Page 38 of When the Duke Met His Match

Odette released a discreet breath, soothed by how much more peaceful it was there since most of the patrons were below them. She continued down the hall until Gisele gestured to the second last door.

“Here is your room. There is already water in the tub, should you like to wash up. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. You know where to find us.”

“We will, thank you,” Theophilus murmured, to which Odette chimed in with her own gratitude despite the exhaustion in her body.

Gisele nodded, then turned on her heel and returned down the steps. As she disappeared, Theophilus pushed the door open, and they both entered.

Once it was closed behind them, she took in the scarcely-decorated room, and while it wasn’t much, it was a significant improvement from the merchant carriage.

There was a closed window with faded curtains, a writing desk beneath it, and a double bed neatly made with a quilt draped over the end. A doorframe led to a small room with a washing tub.

Odette’s eyes widened at the realization they’d be sharing a bed once more, and she turned to face Theophilus, who seemed to notice it at the same time. She swallowed dryly.

He shrugged. “I did tell them we are married.”

“No pillows to separate us this time,” she murmured nervously, arms folded over her chest.

He pulled a small smile for her, surely aware of how scandalous such a thing would be in any other circumstance—if they were as involved in regular society and social circles as they were meant to be and not fugitives on the run.

All proper customs had been tossed away the moment Theophilus kissed her in the interrogation room and helped her escape. While sharing a bed warmed her ears, it wasn’t the worst thing they had done.

“I’m going to take a bath,” he said, pointing to the small room. “I won’t be long.”

“And I will get some sleep. The carriage ride was a little unforgiving,” she replied, rubbing at the back of her arms and realizing how sore she’d become over the course of the day.

Nodding, he reached for the buttons on his waistcoat and carefully undid them one by one on his way to the tub. He slipped out of the garment and began pulling at the rest of his clothes.

Odette froze at the sight of it, trying her hardest not to look while she moved to the bed and carefully climbed beneath the blankets. While she didn’t want him to catch her staring, she couldn’t help herself.

The moment he was down to just his trousers, she swallowed hard. His back was finely muscled from his training, hard and tangible. His arms were deliciously taut and commanded her attention without needing to try.

It was difficult for her to fathom his raw strength, but a part of her didn’t want to avert her eyes.

Once he reached the threshold, he glanced over his shoulder and held that eye contact long enough to assure Odette he had noticed her staring. A small smile curled his lips. “Sleep well.”

Cheeks flaring with heat, she forced herself to lay down and turned over, ashamed of how unabashedly she ogled over his beautiful physique, even more so that she was found out.

With the coverlet pulled up to her chin, she closed her eyes and willed herself to fall asleep and wash away the mortification. But the longer she lay there, the harder it was to forget Theophilus was not far from her, completely naked.

She heard water moving as he stepped into the tub, and she wondered what the remainder of his body looked like—the parts she couldn’t see before he disappeared into the other room.

Her whole body was aflame with humiliation for how unruly her mind had become, thanks to his presence, and she willed herself to think about anything else.

Don’t let yourself become a fool for him or any man, she scolded herself silently.

Although, she wondered if it was too late for that.

A while later, the slosh of water in the wash tub, followed by the careful padding of feet, told her Theophilus’ bath was over, and he’d soon re-enter the room. The shuffle of clothes filled the silent space while he got dressed, and Odette turned over onto her back.

She rubbed at her eyes as he walked into the room dressed once more, hair damp and clean. Even if she didn’t sleep a wink the entire time she was left alone, she at least wanted to make it seem that way.

“I can go down and ask Gisele to bring more water for you to bathe if you’d wish,” he offered, his face calm as if they were already free and on some sort of honeymoon tour of Europe rather than being fugitives.

Feeling strangely vulnerable in her current state, she went to sit up with her reply, but she gasped in pain before the words could come out. Burning rods shot through her body and tightened her neck and back beyond belief.

She instinctively reached for her neck and winced, having never been that sore before.

Worry scattered across Theophilus’ cheeks, and he hurried over to the bed. “Is everything alright?”