CHAPTER FIVEBy the time they had saddled Aldora’s horse, put a bridle on Caesar and came out into the courtyard, dawn had broken.
Now the first pale fingers of the sun were sweeping away the last sable of the night and because of the rain the whole world smelt fresh and fragrant.
The Duke lifted Aldora into the saddle and then mounted his own horse.
There had been no sign of the publican and the Duke suspected that he had retired to bed, so he left a guinea on the table just inside the door.
It was gross overpayment for what they had received in the dirty inn, but he was grateful that he had found Aldora and did not have to go any further in search of her.
At the same time, as they rode away, the Duke was regretting that he could not go to India.
He knew that in the circumstances the
