Chapter 318: Goodbye (1)
In the market, Alessandra walked with her daughters and two lines of guards, with each line having four guards.
"Isabelle, I have warned you not to walk too far," Alessandra said, watching as Isabelle came back to her side. "You promised you would not wander if I brought you along."
"I know, but it has been so long since we walked the market. Can we see what the baker has?" Isabelle asked, clinging to her mother.
"We can go to the baker right before we must leave and go home. You must have patience. I do not know where you get this energetic side from. You worry me sometimes," Alessandra confessed.
"Do not worry, mother. I can keep up with her and pull her back to your side. Stay close," Lily ordered Isabelle. "It will not end well for you if you do not stay in one place."
"You cannot tell me what to do. Only mother can," Isabelle replied.
"It seems I failed to have you listen to your older sister. I shall change that in due time," Lily plotted.
"Mother!" Isabelle whined.
"She is your older sister. I hope this means that Lily shall listen to Elijah since he is far older than her. Do not give me that look, Lily. I am merely following your rules," Alessandra said, trying not to laugh at Lily.
"I always listen to Elijah. I only tease him because it is fun. It will soon come time that we will not see each other as often as we like, so I must enjoy these moments. Mother," Lily said, an idea striking her.
"Everyone will do it if you desire it. You should ask that we all gather at one of our homes at least once a year. It would be that no matter what, your children, grandchildren and so on must gather there," Lily suggested.
"It sounds like a wonderful idea. I shall speak of it with your father," Alessandra promised.
Alessandra liked the idea of her family all in one place. It would be even better if it could be more than once a year.
"I think father would not like for his time with mother to be disturbed," said Isabelle.
"He doesn’t show it, but he would enjoy having you all together since he would know you are safe," Alessandra said, reaching for Isabelle’s hand once more. "You must stay within the guards."
"There are men from the border around. It must mean that Rue is near," Lily said, trying to see who else was present. "I- No!"
"What is it?" Alessandra questioned, looking in the direction of the guards. "Is it Rue? I have forgotten that I must write to her mother. Perhaps I should send a gift for Annalise as well."
"It is nothing," Lily said, looking away from the men. "I saw wrong."
’Why is he here?’ Lily wondered. Since he had not come with Rafael and Rue, she didn’t think he would come at all. ’Men with all their late timing.’
"Mother, will we ever go see the border again?" Isabelle asked.
"We will, but not during the season. Your father has promised Rafael that we will visit his home, and he will not go back on the promise. Perhaps as soon as the season ends, we shall head there," Alessandra said, thinking it over.
Alessandra wanted to see Annalise and all the other friends she had made during her stay.
"By that time, there might be some good news for the Castros and Collinses," Lily snickered.
Lily wished to be a fly on the wall to see Elijah and Rue on the ride Rue spoke of.
"It might be best to place a guard with Elijah. Mother," Lily said, her tone laced with worry. "Grandmother."
Alessandra looked around, expecting to find Priscilla, but it was Melanie standing alone, staring at them.
"It is fine," Alessandra assured the girls.
"Are we not to speak?" Isabelle whispered. She disliked what had become of her family.
Alessandra forced a smile and replied, "You may speak to her if you wish. I will not stop you. Remember not to go far from the guards."
Isabelle looked at Lily, who smiled. She was worried her siblings would feel like she was betraying them.
Isabelle walked over to Melanie and said, "Grandmother! I have missed you."
"And I have missed you, sweet child," Melanie said, touching Isabelle’s face. "We are missing out on so many of our plans."
Despite the conflict Melanie had with Alessandra and the others, she missed Isabelle. Isabelle was the sweetest one who always cared for her. There was no question about it.
Melanie caressed Isabelle’s face, taking in the moment since she knew it wouldn’t last long. At some point, Isabelle was going to be turned against her.
"You must remain pure at heart," Melanie said, noting to pray that Isabelle wouldn’t be ruined.
"I will. Is grandfather around?" Isabelle asked, searching for Lewis.
Melanie hesitated to answer. Her marriage was not going well after Melody gathered the family. Now, with Luke wanting to go see the Cromwells about the mines, Lewis walked out of the home.
"He is not around. If I see him, I shall tell him that you want to see him. Would you be a dear and do me a favour? Would you tell your mother that I wish to speak to her alone without the guards? It is urgent," Melanie said, counting on Isabelle.
Isabelle didn’t think it was right to speak now, but since her grandmother was asking, she couldn’t say no.
"I will tell her," Isabelle replied, turning away from Melanie to go back to her mother.
"That was fast," Lily commented. "Where must we go next?"
"Mother," Isabelle said, touching her mother’s hand. "She wants to speak to you without the guards."
"That is absurd. Mother doesn’t go anywhere without the guards," Lily said, annoyed that a talk was requested now.
Alessandra touched Lily’s hand to calm her. "It will be fine. You two must stay with the guards."
Alessandra knew her mother to be persistent. If Melanie wanted to speak of something urgent, then Melanie would try her best to reach out, even if she had to use the children.
"Caleb," Alessandra said, getting the attention of her guard. "Keep a close eye on where I stand and do not let anyone get close to my daughters. I will not be gone for long."
"Shouldn’t I join you, duchess?" Caleb asked, not trusting Melanie.
"You should, but she would focus on your presence and not reveal why she finally wants to speak to me. I must speak now so she can leave my children alone," Alessandra said, preparing herself for what would be her final talk with Melanie.