Page 77 of When the Duke Met His Match

“I am a man who knows what he wants.”

Odette could feel his gaze softening, keenly aware of his charm. However, she wasn’t interested and found herself looking straight through it. “I’d hate to disappoint.”

“I doubt that would be the case,” he hummed, voice smooth like the silk of her dress.

This man is looking for a companion, not to kill the king, she thought to herself, allowing her defense to relax somewhat.

At this rate, Odette didn’t think she’d ever spot the rebels.

The moment the dance ended, the music came to a halt, and everyone’s attention was brought to the grand doors. The crowd of dancers split down the center, allowing a clear trail from one end of the room to the other.

Odette found herself next to the stranger with the cat mask as a man dressed in gold from nearly head to toe entered the room. An ornate cape moved behind him, and a crown sat on his head of graying hair.

Everyone fell into a low bow at his entrance, and she made sure to do the same.

The king had arrived. Yet, Theophilus and Eric were nowhere to be seen.

While the crowd murmured lowly, eyes squarely on the king as he was announced, too many thoughts ran through her mind at once to contend with.

“Spare no expense,” the man whispered from beside her, a knowing smirk on his lips.

The king was flanked by his lieutenants, moving slowly while he received his quiet praise from the subjects around him. The music began once more, quieter and more regal than it had been.

It was then that Odette had the moment to take pause and consider how familiar the stranger’s voice sounded. Glancing over at him, she noticed how dark his hair was, combed back neatly with pomade. Even so, she noticed the slightest hint of red in it.

As the king moved, pieces began moving in her mind.

Your dress looks expensive enough to feed an army.

Before she could say or do anything, she realized how quiet and still the room suddenly felt. Something wasn’t right.

Suddenly, there was a loud bang that startled everyone in the room. Glass and smoke filled the air, creating a hazy atmosphere. The partygoers began to scream and scatter in all directions as chaos erupted. Odette shielded herself and coughed as she tried to breathe. She observed the figures around her frantically running away through the smoke and dust.

Rubbing the soot from her eyes, she heard swords being drawn in a haunting echo.

Glancing over at the man who had been beside her, she watched as he tore the mask off to reveal a face that looked all too familiar. He freed a concealed blade from beneath his great coat and pulled it from a sheath.

Her head pounded, and her ears rang from the explosion, disoriented by the hysteria. Blinking at the man while he braced himself for a fight, she could’ve sworn she knew who he was.

Her heart sank at the realization. The man behind the mask had been Pierre all along.

Chapter Forty-One

THEOPHILUS

Time ticked by slower than Theophilus thought it would, leaving him and Eric to stand out of sight with nothing but their thoughts. He found a vantage point to keep an eye on Odette while she danced with the others.

She had spent her first dance with a man shorter than himself, who looked particularly eager to be partnered with her, which immediately made his temper flare. When the dance finished, they stood there for a moment, and Odette’s discomfort was clear from his hiding place.

He watched each dance that followed, turning the evening into a rather dull one. He knew the rebels would have to time their execution perfectly, but he didn’t realize they meant to take all night.

The persistent man had called out to her once more, snagging Theophilus’ attention. He did not let her out of sight when she pulled away and hurried toward the stairs.

He prepared to jump out and pummel the man, but Eric’s hand on his shoulder stopped him before he could see it through.

“Remember the plan,” he whispered to him, brows raised expectantly. “We must stay hidden until she gives us the signal or until they make themselves known.”

Aware he was right, Theophilus sighed and settled back into place. He couldn’t risk sabotaging the plan before it could be properly put into action.