Chapter 41

Edward and

his father rode around the estate throughout the whole day,

visiting almost every tenant on the large property. Over and

over , they told the same

story of a man who might venture onto the estate with the intention

of causing harm. Each tenant was asked to be vigilant, and report

to the main house details of anyone they had not seen

before.

"Do you think he will venture

this far, Father? It is a long way from where he lives, I

believe."

"Hopefully not, Edward,

but I will not have my family threatened," Charles replied. "We

must do what we can to help Alessandra remain calm and relaxed,

although I believe she shall carry to full term now, given how far

along she is."

Edward did not talk to

his father anymore on the journey home. In his mind, he was letting

himself think of different scenarios of things that could happen or

go wrong, and had to make a conscious effort to stop his mind from

venturing into those spaces.

~~~~~

Back in the manor, Alessandra

was fitted for new day to day outfits of varying sizes to get her

through to the birth.

"These will be ready no

earlier than next week, however I brought with me a gown that was

ordered but then cancelled by a young lady who is of a similar size

and stage. I would not normally suggest you wear something made for

someone else, but your mother-in-law has said you have no clothes

that are loose enough. If you would like to try it on, I have it

here, and it can be yours. The person it was made for, paid for it,

but did not want it in the end," the dressmaker said quietly to

Alessandra, not wanting to offend in any way, but wanting to help

the young woman to be more comfortable while she waited for her new

clothing to be prepared.

"Thank you. I should like

to try it if you think it might be of a close size," Alessandra

said shyly. She watched as the dressmaker pulled out a gown of

luxury. "Oh! This is not a dress for wearing at home, I do not

think," she said, running her hands over the beautiful item in her

arms. "It is so beautiful!"

"Try it on and see if it

fits you," the dressmaker said as she smiled. "After you have it

on, and can see how it fits, you can decide if you would like me to

leave it here for you."

Alessandra allowed

herself to be fitted into the gown. As soon as it was secure on her

body, she felt the difference in the looseness of the garment

compared to her own clothes.

"Oh, Miss! It fits you

perfectly. And the colour becomes you greatly. What do you

think?"

Alessandra was quiet as she

experienced for the first time what it felt like to wear such an

item. It was of the calibre that she had seen the women wear in

Bath. She felt like she imagined a queen must feel like each and

every day.

"I do not know what to say,"

she said quietly.

"Do you like it?"

"Oh, yes, it is beautiful,"

Alessandra replied. "It feels so luxurious … too luxurious for

me…"

"Oh, Miss, no! You look like

the beautiful woman that you are."

Alessandra looked the

dressmaker in the eye, needing some kind of reassurance of what was

acceptable and what wasn't.

"Will I cause any offence to

anyone by accepting a gown that was made and paid for by someone

else? I do not know what is right."

The dressmaker smiled warmly at

the young woman before her. She'd already sensed that Alessandra

was from a lesser class than she was presently living, but not a

young woman who had purposely aimed so high. She seemed to have

fallen into the place she was in. She had no arrogance about her at

all, or any desire to cause upset in anyone.

"If acceptable to you, I

shall bring your mother-in-law up here, and the two of you can

discuss it privately before you make a decision," the dressmaker

said.

Alessandra was uncertain about

that. Her mother-in-law was the exact person she didn't want to

offend. Regardless, she consented and the dressmaker returned

shortly with Edward's mother beside her.

"Oh, Alessandra! You look so

beautiful. What a lovely gown, and that colour on you shows your

Italian colouring so well."

The dressmaker took a moment to

explain to Edward's mother the situation so Alessandra could see

how the situation presented looked to her.

"Oh, I see, but

Alessandra, your new dresses will not be ready for a while yet. Why

should you not be comfortable in the meantime? I think it is a very

generous offer being made," Edward's mother said quietly,

appreciating the modesty and frugal nature of her new daughter.

That could only be good for the estate when it passed hands to the

younger generation. "I have no doubt at all that Edward will love

to see you in this," she added, with a look of knowing in her eye

as she looked at Alessandra, who smiled shyly in return.

"If you are sure, then I shall

be very happy to accept this gown from you. Thank you so much," she

said.

The dressmaker was

pleased, knowing she had secured a young woman who, in years to

come, would require a great many dresses. Smiling, she excused

herself as Edward's mother also moved toward the door.

"Keep it on, Alessandra, and

wear it to dinner. You deserve it," she said before closing the

door.

~~~~~

As Edward and his father came

into the house and walked toward the drawing room, expecting both

women to be there, Edward heard his mother's voice calling out down

the staircase.

"Go and see your wife, Edward,"

she said simply, with a look that he had not seen on his mother

before. "She is in your bedchamber." Edward initially looked

alarmed, worried something had happened. "Do not stress. She is

well, but I am sure she would like to see you immediately."

Edward raced up the stairs,

full of concern. When he entered the bedchamber, the sight before

him stopped him.

Alessandra was standing at the

window, looking out as if deep in thought. She turned to him as she

heard him come in. She gave no thought to the gown she had on. All

she could focus on was seeing Edward. She did not know why he was

looking so strangely at her.

Edward moved forward

toward her, awestruck at the sight of his wife. He touched the rich

fabric and looked at how the colour made her eyes look. With the

neckline so low, he could not stop himself from leaning in and

kissing her on the neck. His lips followed the line of the

neckline, delivering small kisses everywhere, making Alessandra

want to melt. When he had covered every piece of skin revealed to

him, he kissed her deeply on the mouth and heard her

moan.

"You look so beautiful,

Alessandra. I did not think you could look any more beautiful."

As she looked at him with her

unique blend of shyness and desire, Edward felt heavily

aroused.

"Do you like it?"

"Yes, but Alessandra, seeing

you in this fuels me greatly," Edward replied.

"Undress me," she replied,

feeling her arousal too great to not be satisfied.

It had been too long since they

had joined, they both found themselves thinking in the comfort of

their own minds. In each other's eyes, they knew it was what they

both wanted more than anything.

Edward took his time,

removing the gown as slowly as he could, kissing every new piece of

skin that became visible. Once his wife stood naked before him, he

guided her to the bed and undressed quickly before kissing her all

over. No part of her body did he neglect, taking his time teasing

her before encouraging her to climax. He held her and kissed her,

uncertain whether he could join with her still or not.

Alessandra

knew what she wanted , and she

did not allow him to have doubt. She pushed him down on the bed so

that he was lying down, and positioned herself above him. Before

she took him in, he held her back and looked at her

closely.

"Are you sure this is still

alright?"

"Yes, I shall move slowly

so I can feel if anything is uncomfortable," she said.

Edward nodded, kissed her

fully, and felt her edge her way down onto him. He closed his eyes,

feeling the sensation. It was extraordinary. Her determination to

move slowly brought about new feelings in him that overwhelmed him

greatly. He could hear her enjoying the sensations being cast on

her also. When he opened his eyes and saw her face, he knew he

would not last much longer.

Alessandra stopped suddenly and

leaned forward to kiss him deeply again, momentarily stopping his

increased level of excitement before moving again, looking into his

eyes.

"Oh, Alessandra … I … ohh …"

Alessandra heard him try to say before she felt him convulse inside

of her.

He lay still with his

eyes closed, enjoying fully the waves of pleasure flowing over him.

When he opened his eyes again, he saw her hovering over him, her

face covered in a beaming smile.

Edward smiled back at her and

pulled her down for further kisses before remembering her state of

pregnancy.

"Are you sure you are alright?"

he asked, showing his concern.

"I am. I just … needed you,"

Alessandra replied as she rested down on him fully.

"Oh, my darling, how I do love

you."