Page 91 of A Dangerous Engagement

“She waved the paper in the air and said, ‘What is this?’ Poor Miss Mayson turned as white as a cloud on a sunny day. Then Lady Blackstone asked me if Miss Mayson and Miss Appleby had been sending messages to you through me. I did not answer her but simply said I had to go, and I showed myself out as quickly as possible. But ever since then, I have worried that my action was cowardly. Truly, I did not know that anything nefarious was happening at Doverton Hall, though it is always suspicious when a household so rarely attends church of a Sunday.”

Heat spread through Philip’s body. “Thank you, Mr.Birtwistle. I must go.” He turned to leave.

“Where are you going, if I may ask?”

“To Doverton Hall. I need to rescue Miss Mayson.” If it wasn’t already too late.Please, God, let it not be so.

“Shall I come with you and offer my assistance?”

Philip considered the balding, slightly paunchy rector in front of him. His expression, at least, was very sincere.

“I would be pleased to have your help, Mr.Birtwistle.”

Philip and Mr.Birtwistle stood behind some trees, watching the house. Philip was fairly certain he knew which window belonged to Miss Mayson and Miss Appleby’s room. It was dark now, and the grooms seemed to have already retired for the night.

“It is time. All seems quiet.” Philip looked at Mr.Birtwistle. “Are you sure you wish to come with me? The risk is great. They are desperate and have already committed murder. I am sure they would do so again.”

“Yes, yes. I shall hold the ladder and assist the ladies.”

“Very well. May God save us all.”

“Hear, hear!” Mr.Birtwistle had the vibrant, wide-eyed look of a man going into battle for the first time.

Philip hoisted the ladder he had borrowed from the parsonage. He skirted around the stables, doing his best to stay in the shadows and away from the light shining from the house. Only a faint light shone in Miss Mayson’s window, and he hoped that meant she was there.

He reached the spot underneath her window and placed the ladder against the side of the house, pressing it down into the soft earth and testing it to make sure it was level and steady. Then he started up, with Mr.Birtwistle holding on to the sides to keep it from toppling.

As he raised his head above the windowsill, he stared in through the glass panes. Inside, a candle was burning on a bedside table. Someone lay on the bed. Was it Miss Mayson? Then he saw Miss Appleby’s small form standing beside it.

He grasped the window and pushed it open. He climbed up one more rung, and then sat on the windowsill before swinging himself inside, his boots making a light thud on the floor.

“Oh!” Miss Appleby seemed to shake all over, staring at him.

“Sh!” Philip put a finger to his lips, then whispered, “Gather as many of your and Miss Mayson’s things as you can fit into two bags and throw them out the window.”

“Oh!”

“Miss Appleby, I am taking you and Miss Mayson from this house immediately, but you must allow me to take you down the ladder.”

“I am most agreeable to leave this place,” Miss Appleby said, her eyes wide.

He strode to the bed. “Miss Mayson?” When she didn’t look at him, he touched her shoulder. She opened her beautiful green eyes, and his heart started beating again. “Can you walk? Is something the matter?”

“Lady Blackstone has been giving her laudanum,” Miss Appleby said. “I have been so very worried she’s trying to poison poor Felicity with too much.”

“Miss Mayson, are you able to walk?”

“I think so.” She was rather pale, but still lovely, with her reddish-blond hair spread across her pillow.

“She cannot even sit up.” Miss Appleby came hurrying over with two large carpetbags, one in each hand. “I have been packed these two days, hoping we would be rescued, just as in the novels I’ve read.”

He imagined he saw a twinkle in her eye at that last declaration.

“And here is Miss Mayson’s cloak.” She took the dark-colored garment that had been draped over her arm and held it up.

Philip took it and laid it on the bed. “Miss Appleby, do you think you can make it down the ladder with my help?”

“Oh.” Felicity’s aunt stood at the window and looked down. “It’s Mr.Birtwistle.”