Page 54 of Alessandra (Chisholm Manor #1)

Alessandra sat in the lawyer's office, angry at what had been said to her.

Silently she wished she had not told Edward he had to wait outside.

"I do not understand," she said once more to the short, balding man in front of her.

"You seem to be saying there is no alternative but for me to accept all of the land that has been in Mr Missinger's family for generations, and the dowry he obtained from his wife's family!"

Mr Hogelby maintained his patience in determination to not upset the wife and daughter-in-law of one of his most prestigious client families.

"That is correct, Mrs Chisholm.

The will is iron clad, and there is no deviating from it.

Mr Missinger's mother was his last remaining family member, but passed away shortly after she received news of her son's death.

There is no other living relative that has been found. I will also point out to you that it was Mr Missinger's specific instruction that you - and only you - will be recipient to this fortune. By that, I mean that he has made sure that your husband and his family can have no access to it. You - and you alone - will inherit a considerable amount of land and money."

"But his wife?" Alessandra asked, not believing what was being told to her.

"He left very specific instructions not only that you should get everything, but that she should get nothing.

You cannot contest that, I am afraid, as that aspect of the will does not concern you.

She can contest it, however as yet she has not."

On hearing that news, Alessandra's confusion reached a new level.

"I do not understand.

Katherine has not tried to claim ... anything? She did not come back to see you again, and ask that this be put right?"

"No," the man she faced said.

"As yet, she has not appeared to be bothered by the will at all."

"Then why did she come to see me? What was the purpose of her visit?" she wondered quietly.

"Mrs Chisholm, you have to understand that Mrs Missinger was already very wealthy before she married her husband, and she held onto much of that wealth through their wedding contract.

Her family is one of the wealthiest in the region.

She will still inherit a great deal of land and fortune from her parents, so it is possible that she simply does not need to claim for her husband's wealth."

Mr Hogelby watched the young woman before him and certainly understood her dilemma.

Although he had been a lawyer all of his working life, it was the first time he had met someone who not only was not demanding a higher inheritance than had been left them, but in fact would prefer to not receive it at all.

"Very well, Mr Hogelby, what must I do now?" Alessandra asked, resigned to what she could only accept and not change.

For the remainder of their meeting, papers were read through and signed.

Alessandra walked out with the realisation that she was now a very wealthy woman in her own right, without any input or expense from her parents, her husband, or Chisholm Manor Estate.

Seeing Edward waiting for her, she walked into his arms.

"I cannot talk about this at present, Edward.

We will discuss all of this at a later time, when I have had time to think," she said quietly.

Edward nodded and walked her out, his curiosity persistent in his thoughts.

When they arrived back at the manor, Alessandra immediately ran up to the nursery to visit Elizabeth.

She was greeted by Margaret with her usual cheerful manner, who stood back as Alessandra lifted her daughter and held her tight against her.

Margaret watched the interaction, feeling pride in how the young mistress had grown since her initial awkward arrival at the manor a year earlier.

"Margaret, I believe my milk is drying up.

What shall I do?" she asked shyly, but was greeted with a smile.

"Miss, I believe the young lady is old enough now to go onto cow milk."

Alessandra showed her surprise, but was also relieved.

She was glad that perhaps a wet nurse would not be required.

That was something she did not want to do willingly, as she could not enjoy the thought of someone else sharing such intimacy with her child.

"She is?"

"Yes, Miss.

It is quite normal by this time for the change to be in place.

While you are still producing some milk, it is a good time to introduce a small amount of cow milk each day.

This will ensure she goes through the changeover slowly."

Alessandra considered the information she was being given and nodded.

"Very well, let us work toward that."

"I will give her a little tomorrow morning after you have given her a little of your milk.

That will give us the whole day to monitor her and make sure there are no problems."

Alessandra nodded and settled herself into the nursing chair in the nursery, willing her milk to last another few days.

Mother and daughter looked at each other quietly as Elizabeth suckled.

The door to the nursery opened and Edward walked in quietly, smiling at Margaret and taking in the view before him.

"What a beautiful sight," he said quietly, leaning over and kissing his wife.

Looking down at his daughter, he saw her pull away from her milk source and look up at him.

As had become usual routine, he reached down and scooped up Elizabeth into a close cuddle to allow Alessandra to discretely restore her gown tidily.

Edward walked around the room, never letting his eyes leave his daughter's face until he saw her eyes close as she drifted into her post-feed sleep.

Gently he placed her in her bassinet and tucked her in, before turning back to his wife and leading her out the door as they headed together down to lunch.

"I need to go with Father to visit some tenants after we eat, so I may not see you until supper time," he said.

Curiosity about the morning's visit to the lawyer was still in his mind, but he would not invade his wife's privacy, or pressure her to speak.

Alessandra stopped short of the dining room door and turned to him, moving forward and providing him with a full standing hug, before kissing him lovingly.

She did not say anything, but Edward felt the fullness of the depth of love exuding from her before he kissed her back.