August 1714

Baldwin was walking down the streets of London on his way to a meeting when he met HER. He hated London, it was dirty and full of too many people. It did not help that it was summer and the heat made the stench of the city even more unbearable even though he was on the supposedly cleaner west side of the continuing growing city. Philippe had sent him to finish negotiating a deal with a business man who had recently become a very powerful player within the city. Baldwin had met the man on a previous trip and found him dull and too full of his own importance. So he was walking the streets grumbling to himself and did not see her until he knocked into her. He felt someone bump up against him and turned to berate the idiot that he should watch where he is going when he stopped. Instead of another gentleman he saw a small girl sitting in the street. She looked up at him and he realized his mistake at her age, that she was not a girl but a young woman with the most exquisite pair of blue eyes. Upon seeing Baldwin, panic flashed across her face. "So sorry sir. All my fault sir," she said as she struggled to stand back up. "Here let me help you," Baldwin said extending his hand down to her. She looked at it skeptically before putting her own hand in his. As he pulled her up he could feel instead of softness a roughness to her palms that came from hard labor. If her accent had not given her away as one the poor souls who inhabited the other side of the city, her clothes certainly would have. They were of poor quality and looked as though they had been mended many times over. Despite the dirt that covered her clothes and some of her face he could smell the most pleasant scent of a spring rain wafting off of her."So sorry sir. It is all my fault sir," she said again giving a small curtsy. "No it was my fault," Baldwin corrected, "I was not paying attention to where I was going." "If you excuse me sir, I need to be on my way home," she said watching him with apprehension."Of course," Baldwin said and gestured for her to be on her way. He watched her head down the street until she disappeared into the crowd. He then continued on his way putting her in the back of his mind for now.

Baldwin could feel his patience waning. This really only should have taken a couple of hours but it was almost evening and they had barely even started negotiations after many delays by his host. Now the man was suggesting they stop for the day and inviting Baldwin out to his favorite tavern. "As your host in this great city I insist you come along. It will be no problem at all. You really must be my special guest. I will make it worth your while." The man was saying while putting on his hat, gloves, and coat. "Since you insist I guess I have no choice" Baldwin replied. "That's the spirit!" the man said enthusiastically while patting Baldwin on the shoulder before heading out the door. Baldwin followed and joined the man in his carriage. "You are going to enjoy this place," the man babbled on once they were on their way, "they have everything a man could want when he wants a good night out away from his wife." Baldwin could only think that his wife must be a saint to put up with a man like his companion. He was an older, portly man who obviously enjoyed too much food and too much drink. "Good food, good alcohol, and also the most beautiful ladies for your pleasure if you know what I mean," the man added with a wink.

As they exited the carriage Baldwin observed their destination was a tavern located east of The City just outside the walls not far from the river or the tower. It was tucked between two other buildings so that it was almost hidden from the street except for the lantern hanging by the door. As they entered the establishment they were greeted by the proprietor, who at once recognized Baldwin's host, "Good to see you again sir on this fine evening. Your usual table is available." "That is just grand. And two of the usuals for me and my friend here." "Of course sir." The proprietor beckoned with his hand for a young woman from the bar area to come over. She curtsied to the two men before showing them to a table in the middle of the room. The young woman then returned to the table with two beers. "Is there anything else I can do for you sir?" She asked. "Not right now, but maybe later tonight," the man replied winking at the girl as she curtsied and left their table. "A beautiful girl, Maisy. She's one of my favorites," the man said to Baldwin, "A toast then," raising his glass, "To our good health, to a good night, and to these negotiations!" Baldwin raised his own glass up to his companion's but without much enthusiasm. As he was taking a sip of his beer a whiff of fresh rain hit his nostrils. He turned in the direction of the scent and across the room spotted the woman from earlier serving another table. At that moment the man she was serving wrapped his arm around her waist, this made Baldwin's blood boil and it took all of his self control not to go and rip the man's arm off. The man whispered something in her ear and she pretended to laugh. "See something you like?" His host asked, noticing that Baldwin's attention had been diverted away from him. "Awwww, that is Alice," he said finally finding who Baldwin was watching, "She's a favorite among many of the men here. She's just alright, too skinny for me. Let me introduce her to you." The man said getting up from the table before Baldwin could decline. His host returned a few minutes later with the woman, whose name he now knew to be Alice. A flicker of recognition flashed in her eyes as she curtsied and said, "A pleasure making your acquaintance sir." "Will she do? She is all yours for the night unless you decline then Old Jerry has a claim on her," his host said. "Then Old Jerry will have to be disappointed," Baldwin said standing up, "What time shall I call on you tomorrow?" He asked his host. The man thought for a minute before replying, "I will send you a note as to the time and place." He then left the table and Baldwin was pretty sure he had gone to search for the barmaid from earlier. Baldwin then offered his arm to Alice with a smile, "Shall we?" She hesitated at first but then smiled as she took his arm and Baldwin led her outside to the street. "I have a room around the corner. If you would like to go there?" she offered once they were outside. "I would like to take you to my house on the other side of the city. If that's okay with you?" Baldwin said as he hailed a coach. "As you wish, sir," she replied as Baldwin helped her into the coach.