Chapter 36

On their journey back to the

estate the next day, Edward and Alessandra were both quiet, wrapped

up in their individual thoughts.

In Edward's mind, he

still had a pressing reminder about the man who had kept turning up

and approaching Alessandra - Tom. He knew there was no reason to

give Missinger any more consideration, and yet now and then a

thought would enter his head and cause him concern, even though he

knew he would never voice that concern to Alessandra. His main job

in the coming months, as far as he was concerned, was to keep her

calm and happy in the hope that she would be able to carry their

child to full term. Even in that, he didn't have any real reason to

worry. It was mainly the limited success of his and Alessandra's

parents to easily have children that inspired him to think about

that possibility being passed down to the expected little one also.

He knew that all he could do was try and do what he could to

provide his wife with as happy a life as he could, and let nature

decide whether he would become a father or not.

Beside him, Alessandra

felt him squeeze her hand firmly. When she looked at him, she could

see he was deep in contemplation, under the guise of looking out

over the scenery passing them by. She was hopeful that whatever was

worrying him, he would talk about when he felt the time was

right.

Even though their four

nights away had been welcome and enjoyable, she was looking forward

to getting home. She had particularly enjoyed the day before, not

having to see anyone except Edward all day long. She suspected he

carried concern for her and the baby growing inside of her, so she

was determined to not give him any real reason to worry. But she

did look forward to the months passing, and them knowing one way or

another if they were to be parents or not.

~~~~~

Upon arrival at the manor

house, Edward's mother once again ran out to greet them, throwing

her arms around them in a loving embrace.

"Oh, my children! Did you see

and do many exciting things?" she asked excitedly as she ushered

them inside and into the drawing room.

Edward looked tired and

not receptive to his mother's enthusiasm, so Alessandra laughed

quietly at his mother and responded.

"It was lovely to be able to

spend so much time together alone," she said. The openness of the

comment seemed to stun Edward's mother into silence.

Edward must have heard

her response in the background of whatever he was thinking, as

Alessandra saw him turn and give her a shy yet sad

smile.

"Mother, we are going to get

settled. We shall return shortly," he said, leading Alessandra out

of the room and upstairs to their bedroom.

When the door closed, he pulled

her into his arms and held her tightly. He didn't speak or kiss

her. Alessandra allowed him to engulf her while she held him close

to her. She remained silent, allowing him whatever time he

needed.

Finally, he pulled far

enough away so that he could look into her eyes and kiss her softly

on the lips. When she looked at him, she saw he was trying to not

let tears appear in his eyes. She pulled him close again, waiting

for him to speak, but he did not.

"Edward, what is making you so

upset?" she asked quietly, trying once more to look into his

eyes.

"I love you so much,

Alessandra. I cannot even consider the thought of not having you

here with me," he said, wiping a tear away from his eye.

"But why should you think I am

not going to be here with you?" she asked. "I have no desire to be

anywhere else."

"I know," Edward replied,

holding her tightly in his arms. "I am sorry. My emotions are

overpowering me today. I have never felt love like this before, and

sometimes it is overwhelming."

Alessandra pulled away

completely and took his hand to lead him to the bed, where she bid

him to lie down. There she lay down beside him, holding him against

her.

"Are you certain there is

nothing in particular worrying you, Edward?" she asked quietly.

In response, Edward moved even

closer into her arms.

"No, my love. I just want a few

minutes here with you, like this, and then I shall go downstairs

and see my mother and father."

~~~~~

When the two of them ventured

into the drawing room once again, they stumbled into a conversation

neither of them had thought about yet.

"We will need to find a

nanny, and open up the nursery once more," Edward's mother was

saying.

The comment surprised

Alessandra. She hadn't considered anyone other than her and Edward

raising her child. She remained quiet with the determination to

voice her thoughts on the matter at a much later date. She was

still not very far into her pregnancy, by the reckoning of her and

Margaret. She didn't want to invest too much thought or planning

into the baby just yet.

Upon hearing Alessandra and

Edward come into the room, his mother quietened, having received a

stern look from her husband to do so.

"Thank you both once again for

arranging our time away," Alessandra said quietly to them. It was

her attempt to change the subject whilst not indicating she'd heard

their words at all.

Highly out of character,

Edward's father came forward and hugged her.

"You are most

welcome, Alessandra. I am glad you enjoyed it ," he said before turning to Edward.

"Edward, I would like you to

accompany me on a visit to see John Homer, who is having some

problems with the sheep he is tending. Can you spare yourself

today?" he asked.

"Yes, of course, Father.

I can come with you now if you need me to," Edward replied before

kissing Alessandra fondly and then walking out.

~~~~~

Alessandra walked to the

drawing room window and watched out as her husband and his father

mounted their horses. As if sensing her watching, Edward turned to

look at her and wave before he rode off slowly beside his

father.

When Alessandra turned to her

mother-in-law, she caught her watching her thoughtfully.

"Is there anything you

would like me to do today?" Alessandra asked, seeming to break

Edward's mother out of her gaze and thought.

"Yes! Spring is upon us,

so you and I must start planning our annual spring cleaning of the

house. In the steward's room are lists that we can go through

together," she said eagerly.

Alessandra nodded and followed

her mentor to the steward's room. Together they sat down at the

large wooden desk and looked through the pages of details that

seemed to go on forever.

"As you can see,

Alessandra, this list is extensive, as it has been formulated over

many decades. I have found that it works well to ensure that every

room and surface is cleaned to the standard needed after winter.

The weather is starting to fine up now. Soon we shall be able to

open up the rooms that remain closed over winter. Every summer, we

hold hunts here, with a great many guests to stay. All bedrooms get

used then, and the rooms, beds and linen need to all be aired out

in preparation for that."

"It will be a busy time for us

then," Alessandra said, feeling overwhelmed all of a sudden.

"Do not worry about the work

itself, Alessandra. We hire additional service staff during the

height of the spring cleaning, and our regular household staff will

do the rest. The part you and I play is working through these lists

to make sure everything is planned to be done, and everyone knows

what their job is and when it has to be done by."

Alessandra took a deep breath

and determined to remain calm.