Page 36 of A Dangerous Engagement

“Well, I shall leave you two alone,” Lady Blackstone said as she stood and left the room.

As shaken as Lady Blackstone’s words had made her feel, Felicity wished the woman had told her where she was going. Would she be away from Doverton Hall today?

Mr.Ratley moved from the chair to the sofa beside Felicity. “I hope you know I would never let anyone harm you, Felicity.”

Her name sounded strange on his lips, as if he found the four syllables difficult to string together.

“Thank you ... Oliver.” She did not want to address him by his given name, but he might find it suspicious if she allowed him to address her as Felicity and she did not reciprocate. Truly, she was thinking too much about this. A trickle of sweat was forming between her shoulder blades, and another on her sides under her arms. She had to relax—

He was leaning toward her, his obvious goal to kiss her lips. She didn’t want to let him kiss her. But what else could she do?

She let him press his lips to hers, then pulled away. She put her arms around him and pressed her face to his shoulder to keep him from kissing her again.

“Oh, darling.” He caressed her back.

She forced herself not to shudder as he continued to stroke her back. Then she pulled away.

“I should probably go look in on my aunt. She gets nervous when I am away too long. Please forgive me.”

He sighed. “I understand, of course. You must see to your aunt. But tonight ...” He gave her a knowing smile. “I shall expect to dance with you at least four dances. And perhaps we can sneak away for”—he ran his finger over her cheek—“half an hour ... to be alone.”

“That doesn’t sound very proper.” She gave her best reproachful expression. “Some of the men here do not seem to respect the rules of propriety, and we do not want to set them a bad example. Society will be looking to us to show them the guidelines for proper behavior.”

He frowned and shook his head. “I think you just do not want to be caught kissing me. You would be embarrassed. Very well, very well.” He smiled and tapped a finger under her chin. “We will be married soon enough, and you will not have to worry about such things.” He squeezed her shoulder. “Then I can kiss you all I want.”

She caught herself, realizing he had not meant the words to sound sinister, so she smiled back at him. “You are so considerate and kind. I’m not sure what I ever did to deserve such a wonderful fiancé as you.”

“My dear.” His gaze settled on her lips.

“I must go. Aunt Agnes will become anxious about me.”

“Of course. I hope you can persuade her to come down to the ball.”

“I shall try. Perhaps she will come for a portion of it.”

She took his arm and let him walk her to her room. All the while, he held her close and squeezed her hand. She let him kiss her on the cheek and, as quickly as she could, extricated herself from him and slipped into her room.

Once inside, she shuddered and wiped her lips and cheek with her handkerchief.

I can do this, I can do this,she chanted to herself. She had to steel herself against all shudders and harden herself to his touch. She must.

After assuring herself that Aunt Agnes was well and occupied with a book, and after half an hour for Felicity to compose herself, she ventured downstairs again. Perhaps she could discover if Lady Blackstone was away from home.

As she was entering the drawing room, she nearly collided with Mr.Merrick. He was wearing a dark-blue coat and waistcoat that made his eyes seem even bluer. Though she hadn’t thought that possible.

“Good afternoon, Mr.Merrick.”

“Good afternoon, Miss Mayson. I trust Miss Appleby is well.”

“She slept rather fitfully last night, but she is well, I thank you.” Should she let him know that she wished to meet with him in their secret meeting place? She could tell him about her conversation with Lady Blackstone and Mr.Ratley.

“The sky is quite overcast today.” She looked him in the eye.

“Yes. It could rain in about five or ten minutes.”

“Yes, well, I should go ... up to my room. Good day, Mr.Merrick.”

“Good day.”