Page 42 of A Dangerous Engagement

Felicity’s thoughts were focused on the key in Mr.Ratley’s pocket. Unfortunately, he was not much of a drinker, not enough for her to hope he would drink until his senses were dulled so that she could take the key from his pocket without his being aware. But if she could get that key ...

She wanted this to end, to get out of this house, out of this engagement, and out of this revolutionary plot. She was not bold and courageous like her friends Julia and Leorah. She was nervous and emotional, and yet, she did not think she was doing too badly at pretending.

Perhaps if she could get Mr.Ratley to walk her to her door she could get close enough to him to steal the key.

Her stomach twisted at how she was manipulating this man, deceiving him with kisses when she had no intention of marrying him. But was it justified if she was doing it to save people’s lives?

By the time the guests began to leave, Felicity’s eyelids were heavy and so were her feet. But she was aware that she had led Mr.Ratley to believe that she enjoyed kissing him. Extricating herself from him might prove a challenge. She needed her wits about her.

When Lady Blackstone was saying good night to the last of the guests, Mr.Ratley looked down at her rather meaningfully. “Shall I walk you to your door?”

“Oh yes, I am so very tired. And poor Auntie. Sometimes she does not sleep well at all. I hope she is not worried that I stayed up so late.”

She held on to his arm as they made their way up the stairs.

When Felicity and Mr.Ratley arrived at her door, he brought her around to face him.

“I hope you enjoyed the ball.”

“Of course. I danced with you all night.” She smiled and let him draw her close, meanwhile keeping her hand at the level of his pocket. She buried her face in his chest, as if she thought he merely wanted to embrace her. But wouldn’t he feel her hand inside his pocket?

She could not avoid it. She lifted her face and let him kiss her while she fished into his pocket, caught hold of the key, and drew it out. Clutching it in her fist, she ended the kiss and quickly turned the knob on her door.

“Good night, Mr.—that is, Oliver.”

He did not try to detain her, only looked slightly disappointed as she closed the door behind her, gripping the key so tightly it dug into her palm.

The next day, Felicity rose earlier than she thought it would be likely for Lady Blackstone to be up. She tried not to look suspicious as she prowled around downstairs, praying she would see Lady Blackstone leave her room. She was rather surprised not to see Mr.Merrick anywhere, but that was a good thing. She didn’t want to be tempted to tell him she had the key. Then he might insist on using it to go in Lady Blackstone’s room, and Felicity wanted to do it herself. She could get the papers, copy them, and be able to hand them over to Mr.Merrick to get them safely to the officials in the Home Office. Then this whole thing would be over. She could escape, somehow, to her home in London and have her father break her engagement with Mr.Ratley, who would then be arrested and ...

Mr.Ratley might be hanged for his involvement in this plot. And Lady Blackstone as well. But of course they would be hanged. They were plotting high treason, planning to murder Members of Parliament and even the royal family.

She could not be missish about Mr.Ratley. Besides, she had only to do what was right. She was not responsible for the final outcome. Mr.Ratley and Lady Blackstone had only themselves to blame for whatever trouble they found themselves in.

Still, a pain stabbed her chest at the thought of Mr.Ratley being hanged. After all, she had planned to marry him and love him for the rest of her life. She’d had tender feelings in her heart when she told him yes, and pity and compassion lurked there still. She would not escape pain for her poor decision to form an attachment to Mr.Ratley.

Someone was coming down the stairs. Felicity waited in the empty sitting room, her hands shaking as she silently prayed for calm.

As the steps came closer, she casually exited the room and pretended surprise as the person turned out to be Lady Blackstone herself.

“Good morning, my lady.”

“Felicity. You are up early. I would have thought you’d still be sleeping.”

“I’m not a late sleeper. I like to get dressed early. Are you going somewhere?”

Lady Blackstone was dressed for riding.

“I like my solitary rides in the morning.” She smiled, but it was a tight smile.

“I am not much of a rider, but I hope you have a good ride.”

Lady Blackstone thanked her and went out through the back door toward the stable.

Felicity’s heart pounded hard against her chest as she started up the stairs. At the top, she turned toward Lady Blackstone’s door.

“Felicity?”

She spun around and pressed a hand to her heart and swallowed. “Mr.Ratley. You are up early.” He’d nearly caught her! What if he’d followed her and seen her using the key she’d stolen from him to unlock Lady Blackstone’s door?