Chapter 75

Travelling

through France on their way to Italy, Alessandra found her

naturally curious nature undergoing an in-depth growth in her level

of knowledge. Everywhere they went, she asked people many

questions. In doing so, she kept Edward amused and feeling that he

could not love his wife any more than he did. She was a constant

inspiration to him in so many ways. He felt extremely proud to be the man standing next to

her, dining with her … making love to her. Every night she showed

him how much she loved him, and the time together without the

regularity of household chores pushed their closeness to another

level.

In Venice, they made their way

to the first address on her mother's list. There they found

themselves in the company of her mother's sister. She was an

elderly woman who Alessandra and Edward both calculated must have

been much older than Alessandra's mother.

"Oh, my dear! How

wonderful to meet you at last. Your mother and I did keep in touch

for many years, but then real life started to get in the way of

writing, for both of us. I have not heard from her for … oh, at

least 10 years I believe," the woman said to Alessandra as they

settled in a room like Alessandra had never seen, with its level of

opulence. She and Edward had to strain to listen carefully, as the

accent was far more intense than the lesser accent her mother had

spoken with.

"Oh, but Aunt, do you

know that … my mother…" Alessandra started to say before the older

woman leaned in to touch her hand lightly.

"I do know that my sister

passed away, Alessandra. Your father sent word when it happened,"

she said and paused before continuing, looking closely at

Alessandra. "You look much like she did at your age."

Alessandra shook her head. "Oh

no, my mother was very beautiful."

The older woman touched her

hand once more. "Yes, Alessandra, she was … as are you."

Alessandra changed the

subject, knowing it was not true but not wanting to offend. For the

rest of that day, they talked and talked. Edward and Alessandra

both enjoyed hearing about the life of her mother, from childhood

right up until the time when Alessandra was born.

"She loved your father so

much, sometimes I was quite jealous. Both of our marriages were

arranged by our parents, and I loved my husband enough, but what

your mother had with your father was something much, much more. I

can see that you have that in you, too, Alessandra. I see the way

you and your husband look at each other. Enjoy it, embrace it, and

work hard to keep it so."

~~~~~

Over the following week,

Alessandra met her cousins. She and Edward felt like they were in a

new world, being taken to see opera, and dining in the most

exquisite buildings they had ever seen. When it was time to start

their return journey, Edward sensed her sadness.

"We shall come back again,

Alessandra. When the children are a little older, we will come back

as a family," he assured her and felt her rest her head on his

shoulder in their carriage.

"Yes, let us do that, but

I should like to have more children by then," she replied softly.

Edward pushed her away gently so he could study her face. For

several minutes, both remained silent, deep in thought whilst

looking into one another's eyes. "Will you … tonight …?" she asked

and heard him breathe out deeply.

"Yes."

~~~~~

On the return ship

journey, Edward took his time pleasuring her, kissing her

everywhere, and using his hands and tongue to bring her easily to

orgasm with the level of arousal she already had. He revelled once

more in how it felt to be inside of her whilst the ship moved in

its erratic way. More and more, he found that they both enjoyed the

extended time that could happen with his withdrawal when he needed

to, and then moving back inside her. Knowing Alessandra had said

she was ready for them to try and conceive again, they moved

together until he climaxed heavily inside of her.

"Oh, my darling," he breathed

out heavily as he felt himself have the orgasm, feeling the great

moistness inside of her.

Alessandra held him close

to her, appreciating their current level of freedom would soon end.

Their time together in Italy, she had appreciated so much. She

equally loved the need she constantly felt to be close to him,

touch him, and have him move inside her. Even so, she was ready to

go home. She missed her little ones, and longed to see them and to

hold them.

Edward pulled out of her but

stayed lying on top of her, kissing her lips and looking into her

eyes.

"What is it?" he asked when he

saw the emotion on her face.

"I am looking forward to seeing

our babies," she said, letting out a small cry.

Edward smiled at her

indulgently. "Oh, my beautiful wife, and mother of my children, we

will be home soon. Once we arrive at Dover, it will be a short time

indeed."

She smiled at him. The love she

felt made her pull his head down and kiss him again before pushing

him onto his back. She took much time to pleasure him with her

hands and mouth, over and over, before sitting astride him and

taking her time to move up and down on him.

Edward watched her move,

thinking that he would never in his lifetime see anything so

beautiful as what his wife looked like right then.