Page 76 of A Dangerous Engagement

Several of the men laughed long and hard. Ratley glared all around.

Philip said softly, “Are you hurt, Miss Mayson?”

“No, I don’t think so.” She looked him in the eye. In her disheveled state—strands of hair falling against her cheeks—she was so pretty it took his breath away. “You saved me, didn’t you?” Her voice was so soft, he barely heard her.

“I hope I didn’t hurt you.”

“I am very grateful.”

And he was grateful too. Even though his chance of sneaking away was probably gone now, saving her had been worth it.

Felicity was comfortable sitting across Mr.Merrick’s saddle, leaning against his chest. But then she realized how many people were staring at them.

“Mr.Ratley,” Lady Blackstone snapped, “get over here and help your fiancée down from Mr.Merrick’s horse.”

Mr.Ratley appeared below her and reached out his arms.

Would her legs hold her? If only she could stay with Mr.Merrick. If only he were her fiancé instead of Mr.Ratley.

But she did not have the luxury of such a thought.

She placed her hands on Mr.Ratley’s shoulders and let him help her down. Her knees wobbled, but they held.

“Miss Mayson,” Lady Blackstone said, loudly enough for the entire party to hear, “are you capable of riding back to Doverton Hall, or should we hire you a carriage?”

The thought of getting back on the mare that had careened out of control and nearly killed her sent a shudder through her body. But she bit her lip. Everyone was watching her. No one else seemed to care that she was frightened, and somehow she could not bear to let them see her looking anything other than strong and brave. She squared her shoulders and clenched her fists as she neared the grazing mare.

“I am well enough to ride.”

Steeling herself, she took hold of the saddle pommel and placed her foot in the stirrup as Mr.Ratley leaned down to help boost her up. But when he leaned, he stumbled and kept stumbling until he bumped into her horse’s flank.

“I’m all right,” he said, a smile on his face. He came near Felicity again, and the smell of brandy on his breath made her cough and lean away from him. He didn’t seem to notice and stooped again, offering his hands as a stirrup. Felicity placed her foot in them and pulled herself into the saddle.

“Thank you, Mr.Ratley,” she said, but he was already walking away, swaying as he went.

Lady Blackstone and Mr.Merrick had come alongside her with their own horses, and she heard Mr.Merrick address Lady Blackstone.

“Since it was Mr.Ratley’s stallion that nipped Miss Mayson’s horse, causing her to bolt, might I suggest that someone else ride beside Miss Mayson?”

“Mr.Ratley,” Lady Blackstone called.

“One moment, please.” Mr.Ratley was still trying to mount his horse, which was refusing to stand still.

A scowl crossed Lady Blackstone’s face. She muttered, “A man who can’t control his own horse and doesn’t know when to stop drinking ...” She raised her voice. “Mr.Ratley, Mr.Merrick will take your place beside Miss Mayson. You are not to ride behind her either. Her horse is too skittish to be anywhere near that beast of yours. You may ride at the rear. Now come along. I wish to get home before sunset.”

Lady Blackstone set her horse into motion, and they were on their way once again.

Felicity’s hands still trembled, but she was determined to make her horse mind her. She would not be timid this time.

Mr.Merrick sat very tall in his saddle, looking straight ahead, and Lady Blackstone was doing the same, but all Felicity could think was that she’d almost died ten minutes earlier, and everyone was so calm. Tears stung her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. She instead put her mind on Aunt Agnes. What might she be doing today? Undoubtedly, she had already finished reading Mr.Birtwistle’s book.

A memory flashed before her eyes of the blue sea below her as her horse had skidded inches from the edge of the white chalk cliff. Her heart started to pound, so she pushed the memory away and replaced it with the image of Mr.Birtwistle talking with Aunt Agnes, the way his eyes fastened on Auntie’s, and the way she smiled at him. Felicity had been so surprised to witness her aunt flirting.

But her mind kept switching back to her terrifying ordeal. How foolish had she looked, clutching her horse’s neck after stupidly dropping the reins? And why did she have to faint again? Her face tingled in embarrassment. Once again, Mr.Merrick had saved her. The poor man. He knew he’d have to risk his life to infiltrate a gang of revolutionaries, but he could not have known he’d have to risk his life to save a girl who couldn’t seem to stop fainting at the worst possible moments.

Tears rushed back into her eyes. She had to stop these thoughts.

She longed to start a conversation to take her mind off herself, but Lady Blackstone’s expression was stony, and she probably should not attract attention to Mr.Merrick by speaking with him. He would not wish it, certainly.