Page 28 of Alessandra (Chisholm Manor #1)

The next morning, Alessandra enjoyed more time alone with her mother while Edward was kept busy by her father.

"Would you like to see Dr Rothguard?" her mother asked, startling Alessandra.

"Should I, Mother? Do I need to?"

"It cannot hurt to have a consultation with him, and then you can ask him any questions you might have," her mother replied.

She was silent for a moment before continuing.

"You are not required to, Alessandra, but I am happy to arrange for you to see him if you wish."

Alessandra considered the possibility.

She had grown up with Dr Rothguard as the family physician.

The thought of talking to him about bringing a child into the world seemed very odd to her.

After she considered that she could learn new things that she needed to know, she nodded at her mother and smiled.

"Thank you, Mother.

Yes, I think that would be good for me."

Later in the day, Alessandra made her way into the village with Edward beside her, wanting to show him around what little attractions there were in her home town.

Edward looked around in amazement that such little townships existed.

It helped him to fully understand how it had come to be that his wife had never learned to ride.

Wherever he looked, everyone seemed to be walking.

There was no horse to be seen.

Alessandra watched her spouse's face and found great amusement in it.

When she had originally thought about taking him to her home, she had worried and been embarrassed, but she was glad that he was there with her.

She considered that he also had lived a confined life, having been kept largely on the estate his parents prepared him to one day be master of.

His face expressed that he, too, was now living a new adventure, just as she had when she went to his home.

After walking around for as far as they could go before the edges of the village were reached, they returned to Alessandra's family home and found her mother talking to the family physician.

The speed of his arrival immediately flustered Alessandra.

Edward was introduced to Dr Rothguard before Alessandra was swept away to her childhood room, along with her mother and the physician, where she spent some time with both of them and then further time alone with the doctor.

"All seems well with you, Alessandra," the doctor said.

"I expect you will indeed find yourself as a mother in months ahead.

Is there anything that you would like to ask me?"

Alessandra looked at the man before her and wondered how much he knew about pregnancy.

Facing up to her discomfort, she considered there could be no harm in asking what she wanted to know.

"Will the baby be hurt if..." she started to ask.

She then blushed so heavily that the physician smiled at her softly in anticipation of the question he had found almost every mother-to-be asked.

"If you continue your marital relations with your husband?"

At that point, Alessandra could feel the heat of her face, but she nodded, determined to continue.

"Yes."

"That is something that is often debated," he said.

"What I can tell you is that I have had patients who have continued intimacy till very close to giving birth.

Others have decided to stop immediately when it was confirmed the wife was with child.

I do not believe any harm can come to the child, at least not for many months yet. When you get close to the time to give birth, you may find a level of discomfort that will naturally prevent you from wanting it. It is something you need to decide with your husband, but for at least several months yet, you will be fine," he said as he packed away his few medical instruments. "Is there anything else you would like to ask, Alessandra?"

"What can I no longer do?"

"Look after yourself, and the baby will be well.

Your mother mentioned that you ride a horse at your new home," he started to say and saw her nod.

"That is acceptable, however be careful not to fall.

That is what seems to be a common contribution to babies being lost, I am afraid. Is there anything else?"

Alessandra shook her head, having had the most pressing questions answered.

"No.

Thank you for seeing me, Dr Rothguard."

"You will need to ask Edward's parents about their family physician, and if they will be able to locate a midwife for you," he said.

"That is not urgent.

When you are in your fifth month will be sufficient, but a midwife will help you with the birthing process."

Alessandra thanked him and walked him downstairs again, where he made conversation with her parents before saying his farewell and leaving.

Edward stood up and went to his wife immediately.

"Is all well?" he asked.

"Yes, the doctor recommended that I find a physician and a midwife when we return to your parents' home, but he said everything appears well."

Alessandra thought about the doctor's confirmation that she could continue being intimate with Edward.

As he looked at her, Edward saw her look of desire.

It immediately affected him, making the two of them stand close while Alessandra contained a small, quiet giggle.

The two of them faced one another in a light embrace until he had relaxed, smiling bashfully.

"You cannot look at me like that when we are in company, Alessandra!" he said, teasing her with a mock voice of sternness, and making her giggle harder.

In bed that night, they enjoyed each other with humour, finding a different level of enjoyment without the passion they had indulged in so regularly since their wedding night.

"Curse this house for being so small, with paper-thin walls," Alessandra teased him openly.

"I do much prefer your house.

Those nice thick walls contain the wonderful noises you make when we are alone and undressed," she said openly, not at all shy about saying such things to him.

Edward laughed quietly at her.

"Oh, the noises I make!"

Alessandra looked at him and realised how much she loved the openness they had about their lovemaking.

He'd never said as much, but she'd assumed since their wedding night that it had been as new for Edward as it had been for her.

She considered that if he had already been experienced, there was a great chance that they would never have been able to be as they were with one another, as he wouldn't have been as curious as she was.

It was the curiosity, she believed, that had brought them so close together.

"When should we travel back, Edward?" she asked, pushing the subject of pleasure from her mind.

"I do not mind, my love," he replied.

"When would you like to leave?"

"I think I am almost ready to go home," she said, making Edward feel warm inside at the realisation that she did now consider his home hers also.

"Perhaps day after tomorrow?"

"I will send notice to Father tomorrow morning and let him know."