Page 77 of Alessandra (Chisholm Manor #1)

"I do not understand, Mother.

What do you mean, you are leaving?" Edward asked, not comprehending what was being said to him.

He and Alessandra had been home for several weeks.

During that time, it had seemed as though everything had returned to normal, and everyone was happy.

Edward's mother studied her son.

In him, she still saw a man she would never consider handsome, but who had made her incredibly proud because of the man, the husband and the father that he was.

"Alessandra's father wishes to go and live at Missinger Estate with his son for a while, to spend time with him, and he has invited me to join him."

"But you have a home here," Edward said.

The two of them were talking in the 'glass jungle room', away from the rest of the family.

Edward heard his mother take a deep breath, and let out a sigh.

"Edward, you are settled with your own family now.

While you and Alessandra were away in Italy, I found myself missing your father deeply.

Alessandra's father was there.

We are good companions, and we have both lost our loved ones so we each understand that loss. Why should it surprise you that we wish to spend more time together?"

His mind wandering, Edward found it difficult to feel happy about what was happening.

Even so, he did not want to express displeasure to her - not when she had given him so much in his lifetime.

"Do you ... love him?" he asked as one final question, trying to understand.

"I think I am beginning to, yes.

I have been lonely, and he understands that loneliness very well.

It makes things easy between us.

When I look at you and Alessandra, I do, in the depths of my soul, want to find that again before I leave this world, Edward. I want to feel loved."

Edward did not say anything more, and they sat together peacefully, each thinking about their own views and their own needs.

At the same time, walking out in the garden, Alessandra found herself drawn into a similar discussion with her father.

"I love her, Alessandra.

I did not think I would love anyone again, but when it was just the two of us here, I found her to be a good person to lean on in my loneliness," he said, sensing that the news did not surprise his daughter at all.

"I do also want to spend time with Nicholas while I can.

Moving to Missinger Estate is the easiest way for me to do that."

He stopped walking and took both of his daughter's hands in his.

"Say something, Daughter.

I do not wish to upset you."

Alessandra looked at her father and smiled at him.

"Oh, Father, no! You have not upset me.

After all you have been through, it is only natural that you should want companionship.

If Edward's mother is the lucky woman to secure your attention, I am very happy for you both," she said and they started to walk once again.

"And it is only fair that you go and spend time with Nicholas. I have had you all to myself all this time. It is certainly time he had his turn."

That night in bed, Edward was assertive in his attentions to her, as if driven by an even greater need than normal.

As he lay down next to her, she looked closely at him, wondering what he was thinking.

"How do you feel about the news of our parents?" she asked him tentatively, not wishing to upset him.

Edward looked at her and pulled her closer.

"I must admit, it does make me feel a little ... strange ... but I cannot be upset at them.

Whenever I think of losing you, I can imagine the deep feeling of loneliness they each must feel at times, so I know that I must be happy for them.

For now, it is just ... odd."

They lay quiet, until Alessandra determined that he would not go to sleep with that conversation the last thing in his head, so moved herself to kiss him everywhere - his lips, his neck, down to his nipples and over his belly, before taking him in her mouth and giving him the kind of pleasure he had not taken for some time.

"Oh, my love..."