Page 64 of When the Duke Met His Match

That thought made her swallow hard, yet she continued.

Her heart pounded the moment she reached the familiar house, and tears stung the corners of her eyes. A few windows were lit up by candles and the glow of a hearth.

Approaching the gate before she could be spotted, Odette pushed it open and hurried across the small section of manicured lawn. Her gaze flitted up to the second floor, and she spotted the familiar window of her old bedroom. Without a second thought, Odette made her way to the sturdy tree that she had climbed countless times before.

Grappling for the rough bark, she put her foot against the tree and hoisted herself up. She climbed carefully, sure-footed with her experience. Once she was up high enough, she swung her leg over and reached for the windowsill.

The window slid open with a shove, and Odette snuck inside. She was grateful for all the times she needed to sneak away in the night or when her parents weren’t looking to deal with the French rebels.

Once her feet met the wooden floor, she dusted herself off and looked around the room.

Several months had passed since she last stood in that room before she had been found, captured, and locked away. Everything looked nearly the same. Her bed was neatly made as it had been when she left, and her writing table still had blank paper scattered across it, along with her ink and quill pen. Her dresses waited for her in the wardrobe, stashed away.

It hit her harder than ever how much she missed her home and the comfort it used to provide her.

Gliding through the bedroom, she pushed back the tears and tried composing herself.

She needed to keep moving.

Silently, she left the bedroom and closed the door behind her as softly as she could. Aware of what hour it was, she went toward the family library, where the hearth had been glowing through the window. Her parents were often there at that time, likely reading and chatting together before bed.

She took a moment to relax before opening the door.

Inside, her parents were sat in their chairs by the fire, eyes down, while they read the books in their laps. The fire burned heartily and offered them more than enough light. Shadows crawled up the walls and danced there, making Odette feel that familiar comfort for the first time in a while.

Their backs were turned to her, managing to conceal her a moment longer.

Tears welled in her eyes while she thought about how much her parents were willing to give just to see her free. She could only imagine their horror when she disappeared altogether.

“Matilda, can you please bring some more tea?” her mother asked, not looking away from the book.

Surely, she assumed Odette’s footsteps were that of the maid. She carefully entered the room.

She approached them without saying a word, too choked up to manage it. As her steps continued, her mother glanced over in her direction, and a gasp tore from her throat.

Her father was quick to see what had happened, and his eyes widened. At once, they both jumped up from their places, forgetting about the books that tumbled from their laps.

“My dear!” her mother called with tears already running down her cheeks, arms wide open.

Odette hurried to them and was pulled into their embrace faster than she could think. She broke into crying as well, matching the sobs of her parents. Kisses were pressed against her head repeatedly while they seemed to struggle with the idea that she was truly there.

She couldn’t help but feel incredibly loved while she held them, wishing she never had to pull away from them again.

“We thought we lost you for good,” her father cried, peering down at her with joyous tears in his eyes.

They all looked at each other and laughed through the tears, overwhelmed by the suddenness of it all.

She smiled at them, sniffling back the emotion. “I’m safe for now.”

“What happened to you, my love?” her mother asked, pulling her over to the chaise. Her father followed, and they surrounded her with all their unspoken affection.

Taking a deep breath, Odette recounted the events that led to her unexpected arrival. She explained how Theophilus had rescued her and how they had fled to Dover, ready to depart for France. Her parents listened attentively, appearing angry at the crown's intention to exile her without any notice, but also amazed by how far she had come.

Her mother, ever anxious for her daughter's safety, hung on her every word, her eyes brimming with emotion.

“When we stumbled upon some men from my old rebel group, we found out their plans to assassinate the king, and we returned to try and stop it. That’s why I’m here now, even if there’s still a bounty over my head,” Odette confided in them, watching as their faces hardened with that news. “We are going to save the king and try to get ourselves pardoned.”

Her father shook his head in disbelief. “It’s one thing for the French rebels to persist after the war was over, but to try and assassinate the king? That is unspeakable.”