“Must he?”
Tobias nodded. “When Miss Sangford’s scheme has failed, and she returns beneath the slimy rock from which she has slithered, I will confess all to him.” He stared out through the carriage window, across fields that cared not for his future and could offer him no solace. “He may punish me as he sees fit.” His gaze returned to Sophia, where he might find comfort.
She spoke at once with concern. “This is a great risk, Tobias. What if you lose your place with your uncle at Newcliffe Hall? It has been home and sustenance to you.”
“I could take up a position as tutor. Or work as a clerk. I might not earn very much, but I have the necessary qualifications.”
“You would hate that!”
“I have faith it will not come to that. But I owe it to my uncle to reveal the truth when it is safe to do so.”
“If you revealed it now, it would spare you both suffering.”
“I will not spare myself only to have you suffer instead. Miss Sangford must leave your family be.”
Sophia chewed on her lip.
Tobias held his breath.
“Very well,” she agreed.
Tobias exhaled with relief.
“On one condition.”
He offered her a wary glance. “What is it?”
“If there is any indication that his lordship is falling into Miss Sangford’s trap, we must rescue him from it, no matter the cost.”
Tobias sucked in a rush of air. “That would mean…”
“Yes, I know what it means. But I don’t thinkyoudo. When she reveals the truth, the result will not merely be an uncomfortable confrontation with my father.”
“No?”
“No.” Sophia’s fingers clasped and unclasped each other with nervous energy. “There would be no more…poetry.”
“Oh. But we could still…”
“It would be quite impossible.”
“I see.” Now it was Tobias who was solemn and silent.
“Do you accept my condition?”
“It is a heavy price.”
“Yes, my love. It is.”
Sophia looked up into his eyes. Her own were wide and hopeful, but she bit her lip tentatively.
“I will not have your uncle pay the price for a secret that was never his to bargain for,” Sophia insisted, though her chin trembled a little as she said so. “This is the pact I am willing to make. Shake my hand and seal it like a gentleman.”
Tobias reached out and took her precious hand in his. “You have my word.”
Sophia released a shuddering breath. At once, Tobias pressed her to him, her ear upon his pounding heart. Her bonnet pushed back and he gently undid its ribbon, freeing the beautiful frame of her face from its stiff enclosure. He stroked her curls, soothing himself in equal measure with each caress.
“We will weather this storm,” he assured her, in the hopes of also reassuring himself.
