Chapter 44

"I do not

understand, Father," Edward exclaimed in horror after receiving

news of the letter. He stood in the steward's room with his father,

holding the letter and forcing himself to read it again and again.

He needed to make sure he'd

accurately interpreted what it said. "Tom Missinger has not been

seen for two weeks? And people think he might have been coming

here, to see Alessandra?"

Edward's father looked at

his son and nodded as Edward paced the room, overwhelmed with fear

for his wife and child.

"But why would this news come

now? So late?" he asked and saw his father shake his head with

unknowing.

"Perhaps his wife did not

report him as missing immediately, or perhaps the news reached

Alessandra's father at a later date. We do not know that, Edward,

nor does it matter. What does matter is that you and I go around

the estate and make sure everyone watches out for him. You are the

only person, other than Alessandra, who knows what this man looks

like, so you must describe him to everyone." He watched his son

pace more, and saw his face become increasingly agitated. "Edward,

you must calm down…"

"Calm down! My wife and child

are at risk of being … I do not know what … by some man who has

unhealthy intentions … and you think I should calm down?"

His father walked up to him and

placed his hands on his son's shoulders.

"Yes! Edward, your wife must

not be distressed by this. She is perceptive. She will know

something is seriously wrong if you do not find a way to not have

this in the forefront of your mind when you are with her. I am also

not going to tell your mother, as she will not be able to contain

the knowledge without worrying Alessandra either," he said before

becoming quiet for a moment. "It is not a good situation, I know,

but there is a chance that he has not ventured to this part of the

country at all. Worrying Alessandra and your mother would be

fruitless."

Edward took a deep breath

and sat on one of the seats in the room, understanding what his

father was saying, and knowing his advice to be wise. There was

nothing he would do to contribute to stress in his wife. If

Alessandra became concerned, it could affect the health of their

child. With a mother who had been told she must never get pregnant

after his birth, and Alessandra's mother also having had so many

miscarriages when she was younger, Edward and Alessandra both had

an awareness of how difficult it could be for some people to have

children. Neither wanted to take any risks at all.

No, he thought to himself, the

only option was to alert the tenants around the property and make

as best an effort as possible to try and not let Alessandra know

anything was wrong.

"Yes, Father. Let us

begin talking to the tenants again. There is still enough time

today for us to begin, is there not?" he asked and saw his father

nod.

"We can at least visit Old John

and his family, then head over to see Mrs Howard. She is living

alone. I do think it most urgent that we see she is alright."

Edward nodded and they left,

both full of concern over what situation might present itself in

the weeks to come.