Their children. Now that was a pleasant thought. He’d never thought about having children, mainly because he hadn’t met a woman he could love enough to bear his children.
Love was so wonderful. It made him feel so complete.
With gentle fingers, he moved the hair away from Katrina’s neck and kissed her earlobe. A soft moan rattled in her throat, and she arched against him. Even in her sleep she was desirable.
He continued trailing soft kisses across her ear, and then moving down her neck. Suddenly, he didn’t feel tired any longer. All he wanted to do was wake her and kiss her endlessly. But his conscience fought the urge, reminding him that they both needed sleep in order to arrive at her father’s in the morning. He also needed the sleep so he could be alert for any danger as he brought the group to her father’s plantation.
Unfortunately, caressing her and kissing her neck was far too enjoyable to stop. He slid his hand back to her waist again, pulling her closer. She released a sigh as her hand covered his. She turned her head toward him, and he pulled back only far enough to see if she was awake. Her eyes were still closed, but her lips parted in a silent invitation.
He closed the space between their mouths and kissed her softly, placing whispers of kisses on her lips. It didn’t take her long before she was moving her mouth with his. Slowly, he maneuvered her so she laid on her back while still in his arms. Looming over her, he kissed her deeper, more thoroughly. He wrapped her in his arms tighter, enjoying the way his heart beat so quickly, and feeling the rhythm of hers against his chest.
There was so much he wanted to experience with her. Not here, but after they were married. Yet the excitement rushing through him now let him know he couldn’t wait much longer to make her his wife. He hoped there was a clergyman of some kind who lived on her father’s plantation, because he wanted to marry her as soon as possible.
“Katrina, I love you,” he whispered as his heart burst with the emotion.
With a moan, she turned her head, breaking the kiss. He placed his lips on her neck, not wanting to stop. Several more sighs came from her before she slowly shook her head.
“No, Felix,” she said groggily. “I—I—we can’t do this. It’s not right.”
“I know, my love,” he mumbled against her neck. “Forgive me for being anxious. We shall wait, I assure you.”
She mumbled something incoherently and rolled back on her side. He cuddled up against her like he had before, and breathed deeply. Their kiss was enough to satisfy him tonight.
At least he hoped it would be.
* * * *
A headache threatened to ruin Katrina’s morning.
When she awoke, Felix was cuddled next to her. At first, it had felt wonderful to have him there, but the more she thought of it and what had happened during the night, sadness seeped in her heart.
He’d confessed to loving her. All of her life she had wanted to meet the perfect man—the prince who would sweep her off her feet and take her away from the life she’d been born into. Finally, after twenty years, she’d met him. Only to realize she couldn’t have him.
More than anything, she’d wanted to give into her desires last night, but even in half-sleep, she knew she couldn’t allow him to continue loving her. Somehow, some way, she must let him go. Knowing his background now, she realized he needed a woman who hadn’t been a thief when she was younger. Felix needed a wife he could be proud of. Because of the mistakes Katrina had made in her life, she wasn’t the woman for him.
Now she was eager to get to her father’s house, meet him, collect her money, and leave. Get away from everything and everyone she’d met during this trip. Although tragic things had happened along the way, this had been the closest thing she’d ever get to being in paradise.
And the closest she’d ever come to finding love. Her heart wouldn’t be able to take the ache of knowing she loved someone but could never be with them.
As the group packed everything, Felix had tried to kiss her a few times. She’d made excuses to why she wouldn’t allow him such liberties. Finally, they were on their way. Felix had assured her they would be at her father’s plantation in about two hours.
The time was not going fast enough.
Along the way, he kept asking her what was wrong. Her excuse was that she had a headache from all the worry she’d been doing. In truth, she was not looking forward to meeting her father. She’d heard so many horror stories from her mother that Katrina didn’t want to have anything to do with him.
Strange to think that waving money in front of her face would change her mind.
Felix slowed his steps, which caused her to stop. He pointed toward a hill that thankfully, the canopy trees didn’t block.
“Do you see that?” he asked.
“Yes.”
He moved closer to her and slipped an arm around her shoulders. “We are almost to your father’s plantation. In less than an hour we’ll be there.” He grinned down at her.
Her stomach twisted. Did she really want to do this? Then again, she’d come this far. She might as well continue and verbally show her father how much she detested him. “Oh, good.”
Felix’s smile disappeared, and he stroked her cheek. “My dear, why doesn’t your voice sound encouraging?”
“Because I’m scared to death.” She kept her voice low.
“Not to worry.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “I shall be right beside you all the—”
Something whooshed through the air and thudded against something hard. Felix’s eyes widened for a brief moment before confusion crossed his handsome features. Closing his eyes, he stumbled away from her a few steps as he reached behind his neck. It was then when she noticed an arrow-shaped object protruding from his neck.
“Felix!” she screamed and grasped his arm.
Flinching, he pulled the small six-inch pointy stick out of his skin and brought it around to look at it.
“What is it?” Her voice shook more from the fear coating his eyes than anything.
The other men rushed to his side, muttering words in a different language. Fright consumed her as had happened so much in the last few days.
Felix brought the arrow to his nose and sniffed. A curse ripped from his mouth. “It’s a poisonous dart.”
Tears stung her eyes. Poisonous? No, it couldn’t be true… “How…who…” She glanced around them. “Who did this?”
“Someone who wants me dead,” Felix said.
Fear paralyzed her for a brief moment. She couldn’t move and she couldn’t speak. Even her mind stopped working. The only sound she heard was the dread in his voice when he’d said poison.
“But it’s all right, my love.” He tried to smile even though his lips were trembling. “We shall be at your father’s within an hour. I’m certain he has a physician that can help me. He’ll have an antidote, I’m certain of if.” He closed his eyes and swayed. The men nearby grabbed his arms to keep him standing.
“Felix!” she cried out again. She cupped his face, shaking it until he looked at her. “Do not close your eyes again. Do you hear me?”
The corner of his mouth lifted. “Yaas, ma’am.”
His voice was slightly slurred, which worried her more. She looked at Pete. “What is going to happen to him?”
Pete hefted Felix’s arm around his neck as he helped to hold up the bigger man. “This kind of poison takes time to pass through the body. It makes one feel dizzy, feverish, and nearly unable to move.”
Her heart cried out, and her mind screamed at her to take charge. “Then let’s get moving quickly. My father will help.” She slipped beside Felix and draped his other arm around her shoulders. “Men, let’s move out. Now!”
Felix’s head fell to the side as he stared at her with glassy eyes. A lazy grin stretched across his face. “Yaas-sir, cap’n.” Then he chuckled softly.
Although his slurred speech was comical, this was not the time to laugh. Later they’d find this humorous…once he was well and had the poi
son out of his body.
He leaned his head against her. His eyelids drooped as he stared at her. “K’trina, yer so purdy. I luv it when ya take charge.” He chuckled.
If she didn’t know better, she would think he was intoxicated. This was the kind of man she was used to being around. She could handle men who were foxed, even though it was difficult. “Felix, concentrate on moving your feet. We cannot move them for you.”
“Yaas-sir, cap’n.” He swung his head toward Pete. “Isn’t she adorable?”
Pete tried to smile at Felix, but Katrina could see the fear in his eyes, too. “That she is, Knightly.”
Felix’s head lulled back toward hers. “An ya smell so wun-erful.” He groaned softly. “I’m so tired.”
“Felix Knightly!” she snapped and did her best to bring him alert. “Do not fall asleep on me. Do you understand?”
“Yaas, m’dear,” he mumbled.
The other men kept looking back at Felix and shaking their head, while frowning. Her heart wrenched. She didn’t come this far to lose Felix now. Yet, she didn’t know how long it would take for the poison to kill him.
Silently, she prayed. Lord, don’t take him from me!
Chapter Fifteen
Every part of his body burned and ached. Felix knew what was going on around him, but his mind was quickly growing fuzzy.
He was going to die.
A laugh bubbled up in his throat that he didn’t have the strength to stop. To think he’d made it through the Amazon jungle for all these years, only to die like this? Good grief, this wasn’t the way he wanted to die. He could envision himself fighting a tiger—or jaguar. Yes, the jaguar.
The jungle cat leapt onto him and wrestled him to the ground. The animal opened his jaws and the sun glinted off the cat’s razor sharp teeth. Felix braced his hands on the animal’s jaws, to keep from being eaten. They continue to struggle. At times, Felix thought the animal would overtake him, but soon he would find his strength and overcome. He flipped the animal on its back. The cat growled, ripping pieces of his skin off. Surprisingly, it didn’t hurt. Only a slight sting. Felix wouldn’t stop fighting for his life. But soon, his strength faded, and his arms become weak. That’s when the jaguar had control. The animal lunged at Felix and clamped his jowls on Felix’s neck. Pain shot through him, then, finally…nothing. He was dead.
Grinning, he nodded in satisfaction as the vision evaporated from his mind. Now that was a hero’s death. Not some sissy poisonous dart that shot out from nowhere by someone who wasn’t brave enough to face him. Where was the jackal now? Why couldn’t the coward come out of hiding and fight like a real man?
Felix’s vision blurred and he blinked a few times. His men sneaked peeks at him. Sadness filled their expressions. I’m definitely not going to make it. But I must!
And his beautiful, kind-hearted, stubborn Katrina—the only woman he had ever truly loved. The only woman he wanted to bear his children and grow old with. After his death, she would be sad. Lonely. But she would eventually move on with her life. Hopefully, the money from her father would allow her a better life so she wouldn’t have to serve ale to drunkards.
Katrina brought a canteen to his mouth, urging him to drink. Her voice was soft and smooth. As the liquid touched his tongue, bitterness coated his mouth. He turned his face away and mumbled that he didn’t want anymore. She pushed him to drink it…in a louder and more commanding voice. To satisfy her and stop her from yelling, he drank. Now it tasted like those herbs he had his men gather that replaced the quinine medicine. She must be trying to get him better. That’s my girl.
Once again, his thoughts drifted away from what was going on around him, and he pictured the family he hadn’t seen for ten years. He missed his mother terribly, and he wondered if she had missed him as well. He’d thought about his sisters, Ellie and Laura, and his grandmother, constantly. He prayed someone kind would take care of them. Hopefully his cousin would become responsible after he took over the Earl’s title. Felix would have made a fine Earl, too. He would have been respected and admired. He would have been happy in England as long as Katrina was by his side. He’d also miss his life in Brazil, but all good things must come to an end.
Just like his life.
Farewell everyone. Farewell, my only true love, Katrina.
Yet, even as he mumbled his goodbyes to everyone, something in the back of his mind told him to fight. The voice was commanding, and almost sounded like Katrina, but the instructions were clear…stay away and fight for his life!
* * * *
Tears poured from Katrina’s eyes, making it impossible to see where she walked. She glanced at Pete who also had watery eyes. For the past little while, they’d heard Felix’s disjointed mumbles about his life. About his regrets. His loves and what he would miss after he died. He went as far as to tell everyone farewell. That’s when Katrina’s heart had broke and she sobbed openly. Remorse filled her quickly. Why had she fought off his advances—his love? She should have just accepted it. Embraced it. And let his sweet words convince her that although she had a terrible past, they would make it as husband and wife and their lives would be happy.
Now it was too late.
Angrily, she snapped her shoulders back and marched onward. No! It was not too late. They would be at her father’s any minute now. Her father would help. He wouldn’t allow Felix to die.
“Pete?” she asked with a cracked voice.
“Yes, Miss Landon?”
“What was Felix talking about…that he’d make a great Earl?”
“I do not know, Miss. All’s I know is that his father was an Earl.”
She recalled when Felix had briefly mentioned the Earl, and it was in past tense. “I wonder if his father died.”
Pete nodded. “I wonder that as well.”
“That would explain why Felix has to return to England.”
“It does.”
Why hadn’t he said anything to her? She sniffed back another sob. Perhaps he hadn’t thought she was Countess material. More tears fell and her heart broke a little more. Of course she wasn’t. Who was she kidding? They both knew that a thieving tavern wench wouldn’t make a good wife to an earl.
But that was neither here or there. What mattered right now was getting Felix to her father.
In the distance, the trees started changing format. No longer did they canopy the jungle, but instead, the land appeared to be farmland. Rows and rows of shiny green rubber trees decorated the horizon now. Finally! They were here! Yet, where was the house? She groaned. Please let them be close!
The men ahead of her must have seen something that she could not. They shouted and waved their arms. Off to the side of them, another group of men ran their way. Relief flooded her, bringing on more tears. Help was here!
Suddenly, Felix went limp. She stumbled, trying not to drop him. Pete did the same. He swore and adjusted Felix in his arms a little better. Turning his head, he called out to the other men in a different language. All of them broke into a run.
“Felix! Open your eyes,” she cried hysterically. “You cannot die on me! Do you hear me?” She shook his limp body. Fear rushed through her. “Felix, I love you. Please don’t die. Come back to me. Open your eyes and look at me. I want to see your incredible eyes and charming smile.” Her voice broke as more tears fell.
The men from the plantation were by her side, taking Felix’s body away and laying him on the ground. The energy left her limbs, and she fell to her knees, sobbing in her hands. Pain pierced her knees, but she didn’t care to find out why. She stared at the men surrounding Felix. They checked his eyes, his mouth. Pressed their ear to his chest.
One of them nodded as his gaze jumped up and met Pete’s worried eyes. The man said something in his foreign language. Excitement lit Pete’s eyes as he swung his attention to her.
“He is still breathing.”
Relief washed over her and she cried and prayed harder. Three men lifted Felix and hurried toward the fields. Pete
and another man helped Katrina to her feet. Mentally, she yelled at her limbs to work. She had to move. She must get to the house and be with Felix.
It was if the Lord heard her prayers, because angels lifted her as she stumbled toward the group of men carrying Felix. Everything passed by her in such a frenzy. She didn’t care to look around her. Nothing mattered but him.
Soon, a large, white mansion trimmed with a golden color loomed before her. Three stories high with large windows. The front yard was landscaped with grass, flowers, and cobblestone walkways. A house made for a rich man. Before they could reach the double front doors, servants ran out, adorned similarly to what the servants wore in Macapá, except slightly fancier.
When she entered the house, the first thing she saw was an older brown-skinned, round woman with a kerchief tied around her head and an apron around her thick waist. She issued instructions in their foreign tongue as she pointed her chubby finger toward the stairs. The large men carrying Felix rushed him up the stairs. Katrina moved to follow, but the woman came toward her and gently took hold of her arm.
“No, child. Ya cannot go with dem.”
Her English was broken, but at least Katrina could understand. “But—why not?”
“My child,” she cooed sweetly and patted Katrina’s face, “a sweet, young woman like yerself cannot enter his bedroom. Is not right. Dat hansome man of yers will be looked afta.”
“I—I don’t want him to—die,” Katrina whispered brokenly.
“De doctah will make him betta.” She took Katrina’s hands. “Are ye Miss Landon?”
“Yes.”
“Come with me.”
The woman took her up the stairs and down a long hallway. The furnishings looked new and very expensive. Even the rugs were nice and clean as if nobody had ever walked on them.
They moved into a bedroom. Katrina stopped suddenly, sucking in a quick breath. This room alone was larger than the tavern she worked at. The biggest bed she’d ever seen sat against the fall wall canopied with lovely netting and lavender lace draperies. Cushioned chairs, a sofa and table were also in the room, giving the appearance of a small sitting room. Two cedar armoires were placed by the bed next to the white and lavender curtain window. Never in her life had she seen such luxuries.
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