My husband bought a Windsor Knight road bike (his was right around $700 I think) just over a year ago from bikesdirect.com, the only thing he's done is add aero bars, it also was his first road bike and has been a great bike. I've went to several rides with him and have never seen another Windsor, but like I said he really likes it and has no regrets.
I had been riding a 04 Giant Cypress (hybrid/comfort bike) but when I started getting 30+ mile rides in my husband wanted to get me a road bike, like you I didn't want to invest a lot of money up front, we lucked into a new 03 Fuji Sagres at a LBS for $300, great deal for a beginner roadie I think. At that price I won't mind upgrading in a couple of years.
Good luck and have fun riding.