Snippet #1370584

Rosette made her way down the hallway, shoes gently clicking on the wood floors until she reached her mother's room. The door was shut, so she hesitantly lifted her hand, curled it into a fist and knocked. When there was no answer, she quietly began to turn the knob and open the door, peering inside. "Mother? It's me, Rosette--" she began, entering the bedchamber and resting her gaze on Aurora, who was seated by the window. The young woman smiled at the familiar sight of her mother, as did Aurora in return. But it was only for a moment that the lady by the window looked happy, for when Rosette moved to embrace her she began to cry, soft yet sorrowful. Rosette pulled back, brows knit together in confusion. "Mother, what ails you? Don't cry..." she tried to comfort, stroking the woman's hair.

Aurora caught her breath, returning her daughter's embrace before pulling away. "It's so good to see you, child..." she replied, opening her eyes with a smile.

Rosette still looked confused, lovingly touching her mother's cheek. "How are you?" She inquired, assuming the tears must have simply been from surprise to see her daughter for the first time in two years.

"As well as I can be, I suppose..." she said, exhaling lowly before motioning for her daughter to sit in the chair opposite her. "I wasn't expecting you to be back... not today, at least."

Rosette offered her mother a gentle smile, showing her teeth and chuckling. "I wasn't either, unfortunately," she sighed, glancing around the room.

"What do you mean?" Aurora asked, tilting her head as she gingerly took her daughters hands in her own.

Rosette was about to reply, before Patrick knocked and entered the bedchamber. "I believe there is someone outside for you, Miss Rosette," he said, and when the girl nodded (though confused) he bowed out and left. The gold-haired girl rose to her feet, giving her mother a look that explained she would speak with her later, before briskly exiting the room and moving down the steps and to the front door. She put on a smile, expecting someone she knew, perhaps a friend. But instead, she was greeted by the face of Lord Osborne; her eyes widened in surprise and her brows knit together soon after. "Erm... hello," she greeted awkwardly, hand on the door as she appraised him.