Page 41 of Alessandra (Chisholm Manor #1)

Edward and his father rode around the estate throughout the whole day, visiting almost every tenant on the large property.

Over and over, they told the same story of a man who might venture onto the estate with the intention of causing harm.

Each tenant was asked to be vigilant, and report to the main house details of anyone they had not seen before.

"Do you think he will venture this far, Father? It is a long way from where he lives, I believe."

"Hopefully not, Edward, but I will not have my family threatened," Charles replied.

"We must do what we can to help Alessandra remain calm and relaxed, although I believe she shall carry to full term now, given how far along she is."

Edward did not talk to his father anymore on the journey home.

In his mind, he was letting himself think of different scenarios of things that could happen or go wrong, and had to make a conscious effort to stop his mind from venturing into those spaces.

Back in the manor, Alessandra was fitted for new day to day outfits of varying sizes to get her through to the birth.

"These will be ready no earlier than next week, however I brought with me a gown that was ordered but then cancelled by a young lady who is of a similar size and stage.

I would not normally suggest you wear something made for someone else, but your mother-in-law has said you have no clothes that are loose enough.

If you would like to try it on, I have it here, and it can be yours.

The person it was made for, paid for it, but did not want it in the end," the dressmaker said quietly to Alessandra, not wanting to offend in any way, but wanting to help the young woman to be more comfortable while she waited for her new clothing to be prepared.

"Thank you.

I should like to try it if you think it might be of a close size," Alessandra said shyly.

She watched as the dressmaker pulled out a gown of luxury.

"Oh! This is not a dress for wearing at home, I do not think," she said, running her hands over the beautiful item in her arms. "It is so beautiful!"

"Try it on and see if it fits you," the dressmaker said as she smiled.

"After you have it on, and can see how it fits, you can decide if you would like me to leave it here for you."

Alessandra allowed herself to be fitted into the gown.

As soon as it was secure on her body, she felt the difference in the looseness of the garment compared to her own clothes.

"Oh, Miss! It fits you perfectly.

And the colour becomes you greatly.

What do you think?"

Alessandra was quiet as she experienced for the first time what it felt like to wear such an item.

It was of the calibre that she had seen the women wear in Bath.

She felt like she imagined a queen must feel like each and every day.

"I do not know what to say," she said quietly.

"Do you like it?"

"Oh, yes, it is beautiful," Alessandra replied.

"It feels so luxurious ... too luxurious for me..."

"Oh, Miss, no! You look like the beautiful woman that you are."

Alessandra looked the dressmaker in the eye, needing some kind of reassurance of what was acceptable and what wasn't.

"Will I cause any offence to anyone by accepting a gown that was made and paid for by someone else? I do not know what is right."

The dressmaker smiled warmly at the young woman before her.

She'd already sensed that Alessandra was from a lesser class than she was presently living, but not a young woman who had purposely aimed so high.

She seemed to have fallen into the place she was in.

She had no arrogance about her at all, or any desire to cause upset in anyone.

"If acceptable to you, I shall bring your mother-in-law up here, and the two of you can discuss it privately before you make a decision," the dressmaker said.

Alessandra was uncertain about that.

Her mother-in-law was the exact person she didn't want to offend.

Regardless, she consented and the dressmaker returned shortly with Edward's mother beside her.

"Oh, Alessandra! You look so beautiful.

What a lovely gown, and that colour on you shows your Italian colouring so well."

The dressmaker took a moment to explain to Edward's mother the situation so Alessandra could see how the situation presented looked to her.

"Oh, I see, but Alessandra, your new dresses will not be ready for a while yet.

Why should you not be comfortable in the meantime? I think it is a very generous offer being made," Edward's mother said quietly, appreciating the modesty and frugal nature of her new daughter.

That could only be good for the estate when it passed hands to the younger generation.

"I have no doubt at all that Edward will love to see you in this," she added, with a look of knowing in her eye as she looked at Alessandra, who smiled shyly in return.

"If you are sure, then I shall be very happy to accept this gown from you.

Thank you so much," she said.

The dressmaker was pleased, knowing she had secured a young woman who, in years to come, would require a great many dresses.

Smiling, she excused herself as Edward's mother also moved toward the door.

"Keep it on, Alessandra, and wear it to dinner.

You deserve it," she said before closing the door.

As Edward and his father came into the house and walked toward the drawing room, expecting both women to be there, Edward heard his mother's voice calling out down the staircase.

"Go and see your wife, Edward," she said simply, with a look that he had not seen on his mother before.

"She is in your bedchamber." Edward initially looked alarmed, worried something had happened.

"Do not stress.

She is well, but I am sure she would like to see you immediately."

Edward raced up the stairs, full of concern.

When he entered the bedchamber, the sight before him stopped him.

Alessandra was standing at the window, looking out as if deep in thought.

She turned to him as she heard him come in.

She gave no thought to the gown she had on.

All she could focus on was seeing Edward. She did not know why he was looking so strangely at her.

Edward moved forward toward her, awestruck at the sight of his wife.

He touched the rich fabric and looked at how the colour made her eyes look.

With the neckline so low, he could not stop himself from leaning in and kissing her on the neck.

His lips followed the line of the neckline, delivering small kisses everywhere, making Alessandra want to melt. When he had covered every piece of skin revealed to him, he kissed her deeply on the mouth and heard her moan.

"You look so beautiful, Alessandra.

I did not think you could look any more beautiful."

As she looked at him with her unique blend of shyness and desire, Edward felt heavily aroused.

"Do you like it?"

"Yes, but Alessandra, seeing you in this fuels me greatly," Edward replied.

"Undress me," she replied, feeling her arousal too great to not be satisfied.

It had been too long since they had joined, they both found themselves thinking in the comfort of their own minds.

In each other's eyes, they knew it was what they both wanted more than anything.

Edward took his time, removing the gown as slowly as he could, kissing every new piece of skin that became visible.

Once his wife stood naked before him, he guided her to the bed and undressed quickly before kissing her all over.

No part of her body did he neglect, taking his time teasing her before encouraging her to climax.

He held her and kissed her, uncertain whether he could join with her still or not.

Alessandra knew what she wanted, and she did not allow him to have doubt.

She pushed him down on the bed so that he was lying down, and positioned herself above him.

Before she took him in, he held her back and looked at her closely.

"Are you sure this is still alright?"

"Yes, I shall move slowly so I can feel if anything is uncomfortable," she said.

Edward nodded, kissed her fully, and felt her edge her way down onto him.

He closed his eyes, feeling the sensation.

It was extraordinary.

Her determination to move slowly brought about new feelings in him that overwhelmed him greatly. He could hear her enjoying the sensations being cast on her also. When he opened his eyes and saw her face, he knew he would not last much longer.

Alessandra stopped suddenly and leaned forward to kiss him deeply again, momentarily stopping his increased level of excitement before moving again, looking into his eyes.

"Oh, Alessandra ... I ... ohh ..." Alessandra heard him try to say before she felt him convulse inside of her.

He lay still with his eyes closed, enjoying fully the waves of pleasure flowing over him.

When he opened his eyes again, he saw her hovering over him, her face covered in a beaming smile.

Edward smiled back at her and pulled her down for further kisses before remembering her state of pregnancy.

"Are you sure you are alright?" he asked, showing his concern.

"I am.

I just ... needed you," Alessandra replied as she rested down on him fully.

"Oh, my darling, how I do love you."