Page 7 of When the Duke Met His Match

“That is why we called on you,” Wright said, nodding once. “You have experience with these sorts of tasks and have participated in many questionings. If anyone can get those names, it’s you.”

Theophilus was startled by the sudden change in events, surprised by the flattery when he expected to be wrung out for his unbecoming actions as an officer. He collected himself and gave the lieutenant a dutiful nod.

“I will do my best, Lieutenant.”

“I expect nothing short of it,” Wright murmured. He motioned toward the door. “I will lead you to the prisoner.”

Obediently, Theophilus followed the lieutenant through the building with his arms behind his back, wondering what was in store for him. He was grateful to have avoided a beating, at least.

The moment they arrived outside the questioning room, the lieutenant paused and met his eye. “Do keep in mind you will need to be more discreet with this than usual.”

Curiosity pinched Theophilus’ features. “What’s so special about this prisoner? Is he high-born?”

Something he couldn’t decipher moved across the lieutenant’s face—something between confirmation and the slightest hint of amusement. He pushed the door open. “That’s part of the problem.”

Theophilus entered the room alone with his head lowered, only to freeze the moment he glanced up. The door closed behind him.

The prisoner was a woman.

Chapter Five

ODETTE

Odette’s pulse thrummed in her ears while she waited in the small room, perched on the end of a hard chair. Her leg shook with anticipation, unwilling to get too comfortable in this place. She needed to keep her guard up.

As time passed, she grew more surprised that they left her unattended. She waited for Lieutenant Wright, wondering what would happen if she simply stepped out and risked breaking away from them.

She imagined there were plenty of guards waiting to snatch her up. She wouldn’t let it happen without a fight if that were the case. She was already locked up, after all.

Before she could even consider devising a way out, the door creaked open and captured her attention.

Odette raised a surprised brow.

It wasn’t the lieutenant but a different man instead. He entered the room and lifted his gaze, revealing a pair of striking hazel eyes. At first glance, he seemed almost handsome, starkly contrasting with the brutish figures surrounding her in her cell.

His uniform was neatly pressed, from his crisp collar down to his shining boots. His height made him seem like a limbering tree of muscle.

He was handsome, no matter how Odette tried to deny it.

Damn you, she thought to herself. This is not a debutante ball.

She was in prison, and those guards were her enemies. There was no way to spell it out any differently. Keeping her wits was essential.

The young officer cleared his throat and casually grabbed the chair next to her, swinging his legs over it. His features seemed to be stitched with the same discomfort she felt. He glanced over his shoulder and watched as the door closed. Once it was secure, he returned his eyes to her.

Odette felt like an experiment gone wrong beneath the eyes of a scientist. He observed her much the same, his eyes narrowing somewhat as many thoughts seemed to move through them.

Irritation bubbled from beneath her skin. “It’s improper to stare, you know.”

Seemingly enjoying the bite in her tone, the officer chuckled to himself. “Please excuse me. It’s just that I’m shocked a woman of your status would participate in illegal activities such as this.”

That only made the defiance flare within her.

“The other officer thought the same thing,” she returned, gazing at him sharply, “before I broke his nose.”

The soldier’s laugh sent a shiver down her spine, but she ignored how easily her body reacted to the simple gesture. He seemed friendlier than the others had been, but it could be a ploy to get her to speak. She knew anything could be a trick so long as they had her in their custody.

“Before you have the chance to do the same to me, can I at least know your name?” he asked, brows raised expectantly. “To start, I’m Theophilus.”