Page 10 of Alessandra (Chisholm Manor #1)

The following day, both mothers escorted Alessandra to get measured up so a riding habit could be designed and prepared for her.

In the home she'd grown up in, she'd had dresses made, but not with the detail or cost that she imagined was currently being invested in her.

Her mother was surprisingly relaxed about it.

It made Alessandra realise how little she knew about her mother's background. They lived so quietly and simply day to day, but as she looked at her mother, she could see perfect calm and harmony with being in such surroundings, and with every little thing that happened.

Later that day, she approached her mother and asked her to walk in the garden with her.

It was an invitation that surprised Isabella, as her daughter so rarely asked for anything.

As the two of them walked, Alessandra suddenly found herself somewhat shy, and afraid to ask the many questions she wanted to.

"What is it, my daughter? I can see you have things on your mind.

Are you worried about the marriage? Do you not wish to go through with it?" her mother asked and saw Alessandra shake her head.

"No!" Alessandra said.

"I am very happy to be here, and now that I am getting to know Edward, I think we can both be very happy as husband and wife."

"Then what is it, my child?"

"Before you and Father leave, I would like to make sure that I know about you," Alessandra replied.

"I would like to learn about how you grew up, and what kind of life you have lived."

Surprised, Isabella stopped and looked at her daughter.

"You speak as if we shall never see each other again, Alessandra," she said.

"Mother, this estate is a very long way from our home," Alessandra said, not hiding the sadness she felt.

"It may be a long time before we see each other again.

Please tell me about your family, and the home you grew up in."

As they sat down on a bench in the sunshine, Isabella began to speak.

In the two hours that followed, Alessandra learned about her mother's childhood in Italy.

She learned about Isabella's brothers and sisters, her parents, and the process of becoming betrothed to Alessandra's father.

For the first time in her life, Alessandra could see her mother as a woman, and not just as her mother.

"Your father has always been very kind to me..." her mother was saying.

"He loves you," Alessandra replied as if it were the natural answer.

"Now, yes.

When we met, we did not know each other.

I was like you - shy, and sometimes flustered with myself, but he was not deterred," her mother continued, starting to look youthful, and blushing herself.

"He is a good man. I always knew that, from the moment I first saw him," she said and turned to look at her daughter. "I believe Edward is a good man also. There has been nothing so far that has made me question how he will treat you if he marries you."

"I think so too," Alessandra agreed.

"He has been very patient with me so far."

Mother and daughter hugged each other and continued to sit quietly, each in their own thoughts.