... this has been. I peek my head into the doorway of the Inn Vino Veritas and I am dismayed to see that every table seems to be occupied.

Leaning my head against the doorjamb, I give a little moan. Will nothing go right this entire day? A wave of my hand dismisses Nikko and Lysandr, who slouch several paces away and slide their backs down the shop wall, coming to rest on their haunches. Even though the streets are well lit with torchlight and the Nightwatch patrols often, no respectable woman would dream of leaving the house unattended after dark.

Finally I spy Jodynn, the proprietress, making her rounds from table to table. Her evening help is serving at a run and in all likelihood, by the time this evening is over, they will be exhausted. A rough business -- I couldn't endure it. One of the servers tugs at her sleeve and points in my direction. I have been recognised then.
Jodynn makes her way through the crowded establishment with the ease born of long practice. "Morga," she smiles at me when at last she arrives at the doorway, her wide mouth creased in apparent delight, "how wonderful to see you!"

I give her a quick hug and kiss on the cheek. "And I'm so glad to be here," I smile back. I am quite fond of Jodynn. We are two businesswomen and we understand one another well. It doesn't hurt that I always direct our patrons to her shop when they enquire about good places to dine.

"Is there a chance to be seated sometime soon?" I know she can see the pleading in my eyes and hear the strain in my voice. This evening's events have quite undone me. I just had to get out of the Gynaceum, if even for only a small meal and to sample a new vintage or two.

The lady proprietress frowns slightly as she gazes about the shop. The tables are all taken, most of them crowded with patrons and their families and guests. Her eyes sweep by a choice location at the rear of the emporium, then come back to rest on a table with only one seated gentleman. Her lips curve into a small smile.

I surrender myself to Jodynn's good judgement as she takes me by the arm and ushers me to a table covered with platters of small foods and a large pitcher of wine. Two men lounge against the rear wall, a short distance away, one seeming to be a manservant, the other a guard.

My eyes take in the man who reclines on his couch with obvious ease and samples the various starters with delicacy. His manners and the style of his dress mark him as Continental and Northern. Not to mention that he is quite the handsomest thing I've seen in a long while. Intrigued, I look up at Jodynn, wondering what's next.

"My Lord," she begins after she's poured him another glass of that delicious white wine she got last week, "I would like to introduce you to one of Camulodonum's most notable ladies."

It's all I can do to keep from bursting into laughter... the minx has slurred notable so badly that it sounds like noble!

"Although I realise this is a rather unusual request, I wonder if I might importune you to allow the esteemed Morga to dine with you at your table." She lowers her voice to add a tone of confidentiality. "After all, I can't have a person of her class waiting for seating."

At his startled look, she smiles as only Jodynn can, and continues nonplussed. "And I do believe that you will enjoy each other's company. After all, there are few that rise to your level of culture."

Mentally, my eyes are rolling. What a saleswoman she's become. The handsome Northman grudgingly nods at the couch on his right, and, weak with suppressed laughter, I take my place there and allow Jodynn to assist me in draping my chiton in the most graceful of folds.

I am so glad I decided to dress for dinner...