Page 63 of When the Duke Met His Match

The man gave them a nod and led them up the wooden staircase until they reached the upstairs hall. “Third from the end,” the owner murmured, gesturing vaguely in that direction. “I’ll have that water up to you at the closest convenience.”

They thanked the man and went straight into their room, closing the door behind them.

Theophilus grumbled as he threw himself onto the double bed. “And as predicted, that was the last of our money.”

“It’s not too bad of a place to rest your head for the night,” Eric said. He plunked himself onto the cot and sighed with a smile. “It beats the cold hard ground.”

“It certainly does,” Odette murmured, sitting next to Theophilus to give her feet a break.

Before long, the bath was full of hot water in the next room over, and Eric disappeared giddily with a spare set of clothes from Theophilus. While he bathed, Theophilus and Odette let themselves lean back to soak in the comfort they had been desperate for once more.

Both exhausted from the journey, they didn’t need to say a word. Instead, Odette closed her eyes and eventually heard the shallow breaths indicating that Theophilus had fallen asleep.

She only managed to sleep for a wink before water sloshed in the other room, and Eric returned wearing a fresh pair of trousers, a waistcoat, and a cravat. With the dirt gone, she was able to see what his face truly looked like. His hair was sandy-blonde rather than the dull, dusty brown it had appeared to be not long ago, combed back in a neat fashion.

“There truly is nothing better than a quick bath,” he sighed, striding across the room like he was a new man.

Theophilus woke up from the noise and peered over at his friend. “Nothing smells better either.”

They chuckled at the remark. To her reprieve, that odor no longer clung to him, and he managed to smell like light soap instead.

She found his excitement to be clean amusing, but Theophilus quickly sat up and wiped the sleep from his face.

“Now that we’re settled, we need to go through the plan again,” he began, glancing between them. “We’ll need to get our hands on the appropriate masks and garments and use the kitchens to sneak in before the rebels do. We will make our way to the ball, where Odette will keep an eye out for any of her old comrades while Eric and I will go to the king ourselves. We’ll appeal to him and try to move him to safety.”

“Why can’t I go with you two?”

“I want you as far away from the action as possible,” he said, stern enough to let her know he wasn’t interested in arguing.

He stood up from the bed and retrieved his greatcoat while her mind ran in circles, not liking that part of the plan. She didn’t want to be left alone to wonder if the two of them would make it out alive. It made her stomach ache.

“You keep risking your life for me, Theophilus. I don’t want to stand by and watch.”

“Once the rebels arrive, it will turn bloody. I can’t let you get in the middle of it.”

She felt desperation fill her eyes, but she pressed on. “Please, let me fight with you. If you haven’t guessed by now, I know how to.”

An amused look overcame his face, and he touched her shoulder gently. “I have no doubt that you do. But for now, Eric and I have an old friend to visit before we get into any battles. You should stay here and get some sleep.”

Eric was already on his way out the door when she went to open her mouth to object, but Theophilus swooped in and planted a gentle kiss on her lips. Startled, she could only blink back at him while he smiled and went to leave.

“Don’t get into any trouble while we’re gone.”

As the two men slipped into the hall, the door closed behind them, and Odette found herself alone once again.

She was sitting on the edge of the bed, contemplating whether to get some sleep after the tiring trip. However, her mind was racing, making it difficult for her to doze off. Realizing that she wouldn't be able to sleep, she abandoned the idea altogether.

She didn't want to waste time idling while Theophilus and Eric were busy formulating a plan to get inside the ball. She knew that they had to find suitable costumes to blend in, otherwise, they would stand out. Fortunately, she knew exactly where to acquire the costumes they needed.

Odette rose from her seat and rifled through their satchel, retrieving a pair of dark trousers, a spare undershirt, and a waistcoat. She donned them one by one, fastening the buttons with nimble fingers. As she pulled a cloak over her shoulders and tied her hair back, she appeared more akin to a small lad garbed in oversized clothing.

The garments were loose enough to hide her curves, safeguarding her from being caught. Feeling that it was enough, she slipped out of the room and carefully made her way through the inn.

As the night began dripping its inky veil over the city, Odette stepped out onto the cobblestone street and paused momentarily to orient herself. The nervous fluttering in her stomach grew more intense as she set off in the direction of a more familiar place, her senses on high alert, acutely aware of the dangers that lurked in the shadows after dusk.

Mustering up the courage, she hurried down the street, concealed by shadows cast by the tall buildings.

A cool breeze moved around her, reminding Odette that she was still alive to feel it and had enough freedom to be able to wander on her own in secret. If their plan failed or if she managed to get herself caught before it could unravel, that freedom would be gone for good.