On the Collins estate, Elijah laid on his mother’s lap as she raked her fingers through his hair whilst reading a book.
"Your hair is getting quite long, Elijah. Would you like me to cut it? A little bit more, and you will have to keep pushing it out of your face," Alessandra said, inspecting the long strands.
"I’ll cut it myself since I know what I like. You have not had ladies over to paint in a while. Do they still speak of a curse?" Elijah asked.
"No, that has passed, thankfully. There isn’t anyone around to keep circling the lies. I have not had ladies over because I am quite busy with Lily, and I must spend time with Isabelle so she is not left out," said Alessandra.
"You must keep giving her attention so she doesn’t come to me. It would have worked well in my favour for you to have another son. Someone else for them to bother. I am surprised that with my father’s love for you, you did not have another. Ow," Elijah winced after Alessandra pinched him.
"I am your mother. I don’t want to speak of these things with you. While I understand why you would have wanted a brother after Isabelle, I was worried about my health if I were to have another child. Fortunately, you had plenty of children around you," Alessandra said.
Elijah had children of family friends to play with.
"What I needed was someone here to protect me from the twins, but I won’t hold it against you. I would have needed to share you with another if you had more children. Father already tries to keep you to himself. We should leave," Elijah plotted.
Alessandra chuckled. "I cannot leave with only you. I have the estate to look after and your sisters to help."
"Father and I have taken trips alone," Elijah said, thinking his father could do his mother’s duties.
"That is different. We felt you needed time alone with a man instead of being surrounded by so many girls. I will offer a day to you. No Lily or Isabelle. Just you and me," Alessandra offered.
Alessandra continued to say, "Then you may tell me about all the plans you are making. I am curious how you are faring with the season and what you do with the money your father has given you. Surely, you aren’t wasting it."
"I would never hear the end of it from my father if I wasted it. I am making good use of it. It is why I am often so busy. Are you trying to fish for news of whether I am courting anyone?" Elijah said, knowing his mother’s intentions.
"Truly, I do not need to ask. Word reaches me quite fast. I heard that you had a good walk as of late with someone, and from it, I received a letter. There’s a request for me to see Miss Selina. Why ever would that be?" Alessandra wondered.
"You don’t need to sit with her. I have never once spoken of marrying Selina. We may have spoken often, but no promises were made. This is getting out of hand," Elijah said, annoyed.
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"That is why you must be careful. The simplest action can be misread by ladies. If you give a lady too much attention, it will fill her with hope that you might propose. I won’t be sitting with Selina or her mother," Alessandra assured Elijah.
Alessandra would only sit with ladies and their families if Elijah showed any intentions of marrying. It would help with future interactions with the ladies asking for sit-downs now.
"Be wise, Elijah. Do not give any ladies false hope. This is a rather serious time for ladies, though it is fun for you. Promise me that you will be wise and not toy with the ladies. I have seen too many gentlemen do it, and it angers me," Alessandra said, wishing she could scold those men.
"I promise you," Elijah replied.
Edgar stormed into the room in search of Elijah.
"Get up and get dressed for a fight," Edgar commanded Elijah.
Elijah sat up without a second thought. He didn’t question his father’s order and stood to walk to the door.
"What is it?" Alessandra asked, panicking, though she knew nothing.
"I have received word from the palace that there was an attack. Rue and Julie were together when it happened, and all of the border guards were injured-"
"Is Rue safe?" Elijah asked, his voice laced with concern.
Elijah was fortunate not to step out the door before the news was shared.
"She and Julie are well. I have sent Reed to go see his daughter. Elijah? Elijah!" Edgar called when Elijah ran off. "That boy."
"Leave him be. You know why he is that way. I will need to write to Eleanor. No, it would be faster to send someone to deliver the message. Who are you going to fight?" Alessandra asked, needing to know more.
"Cassius," Edgar answered.
Alessandra frowned. "It is this name again. I have still been trying to understand what his brother spoke of."
"Do not try to understand it. Do not leave or let the girls leave until I return. I might return late into the night. Stay safe," Edgar said, approaching Alessandra to kiss her goodbye.
"We will not leave. It is you who needs to be safe. I thought you did not know where to find Cassius. Do you know now?" Alessandra asked, puzzled.
"I have narrowed it down to a few homes. He couldn’t hide forever," Edgar answered.
Alessandra followed Edgar out of the room as he searched for his guns.
"Will you be informing Tyrion of this?"
"No," Edgar replied. "They have left to be at peace. We are not to disturb them. They will learn what happened when they return."
Tyrion was shot once and was still recovering. He shouldn’t jump right into the face of danger.
"It is best. To hear that others were wounded would terrify Penelope, just as I am terrified now. You don’t know anything about this man. He is a mystery to us all, and he was bold to attack Rue, knowing the consequences. Must you go?" Alessandra asked, though she knew it was wrong.
Edgar had to go help Rafael because it was what Rafael would do for Edgar.
Edgar stopped gathering his things and turned to Alessandra. He embraced her to calm her fears.
"I must go," Edgar spoke softly.
"I know. We are getting too old for all of this," Alessandra muttered.
"I don’t know about you, but I still feel quite young," Edgar said, earning a laugh from Alessandra. "I have made you laugh, so I may go. I will be back safely," he promised.