Page 6 of A Dangerous Engagement

He should expect some teasing from his brothers. As the youngest, he was used to it.

When the meal was over, Philip made his way downstairs, thinking he might play some billiards for an hour before he had to leave. On the way down, he met Clara, his mother’s maidservant.

“Good afternoon, Clara.”

She smiled but then seemed unable to meet his eye. “Good afternoon, Mr.Philip.”

His mother, distraught, had told him earlier that morning that she suspected Clara was with child. “I am very sad to get rid of her,” she confided. “But what choice do I have? I cannot have her here. It isn’t done. What would everyone say?”

He almost said, “Why do you care what everyone will say?” But he knew how cruel people could be if one disobeyed society’s “rules.” Instead, he said, “Do you know who the father is? Perhaps he will do right by her and the child.”

She shook her head. “I have not asked her yet.”

“Perhaps she has family who can care for the child, and she can come back to work after the baby is born.”

Mother smiled at him. “Even though you are my youngest, you always were the most mature.” She stood up straighter, as if casting off the burden that had been weighing on her. “I am sure all will be well. It is certainly nothing for you to worry about, Philip, and so we shall speak of it no more.”

Now, as Philip made his way down the stairs, he noticed his brother Damian was behind him. Philip glanced back just in time to see a significant look pass between the maidservant, Clara, and his brother—Damian’s look was stern while Clara’s eyes filled with tears. After she passed by him, she practically ran the rest of the way up.

Philip’s heart sank as he continued down the stairs.

“Why don’t you play a game of billiards with me?” Damian took the steps two at a time, catching up with him. He clapped his hand on Philip’s shoulder.

The game was friendly, up until Philip won.

“There’s a first time for everything.” Damian curled his lip. “Why don’t you tell me where you’re going? Did you get some girl pregnant and have to stash her away somewhere?” He laughed, a loud, ugly guffaw.

Philip felt the heat travel from the back of his neck to his forehead. “No, Damian. I have not slept with my mother’s maidservant, as you have clearly done.”

Damian stopped short, his jaw hardening. “How did you know about that?”

“How could you take advantage of a servant girl in such a way? You are a Member of Parliament. You should adhere to a higher standard than the average man.”

“Who made you my judge?”

“Do you plan to marry the girl?”

“Are you daft?” He snorted. “She’s only a servant.”

“Is that why you aren’t interested in any of the ladies Mother has tried to match you with? Well, I think you should tell Mother. She might treat the girl better if she knows she’s carrying the first McDowell grandchild.”

Damian’s face flamed red. “Listen to me, little brother. You are not to tell Mother anything.” Damian took a step toward Philip, his hands clenching into fists.

Philip stood his ground. After all, he was no longer thelittlebrother. Philip had kept growing long after his brothers, and he was now two inches taller than the tallest of them. “I hope you will do right by the child, at least.”

“Keep your mouth shut and your nose out of my affairs.” But Damian’s voice had lost its bravado. With one last look, he stalked off.

Philip let out the breath he’d been holding. But this was not over. When he returned from his mission, he would make sure Damian took steps to ensure the child was taken care of, at least.

He supposed his brothers would never treat him respectfully, nor did they seem inclined to grow up and behave as men. When they were children, they had often used Philip as the butt of their jokes, had left him behind, and had treated him as if he was incompetent. As a consequence, he had worked harder than any of them to learn and succeed. He could make friends with anyone, could decode secret messages, and could even infiltrate secret societies. He’d wanted his brothers to finally respect him, to be different now that they were adults.

Perhaps things would be different if this assignment at Lady Blackstone’s house party proved as dangerous as he anticipated.

As soon as Felicity and Aunt Agnes changed out of their formal dinner clothes, her aunt sat down with a book by the lamp.

“Did you enjoy yourself tonight?” Auntie asked, holding her book in one hand and her spectacles in the other.

“It was less dull than most dinner parties.”