“And second,” he continued, “I wanted to be certain that I could still make it through, that it hadn’t been sealed, before I lifted your hopes.”
“Well?” she asked. “Did you check it? Is it still open?”
“Yes,” Phillip replied with a solid nod. “And I always intended to tell you. Especially if things go wrong.”
“Well, we won’t have to worry about that anymore, will we?” Sophie jumped up. “Let’s go. I’ll do what I must to get through the small space.” She turned in a circle, clearly eager to locate the door and escape. “Where is it?”
“We can’t leave yet,” Phillip said simply.
Sophie whirled to face him. “What? Why? Didn’t you hear them, Phillip? They are going to kill us.”
“They want to kill us,” Phillip replied. “That’s very different from actually accomplishing it.”
Sophie crossed her arms over her chest and gave him a stern stare. “I don’t understand. Why would we possibly stay?”
Phillip stood. “Because I’m tired of playing games with Hugh. I vowed when I came back to town, I’d be strong enough to fight for Malcolm’s memory and I am. I’m not about to go running off to hide now. I want to know once and for all what happened to my brother, and I want to know the identities of everyone who was involved.”
Sophie expelled her breath and walked back over to where Phillip stood. She placed a hand on his shoulder. “I can understand that, but can’t we go fetch the constable first? He can arrest Hugh and whoever is helping him and question them.”
Phillip cracked a grin. “I have someone even better than the constable already on the way. While you were sleeping, I went upstairs and sent word to Bell. He should be here before dawn breaks.”
Sophie eyed him warily. “I thought you said the Home Office followed us here. If they were going to rescue us, I’d have thought they’d done so by now.”
Phillip winced and rubbed the back of his neck. “There’s something else I never told you.”
She put her fists on her hips and glared at him. “What?”
“I slipped away from the men from the Home Office who were following me the night I met you in the park. They were never coming. Until now, that is. I’m sorry. I didn’t want you to be frightened.”
Sophie closed her eyes and leaned her head back. “I’m relieved to hear that they’re coming now, but are you certain staying here is the best way to handle it? They have at least one pistol, Phillip.”
“Bell will bring more pistols. I have a knife, and we have a way out if we need to use it. But if you want to go, Sophie, I’ll help you through. I don’t want to put you in danger.”
Sophie contemplated the matter for a moment, tapping her finger against her chin. “No. We either stay together or leave together. I won’t leave you, Phillip. Besides, if they come to check on us and I’m gone, they’ll know we have a way out.”
“Trust me. This will all be over soon enough.” Phillip sauntered over to the wall of wine bottles and picked another Madeira. “The only thing left to do is to drink a bit more and see if we can’t recall whose voice that is.”
Sophie shook her head. “You really aren’t worried about this, are you?”
“I’ve taken precautions,” Phillip replied, pulling the cork from the bottle he’d chosen. “You must believe me when I say I will let nothing happen to you. Or to my mother’s only remaining son. She would never forgive me.”
Sophie took a seat on the cot once again. “Very well.” She held out her hand. “Then pass the wine.”
He made his way to the cot and handed her the bottle before taking a seat next to her again. Sophie took a long swig, then smiled at him. “I know you’re confident about our being safe down here, but there is a possibility something might go wrong and we may end up dead.”
“No.” Phillip firmly shook his head.
“A slight possibility, you must admit,” she prodded.
“No.” Phillip continued shaking.
“Agree with me, you infuriating man. I’m trying to make a point.”
“Fine. A very tiny, minute possibility,” he allowed, grinning back at her.
She took another swig from the wine bottle. “Then I want you to do something for me tonight.”
He eyed her carefully from the sides of his eyes. “What’s that?”
