Page 9 of Alessandra (Chisholm Manor #1)

After breakfast the next day, Edward and his father excused themselves, saying they had to go and attend to some business in a nearby town, taking with them Alessandra's father.

The men's absence left Alessandra with her mother and Edward's mother.

"I have asked Cook to prepare a picnic lunch for us," Edward's mother said.

"I thought we could enjoy it out in the garden since it is such a lovely day.

Soon it will be too cold to enjoy time outside."

Later they settled outside on the grass, relaxing with good food and conversation.

During that time, Alessandra said little, happy to listen to the two mothers comparing stories as they talked about her and Edward as children.

When their conversation turned to their initial experiences with each of their husbands, Alessandra listened intently.

She enjoyed the stories they had to tell about their individual levels of determination to make their marriages happy with the men they did not even know.

In the late afternoon, they entered the house to find the men back from their journey.

When the women saw them, it was clear the men had embarked on something enjoyable, judging by the smiles on their faces.

"What mischief have you two been up to?" Edward's mother pressed them in a teasing tone until they gave in.

"Edward has chosen a gift for Alessandra," Edward's father said, smiling at his son.

Alessandra blushed and looked down, making Edward smile now that he understood her blushing was a positive thing, not a negative one.

"Alessandra," Edward said softly to her.

"I wished to get you a gift to show you how much I look forward to being your husband.

Please come with me."

He stood up, as did his parents, all welcoming Alessandra and her parents to follow.

Edward led them all out toward the stables.

When they got outside, he looked exceptionally happy and proud as he signalled to a groom to walk out a beautiful white pony that he, as a horseman, knew was well suited to Alessandra's petite size.

While he expected Alessandra to look surprised, the look on her face wasn't quite one of horror, but it was something indefinable and unexpected.

"This is Misty," he said, uncertain he had done the right thing in buying it for her.

Edward saw Alessandra look desperately at her parents, who equally had indefinable looks on their faces.

"Do you not like her?" Edward finally asked her, confused.

Alessandra stepped forward until she was right in front of him.

Looking into his eyes, she reached out and took his free hand in one of hers.

"Edward, you are very kind, and she is a wonderful gift, but..." she started to say.

Edward waited patiently for her to continue, fearing that she was going to reject the gift because she wanted to reject him.

After a long while, he saw her smile sadly at him as she spoke again.

"I can only accept her if you promise to be patient with me as you teach me how to ride her," Alessandra continued.

Finally, Edward comprehended what she was saying, and why she had looked uncomfortable.

"You have never ridden a horse?" he asked with a tone of disbelief.

He had grown up on horses.

He'd ridden since he was a toddler.

It hadn't occurred to him that she hadn't done the same.

He saw her smiling with a look of amusement that relaxed him.

"No, never," Alessandra said.

"But I am happy to learn, if you are happy to teach me."

After the initial shock had passed, Edward smiled brilliantly at her.

"I will gladly teach you to ride," he said happily.

Everyone clapped, reminding the two of them that they were not alone and had an audience.

Alessandra heard Edward's mother call to her and summon her over to her.

"Alessandra, if you do not ride, then I suspect you will not own a riding habit?" she asked and saw Alessandra shake her head.

"Tomorrow, you and your mother will come with me to my dressmaker, and we will get one made up for you.

After that, Edward can teach you to ride."

Later that evening, in their usual spot, Edward apologised to her.

"I am sorry, Alessandra," he said.

"I did not even think to ask if you liked horses..."

"Think nothing of it, Edward," Alessandra said, laughing softly.

"I am looking forward to learning something new.

There is no need for you to apologise.

I can see you have grown up with horses, so of course you would expect everyone else has also done so. Truly, Edward, I look forward to the lessons you are going to give me."

As Edward watched the animation of Alessandra's expressions, he noticed that his appraisal of her had changed.

Before, he had considered her quite plain.

With her increased frequency of smiling, he enjoyed looking at her more and more.

"But you must promise to be patient.

To me, horses are very large, and quite scary," she continued, looking directly at him now that she had begun to force herself to.

In his mind, Edward couldn't imagine being afraid of a horse, but took her at her word and nodded.

"I promise," he said.

"It is not essential for you to know how to ride, however.

If you do not care for it, you need not persist in trying to learn."

Alessandra smiled at him softly, enjoying that finally she was finding some confidence to be around him.

Although she still blushed often, she was relieved that she no longer let it affect her quite so much.