Page 68 of When the Duke Met His Match

Not sparing him any more attention, Odette focused on Theophilus, hands against her hips. “At least my plan managed to gain us something.”

He narrowed his eyes at her. “That isn’t fair, you know.”

“What isn’t fair is you getting upset for me when all I wanted to do was help! And I did. I got us our costumes to help us sneak into the ball undetected.”

His face tensed as his voice raised once more. “You didn’t even inform me before you left. You could’ve gotten yourself in trouble, and I wouldn’t have known because you snuck away. What if you were spotted or if someone betrayed you? Our entire plan would be for nothing! We can’t afford any slipups. You know that.”

Emboldened by the small insinuation in his words, she took a step closer and lifted her chin to meet his eyes squarely. “My parents would never betray me,” she muttered, shoving his chest light enough not to cause him any pain. Her voice shook as she continued, losing her defenses. “I just needed to let them know I was alright. They were worried sick about me, and I couldn’t leave them to deal with that pain.”

Theophilus’ gaze softened, and he reached for her hands while she tried to push the emotions away with an exhale. He brought each one closer to his lips to kiss them. He sighed. “I’m sorry for shouting at you. I understand this hasn’t been painless. I just don’t want you to put your life in unnecessary danger.”

She tore her eyes away and looked down at the floorboards to maintain her composure. The warmth of his hands around hers made her heart feel more at ease. “I can’t just stand around and watch you risk everything for me time and time again. You know this.”

“I do,” he murmured, lifting her chin with his thumb to return her gaze to meet his. He gave it a careful caress. “But I need you to trust me, and that involves confiding your plans in me. I would be devastated if they captured you again.”

“And yet you risked your own capture tonight to inform Wright of what was to come. Those instances aren’t so different.”

Sighing, he nodded to himself and seemed to deflate at the hypocrisy. There was no way for him to escape the truth of her words.

“You risking everything for me while I’m forced to sit idly isn’t a fair exchange,” she murmured, searching for reasoning within his hazel eyes. “I fear for your life and feel responsible for dragging you into this mess. I will never be able to apologize enough.”

“There’s no need to apologize for my choices and the ones I will continue to make. It doesn’t matter what is thrown our way. I will follow you into the hottest flames and the coldest seas. Nothing can change how important you are to me, and I would be a fool to deny that.”

His careful tone pulled at her heartstring, and she was unable to pull her gaze away from him, entranced by his handsome face. Tears gathered in her eyes.

Theophilus carefully held her arms in his grasp as his conviction poured into his words. He studied her closely, and Odette wondered if she would melt, should he continue his admiring.

“I know I was meant to be with you the moment we met. That is why I couldn’t leave you behind and pretend you didn’t matter. Even if it took away everything I knew before, I would do everything all the same as many times as it takes because I love you, Odette. No one compares to you and how to have captured my heart,” he professed, his expression soft with sincerity. “I need you to see how special you are to me and understand that nothing will stop me from putting you first, now and always.”

Odette stared back at him, wordless while grappling with the sentiment. The confession moved her down to her core, and she swallowed hard.

Even though the touch of his palms against her skin, she could feel how strong his love for her truly was. It seeped into her body and swam to reach her heart, overwhelming in its rush to get there.

She had never heard a confession such as that from anyone before, and she did not doubt that he meant every word of it.

Composing herself enough to place her hands against his waist and pull herself closer, she peered up at him. “If I am to be transparent about my plans and keep myself out of trouble, then you must promise to survive this conundrum because I want to spend the rest of our lives together.”

Theophilus cupped her cheek with his palm and gave her a gentle smile that spoke of his feelings for her. He nodded. “I promise.”

Returning the affectionate look, Odette’s heart raced from the mere sight of him, and her whole body relaxed into his touch. She wanted nothing more than to be wrapped up in him and able to store that fondness away for whenever she needed it.

She felt like the most fortunate woman in the world to have a man like him by her side, to not only help her stay strong when times were uncertain but to remind her she was worthy of love, even if she had been deemed a criminal and a traitor by a country she once resented.

Never in her life did Odette ever think she would fall for an Englishman or one who was supposed to be her enemy.

To wash away her regrets, Theophilus dipped down and gently kissed her lips, pulling her impossibly close.

Letting her eyes flutter shut, she took in the tangible tenderness he had to give, and she made sure to return it with as much earnestness as she could muster.

Their lips melded together like they were made for one another, and Odette was in no hurry to pull apart. Instead, she wrapped her arms around him and completely gave in, silently praying she would never have to be without him.

She was determined to hold Theophilus to his promise no matter what it took.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

ODETTE

Heat traveled from the base of Odette’s neck to her cheeks as the kiss turned feverish, leaving her lightheaded. Her heart raced within her chest, longing for more of his touch. She could hardly take how much she needed him, even if the embrace began as a sweet exchange.