Where Ursula had expected frosty disdain it seemed she had found rather the complete opposite. She had been prepared to put up more of a fight, to plead with her, and instead she was now staring, slightly agape in bewilderment.

It was true that Elladora hadn't brought about Ursula's ruination when she had more than ample material with which to do so but she was of the impression that her sister-in-law logged each of her indiscretions meticulously to hold over her head in judgement. Was that not the case?

"But I-" her cheeks reddened as she forced herself to think of what had just happened. She'd like to think that maybe Elladora didn't know what she'd very nearly done but what she'd said about distractions made that an impossibility, there was no mistaking the implication.

Somehow despite her mortifying conduct Ella didn't seem to be nearly as disgusted or enraged as Ursula had thought she would be. Whatever the cause for this mercy she was deeply grateful for it. "I don't know where I'd be if you didn't." The real question was why she couldn't seem to subdue her feelings.

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Thanks to Bee for this magnificent set <3

Probably in Bedlam, Ella thought but did not say, and almost certainly in disgrace wherever she was. Though despite it all Ella had a feeling that Ursula would have somehow managed to wheedle her way into a better situation – it was hardly her nature to slum it and Ella had a grudging faith that even in the direst of situations Ursula would somehow prevail.

“It would be best not to dwell on it,” she said in a hushed voice, keen to extricate both of them from this awkwardness. One of them really ought to.

It made her head spin to recall quite how much she had forgiven Ursula over the years, how much she had wilfully ignored and now how she has inadvertently compromised her own integrity in doing so. If Phineas found out now then Merlin only knew what he would do. She flattered herself that he was fonder of her than he was of most people but Elladora was not so arrogant as to assume her position in this household and his estimation wouldn’t be a thing of the past.

“I hope your dreams improve soon,” sliding her hand from Ursula’s Ella hesitated a moment before resting her own gently on top of her sister-in-law’s. “Goodnight Ursula.”

  

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fabulous set by Lady <3

Her dreams. The reminder felt like sudden ice in her veins. Elladora still thought she was working herself up like a hysterical child, after all her surprisingly kind words she still thought her an idiot. It was as good as being all alone, if no one was going to believe her then she'd have to submit to her fate all by herself, she'd be alone until the very end and wasn't it just fitting?

Anger was an easier emotion than embarrassment and despite her still burning cheeks, Ursula managed to swap the former in for the latter. Mostly, anyway. A touch reluctantly, she shook her sister-in-law's hand off and rose with slight difficulty to her feet. "It was no mere dream, Elladora," she replied tartly. Would it take actually dying for Ella to realize she wasn't delusional and paranoid? Solid proof of her doom would probably do it but the certainty she felt in her bones was hardly tangible. Perhaps she'd call for a healer... But even a healer might not be able to tell yet what her chances were, and supposing that they could, did she really want to take away the comforting possibility that she might actually be overreacting? Which was worse, Elladora thinking of her as a gullible fool or a confirmed death sentence? "You'll see."

With a resentful frown that was almost a pout, Ursula turned and headed for the door. As she reached for the door handle she realized she'd much rather be sat in angry silence with her husband's sister than alone in her room, vulnerable to sleep and the ugly dreams that might come with it. Ultimately pride stopped her from changing course.

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Thanks to Bee for this magnificent set <3

Ursula's momentary hesitation was not lost of Elladora but she thought it was unquestionably for the best that they were apart for some time. She would leave tomorrow to put some distance between them - though she loathed going to the Cumbria house alone so perhaps she could simply visit Evalina until she was sure Ursula was abed dreaming her dreams of death.

It was all nonsense of course. It had to be. They were dreams no matter what Ursula thought, the Flints were notorious for many things but the Sight was not one of them and it would be a grimly ironic turn of events if Ursula's one and only vision of the future was that she herself had none.

Ursula would live. She would have this child and be miserable until her figure returned to normal as she always was, and then...and then Elladora would remind her of this evening and quite how absurd she had been and they would probably argue again. The thought of that future gave Elladora comfort and with a sigh she got to her feet and followed the other woman's path to their rooms.

"You will be fine Ursula," Ella whispered to the quiet hallway, before she wiped at the single, irritating tear that had sprung to her eye and closed her own door.

  

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fabulous set by Lady <3