Page 49 of When the Duke Met His Match

“Did they ever mention anything about overthrowing the king before, even in passing?”

She shook her head with sincerity. “No. They didn’t exactly involve me in every plan, but it had never been openly discussed. Defense was our main strategy.”

“It seems that focus has shifted, whether that happened before or after you were caught and the war ended.”

“I joined them to help my countrymen who were in need. The only plan was to help secure France and fight back long enough for the English to give up. Now that the war is over, there is no need for them to continue their vendetta,” Odette murmured, her expression hardening with conviction. “It’s hard to believe any of them would partake in such madness.”

Sighing, Theophilus leaned against a nearby wall with his arms crossed over his chest. “Some of those men grew up being a part of the war, and it was all they’d ever known. It can be difficult to leave that pain and hurt behind, even if it’s the right thing to do.”

Odette looked down one end of the alley pensively, shaking her head. “It’s foolish, every part of it. I had been foolish, too, even if I’d do it all again to help my country. But now, it only feels like a waste, knowing what they mean to do.”

“It doesn’t need to be a waste, especially not after everything you have sacrificed for them. Take it back.”

That caught her attention, and she looked at him oddly. “What do you mean?”

Theophilus tried his hardest to let his sincerity gleam through his small smile. “We can use this discovery to our advantage. If we can save the king, we can bargain a pardon.”

Uncertainty shimmered within her glassy eyes. “It’s dangerous, Theophilus, especially since they no longer have anything to lose. If they’re willing to kill the king, then they’re desperate for victory.”

“Staying here or continuing to France is just as dangerous. So long as our names are tainted, we won’t be safe anywhere. You said that yourself.”

She closed her eyes then, lost in thought with a shaky breath. “We risk being arrested again by going back. Then what are our options?”

“We won’t know until we get there. All we can do is hope for the best outcome and fight our hardest.”

“Those aren’t sufficient odds, you know.”

He pushed himself from the wall and took a step closer, reaching out for her. He put a hand against her cheek and softened his gaze. “It might be our only chance at redemption, and we can’t let our fear stop us.”

Odette searched his gaze, seemingly worn down with exhaustion. “I’m tired of being afraid, of running and not knowing when we’ll be safe again.”

Theophilus moved his thumb over her cheek carefully. “I know. I am too. But we won't have to run again if we hang on a bit longer.”

Her eyes closed once more to push her tears away. She sniffled as he caressed her skin.

“I want to start a family with you, Odette. Even if we are content with running now, we can’t do it forever. What kind of life would that be for us and our children?”

Her eyes opened in surprise, and he could see her cheeks turn a deep red despite the dim alleyway. A hard swallow traveled the length of her throat, but she never moved from his gentle grasp.

That bashful look made him smile; he always found her fluster endearing.

Regaining her composure, she murmured, “How do you manage to make it sound so simple? This will be one of the hardest things we’ve ever done.”

“I am aware of that, but I believe we will always manage to persevere so long as we have good intentions. I have faith in us and our abilities to overcome whatever might come our way,” he said, focused on the beauty of her features and how she made him feel. “While I can’t guarantee my own safety, I will ensure you are out of harm’s way.”

Her brows came together with disbelief. “That isn’t comforting, Theophilus.”

The corner of his lip flickered up in amusement. “That is the nature of it, I’m afraid.”

Odette tore away from his hold and crossed her arms over her chest. She scoffed. “I will not partake in anything if there is a high chance you will be harmed. It is both of us or neither of us. Don’t think I don’t mean it.”

“I know you mean every word of it, but so do I. This may be the only way we can stay together. What happens if we continue to run, and I’m captured and taken back to London as a prisoner? What would happen to you?”

She refused to look at him, but her shoulders slumped with a subtle defeat.

“I hate to even think about it, and I won’t let that happen to you,” Theophilus appealed once more. He placed a soothing hand against her back. “We will get through this. You can mull over it a little longer if you’d like.”

Odette said nothing for a moment, but another sigh came from her lips. She faced him again, eyes hardened with resolve. “No, I don’t need more time to think. We will see if we can find anything out before they attack, but if we hear nothing, we will continue to France.”