When he remembered how she acted with the frog, he couldn’t stop the grin from stretching across his mouth. Even his men thought she was funny. And to think she had held a frog before…
His thoughts screeched to a halt. Confusion filled him like it did whenever he thought of her too intently. During what time in a wealthy, pampered girl’s life would she have the occasion to hold a frog? She’d made it sound like she was used to holding those slimy creatures…and wasn’t bothered by it.
That woman was very odd.
He slowed his steps and reached for his canteen. Carlos noticed and stopped walking to drink from his canteen, as well. Felix glanced at Katrina. She stood motionless, too, but seemed satisfied to just look around the ground and up into the trees.
Turning away from her, he lifted the canteen to his mouth and relished the refreshing water swishing down his throat. The humidity was sweltering and very uncomfortable today, which was normal for this time of year. But rainstorms were usually normal, too. He glanced into the sky which was nearly blocked by the overhead canopy of trees. Gray clouds now covered the sky. That definitely explained why it had been more humid in the past few hours. They would get rain any minute, he was sure. Although he looked forward to the break in the mugginess, he wasn’t looking forward to Katrina’s squawks and whining because of the mud and wetness.
“Miss Landon,” he began as he corked his canteen and hooked it back over his pack, “it appears that rain is in our near future.” He pointed upward. “Perhaps now is a good time to get out your raincoat.”
She arched a critical eyebrow as she wiped the sweat off her forehead. “Raincoat? Whatever for?”
“To protect you from the rain, of course.”
She shook her head. “Mr. Knightly, have you not noticed that my clothes are practically drenched from the sweat covering my body?” She gestured her hand toward him and the other men. “In fact, we all are in the same quandary. At this point, I welcome a little rain shower.”
“Rain shower?” Felix asked as his men guffawed. “You think this is going to be a shower? And little?”
Katrina flipped a hand in the air. “Do you think I’ve never been outside when it’s raining? There have been many times in my life I have walked up and down the streets during a storm.” She folded her arms and lifted her stubborn chin. “I assure you, Mr. Knightly, I shall be all right, and I promise not to melt from a little rain.”
Felix gritted his teeth. The impossible woman would not listen. Then again, she’d been like that when he first met her. Why did he think she’d change? “Forgive me for thinking differently, Miss Landon. Shall we proceed with our hike?”
“What an excellent idea.” She pointed to the path ahead of them. “Lead the way, Mr. Knightly.”
He turned and caught the twinkling mirth in the other men’s eyes. They, too, knew Miss Landon would not like the jungle rainstorms. Apparently, Katrina would just have to experience one firsthand before she realized Felix knew what he was talking about.
Continuing their journey, he waited impatiently for the rain to come—if only to see Katrina’s reaction. He’d never been the kind of man to say I told you so, but right now he looked forward to it with great expectation. He loved to watch the play of emotions crossing her face whenever she was caught off guard. Heaven help him, but he thoroughly enjoyed turning her world upside down. Strange that he would think this way, since he couldn’t recall the last time he’d been so enthralled with a woman as much as he was with her.
“Miss Landon?” Carlos asked after a few minutes of silence.
“Yes?”
“Might I ask what kind of rainstorms you are used to?”
Felix glanced at her, waiting for her answer. She swiped a lock of hair out of her eyes and smiled at Carlos.
“I grew up in Boston, Massachusetts. I don’t know if you have heard of the place before, but there is a saying we have that goes, when it rains it pours.” She shrugged. “We don’t just get a little rain, we get buckets full. There have been some winters in which the rain froze the ground solid, making it even difficult for horses to pull the carriages. Sometimes it’s almost impossible for me to walk from one part of town to the other without slipping and falling at least a dozen times.”
Carlos scratched his ear. “That is good. Now when it rains here, you will feel like you are home again.”
“I imagine I will,” she ended with a chuckle.
Once again, confusion filled Felix. Things just didn’t add up when it came to Katrina. “Tell me, Miss Landon, why would a woman as well-bred as yourself walk from one part of town to the other in the rain at all, especially when there is a freezing rain?”
She slowed her step as panic paled her face. At first he worried she might have spotted another creature, but then he realized it was the topic of conversation she hesitated to answer. Now he couldn’t wait to hear what she had to say, yet for a few long moments, she said nothing. For the first time since he’d met her, she actually looked like she didn’t know what to say.
How very interesting.
* * * *
Katrina’s mind scrambled, searching for something intelligent to say. She couldn’t possibly tell him she had to walk to the market to get their food once a week because they were too poor to own a carriage—or even a horse. She must continue to make him think she had been wealthy all her life.
She licked her parched lips and swallowed hard. After a few awkward seconds, she gave a light laugh. “Why, Mr. Knightly, you cannot think I was a perfect, obedient daughter all my life, can you?” She brushed her hand through the air and continued walking. “Before I blossomed into a woman, I was assuredly one who enjoyed wearing breeches and running in the fields with the boys my age. There were many times my friends convinced me to go to the market with them, against my mother’s wishes, I might add.”
The corner of his lip cocked. “You don’t say.”
“Indeed, I do say. I was a rotten child, I can assure you.”
He chuckled. “So when did your parents finally put a stop to your wayward path?”
“When I reached maturity, of course. My mother insisted I start wearing dresses all the time, and she would not allow me to be with the boys in our village unless she was present.”
“I’m sure it was very hard for you,” he said with a snicker.
“Extremely.” She kept her back straight and held her chin high as she followed him. “The girls who were my playmates were not as adventurous.”
“Indeed? You enjoy adventure, Miss Landon?”
“I thrive on it.” She smiled brightly.
“That is very good to know.” He nodded. “I understand more clearly why you’ve been thoroughly enjoying yourself in the jungle.”
The first few drops of rain hit her face, and she tilted back her head, closing her eyes, welcoming the refreshing water. However, she wanted the rain to be a little cooler. So far, it wasn’t.
Within five minutes, it was as if the skies had opened and dropped not only buckets, but barrels of water on them. Her hair and clothes were drenched completely, and the ground beneath her feet was nothing but sticky mud.
She took a quick glance around at the others. They didn’t seem bothered. Good heavens, how could they walk in this muck when each step felt as if the ground was sucking her boots nearly off her feet? Then again, they were men used to wearing men’s boots. She wasn’t. They were also used to traipsing through this jungle as if they were walking in their own backyard.
Scowling, she took another awkward step and almost came right out of her boot. How could anyway walk in these circumstances? Yet, she dared not voice her thoughts out loud. Not when only five minutes ago, she’d told them she could handle rain.
But this wasn’t rain. This was a flood!
She must admit, though, she didn’t feel quite as hot as she had earlier. Still, she wished the temperatures would have somehow made the humidity drop lower. But no. The air temperature was still hotter than Hades!<
br />
The heavy rains had come so fast and hard that it was difficult to keep her eyes open. Sounds from the rainfall grew louder as if drums were beating out an Indian warrior’s dance. If the rain didn’t drown her, the loud sounds would deafen her, she was sure.
“Miss Landon?” Felix nearly shouted above the noise. “How are you fairing?”
“I—I—I would be much better if the noise wasn’t so blasted loud!”
She didn’t hear the others laugh, but she could see their chests shaking as smiles stretched across their faces. They probably knew she would say something like that, obviously.
Felix turned to her, pointing upward. “The noise comes from the heavy rains hitting the leaves and trees so hard.”
More precipitation splashed her face and she cringed as she wiped the moisture. “It feels like I’m being slapped in the face with a pail of water.”
“It’s because the rain collects on some of the leaves until it gets heavy enough to drop. Your head just happens to be what it lands on.” He slowed to a stop and held out his hand. “Do you need me to help you?”
She frowned. “Of course not. I can walk by myself, thank you very much.” Yet when she took her next step, the mud tried to eat her boot again, and she stumbled headfirst into Felix’s chest. Thankfully, he was strong and her weight didn’t knock him over.
Clutching onto his wet shirt, she tried to pull herself up, but that only resulted in pushing against him more. It seemed no matter how hard she tried to pry herself away the more she slipped against him.
“Miss Landon, I beg you…please contain yourself.”
“I’m trying!” She pushed her palms against his chest and gazed up into his face. “Do you honestly think I’m doing this on purpose?”
“Sometimes I wonder.”
“Oh!” She hit his arm with her fist. “You are so haughty.”
He grasped her arms, but he could not get a grip on her because she slipped down his length and fell on her knees. The mud seemed to swallow her hands quickly. She yanked them out as fast as she could and then tried to climb to her feet once again. Felix gripped her arm and Carlos secured her other as they yanked her to her feet. Both men wore smirks, and the palm of her hand itched to slap it off their faces.
“Miss Landon?” Carlos asked, his voice light with hidden laughter. “Do you wish me to carry you?”
Although the prospect sounded heavenly, she didn’t like the glare coming from Felix. He’d warned her earlier that she was not to touch his men…or him. She shook her head. “I appreciate the offer, Carlos, but I’m fine. I just lost my footing for a moment.”
After a little while longer, Katrina’s limbs were heavy with exhaustion and she was ready to ask Felix if they could take a break and rest for a moment. She didn’t think the rain would ever stop, but soon it did—ending just as quickly as it had started. Relief swept through her and she wanted to cry with happiness.
The ground was still muddy, but it seemed easier to walk. Whether she was used to it, or the sultry air helped to dry the ground, she wasn’t sure. Either way, she was happy for the change.
It irked her when she thought about Mr. Knightly’s reaction to when she had fallen into him. How dare he think she did it on purpose! Did he believe she was doing it just for the chance to touch him again? Why, the arrogant man probably thought she plotted ways to make physical contact with him every single minute of her day.
Felix and a couple of his men pulled out their canteens for a sip of water. She should really do that, but she felt water-logged as it was.
While squeezing water from her wet hair, she glanced into the tall trees. Everything was so beautiful and green, and at rare times like this, she realized this really was some kind of paradise.
A movement from the closest tree drew her attention. Something long, round, and thick wiggled its way down the branch. When realization struck, fear surged through her. She shrieked and quickened her footsteps to retreat. Not looking where she was going, she plowed into Felix. Again!
The canteen he held slipped from his hand to the muddy ground and water spilled out. She didn’t care. All that passed through her mind was getting away from Satan’s own serpents. She grasped his arms as if trying to pull herself up his body.
“Miss Landon—” He tried to clutch her flaying arms that she was wrapping around his neck. “Good grief, Miss Landon. Now what are you doing?”
“Snake!” she squealed, clinging to him tightly.
He swung his gaze around the area. A few of his men also looked into the trees.
When Felix spotted a snake lying on a branch, he rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Miss Landon, there is nothing to fear. That is called an emerald tree boa.” He wrapped his arms around her, holding her still. “Those snakes will not harm us if we don’t bother them.”
“But…but…it’s still a snake!”
“Yes, but not all snakes are poisonous. Some won’t harm us if we just leave them be.”
Fright still shook her body as she whimpered softly, laying her head against Mr. Knightly’s chest. She snuggled next to him a little closer, and like the other times he’d come to her rescue, she felt safe and protected. Without warning, she released a peaceful sigh.
His body stiffened and he pushed her away. Everything happened so quickly, she didn’t know what was happening. Once again she found herself not being able to gain her ground. She stumbled backwards a couple of steps. Just as she brought her foot down, it landed on something hard. A red and black snake lifted its head and in a flash, it bit her. The serpent pulled back. Its fangs were still drawn and its head erect in attack position.
Katrina cried out, limping in the opposite direction. “I’ve been bitten!” she cried. “That s-s-snake bit me!”
The other men fanned out, checking the bushes for more snakes. In two large steps, Felix was beside her, lifting her in his arms and carrying her away. His gaze frantically scanned the path as he went.
She couldn’t control her tears this time. Unknown worry grew heavy in her chest and ached. “Am I going to die?”
Felix met her gaze with wide, worried eyes.
“I am,” she stated as anger boiled inside her. “And all because you didn’t want me touching you!”
Chapter Eight
Felix’s chest tightened. Tears dripped from Katrina’s frightened eyes as she pleaded for his help, yet at the same time they held an accusing gleam. She had every right to blame him. It was his fault and nobody else’s that she was bitten.
When she had clung to him just a moment ago, she pressed herself so intimately against him. For a brief second, he didn’t want to let her go. He’d wanted to keep her next to him as she relied on his protection. Satisfaction had swept over him, which confused him greatly. He’d actually enjoyed being the one to save her from the emerald boa hanging from the branches, even though they were not dangerous.
Then his mind had cleared, and he’d realized in an instant that his heart was in big trouble. So, without thinking—just reacting—he’d shoved her away…right into another snake. Of course he didn’t know what kind of snake had bitten her, but right now he needed to find a large rock—or some other place—to sit so he could examine the wound. He would know then if she was in real danger.
“Katrina, I don’t think you are going to die of a snake bite. I’m well acquainted with the methods of extracting the venom before the poison reaches the heart.”
He spotted a tree stump. This would be perfect for her to sit on while he cared for her injury. After checking all around it to make certain nothing else could harm her, he placed her on the stump and knelt in front of her. Gently, he cradled her foot as he rested it on his knee. He lifted the leg of her trousers above the boot. Immediately, he saw the punctures in the leather that the snake’s fangs had left.
“What kind of snake was it?” he asked.
“I don’t know.” She sniffed and wiped the tears from her cheeks.
“What color was it?”<
br />
“Black and red with stripes of white.”
His heart sank. “That’s a coral snake. They can be poisonous.” Silently cursing, he swallowed the lump of panic rising in his throat. He didn’t dare give her any more to fret about, but if indeed the coral snake had bitten her, she required immediate medical attention. “I need to take off your boot, all right?”
She nodded, her gaze not leaving his eyes.
He tried not to act as if he was hurrying, but he unlaced the boot as fast as his fingers could move. Guilt wrenched his chest to think this was all his fault. If she died… Inwardly, he recoiled. No! He’d make certain that didn’t happen.
“Are you having difficulty breathing?” he asked without meeting her eyes. “Or are your muscles aching at all?”
“Uh, no. Not really.”
“Do you feel anything different?” He finally met her stare.
“Why?” Her voice broke. “Am I going to die?”
Before he answered her, he yanked off the boot and slid her stocking down her leg and foot until it came to the spot where the two puncture marks in her skin would be…but he couldn’t see anything. Lifting her foot a little more into the sunlight, he peered closer. Finally, he detected the marks, but they only dented the skin, not punctured it.
Sighing with relief, he lowered her foot to his knee again and smiled. “No, you are not going to die. You are very fortunate, my dear. The snake’s venom is not in your bloodstream at all. In fact, I’m guessing it never made it through your boot.”
“Are you certain?” she asked with a shaky voice.
“Yes.”
“But I felt it.” She looked at her foot, her eyes narrowing as she studied it.
“You probably felt it because the snake’s fangs did go through your boot, but I assure you, the bite didn’t break your skin.”
Marie Higgins Page 9