Page 72 of When the Duke Met His Match

Nodding, the other two lowered their masks over their eyes as he did, and they followed closely. The candle cast their shadows across the floor while they went, oddly shaped due to their masks and attire.

Keeping his composure, Theophilus was sure to tap into that dormant instinct he once felt when he was in the army. He had to keep his breathing shallow and move as quietly yet swiftly as he could manage. They couldn’t risk being detected, not in such a volatile environment.

Breaking free from the kitchen, he paused in the doorway and glanced down the hall in both directions before discovering it was clear. There wasn’t a sound from anyone nearby.

Signaling for them to continue, Odette was on his heel, looking anxious but sure not to point it out.

Feet light against the hardwood floor, he paused once he reached the end and prepared to peer into the next corridor.

Eric was walking forward when he suddenly heard shuffling feet. He stopped abruptly to avoid colliding with Odette, and accidentally hit a side table with a valuable vase on it. The vase shook, but he quickly caught it with both hands, trying not to make any noise.

Theophilus’ head whipped in his direction, eyes tightly knit together.

The steps paused, and his heart was in his throat.

“Who’s there?” the stranger asked, not far from them.

Shoving his back against the wall to remain hidden, the other two copied him, pressing themselves against it as if hoping it would swallow them up and conceal them.

They all froze, standing as still as they could manage.

The wait was agonizing, for there was no way of knowing if they had been found out until the person revealed themselves.

Recalling the candle in his hands, his eyes widened, and he blew against it. The flame slipped away from the wick and vanished, leaving a small stream of smoke behind.

It was a shame to go without it, but he assumed the halls would be properly lit up by the time they approached the ballroom.

With a hard swallow, Theophilus closed his eyes and hoped for the best.

Another pair of footsteps echoed around them. “There you are. What on earth are you doing all the way out here?” the voice asked incredulously.

The other individual cleared their throat, surely caught sneaking off when they shouldn’t have. “Nothing, I thought I heard something, that’s all.”

Their voices seemed to bounce off the walls like a threat that they could be seen at any moment.

The second person sighed. “Better not delay. Why don’t you come back to the ball with me?”

There was a moment of hesitation before the other person seemed to give in, and both footfalls grew quieter as the pair left.

Theophilus poked his head out from behind the wall after some time to find the coast clear. His chest deflated, feeling unbelievably lucky that they weren’t caught.

He threw Eric a scathing look, irritated at how close their plan was to crumbling before their eyes. His old friend returned a sheepish expression, mouthing his apology.

After they all released their held breaths, he motioned for them to continue, and they glided through the hall in search of the ballroom.

Immerging into a corridor with others standing and talking or walking toward the event, he reminded himself that they didn’t need to worry. They had their masks and costumes on, and they were just like the others.

Garnering a few glances, Theophilus pulled modest smiles for them and nodded, to which they would simply return to their socializing.

So far, so good, he thought to himself, fortunate for the reassurance.

“What an impressive home,” Eric quipped, gazing at all the finishings as they went.

Chuckling, Theophilus said lowly, “This is what happens when you are in good graces with the army and the king.”

“I should have tried that.”

Odette glanced between the two of them with disapproval in her features. “Focus, both of you. This is important.”