Page 22 of When the Duke Met His Match

As he expected, his father said nothing about it, refraining from commenting. He merely gave him a small look of acknowledgment and took a few pensive steps into the room.

When his triumphs and greatest accomplishments weren’t being discussed over dinner or any other gathering, his father refused to touch the topic. It was like it was a sore that had gone untended, something he was afraid to reopen for fear of feeling that loss all over again.

Regardless, it seemed to deflect him enough for Theophilus to conceal his erratic behavior since he kissed Odette.

His father cleared his throat and clasped his hands over his belly. “Now that the war is over, I advise you to pay more attention to your future.”

“But it has only just ended,” he returned, eyebrows pinched. “Surely it can wait.”

“The future will not wait, and neither will your duties as duke.”

Theophilus sighed and ran a hand through his hair, wondering how to weasel out of the conversation he had been dreading.

“Lady Ariana won’t sit around waiting for you forever, and her father is already asking about a proposal,” his father murmured, eyes set with his seriousness. “You would be a fool to pass up on such a comely woman. If you delay any longer, she will be spoken for.”

The “comely” woman he spoke of scarcely sent a glance in Theophilus’ direction each time they met and cared more for his father’s retellings than anything else. Despite being an appealing young woman, Lady Ariana had been rather dull for his taste.

She’s nothing like Odette.

Forcing the thought from his mind, he shrugged off his father. “I don’t have time to think about all that. I’m too preoccupied with work.”

“You will make time,” his father demanded, his face hardened with conviction. “You cannot wait any longer.”

“But I am serving my country, father. Is that not enough?”

“Enlisting your services as an officer was merely a way to develop yourself as a man in society. With the war over, you won’t be needed. When the men return home, your position will be covered, and you will soon become duke,” he murmured, his gaze intense as he spoke. “You have served your country; now serve your family as its leader. You will need to start one of your own and teach your children to be fine young men and ladies. But first, you must take a wife. Don’t make Lady Ariana wait and desire anyone other than you.”

By the time he finished, he was red in the face and sucking in a deep breath.

Theophilus couldn’t think of anything else to say while the irritation bubbled beneath his skin. He hated the idea of having his choices laid out for him, forced to pick between his father’s expectations and his own desires.

Seemingly finished, his father went to leave the bedroom, but he hesitated and turned on his heel. He dug through the pocket of his protruding waistcoat and retrieved a small envelope. “This letter just arrived for you. Lieutenant Wright said it was urgent.”

Through the darkness of his room, save what light came from the candles and lamps scattered about, Theophilus blinked back at his father. Wordlessly, he snatched the letter and shuffled it between his hands.

His father nodded once. “Think of what I said.”

He didn’t bother to watch as his father left the room. He could hardly wait until the door was securely closed before tearing it open. His heart thrummed in his chest.

His eyes scanned the short note again and again, hoping he had read it wrong. He suddenly didn’t trust his ability to read, as if that would make the letter's contents any different.

Moonlight spilled into the bedroom and cast shadows along with the candlelight, reminding him that most of London would soon be tucked away in their beds, awaiting the morning.

But his stomach was in knots. He couldn’t mistake what Lieutenant Wright said.

Odette was to be deported the following morning.

He was out of time.

Chapter Thirteen

ODETTE

Silence moved through the prison, aside from her fellow cellmates' occasional cough and murmur. A few snored and rustled in their sleep, but Odette couldn’t bring herself to give in.

Sleep was the last thing she was concerned about. She knew something was wrong from the sinking feeling in her gut, but she didn’t know what. Aside from what Theophilus had told her about being deported, she was completely in the dark.

She wondered if being sent home would truly be that awful. To the English, it was a punishment suitable for a traitor, but it had been her home once. It was the very place she fought for, even if she had failed them.