Page 99 of A Dangerous Engagement

Julia placed a hand on her heart. “It is so romantic, carrying you out of a window and down a ladder, taking care of you while you were poisoned with laudanum.” She sighed.

“Well, perhaps it would be, if ...”

“If what?”

“If I thought he cared for me.”

“How could he not?” Leorah and Julia both exclaimed.

“I have no fortune, and neither does he.”

Both their faces fell. Yes, they had forgotten that fact.

“He did come back for you, though, did he not?” Leorah’s brows lifted.

“Yes, but perhaps that was only because his superiors told him to. They probably needed me as a witness to prosecute Lady Blackstone and the others.”

“Have they asked you to serve as a witness?”

“Not yet. But they surely will.”

“I don’t see how he could not be in love with you, Felicity.” Julia pressed a hand to her heart again. “And you know, the Prince Regent is likely to reward you both for such heroic deeds. He will surely ask to marry you. You are so generous and kindhearted, so witty, and beautiful besides. He’d be a fool—”

“Mr.Philip McDowell,” the servant announced.

All three of them jumped and turned toward the doorway.

Julia was blushing bright red, and Felicity’s own face tingled as he made his way into the room.

“Lady Withinghall and Mrs.Langdon,” Felicity said, swallowing the lump in her throat, “allow me to introduce Mr.Philip McDowell. Mr.McDowell, these are my dear friends, the Viscountess Leorah Withinghall and Mrs.Julia Langdon.”

Mr.McDowell bowed. He made his way to a chair, and then Felicity’s mother entered the room. He stood, and Mother greeted him, then they all sat and tried to think of things to say to one another. After a few minutes of inane comments about the weather and the roads that no one gave much thought to, Mr.McDowell cleared his throat and looked at Felicity.

Mother, Leorah, and Julia were watching them. But then they all three seemed to turn away and start talking quietly amongst themselves.

“I have a specific message for you, Miss Mayson.”

“Oh?”

“The Home Secretary, Lord Sidmouth, wishes you to come to his office tomorrow and give a statement about everything that happened at Doverton Hall.”

“Do they not have enough evidence against Lady Blackstone?”

“They do—we confiscated pamphlets that they had been distributing to the militia in an effort to convert them to their cause. It is more than enough to condemn Lady Blackstone and the other insurrectionists—as long as the incriminating literature can be tied to her and Ratley. However, most of their number have fled the country or are missing. They realized, of course, that they were about to be arrested and charged with treason.”

“I see.”

“But there is another reason for having you come and make a statement. I believe, for what you did to secure the list of leaders and their whereabouts, there will be a reward for you.”

“A reward?” Until Julia had mentioned it a few minutes before, it had not entered Felicity’s mind that such a thing might happen.

“You helped to save our royal family from the threat of execution, after all, though the public may never hear of your role in their salvation. The Prince Regent cares very much about his life and the lives of his family and Parliament, and he has the means and power to reward those he wishes to favor.”

“I suppose he will wish to reward you as well. After all, you did most of the work.”

“I can hope, at least.”

“Mr.McDowell,” Leorah said suddenly.