Page 51 of A Dangerous Engagement

“Come,” Felicity whispered, “let us catch up with Mr.Merrick. I want to see the rest of the cave.” She wrenched herself out of his arms, annoyed that he was causing her to miss seeing what Mr.Merrick was viewing with his lantern. She took Mr.Ratley’s arm and hurried in the direction they had been walking, keeping her other hand on the wall so she wouldn’t lose her way, the edges of the shells dancing on her fingertips.

A glow of light shone just ahead, and soon they reached the end of the tunnel and a large rectangular room. She drank in the fantastical and intricate mosaics someone had meticulously created on the walls, visible by Mr.Merrick’s lantern, but more so by the light coming in through a hole high above them in the ceiling, letting in the sunlight.

“Look at this,” Mr.Ratley said.

Felicity and Mr.Merrick both came over to see a small shell-covered table against the wall, almost like an altar.

“Lady Blackstone said it looked like a place where someone had performed pagan rituals,” Mr.Ratley said.

“Or maybe it’s where they placed their tea things.” Mr.Merrick didn’t smile, but the corner of his mouth twitched.

Felicity couldn’t stop turning her head, trying to take in every beautiful inch of the shell-covered walls and ceiling. “Who could have created such a magical-looking place? It’s so well done, so artistic. The walls, even the floors, everything is perfectly straight and level and symmetrical.”

“Lady Blackstone doesn’t know who created it,” Mr.Ratley said. “She said one of her shepherds discovered it and told her about it. He was afraid it was a pagan cave and said he didn’t want anything to do with it. He advised Lady Blackstone to cover the entrance and never go inside.”

“And no one in the village knows about it?” Mr.Merrick asked. “There are no stories or legends about it?”

“Not that we know of. It seems to be completely forgotten.”

“It is such a mysterious place,” Felicity said. “I wish we could find a diary telling how it came about, who built it, and why. Perhaps there is a hidden compartment somewhere.”

“That doesn’t seem likely,” Mr.Ratley said. “And it hardly matters. Those who carved it out of the ground and decorated it must be long dead, and now it’s a perfect storage room for our weapons, as we have a large delivery of guns and ammunition coming soon.”

Felicity sighed. So much beauty. So much mystery. “I hope you will not damage it.”

“It should be about time for tea.” Mr.Ratley did not seem very interested in looking at the walls and held out his arm to Felicity.

“Indeed,” Mr.Merrick said cheerily. “I could do for some tea. Thank you for showing us the shell grotto, Mr.Ratley.”

Mr.Ratley gave a half smile as he faced Mr.Merrick. “Of course.”

They all walked toward the entrance with Felicity following Mr.Merrick as if she did not notice Mr.Ratley hanging back, probably hoping to take the other tunnel so he could try to kiss her again.

Once they were out of the grotto, Felicity allowed herself a deep breath and let it out. She was careful not to look at Mr.Merrick. Her gratitude for his interruption of Mr.Ratley’s intentions would show on her face.

Mr.Ratley helped her onto her horse, and the two men also mounted and led the way back onto the trail.

Mr.Merrick stayed with them, engaging Mr.Ratley in conversation all the way back to the stable. He seemed to be purposely flattering her fiancé, paying him several compliments, making him smile, and putting him into a better mood.May God bless you, Mr.Merrick.

They went inside and took their tea together. Just as they were finished, Felicity walked to the window in the sitting room and looked up.

“It looks as if the clouds are clearing. We may get some more sun later.”

When she spun around, she caught Mr.Merrick looking at her. He quickly glanced away.

“I believe I will go up to look in on my Aunt Agnes.”

“I shall accompany you,” Mr.Ratley said.

“There is no need. Please, stay and talk to Mr.Merrick.” She hurried away as fast as was socially acceptable, before Mr.Ratley could insist.

Once in her room, she talked with her aunt, who was sipping tea. She had never required very much food, and since she seemed to be eating as much as she ever did, Felicity decided she would not suffer any ill effects from her recent moments of shock and nerves.

Felicity changed out of her riding clothes and into a white muslin dress with tiny blue flowers embroidered on the bodice. By the time Auntie had finished helping her on with her dress, more than fifteen minutes had passed, so she hurried away.

She smiled at the few people she encountered on the stairs and in the corridor but did not pause to chat. As usual, she browsed through the library, pretending to look through the books, grabbed one to take back to her aunt, and slipped into the closet and shut the door.

Mr.Merrick greeted her.