Page 21 of A Dangerous Engagement

“Forgive me for telling you all that. It could serve no purpose.” Felicity was speaking more to herself than to her aunt, who was now mumbling to herself and still plucking at her clothing.

“Do not worry, Auntie.” Felicity tried to get her attention. “I shall find a way out of this. We shall write to Father and ask him to bring the carriage and fetch us. Truly, all shall be well.”

She did her best to sound confident.

“I am not a child.”

“No, of course not. I just don’t want you to worry. Mr.Ratley may be persuaded to assist us. If he loves me as he says, I should be able to make him see reason.”

She would at least try, if she could think of no other way of escape. But if he was more loyal to Lady Blackstone than he was to Felicity, their likelihood of escape was quite small.

Felicity walked beside Mr.Ratley in the cool of the evening in an area where the servants had just lighted a few torches for them. Everyone else was changing for dinner, but she’d asked to take a private walk with her fiancé.

“Darling,” she said, “I don’t wish to be obtuse, but I am still confused about what is happening and about your role here.” She chose her words carefully, keeping her voice quiet and even. “When I agreed to marry you, I had no idea of any of this.”

He focused his gaze on her face, his brows drawing together. “It was a great deal for you to take in, I know, but consider the fact that we were actually sparing you, in many ways, in the future by allowing you to be acquainted with what is happening and what is about to take place.”

“How did you become involved?”

He seemed to think for a few moments, and he led her to a bench and seated himself beside her.

“It must have been a shock to you. Forgive me for not explaining my situation first, but I wanted to marry you so badly, I could not stop myself from asking you when I did. You are not sorry you said yes to me, are you?”

What could she say? “I enjoy talking with you and being in your company, and I was pleased to say yes to your proposal, but now I am ... a bit afraid. As I said, I am confused.”God, please let him reassure me that we do not have to be here, planning an insurrection, that if I am uncomfortable with our involvement in this revolution, we can leave and distance ourselves from this.

“Darling, you must trust me.” He gave her that condescending smile she had not seen until after she’d agreed to marry him.

“Trust you? Believe me, I want to, but I am unused to ...” Revolution? Unlawful plotting against king and country?

“You must try to understand and sympathize. Lady Blackstone doesn’t like to speak of it, but her sister married a man who forced her to work in a cotton factory, and she died in an accident in which she was crushed. The factory owner was so far from caring he left her on the floor and ordered everyone to continue working.

“And Lady Blackstone’s first husband beat her and starved her when she was with child. She lost the baby because of it and was destitute when he died. She credits your uncle, her second husband, with saving her life. It was very much like Mrs.Cartwright’s situation.

“When I met Lady Blackstone, I had just lost my father, and it was around the time Lord Blackstone died. We formed a bond, much like a mother and son, I believe—she being childless and me without a mother since I was five. So you see, we are fighting for the country’s freedoms together now, as she wishes to right some of the wrongs that have been done, preventing the type of terrible fate her sister met as well as her own early situation.”

“I am glad you and Lady Blackstone were able to form such a bond, and it is our Christian duty to help the poor. But how did you become interested in revolution?”

“How else are we to help the poor? Lady Blackstone has quite a vigorous mind, and she showed me how impossible it is to alter the way things are done in this country without a complete regime change—without revolution. I’m sure, once you hear all her plans and ideas, you will agree. But, Felicity”—he leaned toward her on the bench and took her hand in his—“I need you to pretend to agree with her, even if you do not yet understand everything. She can get very upset when she thinks someone is being disloyal.” He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Please, just tell her you approve of what we are doing. I promise you will agree with everything eventually.”

“If she doesn’t like people disagreeing with her, I wonder that she invited me to this party when I was completely ignorant of what she and the rest of you were plotting.”

Mr.Ratley pursed his lips. “I hope you are not going to be difficult about this.”

A cold tingling spread to her fingertips.

“I am trying to be patient,” he went on, his dark eyes boring into hers. “You must understand the seriousness of our situation. Everything, even our very lives, depends on everyone’s discretion. We must remain united, and above all, we must not allow anyone to hear of our plans, or all will be lost. You understand that, do you not?”

Indeed, she did. “Yes.”

“That’s a good girl.” He patted her on the hand. “Now kiss me like a good fiancée.”

She leaned away from him. It was an involuntary reaction, as her skin crawled at the thought of kissing him now.

His expression changed from satisfaction to disapproval.

“Someone might see us here. Hannah More says engaged couples must be discreet until the wedding day. Please humor me.” She forced her lips into a smile. Truly, she did not know if Hannah More had ever said any such thing, but it seemed to mollify him.

“I suppose young ladies are often sensitive to such things—not wishing anyone to see them display affection with their sweetheart.” He smiled condescendingly. “Very well. I shall humor your sensibilities.”