Count The Stars

Chapter Two-3

The inside of the inn was in darkness. There was deep silence and no one appeared to be moving.

The Duke walked down the oak stairs on tiptoe and, when he reached the bottom, he went to the door opposite the dining hall, which he was sure was the way into the kitchen.

There was still no sound of movement or voices and he beckoned to Valora, who was standing in the doorway of his bedroom. She seemed almost to float down the stairs without making a sound.

He opened the door of the inn.

She slipped past him and he saw her run across the courtyard.

The Duke then went to the counter where the publican kept his ledger. He put down on it two guineas, then walked in a normal manner from the inn across the courtyard to the stables.

He expected that the servants and the outriders who had accom