Page 59 of A Dangerous Engagement

“Miss Mayson?” Mr.Merrick’s voice whispered. “I think now would be a good time to make a run for the house.”

“Oh.” How embarrassing to be sleeping sitting up, and in a gentleman’s presence.

“I do not hear any more voices. I peeked through the door and saw several people enter the house some minutes ago. Soon it will be dawn.”

Felicity stood and smoothed her skirt, taking a deep breath.

He said, “I shall wait a few minutes after you and then go in.”

She walked to the door and took another deep breath. Would God keep her from being seen as she ran across the yard to the back door? Lately, she always felt that God must be upset with her, she was telling so many lies. But they were necessary lies to save herself and her aunt and even Mr.Merrick. Was God angry with her?

“God, please help me and forgive all my trespasses,” she whispered, then pushed the door open.

She ran the whole way to the house and slipped inside. Keeping her head down, she stepped quickly but carefully, glad she was wearing her thin leather slippers so her footfalls were silent on the marble and stone floors. She went quickly up the stairs.Thank you, God, that no one is around.She made it to her door and let herself inside.

Auntie was sleeping, her breaths deep and even.

Felicity knelt by her own bed and clasped her hands. “God, forgive me of my many sins. I have lied and deceived, but I pray you will show me mercy and look at the motives of my heart and forgive me. And please cause these people in this house to repent of their wicked plans to murder your anointed rulers of our land, the Prince Regent and others. Let them be convicted and turn away from their plan. Please protect Mr.Merrick—Philip McDowell. Give him favor and help him. Keep Auntie and me safe and get us back to London. Thank you, God. May your name forever be hallowed in England and over the whole world. Amen.”

She crawled into bed and felt at peace.

“Darling, a letter has come for you.” Mr.Ratley carried the letter to her as she sat breaking her fast with Mrs.Cartwright in the breakfast room. “May I join you?”

“Yes, of course,” Felicity said.

Felicity saw that the letter was from her family and tucked it away to read later.

“I heard a lot of voices last night,” Felicity said as they were settled comfortably with their tea. “They sounded as if they were coming from the garden.”

“Oh yes,” her fiancé said. “We had some business to attend to, to get ready for our glorious revolution.” He smiled sweetly. “I hope the noise did not upset you.”

“It was a bit disconcerting, that is all,” Felicity said.

“I’m so sorry you were bothered.” He took the liberty to hold her hand and pat it. “We were storing some things, necessary things for the revolution. Nothing to worry about.”

Felicity said no more on the subject and smiled and talked as though she thought nothing more about it. She did wonder if Lady Blackstone and Mr.Ratley knew of the broken printing press and whether or not they suspected it had been tampered with. The conspirators did not discuss the business of their revolutionary endeavors with Felicity, so it was not strange that they would not mention the broken printing press in her presence.

When she had eaten her breakfast, Mr.Ratley asked Felicity to take a walk with him. “You can read your letter while I look in on the progress with the garden.”

She went with him, unsure how to refuse.

Mr.Ratley found a bench where she could sit with her letter, and he went in search of the gardeners.

Felicity opened her missive, already suspicious. But if she had not had reason to suspect the veracity of the letter, she might never have seen anything amiss in her mother’s handwriting. But it spoke in such glowing terms, with such enthusiasm, she knew it had been forged.

My dearest daughter, Felicity,

I am writing to tell you that your father and I most heartily approve your marriage to Mr.Ratley. Your father gives his wholehearted consent for you to marry as soon as Mr.Ratley may like. We are satisfied that he is the most eligible, the most perfect, husband you could ever have found in the whole of Great Britain. You need not wait for anything, even your family’s attendance on the ceremony, for we shall have plenty of time to visit you after the wedding.

Felicity’s heart sank. So now, with her family’s supposed eager consent to her quick marriage, they intended to pressure her to marry him before their rebellion began. What excuse was she to invent now?

She kept staring at the letter, pretending to read it.

She could feign sickness.

She could tell him she was not ready.

She could say she wanted more time with him for a honeymoon. If they married before the insurrection, they would have very little time.