Chapter 28

The next

morning , Alessandra enjoyed

more time alone with her mother while Edward was kept busy by her

father.

"Would you like to see Dr

Rothguard?" her mother asked, startling Alessandra.

"Should I, Mother? Do I need

to?"

"It cannot hurt to have a

consultation with him, and then you can ask him any questions you

might have," her mother replied. She was silent for a moment before

continuing. "You are not required to, Alessandra, but I am happy to

arrange for you to see him if you wish."

Alessandra considered the

possibility. She had grown up with Dr Rothguard as the family

physician. The thought of talking to him about bringing a child

into the world seemed very odd to her. After she considered that

she could learn new things that she needed to know, she nodded at

her mother and smiled.

"Thank you, Mother. Yes, I

think that would be good for me."

~~~~~

Later in the day,

Alessandra made her way into the village with Edward beside her,

wanting to show him around what little attractions there were in

her home town.

Edward looked around in

amazement that such little townships existed. It helped him to

fully understand how it had come to be that his wife had never

learned to ride. Wherever he looked, everyone seemed to be walking.

There was no horse to be seen.

Alessandra watched her

spouse's face and found great amusement in it. When she had

originally thought about taking him to her home, she had worried

and been embarrassed, but she was glad that he was there with her.

She considered that he also had lived a confined life, having been

kept largely on the estate his parents prepared him to one day be

master of. His face expressed that he, too, was now living a new

adventure, just as she had when she went to his home.

After walking around for as far

as they could go before the edges of the village were reached, they

returned to Alessandra's family home and found her mother talking

to the family physician. The speed of his arrival immediately

flustered Alessandra.

Edward was introduced to

Dr Rothguard before Alessandra was swept away to her childhood

room, along with her mother and the physician, where she spent some

time with both of them and then further time alone with the

doctor.

"All seems well with you,

Alessandra," the doctor said. "I expect you will indeed find

yourself as a mother in months ahead. Is there anything that you

would like to ask me?"

Alessandra looked at

the man before her and wondered how much he knew about pregnancy.

Facing up to her discomfort, she considered there could be no harm

in asking what she wanted to know.

"Will the baby be hurt if…" she

started to ask. She then blushed so heavily that the physician

smiled at her softly in anticipation of the question he had found

almost every mother-to-be asked.

"If you continue your marital

relations with your husband?"

At that point, Alessandra could

feel the heat of her face, but she nodded, determined to

continue.

"Yes."

"That is something that

is often debated," he said. "What I can tell you is that I have had

patients who have continued intimacy till very close to giving

birth. Others have decided to stop immediately when it was

confirmed the wife was with child. I do not believe any harm can

come to the child, at least not for many months yet. When you get

close to the time to give birth, you may find a level of discomfort

that will naturally prevent you from wanting it. It is something

you need to decide with your husband, but for at least several

months yet, you will be fine," he said as he packed away his few

medical instruments. "Is there anything else you would like to ask,

Alessandra?"

"What can I no longer do?"

"Look after yourself, and

the baby will be well. Your mother mentioned that you ride a horse

at your new home," he started to say and saw her nod. "That is

acceptable, however be careful not to fall. That is what seems to

be a common contribution to babies being lost, I am afraid. Is

there anything else?"

Alessandra shook her

head, having had the most pressing questions answered.

"No. Thank you for seeing me,

Dr Rothguard."

"You will need to ask

Edward's parents about their family physician, and if they will be

able to locate a midwife for you," he said. "That is not urgent.

When you are in your fifth month will be sufficient, but a midwife

will help you with the birthing process."

Alessandra thanked him and

walked him downstairs again, where he made conversation with her

parents before saying his farewell and leaving.

Edward stood up and went to his

wife immediately.

"Is all

well?" he asked.

"Yes, the doctor

recommended that I find a physician and a midwife when we return to

your parents' home, but he said everything appears

well."

Alessandra thought

about the doctor's confirmation that she could continue being

intimate with Edward.

As he looked

at her, Edward saw her look

of desire. It immediately affected him, making the two of them

stand close while Alessandra contained a small, quiet giggle. The

two of them faced one another in a light embrace until he had

relaxed, smiling bashfully.

"You cannot look at me

like that when we are in company, Alessandra!" he said, teasing her

with a mock voice of sternness, and making her giggle

harder.

~~~~~

In bed that night, they

enjoyed each other with humour, finding a different level of

enjoyment without the passion they had indulged in so regularly

since their wedding night.

"Curse this house for

being so small, with paper-thin walls," Alessandra teased him

openly. "I do much prefer your house. Those nice thick walls

contain the wonderful noises you make when we are alone and

undressed," she said openly, not at all shy about saying such

things to him.

Edward

laughed quietly at her. "Oh, the

noises I make!"

Alessandra looked at him

and realised how much she loved the openness they had about their

lovemaking. He'd never said as much, but she'd assumed since their

wedding night that it had been as new for Edward as it had been for

her. She considered that if he had already been experienced, there

was a great chance that they would never have been able to be as

they were with one another, as he wouldn't have been as curious as

she was. It was the curiosity, she believed, that had brought them

so close together.

"When should we travel

back, Edward?" she asked, pushing the subject of pleasure from her

mind.

"I do not mind, my love,"

he replied. "When would you like to leave?"

"I think I am almost ready to

go home," she said, making Edward feel warm inside at the

realisation that she did now consider his home hers also. "Perhaps

day after tomorrow?"

"I will send notice to Father

tomorrow morning and let him know."