The Doctor grinned as he put on his long brown coat over his suit jacket. Renaissance France was definitely civilisation! But then he paused as he operated the TARDIS doors and remembered Reinette and his last visit to this time period. He frowned; he had been hurt by becoming too involved; but not again.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

he Doctor strolled through the fabulous gardens as they grew darker and marvelled at the wonderful topiaries, delicate arches entwined with leaves, sumptuous rosebushes of every imaginable colour and scent, and the extensive, manicured lawns. Whoever owned the magnificent palace before him certainly knew their way around a trowel!

The Doctor reached a set of large and ornate wooden doors and knocked on them confidently, glancing around at the elegant stonework of the palace. To his surprise and delight, the doors opened after only a few seconds to reveal a young male servant wearing a smart embroidered jacket, blue pantaloons and stockings, and with a light grey powdered wig.

The Doctor grinned with amusement at the servant and stowed away his unused psychic paper in his jacket. Then he put his hands into his pockets and walked confidently into the huge, magnificent marble hallway. Several doors led off from the hall and a huge staircase in the centre of the room led up to a surrounding gallery. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling.

As the Doctor looked around, another man opened one of the doors and entered the hall, walking towards the Doctor with a welcoming smile on his face. The man was handsome with a square jaw, close-cut dark hair that was just starting to turn grey, and dressed very elegantly, complete with a royal-blue silken coat. He gave a short bow in front of the Doctor. 'Ah,

'Indeed, but it is no matter. You will find a room prepared upstairs.' The man clapped his hands together and the servant that opened the door for the Doctor appeared next to them and gave a short bow. 'Henri will show you the way,' the aristocrat smiled, 'until tomorrow then?'

Amused and slightly bewildered by the French aristocrat’s instant acceptance of him, the Doctor was for once a little lost for words, so he just smiled and gave a short bow instead. 'Thank you, I’m most grateful.'

His host just nodded in return. 'Not at all, sleep well.' He then turned and walked across the hallway and through another door leaving the Doctor alone with Henri.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

his way, monsieur' said the manservant politely as he gestured towards the stairs. After a brief hesitation for the Doctor to follow, Henri started up the marble sweeping staircase and onto the gallery.

The Doctor glanced at the many paintings on the walls next to the staircase as he followed Henri up the stairs. Most were portraits of regal men and women; others depicted scenes of riders hunting through woodlands astride magnificent horses and followed by faithful hounds. As he climbed the stairs, the Doctor also admired the superb crystal chandelier that hung from the ornately decorated ceiling.

More doors and corridors led off from the gallery. Henri walked along one of the long corridors before stopping at one of the ornate wooden doors. He opened it and then stood to one side to let the Doctor enter. 'Your room monsieur?' he said respectfully.

The Doctor smiled delightedly. 'Merci, Henri.' The servant bowed again solemnly and then walked away along the corridor and then down the stairs, leaving the Doctor alone.