Chapter 24

Over

time , Alessandra found

herself learning more and more about the running of such a grand

household. Almost all of every day was spent with Edward's mother.

There was much to learn, and so many things she had assumed would

only be the responsibility of the household staff. She was

surprised to see the level at which Edward's mother - someone she

now regarded as her mentor - knew what was happening in each little

corner of the great home.

At times when they were

confined indoors, Alessandra was introduced to other rooms in the

house. Due to it being so cold, there were places that Edward's

mother told her she wouldn't see until the weather warmed up once

again, when a full spring clean would be undertaken.

One afternoon, her

mother-in-law took her to the steward's room, where Alessandra was

pleased to see Edward going over the accounts with his

father.

"And this, Alessandra, is

where you will often find your husband when you cannot find him

anywhere else!" she said in a teasing manner as she looked fondly

at Edward's father.

Charles responded by

smiling at Edward's mother shyly.

"Now, my

dear, you know how important this part of the house is," he said to

her before turning his attention to Alessandra. "This is where we

monitor the success or failure of the estate, Alessandra. It is

important to keep on top of the business accounts and paperwork,

and this particular job ,

Edward will take over from me in the not too distant future. He

must know it completely. If you are good with numbers, it would not

hurt for you to learn also," he said. Edward's mother exclaimed a

sound of surprise but he continued regardless. "Would you like to

learn about the business also, Alessandra?"

His question placed

Alessandra in an awkward position due to her knowing it was not

standard for women to have any place in financial matters. Hearing

his words resulted in her face once again showing the depth of her

embarrassment. As she felt all eyes on her, including those of

Edward's mother who appeared horrified at the question, Alessandra

settled her eyes on those of her husband. She saw in them extreme

amusement at her having been put in such a position. While looking

at him, she also found a sliver of strength to hold her head up

high and answer confidently.

"If my husband would have

no objection, I should like that very much. I am confident in my

abilities with figures, and would enjoy working with Edward in this

aspect of the estate management," she said and immediately saw

Edward respond with approval at her choice of words.

Alessandra turned to

look at Edward's parents once more, hoping the question had been

sincere, and that she had not read more into something that his

father had not been serious about. The only person in the room who

did not seem impressed with the idea was Edward's

mother.

"Alessandra will have

plenty of other work to do every day, so this must not be treated

as a priority for her," Edward's mother said more abruptly than

Alessandra had heard her speak before. After a long moment of

everyone feeling slightly uncomfortable, she spoke again. "And now,

Alessandra, let us visit the kitchen."

Alessandra timidly fell in step

behind her mother-in-law as they left the men behind in their

work.

That evening, as the

young married couple lay together in the privacy of their room,

Alessandra spoke up, full of her natural curiosity once

more.

"Why is this house so big,

Edward? It feels like it is a castle, and yet only three of you

live here," she said, full of wonder at why she hadn't asked the

question previously.

"There are only three of

us now, but this house was built more than 100 years ago," Edward

replied. "The families then were large, and the social need for

guests and entertaining much greater."

"But do you have brothers or

sisters? You have not mentioned any."

Edward shook his head.

"No, my mother told me

once that she was informed by the doctor after I was born, that she

must not have any more children, so I was all they had. I do think

my parents would have preferred that they could have a large

family."

Alessandra processed what

he was saying. Her parents had only her and her brother as

offspring. Until that moment, she had never wondered how they felt

about that, even though she knew that in the village she grew up

in, other families were much larger.

"We must have many

children then, while your parents are still alive," she said,

making Edward laugh softly while looking into her eyes.

"Oh, must we?" he teased

her as he saw that look pass over her face again. "Best we get on

with that then," he continued before kissing her and once again

indulging in further pleasure.