"I should have known you were up to something when you sent the children off to bed right away. You are in luck since I think we needed this," said Alessandra.
Alessandra sat in warm water with her back pressed to Edgar’s bare chest.
Edgar was two steps ahead in having a bottle of wine placed along with two glasses.
"We had our home full today. A bottle of wine is needed," Edgar agreed.
Edgar picked up the bottle and poured more wine into Alessandra’s glass.
"I thought you would be wandering the halls to make sure everyone is in their room. There isn’t to be any sneaking out, and the child who was always most likely to sneak out is back in our home," Alessandra said, worried.
"The person she was likely to sneak out to see is also in our home. Wherever Penelope goes, he will follow. She picked up a good little stray to protect her," said Edgar.
Alessandra laughed at Edgar speaking of strays. "You cannot keep calling everyone we bring home strays. Tyrion is now our family."
"Two things can be true at once, Alessandra," Edgar said, his mind made up. "He follows her around like a little lost puppy."
"Tyrion is in love. You should be happy that Penelope found a husband who wishes to be at her side. He is protective of her, which I like. He is not a stray," Alessandra spoke in defence of Tyrion. "He is lovely."
"You always see the good in people," said Edgar.
"Then," Alessandra said, turning around so she could face Edgar. "Is there something bad about Tyrion that I miss?"
Edgar nodded his head. "His father is Tobias."
Alessandra laughed. "That doesn’t make him bad. In my eyes, I like him even more since I have known him since he was a baby. Before Tyrion and Penelope realised their feelings, I had plotted with Hazel that the two should marry. I didn’t think they would."
Edgar spread his arms along the side of the tub they sat in. "You mustn’t plan our children’s weddings without me. I would have objected to putting those two together."
’That is why I didn’t tell you,’ Alessandra thought.
"Still, they fell in love on their own. Hazel and I never meddled. I hope they can live a long, happy life, but not here," Alessandra said, her mood dampening. "Every day, I worry about them. All of them."
Alessandra couldn’t get the deaths around the town out of her mind. Seeing everyone today was a good distraction, but she was back to worrying about her family.
Alessandra poked at Edgar’s chest. "I think of sending them out and then having the town guards show up at our doors. It isn’t safe here."
"You mustn’t think like that. I have doubled their guards, and I am searching for the person behind this. When Elijah was born, I promised you that I would keep him safe, and I will do it for all our children. I will keep you safe," Edgar promised.
"Look at me," Edgar said, moving his right hand to touch Alessandra’s face. "I will keep all of you safe."
Alessandra smiled to avoid worrying Edgar. "I know that you will keep us safe. I hope we won’t hear of anyone else found dead. Could this be someone tied to Simon?"
"I don’t know. His parents were long dead, and the Farleys stayed away from Lockwood after Simon’s father died. They wouldn’t speak to the court to say if Simon threatened them to stay away. I wouldn’t be surprised if there is one more unstable person in the Farley family," said Edgar.
Kate wasn’t a Farkey anymore, but Edgar placed her amongst the crazy people.
"If there is, you will be the one to find him, and once again, the town guards will have to admit that you do protect the town. There is something else on my mind. Why haven’t you gotten your money back yet? You have the means to do it," Alessandra said, curious.
"Is it because you care for Erin? Will you let her keep it?"
Edgar chuckled. "I am getting my money back, and I will be getting the amount I asked for. You, out of all people, know that I am good with contracts."
Alessandra thought differently. "Are you? The contract for our marriage said we were not to fall in love, but you fell for me first."
"I am good with the ones concerning business. The longer they take to return my money, the more they will have to give me. Business is business," Edgar said, not caring that Erin was involved. "If they aren’t careful, I might end up owning the shop."
"I wouldn’t like it to come to that. They should pay you and get it over with," Alessandra said.
Alessandra still couldn’t believe that Erin hadn’t come to them.
"It is your money, so I cannot tell you what to do," said Alessandra.
"It is our money. More than two decades later, and you are still this way. I must admit that it is part of why I love you," Edgar said, his feelings for Alessandra unchanging.
Edgar frowned when Alessandra’s right hand found its way to his hair. "What are you doing?"
"I found another white strand," Alessandra said, tempted to pull it.
Edgar held Alessandra’s hand and moved it away from his hair. "I spoke of how I loved you, and you are more focused on my hair. I love you, but your hand is not going anywhere near my hair."
"For how long will you try to accuse me of wanting to sell your hair? I share a bed with you every night. If I wanted to sell your hair, I would have cut it in your sleep and done it a long time ago. I admire your hair," Alessandra said, but the thought of selling it lingered in her mind.
Alessandra was curious if anyone would truly want to buy Edgar’s hair. Though he was feared and hated by many, there were still many men and women around the town who adored Edgar.
Edgar could tell what Alessandra was plotting in her head. It was thanks to this business idea she had that Edgar became even more of a light sleeper.
Edgar took Alessandra’s glass from her hand and placed it on the floor. "I have done my best to give you all that you desire, but I draw the line at my hair. The children should be asleep by now."
Alessandra doubted that they were asleep, but she responded, "I was waiting for you to reveal your true intentions."