Page 22 of Alessandra (Chisholm Manor #1)

In total, the family was snowed in and confined to the manor for three weeks.

It was near the end of that time that Edward's mother discretely pulled Alessandra aside so that they could talk alone.

"Alessandra, you have now been married for almost two months.

Have you bled?" she asked directly, making Alessandra blush.

On hearing the question, Alessandra felt guilty about the decision she had made with Edward to not yet have children.

Although she and Edward were happy with that decision, she was uncertain if or how she could tell her mother-in-law that.

In response to the question, she nodded.

At least in that, she could be honest.

"Then you are not yet with child," Edward's mother continued, and Alessandra shook her head, not wanting to respond in any way at all.

"It is of no consequence.

It is still early days," Edward's mother continued, and then changed the subject as if it were nothing.

The memory of it having been spoken remained with Alessandra throughout the day, until she was with her husband alone again.

In the privacy of their room, Edward knew immediately that something was different about Alessandra.

He lay beside her in their bed, the two of them huddling together to keep warm in the cold of the night.

"What is bothering you, Alessandra?" he asked, worried that she was going to give him some kind of bad news.

"Oh, Edward.

Your mother asked me today if I had bled," Alessandra replied, revealing her concern in her voice.

"She was asking in an indirect way if I was with child yet."

"Oh, I see," Edward said.

"And you told her you were not?"

"Yes, of course," Alessandra replied.

"I could not lie to her, but I also did not tell her that we have not tried yet.

Do you think we are being selfish, wanting this time for ourselves?"

He held her tight as they looked into each other's eyes.

"No, but I equally do not want you to feel pressured by my parents."

"Edward, do you think it is the right time for us to try?" Alessandra asked and heard him let out a deep breath.

"Do you?"

Alessandra considered their situation for a moment.

She knew that she would feel guilty if they continued to be selfish and keep from his parents something they so desperately seemed to want.

"Yes," she answered.

Edward kissed her passionately while they pleasured each other with their hands.

After they'd both climaxed and he'd grown hard again, they moved naturally so that he was on top of her, between her legs.

He looked into her eyes, not wanting to hurt her.

"Are you sure?" he asked one more time.

Alessandra nodded and kissed him deeply, preparing herself for whatever feeling was about to come.

Edward moved closer to her, kissing her deeply while moving with her in a way that it all happened naturally, surprising them both.

Alessandra felt him enter.

While it was a strange sensation, she only felt a mild discomfort before she realised he was fully inside her.

"Oh, my love.

Are you alright?" Edward asked, staying still and not moving while fully inside her.

"Yes, I can feel you," said Alessandra.

"Oh, Edward.

I like how you feel."

Edward slowly moved out and then back into her, trying to control how he was feeling.

After three such movements, he convulsed and slumped on top of Alessandra.

He stayed there, unmoving while looking at her face and continuing to kiss her.

Alessandra kissed him eagerly in wonder at how children were made.

She considered that a life may have just begun to grow inside of her.

If so, it had come from the wonderful act that produced so many good feelings in her.