The Duke's Unwanted Second Wife

Maurice pulled his hat lower over his head and glanced toward Toby, who was speaking with the woman at the reception desk of the rest house. He remained a short distance away, keeping his face partially concealed while Toby tried to obtain information about Garrett.

After a brief exchange, Toby stepped away from the counter and returned to him.

”They refused to give me any information about Garrett,” Toby said.

Maurice’s expression hardened slightly. He had expected the owner to be reluctant to reveal the whereabouts of a guest, especially to someone like Toby. Since they had failed to obtain the information discreetly, there was little reason to waste more time.

”This time, we will go together,” Maurice said.

He followed Toby back to the reception desk and stopped before the young woman seated behind it.

”I would like to speak with the owner,” Maurice said.

The woman looked up from the large entry ledger spread across the counter.

”Sir, I am afraid the owner isn’t here at present,” she replied politely. ”He stepped out some time ago.”

Maurice studied her for a moment before leaning slightly over the counter. He gave it a gentle knock with his knuckles, drawing her full attention.

”I am a man in the service of the Duke of Varos.”

He reached inside his coat and produced an identification token bearing the Duke’s authority. The moment the woman saw it, her expression changed. Such tokens were not given to ordinary servants. They were issued only to those trusted by members of the highest nobility and carried considerable authority.

Maurice placed the token on the counter where she could clearly see it.

”I need to know whether a man named Garrett is staying at this rest house,” he said firmly. ”The matter concerns the Duke himself, so I expect your cooperation.”

The woman’s eyes flickered nervously toward the token.

”I... I understand, sir.”

”You should also understand that withholding information in a matter concerning the Duke could have consequences,” Maurice continued. His voice remained calm, but there was enough warning in it to make his meaning clear. ”If you refuse to cooperate, I may be forced to take you into custody until the matter is investigated.”

The woman immediately shook her head.

”No, sir. There is no need for that. I will check the records at once.”

She quickly turned the large ledger toward herself and began flipping through the pages. Her fingers moved hurriedly over the names of the guests until she suddenly stopped.

”Here,” she said, placing her finger on an entry. ”Yes, there is a guest registered under the name Garrett.”

Maurice’s gaze fell to the page.

”What room?”

”Room 403,” she answered promptly.

”Go there and make certain that he opens the door for you,” Maurice instructed Toby. ”Do not let him see me until you have confirmed that it is Garrett.”

The receptionist stepped out from behind the counter and led them toward the staircase. She guided them up to the fourth floor, where a narrow corridor stretched along a row of numbered rooms.

When they reached Room 403, Maurice stopped.

He motioned for the woman to remain behind a nearby pillar, where she would be out of sight. He then turned to Toby and pointed toward the door.

”Go ahead.”

Toby swallowed nervously. He had known from the beginning that leading Maurice to Garrett would be dangerous, but standing outside the very room where Garrett was staying made the danger feel much more real.

He took a few hesitant steps toward the door and glanced back at Maurice.

Maurice gave him a firm nod.

Toby turned around again, raised his hand, and knocked.

Inside the room, Garrett was seated at a small writing table, preparing another message intended for Damian. The knock interrupted him, and his hand stopped above the paper.

He frowned and looked toward the door.

Who could be there at this hour? Maybe the staff from the rest house.

After setting down his pen, Garrett rose from his chair and crossed the room. He opened the door cautiously, only to find Toby standing outside.

His eyes widened in surprise.

He recognized him immediately. Toby was the same man Garrett had hired only the previous day to deliver a message to the cottage where Damian had been staying.

”What are you doing here?” Garrett asked, unable to hide his shock. Garrett stepped out of the room and immediately glanced down both ends of the hallway, checking to make sure no one was watching. Seeing no one nearby, he turned back to Toby.

He seized Toby by the collar and pushed him against the wooden wall.

”What is this?” Garrett demanded, keeping his voice low. ”Don’t tell me you have come back asking for more money.”

”Garrett!”

The familiar voice made him release Toby at once.

Garrett turned sharply toward the sound and found Maurice standing a short distance away. Recognition flashed across his face when he realized that the man was one of Damian’s bodyguard.

Before Garrett could understand why Maurice was there or reach for anything, Maurice stepped forward and struck him hard across the face.

The blow sent Garrett stumbling sideways. He lost his balance and collapsed onto the floor, unconscious.

Toby and the receptionist both gasped at the sudden turn of events.

Maurice wasted no time. He bent down, seized Garrett, and pulled him upright. Draping one of Garrett’s arms over his shoulder, he took most of the man’s weight.

”Let’s go,” he ordered Toby.

Toby quickly moved to the other side and helped Maurice support Garrett as they began dragging him down the corridor.

The receptionist, still startled by what had happened, hurried ahead of them and led them toward the rear staircase. She showed them the back entrance, which allowed them to leave the rest house without passing through the main reception area.

Maurice gave her a brief nod.

”Thank you.”

He and Toby then hurried outside with Garrett between them and made their way toward the carriage waiting nearby.