Page 66 of A Dangerous Engagement
The crease in Mr.Merrick’s forehead deepened. “I can use my sick mother as an excuse to leave. But ... I want to put the papers back before I go.”
“I can help you. You could give me the key, and I can pretend to be sick at dinner tonight. I can go upstairs and put the papers back in her room.”
“I don’t like that plan. I don’t want to endanger you.”
“It is not so dangerous for me. And there is so much at stake. You must get that information back to your superiors.”
“I hate to think of leaving you amongst these people.” A muscle in his cheek twitched. He leaned down, staring into her eyes, then took her hand in his.
Felicity’s heart beat hard and fast. “I shall be well. Just ... say a little prayer for me.” She smiled, hoping she looked brave.
“Yes, I will pray for you. Nothing is too hard for God, and I shall have to trust Him to watch over you.”
Her heart skipped several beats at the gentle look on his face.
The door suddenly opened. Mr.Merrick let go of her hand. Josephine Cartwright stood in the doorway, her eyes wide and her mouth agape.
CHAPTER TWENTY
“I thought I heard voices in here.” Mrs.Cartwright looked askance at Felicity, and a sly smile spread over her face.
“I was just looking for a book,” Felicity said quickly.
Mr.Merrick took the book that he had tucked under his arm and held it up. “I have what I need, so I shall go. I hope you find the volume you were searching for, Miss Mayson.” He nodded at Mrs.Cartwright.
Mr.Merrick moved to leave. Mrs.Cartwright stepped aside just as Aunt Agnes rushed up to the doorway.
“I did not see you,” Aunt Agnes said breathlessly.
“Miss Appleby, isn’t it?”
Mrs.Cartwright and Aunt Agnes moved aside to let Mr.Merrick pass, which he did quickly.
“Yes, this is my aunt, Miss Agnes Appleby. Auntie, this is Mrs.Josephine Cartwright.”
Aunt Agnes said, “We were looking for books.”
“I was sitting in the back doing my knitting. There are some uncommonly comfortable chairs in the back corner of this library. Have you ever tried them, Miss Mayson?”
So that was how they had failed to see her. Felicity bit the inside of her cheek. “I haven’t. I do come to the library rather frequently to get books for Aunt Agnes, but she decided to come with me today to browse for herself. I happened to meet Mr.Merrick here as well. He was also looking for a book, but I believe he found his.”
Mrs.Cartwright smiled and nodded.
“I hope you do not think there was anything untoward about Mr.Merrick and I being in there together,” Felicity said in a low voice. “It was completely innocent—believe me—but I would be very grateful if you did not mention it to anyone.”
“Of course not.” Mrs.Cartwright waved her hand. “I understand. I would not wish to hurt your chances of marriage with Mr.Ratley.”
“Thank you.” Felicity did not know what else to say. If she weren’t so terrified that Mrs.Cartwright might tell someone what she’d seen and cause suspicion to fall on Mr.Merrick, she might have felt even more embarrassed at her friend finding her in such a compromising situation.
“Well, I believe my aunt has found her book.” Felicity indicated the book in Aunt Agnes’s hand. “We should go. Come, Auntie.”
They scuttled out of the library and up the stairs. As Felicity was just turning the knob to open her door, she heard someone clear his throat. She turned her head and saw Mr.Merrick looking at her. He was standing beside a small table that stood against the wall. On the table were a vase and other objects. He held up a key and a loose roll of papers. He put them on the table, behind the vase. Then he turned and went down the stairs, nodding as he passed them.
Felicity quickly fetched them, and she and Aunt Agnes went inside their room.
Auntie whispered, “I’m so sorry about Mrs.Cartwright. I don’t understand how she got past me.”
“It was not your fault. She must have already been in the room when we got there. I didn’t check the back corner where she says she likes to do her knitting. It is my fault. I should have searched the room when we arrived.”
