Dawdling for Danby (Noon on the 27th)- Xmas 1677

[Louis Killington]

The George Inn

 

Upon arrival the first thing a visitor would see is the white plaster and the black painted beams, as so many Tudor houses and inns that still survive till this day. The ground floor looked like any Inn would, with the stables just to the side. The courtyard, with other houses enclosing it, was filled with wooden tables and benches.

 

The first floor had a nice gallery, with a separate stairs outside, allowing visitors to not use the common room if they would prefer not to, yet it still ended in the courtyard so it offered little privacy from watching eyes.

 

A big painted sign, showing St. George combating the dragon, the patron saint of England, declared this to be "George Inn".

 

Inside was a normal common room if a tad rectangular and long stretched which was to be expected due the shape of the building. The bar was one like all others, with many taps and a suitable number of tables. The patrons were a mix of locals and one or two gentry from nearby manors or mansions. There are two serving wenches, very pretty French sisters (Minette and Yvette), serving the guests and behind the bar the burly figure of the bartender, Master George Hughes. His wife Margret can be found in the kitchen, supervising. She also attends the rooms.

 

The rooms were of different sizes, there being only three floors of them, ten rooms in total with two very large ones on the first two floors. The third level was new and sported two large well furnished suites for the gentry with balconies offering excellent views of the Thames. One was available for rent while the other was leased on a permanent basis by an unknown court figure.

 

After breakfast with Buckingham, it was off to Chelsea to see if the Lord Treasurer would appear. Basildon had a black fur coat, open in front, and an ermine lined tricorn hat, now resting at his side on the table. A glass of brandy stood sentinel between him and the chair across from him. Mr. Hughes kept a special supply for the owner.

 

Both girls came to kiss Louis and to collect a gold sovereign each as a New Year's present. The sisters had lived with him for almost two years, ostensibly as his maids. Most of their best cleaning, however, came in his bed. Once he was married, he was obliged to find a place for the girls he cherished, ensuring that they were very well compensated. Hughes hired additional girls, but these two were special. He had invited both to sit on his knee, kiss him merrily and tell him of their adventures so far this season. If not for his darkie slave Diana, he might frequent his suite on the third floor more often and have a regular daily shag with the two of them. He was tempted to have a roll with them anyway if Danby did not show.

 

Louis knew that he was being watched by both Buckingham and Danby's spies, if not others. He played the game of trying to identify which patrons were spies and which ones were regulars. He had brought along Thomas Bromhill, his servant, to sit across the way. The girls would know him well too, but he urged them to ignore him because he was there to be additional eyes and to follow Danby if necessary.

 

For now, there was little to do but continue to wait, and to watch the patrons ... .

[Louis Killington]

It seemed like an eternity but it had been much shorter. It appeared as if Danby would not show. Buckingham had been correct it seemed, much as it pained Louis to admit it. Danby is a coward he thought to himself as he collected his brandy and made his way to his third floor suite. Perhaps some familiar female company would help him brighten his mood temporarily ... .

 

 

~finis

[Defiance]

Whilst Louis was enjoying himself with some female company, a note was slipped underneath the door.

 

If there are things more important, you did not think I would wait to see what would come? You have made your choice, and I am long gone from this place.

 

The astute earl might note that if Danby was aware he had met with Buckingham, the missive would have been far more vitriolic and said in a way to gloat of such knowledge that Basildon would treat with his enemy firsrt. As it as, the man had deigned to term Louis' business as generic "things more important." That was probably quite telling.