Opinion didn't seem to be too against a constant drip feed of small scenes - its certainly encouraged me to spend most of this grey Sunday writing! So let's give that a go and see how it works :)
"What is it that you do in that small room near the kitchens, Jane? What do you do with all those dead leaves?" Caroline asked Jane one morning as they sat awaiting callers.
"The still room? It is part of the role of the mistress to prepare medications and various household items there," Jane answered. She really found it interesting how much Caroline did not know about an estate, not having grown up on one. She had not been aware of how different it was!
"But… is that not a servant's duty?"
"It is traditionally the role of the mistress. Perhaps it is because the medications are important, so you want to know they have been created by a very responsible person? And then the other items I make in there, the potpourri, the perfumes, the teas, just go along with it".
"You make perfume? But that does sound delightful! May I try some?"
Jane laughed, "Yes, of course. I actually had in mind a rose one that I like for you to try, although I don't have any rose petals yet. Its so hard starting up a new still room, I am missing so many things that I took for granted at home," she complained mildly to Caroline.
Jane was examining her correspondence on a portable desk while they talked, as they did not seem to have callers this morning. The knowledge of her preferred calling days had not made its way to all the ladies in the neighbourhood yet.
"Oh, I have a letter from Emma Hart. Lovely. Do you know her?" asked Jane.
"The Harts? Friends of Charles'?" Jane nodded. "I know them a little. They are nice. A little upright sometimes".
Jane smiled distractedly and began a cheerful response to Mrs Hart's letter.
More tomorrow...