Page 64 of A Dangerous Engagement

“I suppose it cannot hurt to wait a little longer, although I must leave in two weeks.” Ratley’s brow was still wrinkled. “I suppose I could wait ... twelve days or so.”

“Absolutely. Your union will be the stronger for it.”

“You truly think so?”

“I know so. You cannot lose, for a woman of Miss Mayson’s gentility cannot be expected to marry only a week or two after getting engaged. It’s nearly unthinkable—for a woman of her refinement and sensibilities. You understand that, do you not?”

“Yes. Now that you explain it that way ... it makes sense.”

Mr.Ratley used his cue stick to make the first shot as he leaned over the table. In a few more minutes he was smiling and making jokes and in quite good humor.

Philip did not play very well and lost the billiard game, but he’d already played—and won—the important game.

Felicity trudged up the stairs to her room. Perhaps she could take a nap before dinner. She wasn’t sure she could face anyone again without a respite.

When Felicity opened the door, Aunt Agnes crossed the room to meet her.

“Felicity, are you in some sort of danger?”

“Why do you ask that, Auntie?”

“I’ve been thinking about what you told me, that we could not write any letters home, and that our hosts were trying to revolt against the government.”

“Oh, Auntie, I beg you not to worry.” Felicity sank down on the edge of her bed and pulled out one particular hairpin that had been stabbing her scalp. “I shall get us out of this mess, I promise.” But could she really promise that? She’d already fainted in a critical moment and otherwise proven that she was not much of a spy. So, she added, “God willing,Heshall get us out of this.”

“Is there anything I can do? Too frequently, I allow others to bear my burdens, but I don’t want to leave you all alone in the matter.” Auntie seemed more clear-eyed than usual.

“That is very kind of you, Auntie, truly.” Felicity had never known her aunt to have such strength of mind and be so ... aware—of herself and her circumstances. “But I don’t know what you could do to help. And I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“I am not a child. I know I am sometimes nervous and fidgety, but I don’t wish to be a silly old spinster who is a burden to her family. If there is anything I’ve learned from novels, it is that people can change, if they truly wish to. And they can be sensible, not silly. Consider Elizabeth Bennet fromPride and Prejudice. She does not allow herself to be intimidated. She would fight back against revolutionaries, not hide in her room. And I shall not hide either.”

Aunt Agnes pursed her lips in a look of determination. Felicity could not recall ever seeing that look on her face before.

“Perhaps there is something you can do. I have been meeting with Mr.—with my friend who is employed by the Home Office to stop the revolution.” It seemed unwise to trust Aunt Agnes with the knowledge that Mr.Merrick was a spy. But she would have to tell her if she was going to allow her to help. “That friend is Mr.Merrick, and if anything should ever happen to me, he is the one person you can trust. He and I have been meeting in a book closet just off the library. I have been pretending to go to the library to get a book for you, but you can go with me next time and be our lookout. If anyone comes into the library, you can warn us by speaking very loudly, or possibly by distracting them and getting them to leave with you.”

“Oh yes, I would be able to do that.” Auntie smiled, her eyes bright. “I could say that I was there to get a book, and then I could take their arm and ask them to walk me to my room.”

“Excellent.”

“Shall we try it today?”

“I don’t think I have anything new to tell Mr.Merrick, but we can go downstairs and see if there is anything of pertinence afoot.”

Aunt Agnes took a deep breath and lifted her shoulders. “Let us go.”

Felicity felt refreshed after a fifteen-minute nap. With Aunt Agnes by her side, they prepared to leave their room.

Felicity warned her aunt, “You can trust Mr.Merrick, but we must not expect him to protect us. He has a very important job to do, and he cannot jeopardize it, even to save us from harm.” Her voice hitched, but she played it off by clearing her throat. “We must be extremely careful not to inadvertently betray him.”

Auntie’s eyes were wide, but then she lowered her brows and pursed her lips. “I understand.”

Once downstairs, they wandered past the billiard room, and, hearing voices inside, they strolled past it a second time. Felicity saw Mr.Ratley and Mr.Merrick, but thankfully Mr.Ratley’s back was to the doorway.

Felicity led Aunt Agnes to the sitting room that was adjacent to the billiard room.

Aunt Agnes found a book and began to read, then whispered to Felicity, “No one will suspect me. They think all I do is read.” She gave Felicity a wink.

“You are very clever, Auntie.” Felicity winked back.