Chapter 59

"We must start heading back to

your parents' home so we arrive before it gets dark," Edward said

as they took a moment to lie together naked before getting dressed

to leave the house.

Alessandra lifted her head and

looked into his eyes, well satisfied with their visit to the

estate, in so many ways.

"This has been wonderful,

Edward. Thank you for coming here with me. I know you always have

so much to do at home," she said quietly.

Edward kissed her fully. "This

is wonderful for me also, Alessandra. I never would have not come

here with you," he said, pausing a moment before continuing. "A

part of me would like to stay longer."

"Yes, but I am eager to

see Elizabeth, and we can return any time if we wish to. Next time,

we could bring my parents and Margaret and Elizabeth

here."

"Yes!" Edward exclaimed,

not having considered it before. "Yes, let us do that, Alessandra.

We shall return and stay at your parents' home tonight and, if they

are willing to, we shall bring them back here tomorrow or the day

after."

~~~~~

"Oh, the

house is so grand, Mother, and the staff are so friendly and well organised. I would very much

like for you, Father, Margaret and Elizabeth, to all come with us

tomorrow for a visit. We can all stay there. It is a very large

house," Alessandra said excitedly, her youthful exuberance

visible.

"I am not sure," her mother

said quietly and thoughtful. "What do you think, Edward? Is it too

far for us to travel?"

"Oh, no! It is not too

far from here, and what Alessandra says is true. There is plenty of

room for everyone. It would be good for you to know what Alessandra

is talking about with regard to different things if you could see

them, I believe, Sir," Edward said to Alessandra's father. "With

winter being not far off, it would be best to go soon, if you wish

to see it, rather than in a few months."

Alessandra's father

weighed the option over in his mind, thinking about things that had

to be done in his home. The happiness in the voice of his daughter

overruled any doubt he had, prompting him to nod and smile at

her.

"As you wish, my daughter. Let

us all have a good night's sleep tonight and see how we feel

tomorrow morning. If we need to, we can wait one day before we go

over."

~~~~~

In bed, Edward could sense

Alessandra's excitement, and he smiled in the dark.

"Do you think the walls in the

other house are thick?" she asked innocently, causing him to laugh

out loud, which in turn made her giggle. "Oh well, it is not long

till spring," she continued, referring to their agreement to not

physically join again until that time.

"Oh, my lovely wife, how I do

love you!"