Adam woke with the dawn, as per his usual.  The room was cold, the fire having gone to naught but embers, and gray light was seeping through the windows making it seem even colder.  He wasn't sure how much sleep he had had, not much that was certain.  

Ren had a bowl of steaming hot water ready right on time and Adam rattled off a long set of instructions to his valet then quickly set to his morning ablutions.  Dressed, pressed, and  finally alert Adam headed downstairs.  He wore a well tailored suit, he always wore a well tailored suit, but without the formality of an intricately tied cravat he looked somehow lazy; relaxed.  He wasn't of course, he was still running scenarios of probability in his mind as he thought over the day's problems.   He had a few things he had to do still before breakfast and set to them with vim and vigor.  There was a lot to do and not a lot of time, but having a plan in place and actually in action made him feel infinitely better.     

He usually took breakfast in his rooms, as Master of the society he had a bit more comfort and space than the other members, but since he invited others he didn't wish them in his private quarters.  He had the dining hall emptied  so he could have privacy as he talked with the few members he had invited to join him.  Other non-invited members, what few chose to breakfast here, were provided meals in a smaller salon off the main dining hall.  He wasn't even sure how many would show up for breakfast, but he suspected they would all trickle in eventually; he had chosen a late breakfast time just for such an eventuality.  He hated to allow his guests to go hungry and he wanted to allow them plenty of time to accomplish whatever they needed to before attending the meeting.   

The table he chose was small for such a large dining hall, but there were other tables dotting the room, usually occupied by other members.  And the table was plenty big enough for the gathering he had called.  He felt a spur of emptiness as he strolled into the silent room but that was soon banished as servants descended and laid the table.  Boiled eggs, crispy fried fish, toast, butter, jam, apple tarts, pickled vegetables, olives, and a plate of pale yellow cheese soon filled the table.  This was followed by a large pot of very hot coffee and a carafe of very chilled milk.  Adam had also ordered croissants for the the occasion, they were a challenge to make but one of the cooks on staff had lived and worked in Paris for a time and had learned.  She had turned out rich, buttery, fluffy masterpieces today and Adam almost drooled.       

He was sitting alone at the head of the table as he dug into the extensive breakfast, but he did not remain alone for long. When he spotted Johanna approaching Adam stood politely.  Ben was not far on her heels and both strolled into the room. 

“Ahh, Miss Johanna, Ben, Please join me” said Adam with a smile at the other two, once he had swallowed his mouthful of food.  “I'm afraid I rather discourteously started without you but please feel free to make up for lost time.  You may sit where you so choose.”  

He waved his hand at the table which was set for 5, obviously others were invited that had yet to arrive.  Adam confirmed this with his next comment.

 “It is my hope others will be joining us soon.  I would prefer to wait to discuss the more serious matters until they do so.”

He nodded at Ben once before continuing. 

“I was uncertain if you would have the time to join us Ben but I took the liberty of ordering a rather chatty Jewish woman to cook a proper breakfast for you and bring it in from town.  I asked her to prepare such as what might be needed by a man who had spent a night in intense study.  She seemed...well...rather too delighted.  I have no idea what she brought but she had enough containers for at least 3 breakfasts.  I'm a little afraid actually.”  

While he was talking he had gestured to one of the servants as almost as soon as he finished a pair of servants returned laden with two large  baskets of food, each wrapped in a blanket to help preserve the proper temperature, which they carefully set on the end of the table for Ben to peruse.

“I hope there is something acceptable within” Adam said.  He waited for Johanna to sit before he himself sat down and returned to his own breakfast of croissant, fried fish, vegetables, and coffee.

He continued talking once he had settled.    

“There have been some intriguing problems in the city of late, and I am uncertain if they are society problems or not, however I would run them by you and see what your own opinions on the matter are.  For now though take time to refresh yourselves with food or drink as desired.  The servants will fetch tea or anything else I might have forgotten if you wish.”   

If the other's did not arrive by the time Adam finished his meal he would proceed as if they were not attending: he sincerely hoped that would not be the case however.