Chapter Sixty-Five: The Unexpected Visitor

The morning was crisp, and the air was filled with the scent of blooming flowers from the garden just outside the estate. Amelia sat in the cozy sitting room, her hands gently resting on her growing belly. She hummed softly to herself, feeling a sense of peace and contentment.

Suddenly, a knock on the door broke the tranquility. Amelia looked up, curiosity piqued. "Come in," she called.

The door opened, revealing a young maid who curtsied politely. "My lady, there is a visitor for you. He insists on seeing you immediately."

Amelia frowned slightly. "A visitor? Did he give his name?"

The maid shook her head. "No, my lady. But he seems quite urgent."

Amelia exchanged a glance with Alister, who had just entered the room. "Should we see who it is?" she asked, a hint of concern in her voice.

Alister nodded, his protective instincts kicking in. "I'll go with you."

Together, they made their way to the entrance hall, where a man stood waiting. He was tall and dressed in simple, worn clothes. His face was gaunt, and his eyes held a desperate look.

Amelia approached him cautiously. "You wished to see me?"

The man bowed deeply. "My lady, my name is Thomas. I come with news from the village. There's been a terrible fire, and many have lost their homes."

Amelia gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "Oh, no! That's dreadful. Is everyone alright?"

Thomas shook his head, his expression grim. "I'm afraid not, my lady. Several families are in need of immediate assistance. I came here hoping you might help."

Alister stepped forward, his face set in determination. "Of course, we will help. Amelia, what do you think?"

Amelia nodded, her heart aching for the villagers. "We must do everything we can. Thomas, thank you for bringing this to our attention. Please, come inside and have something to eat. You look exhausted."

Thomas hesitated, then nodded gratefully. "Thank you, my lady. You're very kind."

As Thomas was led away to the kitchen, Amelia turned to Alister. "We need to organize a relief effort right away. Can you gather the staff and start making arrangements?"

Alister squeezed her hand. "Consider it done. I'll handle everything. You just rest."

Amelia smiled, feeling a surge of pride and love for her husband. "Thank you, Alister. You're always so dependable."

Alister gave her a reassuring smile. "Anything for you, my love."

Later that afternoon, the sitting room was bustling with activity. Servants hurried in and out, bringing supplies and making preparations for the relief effort. Amelia sat at a small table, going over lists and making sure nothing was overlooked.

Ethan entered the room, his usual cheerful demeanor replaced with a serious expression. "I heard about the fire. How can I help?"

Amelia looked up, grateful for his presence. "We need all the help we can get. Could you oversee the packing of the supplies? Make sure we have enough blankets, food, and medical supplies."

Ethan nodded, rolling up his sleeves. "Consider it done. We'll get through this together."

As the day wore on, the estate buzzed with coordinated efforts to assist the village. Amelia's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and plans, her focus unwavering. She was determined to help those in need, despite the challenges.

By evening, the first wagons were ready to depart. Amelia stood on the front steps, watching as the servants loaded the last of the supplies. Alister and Ethan were overseeing the process, their expressions focused and intent.

Alister approached her, his face softening as he saw the exhaustion in her eyes. "You've done enough for today, Amelia. Let us handle the rest."

Amelia shook her head. "I can't just sit back and do nothing. These people need our help."

Alister took her hands in his, his eyes filled with concern. "And they will get it, thanks to you. But you need to take care of yourself, too. The twins need you healthy and strong."

Ethan joined them, his voice gentle. "He's right, Amelia. You've done an incredible job. Now let us take it from here."

Amelia sighed, knowing they were right. "Alright. But promise me you'll keep me updated on everything."

Alister smiled, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I promise."

As the first wagons rolled out, Amelia watched them go, her heart heavy with worry for the villagers. She knew they were in good hands with Alister and Ethan, but she couldn't help but feel the weight of their suffering.

The following morning, Amelia was in the drawing-room, sipping tea and reading a book, trying to distract herself from the constant worry. Alister and Ethan had left early to oversee the distribution of supplies, and the house felt unusually quiet.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a sudden noise from the hallway. She looked up, surprised to see Alister and Ethan entering the room, their faces lit with relief and satisfaction.

"You're back already?" Amelia asked, setting her book aside.

Alister nodded, a smile playing on his lips. "We managed to get everything organized more quickly than expected. The villagers are receiving the help they need."

Ethan flopped down on a nearby chair, looking exhausted but pleased. "It was quite the effort, but seeing their relief made it all worth it."

Amelia felt a surge of pride and love for both of them. "You two are incredible. Thank you for everything you've done."

Alister walked over to her, taking her hands in his. "We did it together, Amelia. Your leadership and compassion made all the difference."

Ethan nodded, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "And besides, we couldn't let you have all the fun, now could we?"

Amelia laughed, feeling the tension of the past day melt away. "I suppose not. But I am so grateful for both of you."

As they sat together, sharing stories of the day's events, Amelia felt a deep sense of contentment. Despite the challenges and worries, she knew they were a strong team, capable of overcoming anything.