Oh -- she smiled. Briar had seen the mistress smile already, but that had seemed more to her like the polite gestures given for the sake of presenting one's self as approachable. Learned, rather than innate. This time, though, Briar thought it looked genuine.

"I'm glad to hear it, miss," she offered in response. Lifting from the loveseat, she cast another glance around the room.

"Of course," said Briar, "where is the kitchen?"