Page 24 of Alessandra (Chisholm Manor #1)

Over time, Alessandra found herself learning more and more about the running of such a grand household.

Almost all of every day was spent with Edward's mother.

There was much to learn, and so many things she had assumed would only be the responsibility of the household staff.

She was surprised to see the level at which Edward's mother - someone she now regarded as her mentor - knew what was happening in each little corner of the great home.

At times when they were confined indoors, Alessandra was introduced to other rooms in the house.

Due to it being so cold, there were places that Edward's mother told her she wouldn't see until the weather warmed up once again, when a full spring clean would be undertaken.

One afternoon, her mother-in-law took her to the steward's room, where Alessandra was pleased to see Edward going over the accounts with his father.

"And this, Alessandra, is where you will often find your husband when you cannot find him anywhere else!" she said in a teasing manner as she looked fondly at Edward's father.

Charles responded by smiling at Edward's mother shyly.

"Now, my dear, you know how important this part of the house is," he said to her before turning his attention to Alessandra.

"This is where we monitor the success or failure of the estate, Alessandra.

It is important to keep on top of the business accounts and paperwork, and this particular job, Edward will take over from me in the not too distant future.

He must know it completely. If you are good with numbers, it would not hurt for you to learn also," he said. Edward's mother exclaimed a sound of surprise but he continued regardless. "Would you like to learn about the business also, Alessandra?"

His question placed Alessandra in an awkward position due to her knowing it was not standard for women to have any place in financial matters.

Hearing his words resulted in her face once again showing the depth of her embarrassment.

As she felt all eyes on her, including those of Edward's mother who appeared horrified at the question, Alessandra settled her eyes on those of her husband.

She saw in them extreme amusement at her having been put in such a position. While looking at him, she also found a sliver of strength to hold her head up high and answer confidently.

"If my husband would have no objection, I should like that very much.

I am confident in my abilities with figures, and would enjoy working with Edward in this aspect of the estate management," she said and immediately saw Edward respond with approval at her choice of words.

Alessandra turned to look at Edward's parents once more, hoping the question had been sincere, and that she had not read more into something that his father had not been serious about.

The only person in the room who did not seem impressed with the idea was Edward's mother.

"Alessandra will have plenty of other work to do every day, so this must not be treated as a priority for her," Edward's mother said more abruptly than Alessandra had heard her speak before.

After a long moment of everyone feeling slightly uncomfortable, she spoke again.

"And now, Alessandra, let us visit the kitchen."

Alessandra timidly fell in step behind her mother-in-law as they left the men behind in their work.

That evening, as the young married couple lay together in the privacy of their room, Alessandra spoke up, full of her natural curiosity once more.

"Why is this house so big, Edward? It feels like it is a castle, and yet only three of you live here," she said, full of wonder at why she hadn't asked the question previously.

"There are only three of us now, but this house was built more than 100 years ago," Edward replied.

"The families then were large, and the social need for guests and entertaining much greater."

"But do you have brothers or sisters? You have not mentioned any."

Edward shook his head.

"No, my mother told me once that she was informed by the doctor after I was born, that she must not have any more children, so I was all they had.

I do think my parents would have preferred that they could have a large family."

Alessandra processed what he was saying.

Her parents had only her and her brother as offspring.

Until that moment, she had never wondered how they felt about that, even though she knew that in the village she grew up in, other families were much larger.

"We must have many children then, while your parents are still alive," she said, making Edward laugh softly while looking into her eyes.

"Oh, must we?" he teased her as he saw that look pass over her face again.

"Best we get on with that then," he continued before kissing her and once again indulging in further pleasure.