“Anna,” Alexandria set her cup of tea down and met her sister’s gaze; her own was serious. “Mr. Stewart was quite recently widowed and I have a feeling that he is not overly interested in remarrying at the moment.”
“How would you know?” Anna asked irritably.
“Elijah had him escort me to town a few days ago and it came up. He seems to still be in a great deal of pain. He will have to move past that before he can even consider remarrying; trust me on this,” Alexandria requested of her sister; she could only hope that Anna wouldn’t ask how she knew this.
“I can understand that but is there anything wrong with getting to know him? I mean one day, once he’s had time to recover, he could come to realize that he wants more than friendship; right?” Anna’s smile said she already had all her plans made.
“Why Mr. Stewart? What do you know about him, besides that he’s attractive, that makes him husband material?” Alexandria challenged.
“I sense that he’s a nice man,” Anna responded crisply; her blue eyes were stormy at being questioned. Her demeanor changed and she smiled at her sister. “He was perfect gentleman when he escorted you to town was he not? And polite too, I’m sure.”
Alexandria sighed at her sister’s persistence. “Of course he was but that does not tell you whether you two would suit as husband and wife. That is a lot harder to discern, trust me on this please?”
“Why; what’s wrong, Lexie? Is Eli not treating you well?” Anna was immediately alert.
Alexandria realized too late her mistake. “We got off to a rough start but we are doing much better now. He loved Martha so deeply, Anna, and I didn’t know him half as well as I believed myself to. I just don’t want to see you hurt or see you struggle. Just be sure when you marry that you know the man; okay?”
“I will, Lexie. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Positive. We had a long talk last night and I really think we’re making progress now.”
“Good. So, all that aside, what have you been doing? I mean you have a housekeeper; do you still cook and stuff?”
“I do, but it doesn’t all fall on my shoulders, which honestly is a relief. I’m rather accustomed to teamwork,” Alexandria offered her former teammate a smile.
“I know Mama misses you, though she tries to be brave about it. Daddy says at least you aren’t all the way in California the way Catherine is. Oh! Speaking of Catherine, we received another letter; she says she sent one to you too.”
“I haven’t gotten it yet, though if it came since Tuesday, no one’s been back by the post office yet. I’ll be glad when they get the free rural delivery service started out in this area.”
“I know, it will be nice,” Anna agreed.
“Can I have another cookie, please?” Lilly requested.
“One more,” Alexandria consented.
“You make a good mother, Lexie, I can’t wait for a new niece or nephew; to think I’ll have them close enough to see,” Anna’s smile was wistful; she had yet to meet Catherine’s two children.
“Right,” Alexandria busied herself with wiping crumbs from the table.
“What is it, Lexie?” Anna’s face immediate became drawn.
“I should check the bread,” Alexandria jumped up to open the oven and peer into its hot interior.
“Don’t try changing the subject on me, Lexie, what’s wrong?”
“What if I never have children?” Alexandria countered almost angrily.
“Is that what you’re worried about? You haven’t been married all that long, Alexandria,” Anna sank back in relief. Her gaze, however, stayed on Alexandria.
“You’re right of course,” Alexandria forced a smile.
“I don’t suppose I could get a tour of the house could I?” Anna’s expression was teasing.
“I’m sorry, Anna! I was so glad to see you that I didn’t think anything about it. Let me just ask Millie to keep an eye on the bread and I’ll give you the grand tour.”
“I was just returning,” Millie offered as she entered.
“Thanks, Millie. Well, Anna, we’ll start here on the first floor. You’ve seen the parlor of course and I’ve not changed anything in there and of course the old dining room is Millie’s quarters. I’ll give you a quick peek into Eli’s study and office and then show you the upstairs.” Alexandria stood and lifted Lilly to her hip.
A few steps brought them to the office door directly across from the kitchen and Alexandria opened the door almost cautiously. This was not territory she had spent much