Chapter 46

Despite the chatter that passed

between the household staff, the news of Mrs Howard's ordeal was

contained from the ladies of the household, much to the relief of

Edward and his father.

At breakfast, conversation was

much the same as usual before Edward's father spoke up with a stern

sound in his voice.

"Come, Edward. We have much to

do around the estate today, so we will be out all day," he

said.

Edward rose at the

summons, eager himself to get out and try to do something to ensure

there was no danger to his family. He gave his wife a particularly

long farewell kiss before removing himself to leave. Inwardly, he

felt dread at the thought of something awful possibly happening in

the near future, that was going to result in her

unhappiness.

Once on the road again, Edward

and his father did not say anything to each other. They were each

in their individual thoughts about what the man in question was

willing to do to get to Alessandra.

One cottage after another

they visited, stopping to talk to the tenants. Edward explained

what Tom looked like, and asked the tenants to immediately notify

the master at the manor if they saw anyone suspicious or unknown in

the area.

"But Master, is that enough? We

can round up men from the nearby farms and do a proper search for

this man. For him to do what he did to Mrs Howard is just not

right."

Edward looked at the man before

him, agreeing silently in his head that actively searching for Tom

was a good idea, but not wanting to argue with his father, who

always seemed to know best.

Finally, the evening

rolled in and Edward was pleased they had spoken to every tenant on

the estate. No-one else had seen anyone new on the estate. That

relieved Edward's worry a little, but also made him fearful that

Tom could be hiding anywhere, ready to strike whenever he was

ready.

When they arrived back at the

manor, Edward went to find Margaret.

"How is Mrs Howard?" he asked

her quietly when he had found her.

"She is very weak, Sir,

but she has been eating somewhat, and drinking some wine. She is

looking better, but I do think it may be several days at least

before she is strong again," Margaret said.

Edward nodded at her and smiled

kindly.

"Very well.

Keep tending to her , and do

not let her leave until you believe she has the strength to. She is

to be well looked after and kept warm at all times," he said

quietly before walking off. Mrs Howard was one of the many tenants

he had known all of his life. Although she was of a much lower

position in life than he, as with all the tenants, he had been

taught to respect and love everyone around the estate.

~~~~~

That night in bed, Edward

held his wife tightly and kissed her softly. He could feel her

wanting him to yield and make love to her, but he was steadfast in

adhering to the agreement they had made to each other after the day

at the waterfall. He wanted her - oh, how he wanted her - but he

would not risk endangering her or the child. It wasn't easy. She

knew how to please him and make him yearn for her. He counteracted

that with laughter toward her.

"Alessandra, stop being wicked

toward me," he teased her.

She laughed back at him,

appreciating how eager he was to keep her safe and well.

"What do you mean, Edward?" she

teased him back with an innocent look on her face. "Whatever can

you mean? I am only showing my affection."

"My innocent wife. I love you,

and you know how easily you enflame me."

"Oh!" she said

unexpectedly.

Edward was alarmed for a moment

before he saw her smile at him, completely distracted from her

previous attentions.

Alessandra revelled in

the feeling she had started to get used to - that of a small person

inside of her, moving around. She took Edward's hand and placed it

on her belly once again. When she did, she saw him smile and

display the same look of wonder that he always did when he felt the

baby move.

"He is hearty, is he not,

my love?" Edward said, smiling.

"Oh, you still are thinking

this is a boy, then?" Alessandra asked, teasing him further.

"I shall be pleased with a boy

or a girl, Alessandra," he replied and kissed her deeply. "But I

think you must agree, he is active enough to be a boy."