100. A Rose In Jeopardy

Rosella now felt utterly alone and yet she suddenly found herself whispering, “Help me, please, please. Help me!” She thought longingly of Aunt Beatrice. She had missed her terribly, but never so much as at this moment. And for the first time in a long while, she missed her Mama and her Papa, whom she had so few memories of, only their loving voices and the embrace of their arms. She clung onto herself desperately. If only there was someone in the world to hold her, to care for her and speak gentle kind words – Suddenly she felt that someone was watching her, and she looked up to see the portrait of the young man in the turban hanging on the wall above her. “Why are you smiling?” she asked him. “Look at me. I am in such despair!” Her tears welled up in her eyes once again, but then she realised that his smile was not mocking but bold and happy. His bright dark eyes seemed to be comforting and encouraging her. “I care for you – ” he was almost saying.