Page 4 of Alessandra (Chisholm Manor #1)

In the manor house near Bath, staff were instructed to clean everything excessively.

Under the instruction of Edward's mother, to everyone it seemed as though royalty must be visiting.

Edward's father, Charles, found himself exasperated at her.

That didn't stop him fondly teasing her about her excitement.

"They are not of society, my love.

They will not find anything wrong with our home, I am sure," he said to her, over and over.

Despite his teasing, still she flitted around like a little bird, issuing orders, and trying to get everything just right for her upcoming guests.

Edward watched it all with amusement and fondness for his mother.

He felt calm about the prospect of possibly meeting a woman who would become a part of his future.

He knew that if he was very unhappy with her as a potential wife, his parents wouldn't force the marriage, but he had been raised with the understanding of duty.

He knew how much his getting married would mean to his mother. That was enough for him to be resolved that, no matter who the young woman was or what she was like, he would go through with the marriage. He would see it through, and he would make the most of it. To him, his mother was the utmost example of womanhood. He considered it impossible for any other woman to match up to her.

Early in the evening on the night before the guests were to arrive, Edward was sitting in the last of the sun, before it would disappear, when his mother came and sat next to him.

Turning to look at her, he noticed that over the previous few days, she seemed to have grown more youthful in her looks.

He wondered if it was due to her getting excited about the possible upcoming wedding, just as a bride might do.

"Are you at peace, my son?" she asked, looking at the young man who'd begun life inside of her.

He'd never been a handsome boy.

In the eyes of many, he would never be regarded as a handsome man.

Even so, she was proud of the person he was, and the kind and loving nature he possessed.

Edward looked closely at his mother with the sudden awareness that as he moved closer toward marriage, they all were getting older.

One day, she wouldn't be there for him anymore.

"I am at peace, Mother," he replied.

"I am looking forward to meeting my potential wife to be, and marriage after that, if it is meant to be."

He saw his mother take a deep breath, as if to consider what she wanted to say before words came from her mouth once more.

"Edward, be kind to her," she finally said.

"I know you have a good heart and would never be intentionally cruel to anyone, but I remember how afraid I was when I was sent to meet your father."

"Oh, but you love Father, do you not?" he asked and saw his mother smile with a slight blush on her face.

"Oh, yes! Now I love him with all my heart, but the day that we met, we did not know each other at all.

It was a difficult time for me, trying to fit in with his family while trying to get to know him.

It is always the way things go, but it is not easy, particularly for the young woman." She paused a moment before continuing.

"Be patient with her. Give both of you plenty of time to relax with each other before ruling her out of being a possible partner."

"Everything will be well, Mother," Edward said, smiling to reassure her.

"You have taught me well in what to expect of a wife, and I am beginning to understand how things are run on the estate.

I want you to now relax and not worry so much," Edward said as he put his arms around her in an embrace.

"You are my son and I love you.

Of course I worry.

That is my job as your mother."