you’re rushed off your feet. It’s important to eat summat.”
Helen took the scone and tea Audrey offered her and eased herself into a chair. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”
Audrey worked in silence for a few minutes while Helen sat. After several moments, Helen spoke.
“We have some news to share.”
Audrey looked up from her ironing board to see Helen’s face shining with anticipation. “We’re goin’ to ‘ave another baby.”
Audrey’s eyes widened and her face broke out in a wide smile. “Oh Helen! That’s wonderful!” The two women embraced and Helen wiped a happy tear from her face.
“It were a bit of a surprise but we’re so excited,” she enthused.
“When’re you due?”
“Middle of August, I figure. It’s a bit early yet, so I’d appreciate if you’d keep it to yourself for now. You can tell Siegfried, of course.”
Audrey smiled. “And ‘ow have you been feelin’?”
Helen sighed. “Just awful. It weren’t this bad with Jimmy and Rosie. I’m sick every mornin’ and it lasts until the afternoon most days. And oftentimes, I’m just startin’ to feel better when it’s time to make dinner, and the smell of food sets me off again.” She took another sip of her tea. “James feels awful about it but there’s nowt much he can do.”
“I’m sorry, love. You just bring Jimmy and Rosie over whenever you need some help, alright?”
Helen smiled. “Thanks, Aud. I might just do that.”
Audrey hung James’ finished suit nearby and cleared Helen’s dishes. “Now off with you,” she said. “Go have fun with the other girls. We’ll see you in a bit.”