[Open] Lunch at the Hen | Midday, Saturday 24th September 1678

[James Winchester]

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HENS TOES

Settled comfortably on the main street of the town of Windsor, High Street, the Hen's Toes is a neatly turned out establishment, clearly catering to a more well-mannered class of person than the local country folk. A Tudor facade gives way to a comfortable common room upon first entry, scattered with tables and chairs rather than the more rustic benches that might be found in the local tavern. A roaring hearth dominates the right side of the room, staving off the deep winter chill. A few comfortable chairs accompanied by small side tables offer best access to its warmth. Beside it, a flight of stairs leads up to the floors above, where the sparse but clean guest rooms are located. On the other side of the room, an inconspicuous doorway leads to a private dining room.

Behind the bar one might find either Mr Clarke, a middle aged, stocky man whose rugged demeanour hides his gregarious, jovial nature, or his wife, whose beady eyes keep close eye on all goings on within the establishment.

The Hen's Toes was busy at lunch time, hardly surprising given that the place was fully booked, as was every other form of accomodation in Windsor. Everyone needed to eat and not everyone had brought their full household nor in possession of a kitchen. James had wisely booked himself a small table near the fire, from where he could eat his lunch and idly people-watch at the same time. The food was good; not a patch on the Red Lion's carrot and oyster pie, but the clay-baked fish with bred and salat was proving eminently acceptable, together with a glass of a local wine. Following his morning ride he'd found he had quite an appetite. Cecil was right. Coming here was the thing to do. It hadn't felt right, leaving Noni and Rachelle's graveside back in Wales, but sometimes a bit of distance granted perspective. 

James thought he might have recognised one or two of the faces coming and going, though he'd not been present at each open court and hadn't seem some folk in quite some time, so he wasn't certain. He found that, after encountering the inestimable Lord Mountjoy that morning, he was looking forward to renewing old acquaintances, and hopefully making some new ones. He wasn't looking forward to the first time he needed to converse with the King, which with any luck would be quite some time before it happened. But one kept a stiff upper lip and continued. And focused on the fish and the comings and goings of people. 

[Louis Killington]

He had sent his manservant, Thomas, a note but the man had not responded yet. It was unlike him. Louis had rented a small room at the inn for his man, allowing his darkie maid to take care of him in his castle room, more ways than one.  Now that Lisa was back, Diana was relegated to the inn room and Thomas would need to come back and assist him to dress in the morning and for the masque. 

Louis searched the common room for his man, in case he was enjoying a lunch.  The man received extra coin to collect information, and to live better than many servants.  So, it was possible the man bought himself a fine lunch and was overhearing conversations.  There was no sign of the man, but Louis recognized the small frame of James Winchester.  They had known each other briefly and then he had married Mignonette in some sort of travesty permitted by a angry Duchess of Savoy.  Noni was a simpleton, but her blood line should have fetched a noble husband. Instead, the Duchess gave her to the first commoner that came by, at least in Basildon's opinion.  He had supported Noni's bid to be Queen of England. and was rewarded for it with a fine building.

Curiosity got the better of him and he moved to Winchester's table.  "Doctor Winchester?  I had not expected to see you here."  It occurred to him in that moment that the good doctor had received some sort of title as a wedding gift from the King, but the name of the estate eluded him at the moment.