Page 15 of A Dangerous Engagement

Felicity acquiesced, and she once again found herself in the garden with Oliver Ratley and Lady Blackstone, wandering about, talking of the flowers and their trip to the seaside the next day, eagerly anticipating the short jaunt.

But what had Mr.Merrick been speaking of? All the men here were seeking positions of leadership, he’d said. Whatever kind of positions could they find here at Lady Blackstone’s country estate?

Felicity and Aunt Agnes sat across from Lady Blackstone and Mr.Ratley in that gentleman’s carriage the next day as they set off for Margate. Lady Blackstone’s voice was animated as she spoke about first one topic and then another with a ready smile on her face, while Mr.Ratley kept glancing out the window to relay their progress, commenting on how slowly the carriage was moving, and dabbing at his face with his handkerchief.

Meanwhile, Auntie plucked at her sleeves and mumbled under her breath.

“What did you say, Auntie?”

“Oh, I was saying the weather is warm for this time of year, but I am glad I brought my warm cloak.”

The carriage came to a halt, and Mr.Ratley sprang out, helping each lady down, Felicity being the last one out.

“How do you like it?” Mr.Ratley bent to look into her face.

The ocean was before her as she stood on a sand dune just above the shore.

“It is lovely.” His face was so eager, so expectant, that she went on. “I love the roar of the sea. And the expanse of it is simply wonderful. The way the water continues to meet the sand is unlike anything I’ve seen before.”

“I’m so pleased you like it.”

“Come,” Lady Blackstone called to them from several feet away where she stood holding Aunt Agnes’s arm. “We must go down to the shore.”

Mr.Ratley dabbed at his face again. He had lost some of his color.

“Are you well, Mr.Ratley? You look pale.”

“Oh no, I am quite well.” He smiled, but the corners of his mouth trembled.

What could the matter be?

They started off, and he appeared strong enough. He helped her down some stone steps that led to the beach. She was careful, though, not to lean on him.

At the bottom, her foot sank into the sand. The gritty grains entered her thin leather shoes and settled between her toes. A white seabird ran along the edge of the water in front of them as the frothy water rushed up to meet it.

Felicity shaded her eyes with her hand to gaze out at the ocean. The rippling sea was like a thousand sparkling jewels glinting in the sun. The roar of its ceaseless motion filled her ears the way it seemed to fill the whole world, all encompassing.

She glanced to her right. Lady Blackstone and Aunt Agnes were surprisingly far down the beach and walking still farther. She turned to her left. “Should we not follow th—”

Mr.Ratley was down on his knees beside her. Sweat beaded on his forehead and upper lip.

“Mr.Ratley!”

Was he ill? Should she go and fetch a physician? He reached and grasped her hand.

“Miss Felicity Mayson, will you make me the happiest man in the world by agreeing to become my wife?”

Felicity’s heart pounded. He gazed up at her, fear and expectation all over his face.

No man had ever asked her to marry him, except the one time when a surgeon’s young son had asked her in the vestibule of the surgeon’s home when she’d come to fetch him to set her brother’s broken leg.

Now, she stammered as she had done then. Except this time, she said, “I will.”

But did she mean it? Did she truly want to marry Mr.Ratley?

Mr.Ratley seemed to love her, if his nervousness and attentiveness were any indication, and he had a large fortune besides. They would not quarrel about money or be in want. Wasn’t this her opportunity to have the kind of love that her friends Leorah and Julia enjoyed? What else could she wish for?

He jumped to his feet, still clutching her hand. “Oh, thank you, Miss Mayson. I am so ... thank you for accepting me. I shall endeavor ...”