Page 3 of A Dangerous Engagement

“And here is your delightful aunt, Miss Appleby. How good of you to accompany dear Felicity.” She squeezed Auntie’s hands and looked into her eyes.

“Yes, here we are,” Aunt Agnes said. “I’ve never been to Margate in the whole of my life. The air is quite moist, but everyone is always saying how healthful the sea air is for—”

“Yes, yes, it’s quite healthful.” Lady Blackstone turned away from her. “And now, Felicity, let us get you both settled into your room.”

Felicity and Aunt Agnes started up the stairs behind Lady Blackstone. On the landing, a young man seemed to be waiting for them.

“Oh, how fortunate you are here, Mr.Ratley, so that you might meet my lovely niece and her dear aunt. Miss Felicity Mayson, Miss Appleby, please allow me to present Mr.Oliver Ratley.”

Oliver Ratley. That was the name Mother had mentioned from Lady Blackstone’s letter, the young man she thought would be a good marriage prospect for Felicity. Well, with brown hair, brown eyes, and even features, at least he was handsome.

Mr.Ratley took her hand and squeezed it. Felicity smiled, but she drew her hand back as soon as possible. He should not take the hand of a young lady with whom he was not well acquainted.

He smiled agreeably, as he was fortunate enough to have straight white teeth. His hair was thick, and his neckcloth was tied neatly. His style of dress was pleasing—neither too foppish nor too austere.

“I am very pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Mayson.” Mr.Ratley bowed, then turned to Aunt Agnes and took her hand as well, which caused her face to twitch. “Miss Appleby, I am very pleased to make your acquaintance. I hope you shall both be down later for a game of whist and some conversation. The afternoon will be most dull if you do not.”

“Perhaps we shall,” Felicity said. Then she and her aunt followed Lady Blackstone the rest of the way to their room.

Once inside with the door closed, Felicity glanced at her hair in the mirror. Good. It did not appear too messy after their long carriage ride.

“The young man, Mr.Ratley, was amiable and gentlemanlike, though I did not expect him to take my hand,” Aunt Agnes said. “I did not have my spectacles on, but he seemed handsome as well.”

“Yes. I had thought I might spend most of this house party in my room,” Felicity said, “but I may as well satisfy Lady Blackstone by getting to know Mr.Ratley.”

“Yes, of course,” Auntie said. “You should go down and see if he is as agreeable on further acquaintance.”

“And you must go down with me.”

“Oh, I had rather thought I would read. I have a new book—”

“Auntie, please. I shall not force you to go to all the festivities, but it is the first day, and I don’t know anyone except Lady Blackstone. And though she does treat me so familiarly, I hardly know her. Please? You must.”

Aunt Agnes glanced around nervously. “Very well, very well. But I shall bring my book and my spectacles with me, and if I can find a quiet corner, I shall sit and read.”

“Just as you wish, Auntie.”

Downstairs several people were gathered in a large sitting room, and at least two card games were underway at two separate tables. But ... everyone in the room was male. Not a single lady was present.

“Aunt Agnes,” Felicity whispered, bending her head so her aunt could hear, “I think we should go look for Lady Blackstone.”

They turned to leave when Mr.Ratley and Lady Blackstone suddenly appeared in the doorway.

“You are not going back to your room?” Lady Blackstone asked.

“We were afraid ... that is, this seems to be the gentlemen’s card-playing room.”

“Oh, never you mind those men. They have been instructed to be on their very best behavior when you are around. Nevertheless, we shall go for a walk, the four of us, in the garden. Will that suit you both? Oh, you shall love my garden, shall they not, Mr.Ratley?”

“Yes, indeed, it is a splendid garden.”

Felicity wanted to ask where all the female guests had gotten to, but Lady Blackstone was hustling them away.

“I should get my bonnet and a jacket before venturing out of doors,” Aunt Agnes said.

“No need to get your bonnet, Miss Appleby,” Lady Blackstone said. “It is a lovely day with not a speck of wind, and the sun is safely hidden behind the clouds. You shall be quite warm and cozy between Mr.Ratley and me, and Felicity can take the gentleman’s other arm. You see?”

They were out the back door before Felicity knew where they were going.