(02-16-2021, 07:31 PM)Pearl Carrington Wrote: Tilly opened the door. The cheerful older woman said, "Come in, come in, Mister Blacke. The mistress is in the kitchen. Take your coat, and hat, sir?" she offered. She was happy because her mistress seemed in good spirits.

Pearl was in the kitchen just finishing up the small roast chicken that she flavored with dried herbs she had hanging up over the kitchen hearth, and of course some salt and pepper. There was the aroma of fresh-baked bread hanging in the air throughout the whole house.

When he entered the house, he would likely notice that it was more of a middle-class-looking home, two stories, cheerfully painted white with yellow walls inside the house. She had afghans and quilts draped over her furniture to ward off the chill of late winter. All in all, her home was very colorful and bright as opposed to dark and drab like most Victorian homes.

Tilly showed him to the kitchen and bade him to wash his hands, then disappeared into the room which happened to be hers. She was no chaperone.

When Pearl saw him, she smiled brightly at him. "Mister Blacke, how lovely to see you again! Welcome. Please make yourself at home."

Indeed, the house was lovely with bright colours and lots of blankets.  Plus the smell of food filled his nostrils.  Joe needed little bidding to wash his hands.  He took a moment to appreciate the young lady amid her housekeeping.  Very proper, but also intimidating.  He still felt very undeserving of her attentions like he was still that scruffy young lad back in the Cragg long ago. And yet, couldn't help but mirror her smile.

"These are for you." He sort of thrust the flowers at her, he didn't want to forget to give them to her.