The horses were only too ready to gallop and they kept, where possible, away from the High Road and in the fields.
The Duke thought that Oleta looked rather wistfully at some of the woods they passed.
He had no intention of risking their meeting another highwayman or leaving it too late to find comfortable beds for the night.
It was in fact nearly six o’clock before they reached a pretty village, a little larger than the one where they had had luncheon.
Here there was the inevitable village green and an inn facing it.
There was a spacious courtyard and a row of eight stalls for horses and the Duke saw with relief that they were empty.
He chose what he thought were the best and largest for Apollo and Sir Galahad.
Inside the inn an ancient oak staircase led up to the bedrooms and the
