Page 50 of When the Duke Met His Match

Satisfied by her acceptance, he nodded. “That is a suitable compromise.”

“Good. Now let’s keep moving before someone finds us here.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

ODETTE

Jitters ran through Odette’s body as she stood in the center of their room at the inn, pacing back and forth.

Theophilus sat on the side of the bed with his head resting in his hands, lost deep in thought. She wanted to know what he was thinking and whether he had any plans yet.

He thought for another moment, then met her eyes. “If we are captured before we can warn the king about the attack, everything will be lost. It will have been for nothing, which is why we need to think from every angle. Our best chance is to find the Red Sparrow and wait for the men to gather there.”

“And then what? We’re going to scour the place in hopes of finding the traitor?” Odette asked, narrowing her gaze. “The place likely has the potential to see many people in one night. If we’re meant to remain unseen and uncaught, then wouldn’t that be the worst idea?”

“We will keep our heads down as we have so far. If we’re lucky, there won’t be any officers there at all.”

“That is wishful thinking.”

Theophilus chuckled. “Yes, it is. But if that’s what it takes, then yes. We’ll wait for the traitor and see what we can glean from him.”

Despite the confidence in his voice, she couldn’t shake the nerves that moved within her belly. She hated the idea of putting themselves in the position to be found out and potentially handed off to the English. She wished there was a better way.

Pushing away from the wall, she sighed. “There are hundreds of things that could go wrong. What if we’re caught? There’s no escaping the gallows this time, not when the same group I was a part of is trying to assassinate the king.”

She couldn’t stop the helplessness from entering her voice, afraid it really might be the end for them. The very thought made her stomach squirm and her heart ache.

A chill ran through her body, as cold as an icy hand against her neck. The reality of it was bleak enough for her to swallow hard and want nothing more than to curl up and hide.

She let go of a shaky breath. “If the English soldiers get their hands on me, I’m done for. There will be no more running and no second chances.”

Odette didn’t want to look Theophilus in the eye, but she couldn't look away when she noticed the empathetic gleam in his gaze.

He quickly stood from the bed and reached for her, hands grabbing her arms. He searched her face, and warmth filled her cheeks. “I will never let them hurt you. Do you hear me? I would rather die than let that happen.”

“I can’t ask that of you,” she murmured, averting her eyes. “You’ve done more than enough for me, and you know it.”

“But it is more than that now,” he said, resting his thumb against her chin. He tilted her face up carefully. “This whole thing is bigger than either of us, and I cannot ignore it. I will risk my life a hundred times over for you and every other cause I hold dearest to me. That is the name I will build for myself.”

Odette held her tongue, caught off guard by the reference from what seemed like ages prior.

He wants to change and be a better man, she thought, studying the conviction set in his features. I cannot step in the way of that.

Silence lingered between them for a moment, and Theophilus gave her arms a gentle, affectionate squeeze. “Stay here, then. I’m going to learn more about the Red Sparrow and see what I can make of it.”

Alarm shot through her faster than she could guard herself, and she glared at him. “Absolutely not.”

His brows raised in question, almost teasingly. “And why not?”

“If we do this, we’re doing this together. You know by now that I’m no helpless damsel in distress.”

An amused grin settled on his lips, and Theophilus couldn’t have looked more pleased. He released her arms and slid a hand against her back instead. “I certainly do. It’s one of the many reasons I find you alluring.”

Just as she was about to make a sarcastic comment, he leaned in and kissed her, causing her to blush. Even though Odette thought she would be immune to his touch by now, she found herself just as enamored with him as the day they met. When he released her, she caught her breath and gazed at his handsome face, still flustered and blushing. His charming smile made her feel relaxed all over.

“Well then, that settles it,” he said, a smirk pulling on his soft lips. His dimples only added to his appeal. “It’s time we find ourselves someone who knows about the Red Sparrow.”

Eager to deflect from her furious blush, Odette nodded and reached for the cloak she had spent a considerable amount of time in as of late. She swung it over her shoulders and waited for him to put on his long coat.