Page 8 of When the Duke Met His Match

She studied him for a moment, hesitant to open up. However, she was already arrested, and surely her name had been floating around the prison anyway. He would learn her name sooner or later. She refused to say it.

“No matter,” Theophilus sighed and leaned his forearms against the top of the chair. “How old are you?”

To that, she only looked at him with her lips pressed in a firm line. She didn’t understand why it mattered.

“Let me guess,” he murmured, tapping a finger against his lips. Then, he pointed it at her. “You are eighteen.”

Not amused, Odette rolled her eyes and sighed. “I’m nineteen.”

"Ah," he replied condescendingly, as if her age was a mere novelty for him to comment on. "At your age, one would think you should be more interested in ball gowns and finding a husband. Don't you agree?"

Irritated by his patronizing tone, she narrowed her gaze at him, hoping her stare was as scalding as she desired. "I no longer have any interest in those tedious things, nor am I inclined to marry," she retorted, her voice laced with loathing, "especially not to an Englishman, as they treat their women like mere trophies."

“So you prefer illegally smuggling guns and other supplies back to France?” Theophilus questioned ironically. “I can only imagine that makes you quite popular amongst eligible bachelors of the ton.”

Clenching her jaw, she reeled her composure back in. “I don’t do this for popularity or to impress anyone, especially not men like you.”

This caught the soldier’s attention, and he cocked a brow. “Men like me? What do you know about men like me?”

Crossing her arms over her chest, Odette hoped to create an invisible barrier to keep him out. “Firstly, you’re an English soldier. Secondly, you’re the one interrogating me. Forgive me if I don’t think very highly of you.”

He laughed once again, tipping his head back. He scrubbed a hand over his chin and returned his gaze to her. “You make a fair point. But I must admit, it takes a certain type of person to risk their life for a cause, especially those of war.”

As if it were no matter, she shrugged. “It isn’t about taking risks. It’s about doing what’s right. Surely you would understand something as simple as that.”

Leaning forward as if they reached a topic of his interest, Theophilus’ expression leveled into a serious one. “And do you think what you’re doing is right?”

Not letting him get the better of her, her gaze was unwavering. “I do.”

There was nothing she was surer of. The French had many things to fight for, hence why she chose to assist in the way she did. It was like second nature.

The soldier was quiet for a moment, his eyes evaluating her as they did before. He nodded carefully, yet it seemed to be more to himself than anything. “You’re a brave woman.”

Odette snorted before she could stop herself and smirked. “Brave or foolish, depending on whom you ask. Are you a brave hero come to rescue me, Theophilus?”

He chuckled, surprisingly willing to play along with her games that were only meant to delay the inevitable. “I’m afraid not, my dear. I’m here to arrest you.”

Scoffing to herself, she tutted, “What a shame. How foolish of me to consider we might run away together.”

His brow lifted. “I’m sure the ton would gawk at our unlikely pairing, but unfortunately, I have a duty to my country. And you haven’t divulged your name yet.”

Heat crept up her neck due to his blunt comment, but she fought against it. “It’s Odette.”

“That is a beautiful name.”

She scowled at him. “You know, I used to think English soldiers were all the same. But you—you’re something else entirely.”

“What do you mean by that?”

She leaned back in the chair and folded her arms over her chest. “I mean that you’re not as stupid as the others. But don’t worry; I’m sure you will match them eventually.”

Her smile spread across her lips as Theophilus stood, carefully stepping forward. His voice came out as a low, dangerous rumble. “Don’t underestimate me, Miss. I may be young, but I know how to handle myself accordingly.”

Standing up suddenly, Odette matched his stance with her chin held high. No matter how imposing he tried to seem, she wouldn’t back down from him. “Oh, I don’t doubt that. But you’re an English soldier, meaning you’re on the wrong side of this war.”

Seemingly unwilling to jest about such matters, the handsome officer shook his head. “That is where you’re wrong, Odette. I’m on the right side, and if that means arresting rebels like you, then so be it.”

His words struck fury within her, and she let it blaze within her eyes. “You’re a fool if you think you’re doing the right thing. We’re fighting for our freedom and our country. You’re merely a pawn in someone else’s game.”