To Lord Basildon | After Reception

[Defiance]

When Lord Basildon returned to his rooms following the reception, he would find the following missive waiting for him.

 

Quote

Come join me in town at The White in the afternoon tomorrow.

Norfolk

 

The White was known to most all male courtiers, for it had well-appointed rooms that could be used for privacy, indulgent food and drink, and subtle courtesan-like ladies to be had for a hefty price. 

 

Unlike the Hen's Toes which had many rooms available and was jammed with courtiers, The White could only be booked for a private room during a Windsor season by the highest of nobles. It was a frequent place for secret assignations of all kinds, not just romantic, even if it functioned as a haunt for enterprising, rich Eton students looking for their first tumble when court was elsewhere.

[Louis Killington]

The reception had gone well enough and Louis sought to freshen himself for the afternoon.  The note was waiting for him, as was his darkie servant Diana.  She could not read, so his secrets were safe around her.  Thomas Bromhill, his manservant was already about his rounds in Windsor town. surveying the place for unusual guests and unusual gifts that might be acquired as a present for someone important.

The letter suggested a meeting at the White.  It was a perfect place for entertainment.  If he had not brought Diana with him, he might have been tempted to spend a considerable amount of his time at the White.  Yet, the meeting on the morrow was to speak of the Hill brothers and see if he might foist off his Dutch ward on one of Norfolk's bastards.  After reading the letter and his other correspondence, he knew where he would be on the morrow.

In the meantime, the thought of the White was getting him hungry.  It was almost lunch time anyway.  Diana and he had spent a good number of lunch times together at the offices of the West Indies Company.  Laying back on the bed, Louis called for Diana's attention.