July 1st, 1895 — Rowle Home, Cornwall

Most siblings would probably be closest to the one closest in age. For Eleanora Verderame, that was simply not the case. For one, Viridian had not exactly been a tolerable brother for anyone to have. And for another, she had only been eight when he had died and he had already been twenty. All of her siblings were quite a bit older but her favoured sibling was still her eldest sister.

And thus, she had been beside herself and inconsolable when she had been informed that Alexandra had taken ill after delivering her latest niece.

She had pulled herself together for her visit though, having come as soon as her mother would stop fussing about it. Which honestly, it wasn't like illness from childbirth was catching. Or at least, Ellie had to assume so. "Alexandra, are you faring much better?" Ellie asked as she was allowed at her sisters side. Her strong, fierce sister looked so unfamiliar to her at the moment. "I brought along some biscuits from home." Made by a long-loyal cook of the Verderame's of course. And Italian in every way, especially her desserts.

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"I am much improved, I promise." Alexandra assured her youngest sister. She mostly meant her promise too, as she was now far from death's door. However, the stink of death hadn't left her completely, Alexandra still felt it in the ache of her bones and her inability to walk more than a single length of the hall before needing to rest. The healers all said her strength would return in time but they also said she would mourn the loss of her son less in time as well and that had yet to prove true.

She reached for the tin and grinned at the contents: biscottis made up for more than half of the contents, their cook knew Alexandra well. "Oh Ellie, thank you. I cannot wait to enjoy these with my tea." Her appetite hadn't yet returned either, otherwise she'd be indulging in one already. "Have you met Cassandra yet? She is a conplete portrait of her father, save for her hair."

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stunning set by the darling Lady

Ellie wasn't sure if she should believe her sister. She looked so tired and weak. Still, she had been told that Alexandra needed rest and she would recuperate in no time. She had no reason to disbelieve a healer.

She beamed as Alexandra showed her appreciation for the cookies, most of which were biscottis. "I have not. I wanted to see you first," she admitted, getting herself a little more comfortable now that most of her initial panic at the sight of her sister had ebbed away at the sight of her moving and talking.

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"I am well, Ellie, I promise." It wasn't entirely a lie — she was improving. However, Alexandra also remained far from recovered. To this, she shifted slightly in her chair and winced at the lingering discomfort. Never again would she bear a child for Philip, even if the resulting baby was adorable.

"Now, enough of that. Tell me, how are you managing with the Roses? All is well there?"

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stunning set by the darling Lady

Ellies summer break had begun on the 26th of April (the last Saturday of the month) so she'd been on break for a while now. But she had very little in her life during her off times thanks to her mothers watchful eye. "Yes, I am doing quite well. Our summer break is currently commencing though so Mother has had me studying embroidery techniques at home," she shared.

She didn't mind embroidery, she sort of actually liked it but her mind did sometimes wander into daydreams. "It begins once more during the first Sunday of September so I have some time to idle if you would like any of my help." If she was to have idle days, she would much prefer spending the time in her favourite sisters company.

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Alexandra would have had to muffle a laugh at the remembrance of the dreary embroidery days were she not already in pain. Instead, she offered a sympathetic smile and reached a hand over to her sister. "Mother's knowledge of embroidery is vast, absorb it all while you can." For although her days had been dreary, colored with worries of remaining a spinster all her life and miseries of not being allowed to attend the roaring festivities, Alexandra did sometimes long for the simplicity of those days.

"The children would love to see their darling Aunt Ellie, I'm sure. Philippa has just returned from her month with the Roses as well, perhaps the two of you may bond over it."

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stunning set by the darling Lady

"I shall," Ellie promised. After all, Alexandra was so much wiser than she was. At least, Ellie certainly thought so.

"Oh, is it that time already? I hope she enjoyed her time there," she said brightly when she heard that Phillipa had returned from her time as a Bud. Their times didn't intercross which Ellie figured was by design. Still, she had thought it might be nice if the older roster might have some sort of event with the Buds but it wasn't her place to suggest. Nor did she possess the gumption to speak such a thing to Mrs Abercrombie.

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"I believe she did," Alexandra replied warmly. The choice to send Phillipa to the Roses was an easy one on Alexandra's part, especially in light of Philip's behavioral changes. She enjoyed this part of her husband more, liked the more passionate side of him at times, but Phillipa was still a child learning how to engage with the world. Allowing children to be wild before they learned how to act properly was what was causing the downfall of their society. And Philip, emotional as he was now, would sooner have Phillipa flying about the country on a broom than learning the steps to a proper waltz. "And you? Are you eager to return to the Roses in the autumn?"

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stunning set by the darling Lady

It warmed Ellie to know that her young niece had enjoyed being a Rosebud. It was its second year of being run and it sounded like it was proving to continue to be successful. "I suppose. I have grown accustomed to its halls and my room there." It was a shared room but she had occupation in one of the grander rooms the institution had to offer.

"I do not know what I will do when the time comes for my debut." It was a while yet but would eventually arrive. She could not be at the School forever.

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