Chapter 10

The following

day , both mothers escorted

Alessandra to get measured up so a riding habit could be designed

and prepared for her. In the home she'd grown up in, she'd had

dresses made, but not with the detail or cost that she imagined was

currently being invested in her. Her mother was surprisingly

relaxed about it. It made Alessandra realise how little she knew

about her mother's background. They lived so quietly and simply day

to day, but as she looked at her mother, she could see perfect calm

and harmony with being in such surroundings, and with every little

thing that happened.

Later that day, she

approached her mother and asked her to walk in the garden with her.

It was an invitation that surprised Isabella, as her daughter so

rarely asked for anything. As the two of them walked, Alessandra

suddenly found herself somewhat shy, and afraid to ask the many

questions she wanted to.

"What is it, my daughter?

I can see you have things on your mind. Are you worried about the

marriage? Do you not wish to go through with it?" her mother asked

and saw Alessandra shake her head.

"No!" Alessandra said. "I

am very happy to be here, and now that I am getting to know Edward,

I think we can both be very happy as husband and wife."

"Then what is it, my

child?"

"Before you and Father

leave, I would like to make sure that I know about you," Alessandra

replied. "I would like to learn about how you grew up, and what

kind of life you have lived."

Surprised,

Isabella stopped and looked

at her daughter.

"You speak as

if we shall never see each other again , Alessandra," she said.

"Mother, this estate is a

very long way from our home," Alessandra said, not hiding the

sadness she felt. "It may be a long time before we see each other

again. Please tell me about your family, and the home you grew up

in."

As

t hey sat down on a bench in

the sunshine, Isabella began to speak. In the two hours that

followed, Alessandra learned about her mother's childhood in Italy.

She learned about Isabella's brothers and sisters, her parents, and

the process of becoming betrothed to Alessandra's father. For the

first time in her life, Alessandra could see her mother as a woman,

and not just as her mother.

"Your father has always been

very kind to me…" her mother was saying.

"He loves you," Alessandra

replied as if it were the natural answer.

"Now, yes. When we met,

we did not know each other. I was like you - shy, and sometimes

flustered with myself, but he was not deterred," her mother

continued, starting to look youthful, and blushing herself. "He is

a good man. I always knew that, from the moment I first saw him,"

she said and turned to look at her daughter. "I believe Edward is a

good man also. There has been nothing so far that has made me

question how he will treat you if he marries you."

"I think so too,"

Alessandra agreed. "He has been very patient with me so

far."

M other and daughter

hugged each other and continued to sit quietly, each in their own

thoughts.