Page 98 of A Dangerous Engagement

Her brothers all seemed to exclaim at once, asking more questions, and suddenly Felicity’s throat closed. Tears stung the back of her eyes as she remembered him lying on the floor with his shirt off and his hands behind his back, his face bleeding.

They were looking at her again, waiting for her to go on and answer their questions. She shook her head, blinking back the tears.

Mr.McDowell jumped in. “I was surrounded, the gun barrel pressed to my neck. They tied my hands behind my back, and then the largest man there—he must have been as tall as Goliath with giant hulking shoulders—pulled back his fist and ... that’s how I got this.”

His cocky half grin enabled Felicity to let out a deep breath and the tears to dry up. He sent a concerned glance her way, such a gentle look, it tugged at her heart.

Just being in his presence, seeing his friendly smile and his easy manner with her brothers, all Felicity’s sadness that had lingered since she’d returned home seemed to flee. How wonderful that he—that they both—were alive and well.

The next day Felicity was sitting at the small desk in the sitting room, writing about her experiences at Doverton Hall. She wasn’t sure she’d ever let anyone read it, but it felt good to put her thoughts and feelings on paper. And perhaps when she was able to write out all that had happened, she would finally be able to start her treatise on society’s egregious attitudes about marriage.

She had just finished covering an entire sheet of paper with her writing and was reaching for a second one when a servant came to the doorway and announced Felicity’s friends Julia and Leorah.

Felicity stood to meet them, and she embraced them each in turn.

“Felicity, when did you arrive back in London?” Leorah cried.

“Four days ago, but I needed two days to rest.” To wake up, more like.

“You should have sent word to us,” Julia said, but not in a scolding way. It was difficult to imagine Julia scolding anyone, even her two children, once they were old enough to get into mischief.

“Now,” Leorah said, putting a hand on her hip, “you must not waste time. Tell us, what are these rumors we’re hearing?”

“What have you heard?”

“It’s in this morning’s papers that a gang of insurrectionists was meeting at Doverton Hall.” Leorah’s eyes were wide as she pinned Felicity with an intense stare.

With a little smile, Felicity said, “It is true, I’m afraid.”

Julia and Leorah stared with their mouths open.

Felicity sighed and proceeded to tell them the entire story. Her friends interjected occasionally, but mostly they listened with rapt attention.

“Felicity, you have had quite the adventure,” Julia said.

“I am impressed,” Leorah said, “that you could be so courageous, thwarting an actual revolution and the murder of hundreds, maybe thousands—the Prince Regent and my husband included!”

“Oh, I am sure your husband and Julia’s would have thwarted them if Mr.McDowell and I had not.”

“Oh no, you cannot throw off the credit that easily. You are a hero, Felicity.”

“Indeed, you are.” Julia leaned forward and squeezed Felicity’s hand. “And what of Mr.McDowell? Have you heard from him since he brought you and Miss Appleby home?”

Felicity nodded. “He called on me yesterday, and Mother invited him to dinner.”

“Were you alone with him?”

“For several minutes.”

“What did he say?” Leorah’s voice was breathless.

“He said he was sorry for leaving me in danger.”

“Oh,” Julia said. “But it sounds as though he was very interested in getting further acquainted with your mother and father. Is that not so?”

“Perhaps.”

Leorah said, “Then he will surely call on you again.”