“There could be another entrance from the streets outside,” Ambrose said. “If you went missing down there, how would I feel knowing I could have prevented it?”
She hadn’t thought of that, which he was pleased about. That was another thing about this woman. She reduced him to needing to better her constantly.
“Plus, who will save you from the cobwebs?”
The breath hissed in annoyance from her throat once more. “What if a member of your club walks in and finds me? They will likely faint on the spot,” she said.
Ambrose headed back to the door. He locked it and returned to her with the key. “Anything else?”
She didn’t speak again, just turned, bent to pick up the lamp, and began to walk away. Ambrose grabbed a handful of her skirts and tugged her back behind him. He then wrestled the lamp from her, and led the way.
He could feel her anger, but she remained silent thankfully.
“This is my passage,” she muttered a few seconds later.
“As it leads to my club, and I was the one who heard you knocking, then you can no longer claim it, surely?”
She sounded like a dog grumbling then, muttering under her breath.
It was cool in here, and the light showed him that the walls were damp with moisture as they descended.
“Have a care, as the surfaces could be slippery beneath your feet.”
“I am not one of your sisters, my lord.”
“I know that. You have far worse manners, which is saying a great deal.”
She snorted.
“Did you just laugh?”
“Absolutely not,” she lied.
Reaching the bottom, he raised the lamp and saw the direction she had likely come from and instead took the stairs down. Ambrose walked slowly, gripping the railing with one hand and the lamp with the other.
“What are those?” Tilly asked him.
Stopping, he looked at her. She was pointing to their left. Raising the lamp, he studied the walls. There were symbols and letters everywhere.
“Can you read any of those?” she asked him.
“No, but that is a Freemason symbol,” he said, pointing to one.
“I don’t know what is down there, but have a feeling I’m not going to like it,” Tilly said.
“And yet you were willing to go alone.”
“You must be a vexatious brother,” she said.
“I am an excellent brother,” he retorted before continuing on.
They descended further until reaching the bottom. Once there, they found a long passageway. Along one wall was a row of hooks with garments hanging on them, all hooded cloaks in what appeared to be different colored silks. Ambrose felt his tension climb and fought the need to send Tilly back up the stairs to safety.
Passing the cloaks, he tried the first door, and it opened. Stepping inside, he raised the lamp again.
They found a double triangle drawn or chalked on thefloor, with candles at each point.
“Does the air feel different down here? Sinister,” Tilly added, moving to his side and standing so close, her arm pressed against his.
