Chapter 4

In the manor

house near Bath, staff were instructed to clean everything

excessively. Under the instruction of Edward's mother, to everyone

it seemed as though royalty

must be visiting. Edward's father, Charles, found himself

exasperated at her. That didn't stop him fondly teasing her about

her excitement.

"They are not of society,

my love. They will not find anything wrong with our home, I am

sure," he said to her, over and over. Despite his teasing, still

she flitted around like a little bird, issuing orders, and trying

to get everything just right for her upcoming guests.

Edward watched it all

with amusement and fondness for his mother. He felt calm about the

prospect of possibly meeting a woman who would become a part of his

future. He knew that if he was very unhappy with her as a potential

wife, his parents wouldn't force the marriage, but he had been

raised with the understanding of duty. He knew how much his getting

married would mean to his mother. That was enough for him to be

resolved that, no matter who the young woman was or what she was

like, he would go through with the marriage. He would see it

through, and he would make the most of it. To him, his mother was

the utmost example of womanhood. He considered it impossible for

any other woman to match up to her.

Early in the evening on

the night before the guests were to arrive, Edward was sitting in

the last of the sun, before it would disappear, when his mother

came and sat next to him. Turning to look at her, he noticed that

over the previous few days, she seemed to have grown more youthful

in her looks. He wondered if it was due to her getting excited

about the possible upcoming wedding, just as a bride might

do.

"Are you at

peace, my son?" she asked, looking at the young man who'd begun

life inside of her. He'd never been a handsome boy. In the eyes of

many, he would never be regarded as a handsome man . Even

so, she was proud of the person he was, and the kind and loving

nature he possessed.

Edward looked closely at

his mother with the sudden awareness that as he moved closer toward

marriage, they all were getting older. One day, she wouldn't be

there for him anymore.

"I am at peace, Mother,"

he replied. "I am looking forward to meeting my potential wife to

be, and marriage after that, if it is meant to be."

He saw his mother take a

deep breath, as if to consider what she wanted to say before words

came from her mouth once more.

"Edward, be kind to her,"

she finally said. "I know you have a good heart and would never be

intentionally cruel to anyone, but I remember how afraid I was when

I was sent to meet your father."

"Oh, but you love Father,

do you not?" he asked and saw his mother smile with a slight blush

on her face.

"Oh, yes! Now I love him

with all my heart, but the day that we met, we did not know each

other at all. It was a difficult time for me, trying to fit in with

his family while trying to get to know him. It is always the way

things go, but it is not easy, particularly for the young woman."

She paused a moment before continuing. "Be patient with her. Give

both of you plenty of time to relax with each other before ruling

her out of being a possible partner."

"Everything will be well,

Mother," Edward said, smiling to reassure her. "You have taught me

well in what to expect of a wife, and I am beginning to understand

how things are run on the estate. I want you to now relax and not

worry so much," Edward said as he put his arms around her in an

embrace.

"You are my son and I love you.

Of course I worry. That is my job as your mother."