Page 31 of Alessandra (Chisholm Manor #1)

As they approached the manor house the next day, they could see Edward's mother run out the front entrance, already extending her arms to hug them as soon as they could reach her.

"Oh my son, it is good to have you back," she said, holding him tightly before turning to Alessandra.

"And you too, Alessandra.

Are you well?" she asked, expectantly.

"Yes, I am well, and yes, I do now believe Edward and I are going to have our first child," she said, smiling at Edward's mother, who let out a shriek of happiness.

"Oh!" she said, seeming unable to say anything more as she gathered her son and her daughter-in-law into her arms once again.

"I am happy for you both."

She ushered them into the house.

They were then greeted by Edward's father, who came forward to shake his son's hand, and kiss Alessandra on the cheek.

"Alessandra is with child," Edward's mother informed him.

Alessandra saw Edward's father's face grow visibly emotional before he contained it and a look of determination showed on his face.

"Congratulations to you both.

We must all work now to help you rest, Alessandra," he started to say.

Alessandra laughed lightly at him.

"I shall be well, I am sure, but thank you."

Edward spoke up, to bring attention back to the fact that they had only just arrived home.

"Father, I should like to get Alessandra settled.

Shall I then join you for anything that needs attending to?"

"Yes, please, Edward," Charles replied.

"If you can come to the steward's room when you are free, I would like to go over some paperwork with you."

"Mother, we shall see you soon," Edward said, dismissing his mother and taking Alessandra's hand to lead her upstairs to their bedroom.

Once in their room again, he pulled her close and held her while softly kissing her.

"I must leave to go and see Father.

What shall you do? If you need to lie down to rest, I can let Mother know..."

"Edward, I am well.

Do not worry.

I shall go down and see your mother, once I have freshened up," Alessandra replied, kissing him and then ushering him out the door.

Once the door was closed, she took a moment to lie on top of the bed and be silent and alone for a few minutes.

She moved her hands over her stomach, feeling highly protective of the little person trying to grow inside of her.

She suspected it would be something that was all thought-encompassing for the entire household in months to come.

She was deep in thought when she heard a light knocking on the door.

Upon opening the door, Alessandra saw Margaret curtsey to her.

"Good afternoon, Miss.

Do you need anything?" she asked.

"Now, Margaret, be honest with me and tell me if someone sent you here to fuss over me," Alessandra said, prompting the older woman to smile at her.

"Mistress has asked me to stay close by in case you need help with anything," she replied.

"Do you need your case unpacked, perhaps?"

Alessandra nodded and opened the door wider to allow Margaret access into the room.

"Thank you.

I would appreciate that," she said and watched as her items were carefully removed from her case and laid out for sorting.

"And thank you again for our conversations." She paused as she saw Margaret look up at her with a wondering look on her face.

"I do now believe that I am with child, so I may lean on you more in the coming months."

Margaret smiled broadly and then toned it down in remembering her place.

"Of course, Miss.

I am always here."

Alessandra made her way downstairs to find Edward's mother.

Upon not seeing her in the drawing room, she ventured further back in the house, through the kitchen, and into the garden.

Still unable to find her, she decided to go to her own preferred place for sitting and thinking.

As she entered the glass room, she saw Edward's mother sitting on a bench, looking like she was deep in thought.

"Are you well?" she asked her mother-in-law and saw her jump slightly.

"Oh, Alessandra, I did not hear you enter.

Yes, child, I am well.

Come.

Sit with me."

After Alessandra had sat down, Edward's mother continued.

"How are you feeling? Physically."

"I feel as well as I did before I learned I am carrying a child," Alessandra replied.

"I do not notice any difference yet."

"Alessandra, I understand you were tentative about announcing, because you are aware that I was told long ago that I could not have any more children."

Alessandra nodded.

"You must forget such thinking.

My time for children is gone, and even if it was not - even if I were a young woman in my youth and wanting to start a family - this is nothing you should hide.

It is joyous, and something to celebrate.

Edward's father and I look forward to seeing our son become a father, and us being able to meet our grandchildren. It is something that brings us happiness."

"Thank you.

I shall try to not do anything that might ... harm ... the baby," Alessandra replied.

For a long while, the two of them then sat quietly in contemplation.

"We have a good physician in Bath, who you may see as you wish to.

If you would prefer, you are welcome to find another one.

You might also like to find a midwife who can help you when your time is near."

"I do not know how to find such people," Alessandra replied.

"Worry not.

We are all here to support you, and I will put the word out for a midwife.

Someone will know of one who has been used recently and is spoken highly of."

"Thank you."

That evening, in the quiet of their bedroom, Edward and Alessandra stood in front of the fire.

They held each other and kissed deeply while slowly undressing each other.

Being in the privacy of their room again, Edward felt more at ease in making love to his wife.

He took great care and joy in removing her clothing at a pace that seemed almost unbearable to Alessandra, who found herself wanting him more and more, and with greater urgency.

Finally naked, she lay back on the seat by the fire and rejoiced in the feeling of Edward pleasuring her with his mouth.

"I am still going to keep doing this to you, even after the time passes where we cannot join, Alessandra," he said.

Alessandra did not say anything.

Instead, she focused on the delicious feelings he produced in her.

Soon she was tipped over the edge in a moment of blissful release.

As he came up to her level, she kissed him passionately and enticed him to enter her, hearing him groan deeply.

No matter how often they joined, that first moment of entry always felt like something that had never been felt before.

After Edward climaxed inside of her, he clung to her.

He felt the depth of how much he had come to truly love her, despite how rocky things had looked when they had first met.

Alessandra held him, reading his emotion and rejoicing in their suitability in marriage and physical love.

She encouraged him to stand up so they could both move into the bed.

As they stood up, Edward looked closer at his wife and touched her belly softly.

"You are starting to grow now," he said, smiling at her as his hand moved over the very slight bump that had started to form.

"You become more beautiful every day."