Page 61 of When the Duke Met His Match

Theophilus nodded carefully and crossed his arms over his chest. “Needless to say, the crown didn’t take long to notice. We’ve been wanted ever since, which is why we must know what you told those men. That kind of information could help us clear our names.”

Eric seemed to better understand then, and he sighed. “That group of men offered me a large sum of money to provide them with information. It certainly wasn’t my shining moment, but it was the best I could do.”

Theophilus leaned closer to the table, careful not to let his voice travel too far. "You have the power to change your fate. Imagine being able to petition the crown for your former position in the army or any other boon you desire. All you have to do is help us prevent this assassination and save the king. It would be a bold move but one that could secure your future and legacy."

He could tell by his eyes that Eric was contemplating it. While it wasn’t a small, insignificant task to try and pull off, he knew it was tempting. Nobody wanted to be tossed away and viewed as nothing more than a street rat. Theophilus knew that well enough.

After a moment, Eric shook his head with an earnest glimmer in his eyes. “It sounds like a noble job, but I’m far too deep in this mess. Those men are dangerous no matter how you cut it.”

It was a genuine concern, but Theophilus couldn’t see past the benefits. Perhaps since he hadn’t been scorned, he was able to maintain his sense of duty to the crown. He could only imagine how defeated Eric surely felt for being disgraced.

“You won’t be alone in this. We can stop them together,” he tried to offer him, full of resolve. “You shouldn’t give up yet, not when this chance is right in front of us.”

“It would help us immensely,” Odette chimed in with a gentle gaze.

Eric looked between them both, and as if something broke at last, he chuckled bitterly with a shake of his head. “To hell with it, I don’t care anyhow. I don’t have anything left to lose.”

With a mischievous gleam in his eyes, he leaned forward in his chair and murmured for only them to hear, “Alright then, this is what I told them, but I only know so much.”

“We don’t have time to waste,” Odette reminded him, to which he nodded.

“The men used to be a part of the initial French resistance, but some of them couldn’t accept their loss in the war. Determined not to give in, they split away and formed their own rebel group. They’re planning to attack the general’s masquerade ball. All the high-ranked officials and the king will be there. If they succeed, it’s going to be a blood bath. They have weapons and managed to find a loophole to get in.”

“How could they possibly sneak into such a well-guarded event? Surely the king would have men posted everywhere,” Odette wondered.

“The kitchens won’t be watched during that time. They plan to exploit this weakness and slip in undetected. So long as they’re careful, they shouldn’t have a problem sneaking into the ball while everyone is distracted.”

Sitting back in her chair with devastation written across her face, Odette looked defeated. “This is significantly worse than I could’ve imagined.”

“Be warned, they aren’t interested in taking prisoners. They want the king dead and will take down anyone who gets in their way.”

“Assassinating the king had never been an option before—not even a consideration,” she murmured as she rubbed at her tired eyes. “I cannot believe them.”

“This is the reality of war, I suppose,” Eric added, just as glum from the prospect.

Theophilus could barely stomach what he had been told.

Even if they managed to sneak into the ball to warn the king of what was planned, they would need more help to fend off the enemy. If the rebels were a larger group than he had anticipated, there was no chance the three of them could fight without backup.

The battle would be over before they knew it, and they would be dead as a result, unable to appeal to the king at all.

“We need to go back to London tonight,” he said at last, certain of his decision.

His friend nearly choked on his drink, coughing to clear his throat. He gave him a questioning look. “So soon? I’ve hardly had time to sober up.”

Odette gazed at him with hesitation written across her cheeks. “Are you certain this is what we must do? You know the risks we will be taking by going there.”

Theophilus nodded once without a doubt in his mind. “Now that we know what the plan is, we can’t stand by and let it happen. If the rebels succeed, who knows what will happen to this country? I couldn’t rest easy knowing I failed my king, and this might be our only chance to redeem your name.”

Not objecting any further, she seemed to agree. “We will need to find a way there then. I didn’t think I’d be turning around and heading back quite so soon.”

Eric huffed a big breath and scratched his neck before meeting their eyes. “In that case, I’m going to need a drink one way or another. It might well be my last.”

Theophilus could only hope he was wrong about the latter.

Chapter Thirty-Four

ODETTE