Chapter 32

"What

are we to do today, Father?" Edward

asked at the breakfast table one morning, three weeks later. The

response he got back was a broad smile from his father and his

mother, who looked as if they had done something

underhand.

"Today you shall take your

lovely wife into Bath," he started.

Alessandra raised her head in

surprise. Since arriving on the estate, she hadn't ventured to any

of the nearby towns. She felt a familiar excitement grow inside of

her at hearing the words.

"Your mother

and I have agreed that you and Alessandra - should you wish to -

shall take some time off from your duties around the estate. Go and

enjoy some time together before Alessandra is too large with child.

The weather is fine now , and

the roads are clear as we move into spring. We have arranged for

you to stay at The Railway Manor for the next four

nights."

Edward and Alessandra looked at

each other with an equal look of surprise, then excitement, and

then joy.

"Father! Mother! Thank

you!"

"Shall I assume that you both

would like to do this, and arrange the carriage for you?"

Edward looked enquiringly at

his wife, excited but concerned about her journeying.

"It is up to you,

Alessandra," he said. "Do you feel up to some travel and

exploration?"

Alessandra smiled broadly

and nodded with great enthusiasm. Three hours later, she sat beside

her husband in a carriage, heading off to a new town that she'd

greatly heard about but had never visited. As they travelled, she

placed her hand on her belly, silently telling her unborn child all

about it.

~~~~~

After they checked into their

accommodation, Edward and Alessandra stood at the window of their

room. It was a glorious view, looking out over the township.

"Your mother and father

are so kind to me," Alessandra said, feeling emotional.

"Alessandra, they love

you, as do I," Edward said, placing his hand over her belly once

again. "When this little one comes, we may not have as much time

together alone like this, so let us enjoy it."

Edward then kissed his

wife, as a gesture with the thinking that they would then walk out

and start exploring. He soon realised that Alessandra had other

plans. It wasn't long before he found himself taken into the world

of pleasure once again.

"Do you think other

married couples spend as much time like this, as we do?" he asked

her after they were sated once more, curiosity having crossed his

mind.

"No. It is my

understanding from what other people have told me, that some

couples very much do not spend time like

this together. It seems some do not, in fact, even enjoy it. It is

difficult for me to understand. I think I could spend all day,

every single day of my life, like this with you," Alessandra said

with a serious tone.

Edward laughed at her, making

her laugh softly also.

"My beautiful wife," he said,

kissing her again. "How different you are now, from the shy, timid

little thing that came into my home and was too afraid to

speak."

Alessandra smiled at him

indulgently. "That is your doing, Edward," she started to say, and

saw a look of surprise on his face. "Every single day, you make me

feel like I am beautiful."