Page 9 of A Dangerous Engagement

“He did not speak to you as if he knew you.”

“We have never been introduced, but I believe he was at a party or a ball some time ago that I attended. I think he may be acquainted with Nicholas Langdon.”

“I suppose you shall meet him very soon.”

“Yes, I suppose so.”

CHAPTER THREE

Felicity made her way down the stairs with Aunt Agnes, who was nervously plucking at her sleeve while carrying a book and her reticule, where she kept her spectacles.

As they entered the sitting room, at least ten pairs of eyes turned to look at them. Mr.Ratley crossed the room to greet them.

“Won’t you sit by me?” Mr.Ratley seated them on a sofa, which was also near Lady Blackstone. “Miss Appleby, it is so good of you to join us. I hope you are comfortable. I understand you reside with Miss Mayson and her family in London.”

He proceeded to draw Auntie out and encouraged her to talk about herself and about Felicity’s family. He seemed skilled at listening and asking the right questions.

But from the corner of her eye, Felicity watched the red-haired gentleman, who stood talking not far away.

Soon Lady Blackstone began to pour the tea. Everyone talked quietly with their neighbor. Mr.Ratley divided his attention between Felicity and Aunt Agnes, who actually seemed less nervous while Mr.Ratley was talking to her. It was to his credit that he treated her so deferentially. Felicity sipped her tea and finished her sliver of cake while admiring Mr.Ratley’s patient manner.

“Felicity.” Lady Blackstone approached her and stood with the tall red-haired man. “I would like to introduce Mr.Philip Merrick. Mr.Merrick, this is my dearest niece, Miss Felicity Mayson.”

Her eyes met those of Mr.Merrick’s, and again she had the feeling she had seen him before. She could even picture him wearing a dark-green waistcoat and jacket, standing in a ballroom, talking with Nicholas Langdon. Now he wore a dark-blue waistcoat with a fashionably tied snow-white neckcloth. And rather than cropped short the way many redheads seemed to prefer, his hair was thick and a bit long. She could appreciate that he was not ashamed of the color, since her own hair was a pale reddish blond. His was a few shades darker and more reddish brown.

His eyes, she noticed, were bright blue.

“I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Mayson.” He bowed.

“She lives in London,” Lady Blackstone was saying, “and cannot possibly mind our abundance of gentlemen. After all, she has so many older brothers.”

“Do you have many brothers and sisters?” Mr.Merrick asked.

“I am the twelfth of thirteen children.” Felicity usually blushed when she said the words. Such a large family often caused people to raise their brows or even exclaim, “Heavens!” One wealthy gentleman’s wife, after hearing the number, had muttered under her breath, “How vulgar.”

Mr.Merrick did not hesitate. “You must feel fortunate to have had so many playmates as a child and so many friends as an adult.”

Felicity couldn’t help smiling up at him. “Yes. My sister Elizabeth is nearly always with me, but she was not able to accompany me on this visit.”

“You visit Lady Blackstone often, then?”

“As a matter of fact, this is my first visit to Doverton Hall. Lady Blackstone and I have only met a few times in London.”

“But my niece is quite devoted to me just the same. Is that not so?” Lady Blackstone smiled, but an unexpected look shone in her eyes, questioning.

Mr.Ratley turned from Aunt Agnes and moved to Felicity’s side.

“Merrick, I am so glad you are meeting everyone. We shall have to go out shooting later.”

“Yes. Lady Blackstone tells me the pheasant and grouse are as thick as bulrushes in a marsh.”

Perhaps Felicity was imagining that Mr.Ratley was edging his body in between herself and Mr.Merrick. Could Mr.Ratley deduce that there was something about Mr.Merrick—perhaps because he was so handsome or because of the way he looked at her—that made her feel mildly unsettled?

Mr.Merrick soon moved away with Lady Blackstone, who was continuing to introduce him to the other guests. Mr.Ratley stayed with Felicity and Aunt Agnes and kept them company. He often smiled at her and asked what books Auntie enjoyed reading and what they had done all winter when the weather was bad, and he complimented Felicity over nearly everything she said. Surely this was how it felt to be courted, how other, more sought-after girls of fortune were treated by gentlemen in search of a wife. Felicity would hardly be human if she didn’t have a bit of tender feeling for Mr.Ratley. In truth, whenever she saw him or heard his voice, her spirits lifted. Was this how it felt to fall in love?

Mr.Ratley hovered nearby until all the other men began filing out of the room to go shooting, then he took his leave.

“He is a very attentive young man,” Auntie said.