Page 12 of When the Duke Met His Match

She watched him closely as he approached without saying anything. Theophilus moved closer to the table and reached for the chair. He dropped himself onto it and met her gaze. His face lacked his previous mischief.

She discarded her willingness to play their games when he didn't react. “You can’t keep me here without proper cause or evidence.”

The officer absently tapped his fingers against the table, not removing his eyes from her. “I’m afraid that isn’t the case for you, Miss Toussaint. We have all the evidence we need to keep you locked up, and we have an old friend of yours to thank for that.”

Her chest tightened at the words, but she tried her best not to react. The strike of panic that scurried down her spine was enough to make her stiffen.

He could be lying to force me to speak, she thought to herself. He’s trying to make me give up hope.

She needed to be careful in her position.

Theophilus sighed and leaned against the chair. “Why do you keep holding on?” he asked, voice softening. “Clearly, not all your comrades share your sense of loyalty. Why are you protecting the same people that would betray you without hesitation?”

Anger spiked in her blood, and Odette forced herself to breathe through it. She gritted her teeth at him. “I’m not protecting anyone. I’m fighting for the freedom of my country and people. It is more than refusing to speak.”

Whether he was telling the truth or not, she wouldn’t give them up. She needed to stay strong.

The officer shook his head, seemingly disapproving of her strong will. “Is it truly worth it? Is it worth risking your life for a cause that may never come to fruition?”

The very thought made her stomach fill with dread and remorse. If she weren’t locked up and kept from her family’s assets, she could’ve done more to help. She could’ve supplied the French with more weapons and funds. But none of that was possible from within the prison.

If they were to fail, Odette knew she was partially to blame. They needed her, and it felt like she was letting them down.

“You wouldn’t understand,” she muttered, turning away from him. The pain in her heart made it difficult for her to breathe.

She only ever wanted to help—to support the cause that meant everything to her.

Theophilus’ laugh tore her from her thoughts, and she glared at him. The smirk on his face irked her.

“You’re the one underestimating me,” he returned, words scornful.

Odette didn’t care to know what he meant. Rather, she averted her eyes and shook her head, refusing to encourage the conversation further. She wanted all the distance she could get without being back in her cell.

“What’s your story, Odette?”

His voice was like water—smooth and almost refreshing. It made her shiver.

But his words caught her attention. Looking back at him with her brows pinched together, the question startled her. To make matters worse, his stare froze her in place, and she couldn’t look away no matter how hard she tried to. It was like he commanded her attention without having to ask for it.

She swallowed against the lump in her throat and tried to think back to where it all started and how she had gotten herself into that mess.

The memories of home, her real home, rushed to her without requiring much encouragement—the people she used to know, the fields she frolicked in, and the food she divulged in. Beyond that, all of her fondest moments happened in France. She hated the idea of others like her missing out on those beautiful moments all because of the English crown.

But Theophilus’ expectant stare tore her from those thoughts, and Odette sighed. She hardened her gaze.

“If this is your attempt to make me speak, it isn’t going to work.”

While she expected some sort of sarcastic remark from him, he only sighed and softened his gaze just enough to have her wondering what his angle was. “Listen to me well, Odette. Those names are your only ticket out of here. Until then, you will spend your days here for the foreseeable future. The least we can do is get to know each other.”

Irritated by his relaxed tone, she pulled her eyes away and tightly folded her arms. “What is the point in that? I have no interest in getting to know my enemy.”

Theophilus chuckled and absently stroked his chin. “It is fortunate for you that your enemy is so generous. Allow me to propose a deal.”

Odette sighed and chanced a look in the officer’s direction, desiring not to seem too desperate for an offer of any kind. She saw only sincerity in those hazel eyes. “What kind of deal?”

The corner of his lip pulled up. “I will answer one of your questions if you promise to answer one of mine. We will alternate to be fair.”

The laugh came from her chest before she could stop it, and she struggled to speak through it. “That is ridiculous.”