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“You are awake, as well, Audrey!” Siegfried declared as he spun, brows raised in surprise to grin at her. Eyes alight, he had used her Christian name aloud and he blushed at his boldness.
“Too happy to close me eyes,” Audrey murmured, stepping close to trace her hand softly over Siegfried’s tumbled curls. “Been counting me blessings and listening for your footsteps on the stairs, Siegfried.”
His own given name on Audrey’s lips shot a thrill of something quite wonderful through Siegfried, followed closely by distinct ungentlemanly yearning as her fingertips brushed lightly over his unruly hair.
“I … erm … I failed to declare my own feelings,” he croaked, gazing up at his beloved, moved by such a profound wave of gratitude and desire that he could barely breathe.
“On our walk, I mean ...
… This … um … this afternoon, Audrey,” he managed to stammer as he stood to face her, clutching a crumpled wad of notes behind his back.
“I do remember our walk,” she chuckled. “Innt likely I’ll forget it anytime soon.”
She was teasing him, Siegfried realized, bless her. “I was afraid to say too much, too soon,” he breathed, gazing deep into her shining eyes. Yes, a glint of humor lurked there, spurring him on to show far more courage than he actually felt.
“It innt too soon,” Audrey murmured, stepping even closer. “So tell me.” She placed one palm over his thundering heart, while her other she slipped up over his chest to slide behind his neck.
“I ….,” Siegfried began, acutely aware of Audrey’s fingers caressing the nape of his neck, wandering higher to tangle and tease in his hair.
He gulped and, in a voice rough with emotion, said, “I have loved you from afar, as the poets say ....” He paused, desperate to get it right. “… forever, really. I cannot place the time. It somehow feels as if this feeling has always existed, this feeling of love for you. So, I confess I love you desperately, Audrey Hall, my dear, dear girl. Desperately and completely. I know I’m no catch, Audrey, just an old broken down veterinarian, grumpy and quite ridiculous, I’m sure, but I do love you with my whole heart, my dear. With my entire soul, such as it is, it is yours if you want it, Audrey.”
“Did you write all that out, Siegfried?“ she asked, touched and amused.
Abashed, Siegfried nodded and showed the crumpled ball of paper, then tossed it toward the wastebasket.
“Daft man,” Audrey scolded gently. “You already know me heart, why fret so?”
Siegfried shook his head, caught out, but said, “I love you so much more than I have words to tell. I’d hoped to find a way.” He placed his now empty right hand on Audrey’s shoulder and traced the back of his left along her cheek. “I hope to be more articulate with a kiss, Audrey. May I show you?”
Audrey blushed a very pretty shade of pink and her eyes danced as she nodded and stepped even closer. Her warmth and her scent intoxicated him.
Siegfried carefully folded her into his arms and, afraid to rush ahead too boldly, he brushed a tender kiss on Audrey’s forehead. She chuckled and snuggled against him, murmuring, “You can do far better than that, Siegfried. Why not give it another go.”
Dressed in her robe and nightgown, Audrey’s womanly dips and curves were deliciously evident as Siegfried pulled her tight, relishing the freedom. “I want very much to court you, Audrey,” he whispered against her temple. “Will you allow it?”
“Heads will turn and tongues wag,” she replied, her breath soft and warm against his jaw. “If you can stand being notorious, then so can I, I s’pose. Of course. Please yes, Siegfried. I’ve never actually been courted by a man.”
“Prepare yourself, my dear, to be kissed and then very thoroughly courted by this man.”
Later, after a long, tender session of chaste snogging on the couch, peppered with his endearments and gentle caresses, Audrey kissed Siegfried goodnight outside her bedroom door. It weren’t easy to let him go, but Siegfried Farnon were a gentleman to his boot soles. So, they parted, promising to plan a ‘date’ in the morning before the others woke.
When she were quite certain Siegfried were fast asleep, Audrey crept back down to his office and retrieved his crumpled page of writing paper from the corner. She smoothed the wrinkled paper and swept eager eyes across his writing, then pressed his notes to her heart, murmuring, ”You are a such a truly ridiculous, lovely man, Siegfried Farnon.”