Page 32 of When the Duke Met His Match

Odette tried to breathe, but her chest ached with each intake of air, turning her breathing frantic. The panic rose in her chest as she pressed a hand against her heart. She could feel the pressure of everything built within her, waiting to explode at any given moment.

Every beat of sadness, anger, and fear she felt since being locked away was bottled up inside of her, and it finally released the moment her chest was wracked with a sob.

Unable to hold it back, she moved her hand over her mouth in shame as tears fell from her eyes. They crawled down her cheeks, burning as they went. She shook and cried, hoping it was quiet enough not to alert his mother.

At once, Theophilus ran to her and wrapped his arms around her, pulling Odette to his chest. She cried against him, not caring how it made her look any longer. She instinctively clung to him and found herself not wanting to let go.

His warmth bled through to her, and she let it soothe her.

“Everything will be alright,” he murmured, letting his hands ghost up and down her back. “You just need to be strong. I’ll be there every step of the way.”

While it helped to know he wouldn’t leave her side, it only made her cry harder. Knowing he was sacrificing more than she could grasp, along with his pure loyalty, she could barely take it.

He simply held her while she let go of everything she had stored away to be strong and maintain her composure in that prison cell. After the sobs died down to deep breaths and tear-stained cheeks, she wiped at her eyes and peered up at him.

Her voice came out with a broken, meek sound. “Why are you doing all this for me? What have I done to deserve it?”

“You deserve everything and more.”

“But you don’t know that. You hardly know me, and yet you are willing to stop at nothing to help me. Why?”

Theophilus held her gaze for a moment as his hands moved to cup her cheeks, smiling softly at her with a light smile on his lips. Even in her broken state, he didn’t seem to judge her.

Before she could demand a response, he cut the space between them and crashed his lips onto hers.

That familiar feeling sparked life within her chest and warmed her entire body. She gripped his shirt harder and kissed him back, not willing to let her appreciation go unrecognized.

He pulled back enough to gaze down at her with his gentle hold on her face. “Does that answer your question?”

Heat moved through her cheeks, and Odette’s breath was stolen from the fierce sincerity in his eyes. He meant every word he said, and there was no way for her to deny that.

She tried to grapple with the yearning in her chest, startled by how simply he kissed her without question. She watched as he pulled away and moved toward the bed, where he reached for the satchel of provisions. He padded across the floor and grabbed a long coat hung there. He handed it to her, his eyes set with resolve.

“Follow my lead and stay quiet. We don’t have time to waste.”

She nodded and did what she was told, slipping her arms through the coat. As obediently and sure-footed as she could manage, Odette followed behind Theophilus as they left the room and snuck through the halls.

To her surprise, the estate was still quiet despite how the day would soon begin, and they were able to slip by the staff without being seen from where they worked and prepared breakfast.

Leaving through the secondary entrance, Theophilus urged her through and followed silently behind her.

Before long, she was able to let go of her held breath the moment they reached a road outside, bustling with noise and movement. She was grateful for the coat, which shielded her from the brisk morning.

They moved wordlessly toward the crowd, walking shoulder to shoulder with him to not drift apart.

Fortunately, none of the passersby paid them any mind.

Odette went to join the sea of people and carriages before she stopped, realizing the presence of his shoulder was gone. Furrowing her brows in question, she turned to find him standing with his back to her, gazing at the house.

A mournful expression replaced the determined look he had when they left, surely taking in a last look before they disappeared for good.

Her heart clenched at the sight, fully aware of the extent of his losses then. His childhood home, his family, his position, and any memories he shared throughout the years—he was forfeiting his future title and comforts, all because of her.

Those familiar feelings of guilt and worry rose within her once more, but she couldn’t let them get the better of her.

She slowly walked over to him and slipped her hand in his, just as he had the night before.

Theophilus jolted back to the present, and he glanced at her. A careful smile gleamed back at her. Whether it was to reassure her or himself, she didn’t question it.