InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "RISE FROM YOUR GRAVE"

Louisa Beeton (lost_romance) wrote in toujoursliberer,
@ 2008-06-26 20:54:00

Entry tags:

louisa_beeton, plot

Rooms for Rent
Who:Louisa Beeton
Item: Advertisement in a local newspaper
Open to: All.

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willferrars
2008-06-27 04:55 pm UTC (link)

Will had purchased a paper sometime earlier in the morning, more to keep up with the local happenings than anything else. Didn't do well to keep out of the know in your own city, which he was at this point, unfortunately. Thanks to being stuck on a boat or in a foreign country for so long. So, with paper tucked beneath his arm, he'd made his way to a local shop where he might find himself a place to sit and perhaps a cup of tea.

He'd read through the current events when an ad placed among the stories stuck out at him. A room for rent. He was currently living out of an inn while looking for a flat of his own. He hadn't needed a large place in which to live, since it was quite likely that he'd be sent out to sea soon enough anyway. Perhaps this might work out better. So once he'd finished his tea, he again tucked the paper beneath his arm (after memorizing the address given) and started off towards Bayswater Road. It didn't take him very long before he found himself standing in front of a modest building. He stood for a moment, looking it over before making his way to the front door and knocking. With that, he stepped back, linking his hands behind his back as he waited for a reply.

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lost_romance
2008-06-27 06:16 pm UTC (link)

Louisa opened the door, calling back over her shoulder for the maid to put the kettle on before she turned her attention to the man on the doorstep, wiping her hands on her apron.

"Hello, Louisa Beeton." She said, offering her hand to him. "I'm afraid we've been tidying for most of the morning so you'll have to excuse my state." Louisa brushed the hair from her face that had fallen loose of her bun. She looked at the newspaper tucked under his arm. "Come about the rooms for rent then? Come in and wipe your feet. The girl will make tea."

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willferrars
2008-06-27 06:24 pm UTC (link)

Will looked up when the door opened, fixing a polite smile on his face when Louisa revealed herself. He accepted her hand, giving it a quick shake. "William Ferrars, ma'am," he said in greeting, replacing his hands behind his back again. He gave a simple nod at her apology for her appearance, though he honestly didn't care. He'd been at sea, so he'd seen people at their worst. A messed up hair-do because of a bit of work didn't offend him a bit.

He gave a nod when she asked about the room. "Indeed I am, ma'am. I've been living out of an inn for the past few days and would wish to find a place a little more suitable," he said as he followed her inside, making sure to wipe his feet as he'd been told.

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lost_romance
2008-06-27 06:34 pm UTC (link)

Louisa lead him through into a modest parlour, indicating to him to sit in one of the chairs. There was a mirror on the wall and she re-pinned her hair quickly before taking the seat across from him.

"Well, I can offer you a decent room - a bed, wardrobe, wash stand with mirror and a small desk, and two meals a day, although not lunch unless it's Sunday as I said in the advertisement. You'd get clean linens once a week and if you left the clothes you wanted washing I could see to those as well." She said.

"I don't rent to married couples. If you're courting you may bring your lady friend back to the parlour here but you are not to take any women upstairs. I don't rent those sorts of rooms, I hope you understand. And I have a curfew of eleven unless arrangements are made before hand. I lock the doors then." Louisa believed it was better to get to the matter in hand than be lax upon the rules. It saved any misunderstandings that might arise.

"Other than that, rent is negotiable. What line of work are you in Mr. Ferrars?"

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willferrars
2008-06-27 06:53 pm UTC (link)

William followed the woman through into the parlour, pausing only a moment when she motioned for him to have a seat. He did so, setting the paper across his lap as he curiously glanced around. It wasn't anything horribly fancy, the parlour, but it was quite nice to him. He'd spent his childhood in a theatre and on a ship, so perhaps his standards were a little off-skew with the rest of society. Still, it seemed nice enough and very well-kept.

He looked up when she turned back to him, sitting directly across from him. He listened as she spoke, telling her rules and requirements. Which weren't unreasonable, really. The no-women rule wasn't going to be much of a problem for him, since he wasn't courting. The one person he'd have like to be given that status for was beyond his reach. That was a personal issue though, and one he wasn't likely to bring up with a prospective landlady. He gave a small nod when she wrapped up. "Sounds reasonable enough. And I'm a commander in his Royal Majesty's Navy, ma'am. Just returned from sea."

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lost_romance
2008-06-27 07:07 pm UTC (link)

Louisa smiled at him, softening almost instantly.
"A commander? And just returned? We can certainly set a special rate then for you, sir. I always believe we should treat our service men with great kindness. After all, you brave your lives for us."

The door open and the maid entered with a small pot of tea, two dainty chin cups and a jug of milk balanced on a tray. She placed it on the table between them and back out the room quietly.

"How do you take your tea?" Louisa asked, reaching for the tea pot to pour for the both of them.

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willferrars
2008-06-27 07:23 pm UTC (link)

William noticed the sudden change in her demeanor when he revealed that he was a naval officer. To Will, it was still a relief to see that some people still respected the occupation. After his run-in with the ever-insulting family of Claire, he'd been a bit unsure whether or not it was still considered a 'decent' occupation. He'd rue the day where it became a laughingstock.

He smiled and inclined his head to her slightly. "I don't wish to be given any sort of special treatment, ma'am. You have a living to make yourself. Just name your price and I shall see if I find it within my budget," he said, glancing up as the maid entered. He nodded his thanks to her before turning back to Louisa. "Just a spot of milk, if you please," he said, leaving out the fact that he'd just had tea an hour or so prior. No matter. Walking had made certain that he wasn't going to complain about being offered a drink.

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	lost_romance 2008-06-27 07:39 pm UTC (link)
	"Four guineas a month," Louisa said, pouring the tea into on of the little china cups and topping it up with a small dash of milk before pushing it across the table towards him. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	willferrars 2008-06-29 06:11 am UTC (link)
	He again nodded his thanks when she pushed the tea to him, taking a moment to stir it idly as he considered the offer. Four guineas was more than some people made in several months. Still, it wasn't a bad price for his own salary. He took a small sip of the tea before giving another nod. "That sounds fair." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	lost_romance 2008-06-29 10:52 am UTC (link)
	"Do we have a deal then, Mr. Ferrars?" She asked, taking a sip of her own tea - neither milk nor sugar added. "If so when you finish your cup I'll show you to the room that'll be yours. Rent on the third Sunday of every month." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	willferrars 2008-07-02 12:11 am UTC (link)
	Will thought on it a moment, idly glancing around the sitting room again as he did. The home itself seemed decent enough for the price she was asking. Plus Louisa seemed like a kind woman, and not the sort to nose in his business. Finally, after a moment, he gave a slow nod. "Yes, ma'am. I do believe we have a deal." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	lost_romance 2008-07-03 12:39 pm UTC (link)
	Louisa smiled, setting down her cup. "Good. If I could take the first payment up front," She looked around the room, hand reaching up to pat her hair, making sure it was still in place. (Reply to this) (Parent)