Chapter 31

As they approached the manor

house the next day, they could see Edward's mother run out the

front entrance, already extending her arms to hug them as soon as

they could reach her.

"Oh my son, it is good to have

you back," she said, holding him tightly before turning to

Alessandra. "And you too, Alessandra. Are you well?" she asked,

expectantly.

"Yes, I am well, and yes, I do

now believe Edward and I are going to have our first child," she

said, smiling at Edward's mother, who let out a shriek of

happiness.

"Oh!" she said, seeming

unable to say anything more as she gathered her son and her

daughter-in-law into her arms once again. "I am happy for you

both."

She ushered them into the

house. They were then greeted by Edward's father, who came forward

to shake his son's hand, and kiss Alessandra on the

cheek.

"Alessandra is with child,"

Edward's mother informed him.

Alessandra

saw Edward's father's face grow visibly emotional before he contained it and a look of

determination showed on his face.

"Congratulations to you both.

We must all work now to help you rest, Alessandra," he started to

say.

Alessandra laughed lightly at

him.

"I shall be well, I am sure,

but thank you."

Edward spoke up, to bring

attention back to the fact that they had only just arrived

home.

"Father, I should like to get

Alessandra settled. Shall I then join you for anything that needs

attending to?"

"Yes, please, Edward,"

Charles replied. "If you can come to the steward's room when you

are free, I would like to go over some paperwork with

you."

"Mother, we shall see you

soon," Edward said, dismissing his mother and taking Alessandra's

hand to lead her upstairs to their bedroom.

Once in their room again,

he pulled her close and held her while softly kissing

her.

"I must leave to go and

see Father. What shall you do? If you need to lie down to rest, I

can let Mother know…"

"Edward, I am well. Do

not worry. I shall go down and see your mother, once I have

freshened up," Alessandra replied, kissing him and then ushering

him out the door.

Once the door was closed,

she took a moment to lie on top of the bed and be silent and alone

for a few minutes. She moved her hands over her stomach, feeling

highly protective of the little person trying to grow inside of

her. She suspected it would be something that was all

thought-encompassing for the entire household in months to

come.

She was deep in thought when

she heard a light knocking on the door. Upon opening the door,

Alessandra saw Margaret curtsey to her.

"Good afternoon, Miss. Do

you need anything?" she asked.

"Now, Margaret, be honest

with me and tell me if someone sent you here to fuss over me,"

Alessandra said, prompting the older woman to smile at

her.

"Mistress has asked me to stay

close by in case you need help with anything," she replied. "Do you

need your case unpacked, perhaps?"

Alessandra nodded and opened

the door wider to allow Margaret access into the room.

"Thank you. I would appreciate

that," she said and watched as her items were carefully removed

from her case and laid out for sorting. "And thank you again for

our conversations." She paused as she saw Margaret look up at her

with a wondering look on her face. "I do now believe that I am with

child, so I may lean on you more in the coming months."

Margaret smiled broadly and

then toned it down in remembering her place.

"Of course, Miss. I am always

here."

~~~~~

Alessandra made her way

downstairs to find Edward's mother. Upon not seeing her in the

drawing room, she ventured further back in the house, through the

kitchen, and into the garden. Still unable to find her, she decided

to go to her own preferred place for sitting and thinking. As she

entered the glass room, she saw Edward's mother sitting on a bench,

looking like she was deep in thought.

"Are you well?" she asked her

mother-in-law and saw her jump slightly.

"Oh, Alessandra, I did

not hear you enter. Yes, child, I am well. Come. Sit with

me."

After Alessandra had sat down,

Edward's mother continued.

"How are you feeling?

Physically."

"I feel as well as I did

before I learned I am carrying a child," Alessandra replied. "I do

not notice any difference yet."

"Alessandra, I understand

you were tentative about announcing, because you are aware that I

was told long ago that I could not have any more

children."

Alessandra nodded.

"You must forget such

thinking. My time for children is gone, and even if it was not -

even if I were a young woman in my youth and wanting to start a

family - this is nothing you should hide. It is joyous, and

something to celebrate. Edward's father and I look forward to

seeing our son become a father, and us being able to meet our

grandchildren. It is something that brings us

happiness."

"Thank you. I shall try to not

do anything that might … harm … the baby," Alessandra replied.

For a long while, the two of

them then sat quietly in contemplation.

"We have a good physician in

Bath, who you may see as you wish to. If you would prefer, you are

welcome to find another one. You might also like to find a midwife

who can help you when your time is near."

"I do not know how to find such

people," Alessandra replied.

"Worry not. We are all here to

support you, and I will put the word out for a midwife. Someone

will know of one who has been used recently and is spoken highly

of."

"Thank you."

~~~~~

That evening, in the quiet of

their bedroom, Edward and Alessandra stood in front of the fire.

They held each other and kissed deeply while slowly undressing each

other. Being in the privacy of their room again, Edward felt more

at ease in making love to his wife. He took great care and joy in

removing her clothing at a pace that seemed almost unbearable to

Alessandra, who found herself wanting him more and more, and with

greater urgency.

Finally naked, she lay back on

the seat by the fire and rejoiced in the feeling of Edward

pleasuring her with his mouth.

"I am still going to keep doing

this to you, even after the time passes where we cannot join,

Alessandra," he said.

Alessandra did not say

anything. Instead, she focused on the delicious feelings he

produced in her. Soon she was tipped over the edge in a moment of

blissful release.

As he came up to her level, she

kissed him passionately and enticed him to enter her, hearing him

groan deeply. No matter how often they joined, that first moment of

entry always felt like something that had never been felt

before.

After Edward climaxed inside of

her, he clung to her. He felt the depth of how much he had come to

truly love her, despite how rocky things had looked when they had

first met.

Alessandra held him,

reading his emotion and rejoicing in their suitability in marriage

and physical love. She encouraged him to stand up so they could

both move into the bed. As they stood up, Edward looked closer at

his wife and touched her belly softly.

"You are starting to grow now,"

he said, smiling at her as his hand moved over the very slight bump

that had started to form. "You become more beautiful every

day."