Page 43 of A Dangerous Engagement

How foolish of her to try to do everything herself. She should have informed Mr.Merrick that she had the key. She was not a spy. She would get herself and Mr.Merrick killed.

He walked to her and put his arms around her. “How is my darling this morning? Did you sleep well?”

She avoided his lips by turning her head when she embraced him. “I did, I thank you. Did you?”

“Yes. But where were you going just now?” He pulled away and gazed into her face.

“I—I thought I heard something, Lady Blackstone’s voice, but I suppose I was wrong.”

“Good morning.”

Felicity pulled out of Mr.Ratley’s embrace as Mr.Merrick’s voice came from down the corridor.

“Mr.Merrick,” Mr.Ratley greeted. “You are also an early riser, I see.”

“I don’t like to sleep my day away.”

“I was just about to ask Miss Mayson to take a walk in the garden with me.”

“I would not intrude on you. I was on my way to practice billiards.”

“The sky is very lovely,” Felicity hastened to say. “I hope you will take the time, later, to enjoy the mild weather and pretty clouds.”

“Thank you, I shall,” Mr.Merrick said. He met Mr.Ratley’s eye. “Enjoy your walk.”

Felicity accompanied Mr.Ratley out into the garden, trying to attend to what he was saying about the ball the night before. Once they were outside, she was glad the sky was indeed lovely—she had said the first thing about the sky that came to her mind. Equal portions of blue sky and white clouds mingled, a milder-than-usual day.

Soon Mr.Ratley had led her to the back of the garden to a hidden spot between a wall and a very tall hedge and seated her on a bench and sat beside her. He pulled her close and started to kiss her.

Felicity pushed him away. “I’m not comfortable with so much kissing before our wedding.” She was looking down when she said it, then up at him through her lashes. “Please don’t be angry with me.”

He sighed. “I do not know what to think. Sometimes you are eager to kiss me. What is the meaning behind your disposition—hot one moment and cold the next?” He gave her a disapproving scowl.

“You would not want to marry a woman of loose morals.” She gave him a half smile, hoping he would see the humor in the situation. But her insides were trembling, and she might become desperate enough to scream for help, or even fight him, if he tried to kiss her again. She just couldn’t bear his lips on hers, not right now.

“But you know we will be married very soon. Why do you object to a simple kiss when no one is looking?”

“I am impulsive sometimes, but someone might come along and see us. And you have not spoken to my father yet, so my reputation is at stake.”

“But you have already agreed to marry me. This is carrying modesty to an extreme. Do you not think so?”

“Darling.” She took his hand in hers. “Please grant me this tiny request. You may kiss me once or twice a day. Is that not enough? As you said, we shall be married soon, and then it shall not matter. We shall not be obliged to sneak out to the garden to kiss each other then.”

He sighed again. “I will honor your request. But it is very hard. A great hardship.” He looked at her as a parent might as they scolded a small child.

“Thank you, my dear. You are extremely forbearing.”

“I flatter myself I am.” He gave her another scolding half smile.

Being meek and afraid of his temper was probably not the best tactic. She should have straightened her spine, raised her chin, and asserted in an insulted tone that she was not married to him yet and he was not to kiss her at all. Too late for that now.

“Let us walk a bit.” She took his arm, and they wandered through the garden.

“Did you hear what the Parker twins said to me?” Mr.Ratley smiled and then proceeded to tell her about some flattering statement made about his approachable manners at the ball the night before. Someone else had complimented how well looking the two of them were together, and yet another guest had praised their dancing.

It was the sort of flattery commonly spoken at such parties, but Mr.Ratley seemed to think the guests had truly thought him and Felicity exceptionally gifted.

“Forgive me, Oliver, but I believe the sun is giving me a headache. I should probably go inside.”