Page 7 of Alessandra (Chisholm Manor #1)

After another two days and nights of similar feelings and efforts having been made, Edward felt like he had no choice but to assume that Alessandra had no desire to marry him.

He spoke to his mother privately about it.

"Edward, you must be patient," she responded to her son's words of sadness.

"Mother, can you not see that she does not want to even be around me?" Edward replied, feeling defeated.

"You know as well as I do that I am not handsome, and I do not believe I am the kind of man that she wants."

His mother looked at him, distressed at the declaration that his self-esteem was being lowered by the discomfort of the young lady she had chosen for him.

"Please give her one more day.

If she does not soften after another day, I will talk to her and find out what she is thinking," she said, trying to put his mind at rest.

"Yes, Mother," Edward replied sadly.

He didn't relish the thought of continuing his efforts for another day or so, only to be rejected again and again.

After dinner that evening, the family again gathered together in the drawing room.

Edward and Alessandra sat close to each other at one end of the room, while their parents settled at the other.

He looked again at the blushing and flustered young woman in front of him.

It seemed pointless to put in any effort, but he did have determination inside of him, knowing how much it would please his parents.

"Alessandra," he said quietly to her, wanting so much for her to look at him.

At the sound of him saying her name so intimately, Alessandra dared to raise her eyes and look at him.

"Yes?"

"If you do not wish for this marriage, it is quite alright," Edward said.

"My parents will not force it."

As soon as he said the words, he saw a brief look of alarm on Alessandra's face.

He also saw worry and a deep blush appear over her skin before she looked down again, and she appeared lost to him once more.

At that point, he was ready to give up completely.

If they couldn't even talk to each other, how likely was it that they could go on to have a happy life together?

The evening passed.

That night in bed, Alessandra felt ashamed at herself for having let her nerves take over so much.

Because of her embarrassment, Edward was ready to cancel the arrangement that could otherwise have been suitable for them both, if only she could have done better in her efforts to be friendly.

With that thought on her mind, she finally went to sleep, determined to make a better effort the following morning.

In his room, Edward stood in front of his looking glass, understanding why Alessandra did not want to know him.

He'd never felt he was handsome, but the level of her not wanting to talk to him, was taking him to a new level of dislike for himself and what he looked like.

He felt caught in a horrible place, wanting to do the right thing for his mother, but wondering at what point he should stop doing that and consider what was right for him.