Page 75 of Alessandra (Chisholm Manor #1)

Travelling through France on their way to Italy, Alessandra found her naturally curious nature undergoing an in-depth growth in her level of knowledge.

Everywhere they went, she asked people many questions.

In doing so, she kept Edward amused and feeling that he could not love his wife any more than he did.

She was a constant inspiration to him in so many ways. He felt extremely proud to be the man standing next to her, dining with her ... making love to her. Every night she showed him how much she loved him, and the time together without the regularity of household chores pushed their closeness to another level.

In Venice, they made their way to the first address on her mother's list.

There they found themselves in the company of her mother's sister.

She was an elderly woman who Alessandra and Edward both calculated must have been much older than Alessandra's mother.

"Oh, my dear! How wonderful to meet you at last.

Your mother and I did keep in touch for many years, but then real life started to get in the way of writing, for both of us.

I have not heard from her for ... oh, at least 10 years I believe," the woman said to Alessandra as they settled in a room like Alessandra had never seen, with its level of opulence.

She and Edward had to strain to listen carefully, as the accent was far more intense than the lesser accent her mother had spoken with.

"Oh, but Aunt, do you know that ... my mother..." Alessandra started to say before the older woman leaned in to touch her hand lightly.

"I do know that my sister passed away, Alessandra.

Your father sent word when it happened," she said and paused before continuing, looking closely at Alessandra.

"You look much like she did at your age."

Alessandra shook her head.

"Oh no, my mother was very beautiful."

The older woman touched her hand once more.

"Yes, Alessandra, she was ... as are you."

Alessandra changed the subject, knowing it was not true but not wanting to offend.

For the rest of that day, they talked and talked.

Edward and Alessandra both enjoyed hearing about the life of her mother, from childhood right up until the time when Alessandra was born.

"She loved your father so much, sometimes I was quite jealous.

Both of our marriages were arranged by our parents, and I loved my husband enough, but what your mother had with your father was something much, much more.

I can see that you have that in you, too, Alessandra.

I see the way you and your husband look at each other. Enjoy it, embrace it, and work hard to keep it so."

Over the following week, Alessandra met her cousins.

She and Edward felt like they were in a new world, being taken to see opera, and dining in the most exquisite buildings they had ever seen.

When it was time to start their return journey, Edward sensed her sadness.

"We shall come back again, Alessandra.

When the children are a little older, we will come back as a family," he assured her and felt her rest her head on his shoulder in their carriage.

"Yes, let us do that, but I should like to have more children by then," she replied softly.

Edward pushed her away gently so he could study her face.

For several minutes, both remained silent, deep in thought whilst looking into one another's eyes.

"Will you ... tonight ...?" she asked and heard him breathe out deeply.

"Yes."

On the return ship journey, Edward took his time pleasuring her, kissing her everywhere, and using his hands and tongue to bring her easily to orgasm with the level of arousal she already had.

He revelled once more in how it felt to be inside of her whilst the ship moved in its erratic way.

More and more, he found that they both enjoyed the extended time that could happen with his withdrawal when he needed to, and then moving back inside her.

Knowing Alessandra had said she was ready for them to try and conceive again, they moved together until he climaxed heavily inside of her.

"Oh, my darling," he breathed out heavily as he felt himself have the orgasm, feeling the great moistness inside of her.

Alessandra held him close to her, appreciating their current level of freedom would soon end.

Their time together in Italy, she had appreciated so much.

She equally loved the need she constantly felt to be close to him, touch him, and have him move inside her.

Even so, she was ready to go home. She missed her little ones, and longed to see them and to hold them.

Edward pulled out of her but stayed lying on top of her, kissing her lips and looking into her eyes.

"What is it?" he asked when he saw the emotion on her face.

"I am looking forward to seeing our babies," she said, letting out a small cry.

Edward smiled at her indulgently.

"Oh, my beautiful wife, and mother of my children, we will be home soon.

Once we arrive at Dover, it will be a short time indeed."

She smiled at him.

The love she felt made her pull his head down and kiss him again before pushing him onto his back.

She took much time to pleasure him with her hands and mouth, over and over, before sitting astride him and taking her time to move up and down on him.

Edward watched her move, thinking that he would never in his lifetime see anything so beautiful as what his wife looked like right then.