Page 41 of A Dangerous Engagement

Felicity glanced around the room but did not see Mr.Merrick. She allowed herself to relax and concentrate on being the madly-in-love but piously modest fiancée of Mr.Ratley.

Mr.Ratley turned to come back toward her, then stopped, as if remembering something. He went to the small bureau and opened the very drawer where Felicity knew the incriminating papers were kept.

Her heart crashed against her chest. Had Mr.Merrick taken them? Would Mr.Ratley see that they were missing?

He seemed to sift quickly through them, then he shut the drawer and headed toward her.

“Is everything well?”

“Yes, of course.” He reached the door and shut it closed behind him, then took a key from his pocket and locked the door. She watched as he slipped the key into his coat pocket.

“Does Lady Blackstone always have you lock her door for her?”

“So many questions.” Mr.Ratley smiled down at her and shook his head. He looked as if he might kiss her again.

She pretended not to notice and took his hand in hers and started toward the staircase. “Come. Let us go. We’ve probably missed at least two dances.”

“So eager to dance with me?”

“Of course! You are such a good dancer. I don’t always have such a wonderful partner.” It was true. She often had no partner at all.

Mr.Ratley beamed. “I have been told, on occasion, that I am a good dancer.” They started down the stairs. “I would imagine we make a very handsome couple.”

Felicity smiled up at him.

How could she have fancied herself in love with this man? She couldn’t help hoping that Mr.Merrick realized she did not wish to kiss Mr.Ratley, that she had done it for Mr.Merrick’s sake. Tears welled in her eyes, but she resolutely blinked them away. So much depended on her strength of will.God, give me strength.She clenched her teeth and kept smiling.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Philip was on his way up the stairs when he met Miss Mayson and Mr.Ratley coming down. Her smile was rigid.

“Mr.Merrick. Are you well?” Mr.Ratley asked.

“Oh, someone spilled brandy on my coat. I’m going up to change.”

“My valet is a wonder at removing stains, if you need his assistance.”

“Thank you. I shall let you know.”

He did not allow himself to even look at Miss Mayson.

He continued up as they went down.

He went back to Lady Blackstone’s room, but this time the door was locked. Ratley must have locked it. He hurried to his own room, changed his coat, even though he’d lied about the spill, and went back downstairs.

Miss Mayson and Mr.Ratley were dancing, smiling at each other and drawing the gazes of several people. Philip’s stomach churned to see the way she looked at her fiancé. Of course, she was only pretending. He knew it, but it brought back the memory of her leaning into Mr.Ratley and kissing him.

Philip’s stomach sank at the thought of her kissing the man in order to help him escape. He had to get those papers before Mr.Ratley took advantage of her, for it was surely only a matter of time before the man wanted more than just a kiss in a corridor.

Philip asked a young lady to dance and wondered if she had any idea that she was dancing amongst the top leaders of a dangerous and capable group of revolutionaries. But she could speak only about the most inane things—the latest fashions, men’s neckcloths, women’s gowns, and whether it was more socially fashionable to curtsy or shake hands. He was so bored he had to stifle a yawn. As soon as it was polite to do so, he excused himself.

Philip asked another young lady to dance, then another and another. He danced every dance that Mr.Ratley and Miss Mayson did. Meanwhile, Lady Blackstone seemed to have been absent for more than an hour. Was she out somewhere hiding the dead body from her garden?

Lady Blackstone finally reappeared to host the supper, during which Philip flirted with every young lady who came near him, and soon he had three of them around him, each trying to get in more words with him than the other two. Meanwhile, Miss Mayson stayed by her fiancé’s side, talking and smiling.

Would Mr.Ratley and Lady Blackstone convince Miss Mayson that their cause was noble? That the violence and upheaval they would wreak would be justified? Seeing her now with Mr.Ratley, he could believe it was possible. Or was she as nauseated at the thought of kissing Ratley as Philip had been to see her do it?

He wished this night would end.