Page 78 of When the Duke Met His Match

Finding Odette on the upper floor overlooking the ball, he took a deep breath and reminded himself that she could take care of herself. She’d proved that to him numerous times.

After some time, she came back to the dance floor with another masked man and looked more comfortable. They chatted and danced, and he couldn't help but wish he was the one dancing with her all night. He wanted to dance without any concerns about others' opinions. However, the jealousy he felt before returned despite his efforts to ignore it. The thought of someone else having her for any part of the evening didn't sit well with him, but he had no say in the matter.

Eric sighed to himself and folded his arms over his chest. “You know what would make time go by much quicker?”

“What would that be?”

“A nice refreshing drink,” he murmured with a satisfied smile at the very thought.

“If I can’t put anyone in their place, then you can’t leave to get wasted.”

His friend chuckled to himself. “It’s only fair.”

When the music changed and the crowd split into two, Theophilus knew exactly who was about to emerge.

The king’s presence was announced for all to catch sight of his magnificence, and he began through the room with his chin raised, covered by multiple lieutenants. That was a good thing, at least.

Theophilus and Eric straightened their backs and stood at attention, prepared to strike when the moment was right.

He saw Odette again on the far side of the room with an odd expression on her face. It was almost like she had thought of something but wasn’t quite sure of herself.

A chill ran down his spine when the nagging feeling hit him that she had figured it out. He reached for the hilt of his concealed blade.

Everything in the room went eerily still, and he swallowed back the lump in his throat.

A sudden loud noise shattered glass and caused the floor to shake while smoke and dust filled the room. The sound was so loud that it caused people to scream. His ears rang, not realizing he had covered them until he went to uncurl himself from his protective position.

Eric coughed to his right and shook off the dust. Theophilus clapped a hand against his shoulder to remind him he was there.

As the glass and a thick haze obscured the room, blades rang out not far from them.

He shared a quick glance with his old friend. “Now!”

At once, the two of them pulled out their blades and ran out of their hiding place. In unison, the French rebels poured in through the hole they blew into the wall, armed with their swords.

They shouted and hollered as they ran, announcing their arrival.

“Vive la France!” one of them shouted from the other side of the room.

The others yelled in response, finding the nearest guards to fight.

Theophilus struck the first rebel he saw, earning the element of surprise. Their swords clashed, but he landed a punch straight into his face, making him stagger back. Eric fought against his own man with renewed ferocity.

The chaos didn’t help the unsuitable fighting ground, with guests trying to clear out while the rebels searched for the king and his guards.

Theophilus stood his ground as another rebel swung their sword at him, able to keep the man at bay long enough to strike him with a brutal blow of his blade. No matter how many they fought off, the men continued to pour in with their enraged expressions, determined not to give in.

Moving into a back-to-back formation, he and Eric did the best they could, but the anticipation running through their systems would only last so long. They were horribly outnumbered.

As he blocked an aggressive swing, he thought about the promise he made to Odette that he would make it out alive for her.

Even if his odds looked bleak, he was more than determined to keep that promise. The thought of their future together gave him the push he needed to keep fighting.

The one who shouted from within the crowd jumped out from his place, dressed in his fine clothes to blend in with the others. Theophilus managed to catch a glimpse of him as he ran to one of the guards and swung with all his strength.

His eyes widened, but he couldn’t drop his focus.

It was Pierre, the man who had been dancing with Odette before the king made his appearance.