Page 36 of Alessandra (Chisholm Manor #1)

On their journey back to the estate the next day, Edward and Alessandra were both quiet, wrapped up in their individual thoughts.

In Edward's mind, he still had a pressing reminder about the man who had kept turning up and approaching Alessandra - Tom.

He knew there was no reason to give Missinger any more consideration, and yet now and then a thought would enter his head and cause him concern, even though he knew he would never voice that concern to Alessandra.

His main job in the coming months, as far as he was concerned, was to keep her calm and happy in the hope that she would be able to carry their child to full term.

Even in that, he didn't have any real reason to worry. It was mainly the limited success of his and Alessandra's parents to easily have children that inspired him to think about that possibility being passed down to the expected little one also. He knew that all he could do was try and do what he could to provide his wife with as happy a life as he could, and let nature decide whether he would become a father or not.

Beside him, Alessandra felt him squeeze her hand firmly.

When she looked at him, she could see he was deep in contemplation, under the guise of looking out over the scenery passing them by.

She was hopeful that whatever was worrying him, he would talk about when he felt the time was right.

Even though their four nights away had been welcome and enjoyable, she was looking forward to getting home.

She had particularly enjoyed the day before, not having to see anyone except Edward all day long.

She suspected he carried concern for her and the baby growing inside of her, so she was determined to not give him any real reason to worry.

But she did look forward to the months passing, and them knowing one way or another if they were to be parents or not.

Upon arrival at the manor house, Edward's mother once again ran out to greet them, throwing her arms around them in a loving embrace.

"Oh, my children! Did you see and do many exciting things?" she asked excitedly as she ushered them inside and into the drawing room.

Edward looked tired and not receptive to his mother's enthusiasm, so Alessandra laughed quietly at his mother and responded.

"It was lovely to be able to spend so much time together alone," she said.

The openness of the comment seemed to stun Edward's mother into silence.

Edward must have heard her response in the background of whatever he was thinking, as Alessandra saw him turn and give her a shy yet sad smile.

"Mother, we are going to get settled.

We shall return shortly," he said, leading Alessandra out of the room and upstairs to their bedroom.

When the door closed, he pulled her into his arms and held her tightly.

He didn't speak or kiss her.

Alessandra allowed him to engulf her while she held him close to her.

She remained silent, allowing him whatever time he needed.

Finally, he pulled far enough away so that he could look into her eyes and kiss her softly on the lips.

When she looked at him, she saw he was trying to not let tears appear in his eyes.

She pulled him close again, waiting for him to speak, but he did not.

"Edward, what is making you so upset?" she asked quietly, trying once more to look into his eyes.

"I love you so much, Alessandra.

I cannot even consider the thought of not having you here with me," he said, wiping a tear away from his eye.

"But why should you think I am not going to be here with you?" she asked.

"I have no desire to be anywhere else."

"I know," Edward replied, holding her tightly in his arms.

"I am sorry.

My emotions are overpowering me today.

I have never felt love like this before, and sometimes it is overwhelming."

Alessandra pulled away completely and took his hand to lead him to the bed, where she bid him to lie down.

There she lay down beside him, holding him against her.

"Are you certain there is nothing in particular worrying you, Edward?" she asked quietly.

In response, Edward moved even closer into her arms.

"No, my love.

I just want a few minutes here with you, like this, and then I shall go downstairs and see my mother and father."

When the two of them ventured into the drawing room once again, they stumbled into a conversation neither of them had thought about yet.

"We will need to find a nanny, and open up the nursery once more," Edward's mother was saying.

The comment surprised Alessandra.

She hadn't considered anyone other than her and Edward raising her child.

She remained quiet with the determination to voice her thoughts on the matter at a much later date.

She was still not very far into her pregnancy, by the reckoning of her and Margaret. She didn't want to invest too much thought or planning into the baby just yet.

Upon hearing Alessandra and Edward come into the room, his mother quietened, having received a stern look from her husband to do so.

"Thank you both once again for arranging our time away," Alessandra said quietly to them.

It was her attempt to change the subject whilst not indicating she'd heard their words at all.

Highly out of character, Edward's father came forward and hugged her.

"You are most welcome, Alessandra.

I am glad you enjoyed it," he said before turning to Edward.

"Edward, I would like you to accompany me on a visit to see John Homer, who is having some problems with the sheep he is tending.

Can you spare yourself today?" he asked.

"Yes, of course, Father.

I can come with you now if you need me to," Edward replied before kissing Alessandra fondly and then walking out.

Alessandra walked to the drawing room window and watched out as her husband and his father mounted their horses.

As if sensing her watching, Edward turned to look at her and wave before he rode off slowly beside his father.

When Alessandra turned to her mother-in-law, she caught her watching her thoughtfully.

"Is there anything you would like me to do today?" Alessandra asked, seeming to break Edward's mother out of her gaze and thought.

"Yes! Spring is upon us, so you and I must start planning our annual spring cleaning of the house.

In the steward's room are lists that we can go through together," she said eagerly.

Alessandra nodded and followed her mentor to the steward's room.

Together they sat down at the large wooden desk and looked through the pages of details that seemed to go on forever.

"As you can see, Alessandra, this list is extensive, as it has been formulated over many decades.

I have found that it works well to ensure that every room and surface is cleaned to the standard needed after winter.

The weather is starting to fine up now.

Soon we shall be able to open up the rooms that remain closed over winter. Every summer, we hold hunts here, with a great many guests to stay. All bedrooms get used then, and the rooms, beds and linen need to all be aired out in preparation for that."

"It will be a busy time for us then," Alessandra said, feeling overwhelmed all of a sudden.

"Do not worry about the work itself, Alessandra.

We hire additional service staff during the height of the spring cleaning, and our regular household staff will do the rest.

The part you and I play is working through these lists to make sure everything is planned to be done, and everyone knows what their job is and when it has to be done by."

Alessandra took a deep breath and determined to remain calm.