Chapter 73

"I think it is a wonderful

idea, Alessandra. You know it was a wish of your mother's that you

should see where she was born and lived until she came to England,"

Alessandra's father said later as they all sat in the drawing

room.

"But how long would it take? I

do not think it can be a feasible plan," Alessandra said sadly.

Edward's mother spoke up,

understanding the conflict of the young mother.

"What is it that concerns you,

Alessandra? Your father and I are happy to watch everything here,

and if you do not wish to be away from the children for so long,

you can take Margaret and one of the other household staff with

you."

Edward watched his wife during

the conversation. He did not want to push her into doing something

she did not wish to do, but equally did not want her to miss any

opportunity if she did wish to go.

"I do not know how long it

would take," Alessandra replied quietly, suddenly unaware of how

people even got to Italy, it seemed such a far way off.

"I believe you will need to get

to Dover. From there you can cross the channel to Calais, in

France, before making your way to Venice, where your mother was

from. I should think you would need to take at least three weeks,"

she heard her father explain, causing panic in her.

"Three weeks?! Oh no, that is

too long. We could not possibly…" Alessandra started to say but her

mother-in-law cut her off.

"Yes, you can possibly!

Alessandra, your father and I are here, and we are both glad to

have an occupation. It would be wise to make use of us while we are

both here, and physically able to help you both."

Alessandra looked at Edward,

who in turn was looking intently at her.

"What do you think, Edward?"

she asked him, desperate for some guidance.

"I think that it is a good

idea. Three weeks is not too long, and as Mother said, we can

confidently leave the estate in the care of her and your father. It

would be nice to see where your mother came from, would it

not?"

"But is it something you

wish to do also, Edward? It is such a long way to travel if you

would not like to…"

"Yes!" Edward exclaimed. "I

have never been away from England at all, and I would greatly enjoy

travelling … with you."

"What of the children though?

Would it not be nicer to wait until they are all old enough to come

with us and learn of their history also?"

"Perhaps, but

we can always go again at a later time. The children were fine

without us here when we went to Bath, and I am sure they will be

fine for a few weeks, at the age they are. If we wait too long,

then they will be of an age where they are running around the

estate, and I that think would wear my mother

and your father out!" Edward said, adding some humour into the

decision making process.

Alessandra looked closely

at him, seeing his passion for the idea in his eyes. The idea of

spending three weeks alone with her husband was a thought that

would not have been visible on her face to the older generation in

the room, but was very clearly seen by Edward.

"Very well, let us do it," she

said, seeing her desire mirror back at her from his eyes. "Let us

arrange it and go before I lose my nerve."