Page 76 of Alessandra (Chisholm Manor #1)

Pulling up to the manor, they saw both of their parents on the front doorstep, along with Margaret and the children.

Edward laughed at his wife's excitement as she started to squeeze his hand tightly, and move around on the seat.

As soon as the carriage stopped, Alessandra threw herself from the carriage and ran up to where her children were.

She knelt to pull into her arms, Elizabeth, who had reached out with her arms for a hug.

The look on Elizabeth's face said clearly that she'd hoped she would receive the desired arms of her mother around her.

"Oh, how much I have missed you, Elizabeth! Are you well?" Alessandra asked and felt her daughter nod against her.

Alessandra hugged her tightly again before kissing her forehead and then standing to take Isabella from Margaret, and holding her close.

"Oh my, how you have grown, little one! And so heavy now!" she laughed, so happy to be home.

Beside her, she saw Edward kneel and pick up Elizabeth to hug her.

"How have you been, my beautiful daughter?" he asked her gently.

Elizabeth shyly responded.

"Good, thank you, Father."

Edward laughed softly at her timidness, and kissed her cheek.

As always with Elizabeth, he determined not to push too hard with her to speak.

He had already discovered that his oldest daughter also suffered from 'beetroot face' whenever the attention was put onto her too much.

He'd also perceived it was something she was starting to be embarrassed about. Not wanting to bring too much attention to her, he held her tightly against him until she was ready to let him go.

Finally, Alessandra heard her mother-in-law usher them all inside.

They settled in the drawing room, Alessandra with baby Charles in her arms and Elizabeth cuddling into her side, and Edward with Isabella on his lap.

Once comfortable, Alessandra and Edward told all about the adventures they'd had, and the family they had met.

"It was wonderful meeting my aunt.

She told me much about Mother's upbringing.

It was extraordinary hearing her speak," Alessandra said.

Her father enjoyed the vision of his daughter looking so completely happy.

For a moment, he thought back to the early days of his marriage to her mother.

Increasingly, he also felt an ever-growing sadness that slowly he was forgetting what his wife had looked like.

As he sat next to Edward's mother, he felt her reach out her hand and squeeze his, as if perceiving that moment to be a sad one for him.

Edward saw the action and the look that passed between the two parents.

It caused a confusing array of feelings in him.

He had never seen his mother be affectionate toward anyone other than his father, so it initially caused a slight amount of anger. Then he saw the look in his mother's eyes and knew he could not be angry at her. Looking at her objectively, he could see that she was still a beautiful woman. He expected it must have been incredibly lonely with his father not around.

Before he could dwell on it any more, the moment passed and was forgotten.

As the day moved on, Alessandra and Edward went with Margaret to the nursery, to settle the children down for the night.

Once there, Alessandra was pulled into a hug by Elizabeth.

"Please do not go, Mother," she asked in her timid little voice.

Alessandra gave her an extra hug and kiss.

"I am not leaving again, Elizabeth," she said.

"Your father and I are back to stay now.

When you wake up tomorrow, we will still be here.

Now cuddle down there in your nice warm bed, and close your eyes."

Edward stood near the door, waiting for her, but Alessandra felt inclined to stay for another moment with her daughter, to make sure she was alright.

When she was sure Elizabeth was relaxed and falling asleep, Alessandra stood up and walked to her husband.

After placing her arms around him, they stood in a quiet hold for some time, looking at their children before quietly leaving the room.

"I enjoyed our time away immensely, but it is good to be home, Edward," Alessandra said as he started to help her undress.

"I do, however, wish I weren't so tired."

Edward smiled at her and kissed her softly.

"It has been a very active few weeks, my love," he said.

Alessandra accurately understood his double meaning and stifled a giggle.

"Perhaps tonight, in our own bed, we might ... rest," Edward continued.

Alessandra laughed with him while blushing slightly.

"Perhaps."