Page 25 of A Dangerous Engagement

“You are so kind.” Felicity leaned into his upper arm.

He seemed to catch his breath and stand up straighter, then he put an arm around her shoulders as they walked into the house. They went up to her room, leaving Lady Blackstone and Mr.Merrick talking at the bottom of the stairs.

“Is there anything I can do for you?” Mr.Ratley held her hand as they stood in front of her door. “What shall I have the servants bring you? Tea? Some laudanum to help you rest? Some bread and milk?”

“Oh no, I think I just need to lie down.”

“Very well. But if you need anything, please do ring for a servant or send for me.”

“Of course, I shall.”

Felicity slipped into her room before he might try to kiss her.

Philip spoke with Lady Blackstone until she excused herself, saying she had some letters to write.

He went into an empty drawing room. Would Felicity Mayson’s fiancé have left her alone by now? He had to speak to Miss Mayson before she tried to send any more letters. He’d been alarmed to see her looking so wan and pale, and he marveled that her fiancé had not even seemed to notice. But every time she turned on her smile, he inwardly praised her. She at least was wise enough to pretend she was still in love with her blockhead of a fiancé.

He stood at the foot of the stairs and listened. When he was assured there was no one talking at the top, he went quietly up the stairs and came to Miss Mayson’s door. He stood for a moment, then knocked.

“Come in,” came the muted voice.

Philip quickly glanced to the left and the right, then let himself inside and closed the door behind him.

CHAPTER NINE

Felicity drew in a breath as Mr.Merrick came into her room and closed the door.

“Sir? You have come to the wrong room, I think.” Would she be able to scream if he attacked her? Auntie was downstairs in the library and might not be back for some time.

He held his hands palms out, almost in a defensive position.

“Forgive me, Miss Mayson. I mean you no harm.” He spoke in a deep, quiet voice. “I need to speak to you, and this was the most private way I could think of. Forgive me for coming into your room this way.”

“What is it you wish to speak about?”

“You must be careful not to leave any more letters for the post. Lady Blackstone and Mr.Ratley will not hesitate to read your private correspondence, and they will be ruthless if they think someone here is not loyal to their cause.”

He wore a serious but not unkind expression. But was he not loyal to their cause? Her breath left her, and she thought for the hundredth time of the letter she’d left downstairs.

“What makes you think I am not loyal to their cause?”

His sober expression lightened. “Miss Mayson, you can be honest with me. I took your letter, and I read it.”

Her cheeks burned. “How dare you!” She pressed her hand to the ache in her chest as she struggled to breathe.

“Please don’t alarm yourself. I was sent here from the Home Office to discover this group’s nefarious plans. You are safe with me.”

His gentle tone helped her draw in another breath and another.

“Forgive me, but it is a good thing I did intercept such a letter. It is very dangerous to write down anything that this group might not like. I had to warn you, because such a letter could get you killed.”

He said the word softly, but it still sent a shock of fear through her. She sat down on her chair but did her best to breathe and keep her voice steady and her hands still.

“Thank you, Mr.Merrick.”

“And, forgive me, but I burned the letter. It was too dangerous to take it to the village to post.”

“I understand.”