Chapter 68
News of the extraordinary day
at Chisholm Manor Estate spread quickly. People came from around
the entire area to pay respect to both the new master on the birth
of his son, and to say farewell to the old master.
Edward watched his mother
closely, aware of the bittersweet contrast of the two things that
could happen in one day - one life extinguished as another began.
During the funeral service, she clung to him, as much emotionally
as physically. Alessandra held back in everything, ensuring her
husband did not feel divided.
Of comfort to her
mother-in-law seemed to be Alessandra's father, who had not too
long since lost his own lifelong love. Alessandra would see them
huddled together in different places - the drawing room, the
gardens, and even her favourite spot - the glass jungle room. It
was an odd combination, but she could see why they suddenly spent
so much time together.
~~~~~
"The estate is now yours,
Edward, to command as you wish, but I do advise that you consider
things carefully before making any changes. Do not rush in. Take
your time, and assess what urgently needs to be done, and what can
be put off. This is a full-time responsibility, and it will take
much out of you if you let it. Do not let it take you from your
family too much. It can be lonely as a wife to the master of a
great estate like this one, if you do not work together to manage
everything so it all works well," Edward heard his mother say as he
turned to look at her.
They were sitting in the
drawing room alone. Alessandra and her father had gone out for what
had become a routine of a daily walk through the gardens together
in the late afternoon sun.
"Did you feel like that,
Mother? Lonely?" Edward asked, not sure if he would cause offence,
but curious after her choice of wording. Four years earlier, he
would not have dared be so intrusive into his mother's private
life, but since his marriage - and particularly since his father's
passing - the two of them seemed to have moved forward as adult
companions, as much as mother and son.
She looked at her grown son and
recognised once more how much he had grown, and what a fine man he
had developed into. She couldn't have been prouder of him already
being a father to three children, all of whom appeared healthy.
Edward saw his mother smile
sadly and nod after a period of time, during which he considered
she might be letting memories flow over her.
"Sometimes I did, when
things were going on that your father would have to deal with.
There were many times when he would be gone from breakfast until
bedtime. Yes, at different times it did seem like a lonely life,
but those times were far outweighed by the many, many more when he
was here," she said and paused before continuing. "You appear to
have a full, loving marriage, Edward. As you start to get busier in
the estate, make sure you and your wife monitor how you are both
feeling. I know Alessandra is very strong. I have no doubt she will
run the household well whilst continuing to be the loving mother
that she is, but do not let the busyness of the two of you result
in space growing between you."
Edward considered what
was said to him and nodded, lowering his eyes as he pondered the
advice. Already he had started to feel pressure on him as he took
on the many roles that his father had played before him. So far,
the evening routine of him and Alessandra spending time with the
children, and both of them putting them down to sleep for the
night, had not been affected at all by his workload. Equally
unaffected was he and Alessandra retiring to their bedchamber
together in the evenings to talk together about their day before
going to sleep. Since the birth of Charles, neither of them had
made any move toward physical intimacy. Every day was so full that
sleep was a priority every night. Edward also knew that with his
wife breastfeeding their son several times a day, while running the
household largely on her own now that his mother had taken a back
seat there, Alessandra was as exhausted as he was when they came
together in the evenings.
Thinking about his
family, he felt a sudden desire to be around his children, so stood
up.
"Would you like to come to the
nursery, Mother? I feel the need to hug my children," he said and
immediately saw her smile and stand up with a renewed sense of
energy about her.
"I would like that very
much, Edward. Yesterday when I was playing with little Elizabeth,
she…" Edward's mother began and was soon making him laugh as she
told a small story about one of Elizabeth's increasing adventures
in exploration of her surroundings.
~~~~~
A month later, Edward and
Alessandra found themselves settled into a routine that was busy
but not stressful. Edward spent much of the day around the estate,
visiting tenants and discussing different aspects of agriculture
with them. After several weeks of the routine, he started to
finally find it easier to not see his wife at all between breakfast
and the evening meal.
Alessandra similarly resolved
to put her head down and treat the work as a job, doing everything
she could between breakfast and their evening meal together, whilst
making time each day to feed the baby, spend time with Isabella and
Elizabeth, and enjoy an afternoon stroll with her father.
"You are always so busy,
Daughter," her father said to her one day on their daily walk. "If
you need help with something, please do not forget that I can help.
You only need to ask."
"Father! You need not do
anything while here except relax and enjoy yourself," she said,
horrified at the thought of her father taking on any of their work.
In response to her words, she saw her father stop walking and turn
to her.
"Alessandra,
I have worked all of my life,
in one way or another. It is difficult sometimes to not have
anything I am required to do. Please, if you or Edward need
assistance with anything, promise me you will let me know so I can
help."
Alessandra looked closely at
him, noticing suddenly how much he had aged since her mother's
death. She conceded that perhaps it was difficult for him to not
have any vocation anymore.
"Thank you, Father. I certainly
shall ask for your help when I need to, and I will talk to Edward
and ensure he does also."