Ushering them towards the parlour, Louisa went quickly to the kitchen and filled the sink with water from a bucket kept by the door, scrubbing at her hands with a tough bristled brush until the water was dirty from the ink but her hands were clean.
“Polly, bring us some tea in a moment when you’re clean yourself.” She said to the young maid as she came back into the room, her hands and apron stained and the cloths she’d used to wipe up the mess as dark as pitch. “And put those in the washing pile. We’ll get to that before bed.”
She composed herself, hoping she looked every inch the respectable landlady that the strange woman with her interesting accent had called her. Entering the parlour she seated herself across from the young lady, smiling.
“Now, tell me your name and why you’re looking to rent a room here.” She said. The woman was obviously a little better socially than her normal renters. They never came with servants.