Having dismissed the house elves for the afternoon in the sake of privacy, it was Philomena herself that answered. She looked at immaculate as ever, always done up like she was ready to go for some fancy afternoon tea or celebrity luncheon. She was a woman who dressed to impress; dressed to leave an impression on people when she left a room like the lingering scent of her Gardenia perfume.
She leaned slightly on the door after she'd opened it and gave Rita a smile that was both dignified and thankful. There was a lot that she wanted to say and it meant a great deal to her that she'd now be able to say it. She knew that this article might not help her personally, or make her life with her husband any easier, but what she wanted to do was show other women who were dealing with these sorts of lives that they didn't have to--and more importantly, that they were not alone.
Philomena reached out her hand and grasped Rita's, holding it tightly for a moment in gratitude and then stepping back to let her into the Estate. The house was immaculate, decident and warm, with rich tapestries, beigh marble floors, and lovely chandeliers. The architecture of the front hall was lavishly French, and although Selwyn did consider it her prison in so many ways, she was at least content to make it beautiful and make it her own.
"Please." Philomena said politely. "Thank you so much for coming, and here, I thought we'd take tea in front sitting room and have our chat? The lighting in there is always best this time of day."
The housewife paid no mind to the Quill darting around and taking notes about her home and, undoubtedly, her appearance. She did trust Rita to keep the things out of the paper that needed to be left unsaid, and besides that she'd manage with the rest.