---

Ursula was flicking through a booklet of fashion plates with great interest and hoping not to be bothered by one of the younger children (unless it was Belvina, that was acceptable). Of course the children had emptied out a little while ago and there was no real risk of that, although one might reappear at any given moment seeing as routine had gone out the window for the festivities. Her second son, for example, might well make an appearance just to spite her. In the end it was Elladora who disturbed her which, similarly to Belvina and Sirius, was an acceptable interruption.

At first she only lowered the booklet to her lap, but it was shortly after relocated entirely to a table. Oh. It took her a moment to fully switch her brain from organza and ornate sleeves, to the news that Elladora had just delivered. Oh, I am sorry, Ella. How awful. Ursula was genuinely trying to be empathetic, although she couldn't claim to be terribly bereft herself. She hardly had a close relationship with her mother-in-law, the woman had spent most of Ursula's married years abroad (she envied her that) and when she'd been a young bride she'd found her more than a little intimidating. You must be upset? This was said less for Ella's benefit and more for Ursula's because she honestly wasn't sure how serious this was for her and she could hardly ask outright how attached she'd been to her mother.

---

Outfit | Tag: Elladora Black | Notes: