Marie Higgins

by Amazon Sunset

  Suddenly, a pound came upon the door, and she jumped in her chair. She clutched the armrests and stared at the entrance—expecting Robert to come crashing through at any moment.

  Felipe stood. His worried gaze moved from one person to another in hesitation. “Miss Landon,” he said in a quiet voice, “perhaps you should go in the back room…just as a precaution.”

  Felipe didn’t need to say the words for Katrina to know what he was thinking. He must think it was Robert, as well. It comforted her to know that these men would protect her.

  Nodding, she rose from her chair. Felipe pointed in the direction he wanted her to go, and she hurried into the room. She closed the door behind her. Pressing her back against the wall, her body shook as worry flowed through her. She wrapped her arms around her middle, mainly to hold herself together.

  Male voices came through the other room, and she strained to listen closer. She’d know Robert’s irritating, commanding voice anywhere. But so far, she hadn’t detected it. Instead, the words being spoken didn’t make sense…as if it was another language entirely.

  One of the deep voices speaking this odd language lifted in eagerness. Footsteps boomed on the wooden floor, getting closer to the room where she hid. Her heartbeat knocked frantically. She held her breath, afraid of who might be coming.

  The door cracked open and a head poked in. She saw black, wavy hair first, then a freshly shaven face, until finally she could look into the most amazing pair of blue eyes she’d ever beheld. Not believing who was before her, she closed her eyes and shook her head. It can’t be… Only in her dreams had she seen Felix lately. He was on his way to England!

  Hesitantly she opened her eyes, afraid that the dream would be gone. Instead, Felix stood in front of her, a smile stretched across his face from ear to ear.

  “Good afternoon, my lovely Katrina.”

  A shriek of joy escaped her throat as tears filled her eyes. “Felix?”

  He held out his arm, inviting her to come. “Who else would it be?”

  Sobbing with happiness, she jumped into his embrace and threw her arms around his neck. He hugged her tightly around the waist before lifting her off the floor.

  “What…how…when?” Her mind searched frantically for words, but really, what she wanted to tell him didn’t require words. She pressed her mouth to his and kissed him. Immediately, his mouth melded with hers and the kiss turned passionate, and welcoming.

  He pressed her back against the wall, and wrapped one arm around her waist while moving the other hand to lift her leg and hook it over his muscular thigh. He cradled his hips against hers. Pleasure pulsed through her. The pose was certainly indecent, but she didn’t mind…and it was obvious he didn’t, either.

  He stroked her arm, before moving his free hand to her throat, then to her face and hair. She burned with excitement. Happiness spread over her, making her warm and giddy.

  His mouth moved away from hers and traveled down her neck. “Oh, Katrina, I love you so much.”

  She cupped his face and lifted it up as she stared into his dreamy eyes. “Why didn’t you go to England?”

  “I couldn’t.”

  “Why not?”

  “You told me once to think with my heart.” He shrugged. “That’s what I did this time, and my heart told me to stay here with you.”

  “What about your family? What about your title?”

  His smile relaxed. “I wrote a letter to my grandmother and explained that I was in love with a woman and couldn’t leave her. My heart would always be with you, so I must be as well. I told my grandmother how uncomfortable you would have been living in England with me, and I couldn’t force you to do that. Instead, I shall stay here with you. I’ll go wherever you want. As long as we are together, we shall be happy.”

  Tears clogged her eyes again and she nodded. “I love you so much, Felix Knightly. I didn’t want you to leave, but Robert made me tell you to go.”

  Felix’s expression turned hard. “Yes, I realized that when I was in Macapá packing for my return home. I saw Faro at Mr. Jamison’s office, and after Robert left, I questioned Mr. Jamison. That is when I put the puzzle pieces together. Robert wants your father’s plantation, which was why he told me those things about the jungle being magical. He was trying to get me to take you back.”

  “Yes, he was.” She stroked the side of his face. “He threatened me that if I didn’t get rid of you, he would kill you. That’s why I told you I couldn’t marry you.”

  Once again, his face relaxed. “What about now? Will you marry me now?”

  “Is this the proposal, then?” She chuckled.

  “I would get down on one knee and propose to you the proper way, but I don’t want to leave the comfortable nest we’ve made up against the wall. I hope you’ll forgive me.”

  She nodded. “Always.”

  “So…will you marry me?”

  “Of course!” She kissed him, but only briefly before pulling away. “However, I think we need to work with your friends in the other room to devise a plan that will get rid of Robert. He says he’s powerful and has men working for him.” Happiness slipped out of her heart slowly when she thought about her father. “Felix, Robert was poisoning my father. He even tried to get me to drink the vile tea.”

  His jaw grew hard and he set her back on her feet before stepping away. Blowing out a frustrated breath, he raked his fingers through his hair. “Indeed, Robert has connections, but then so do I, as well as my friends.”

  “Felix, do you think Robert knows you didn’t go to England?”

  “No, I’m quite certain he thinks I left. I saw him spying on me, so he saw me board the ship. Although, I highly doubt he saw me leave the ship before it sailed.”

  She breathed a relieved sigh. “I’m glad. However, Robert must be stopped immediately.”

  “I agree, my love.” He grasped her hands and pulled her closer, kissing her on the forehead. “We won’t let him win. I promise.”

  * * * *

  Felix remained with his friends inside Felipe’s cabin as they tried to figure out a plan. They discussed different ideas, argued about them, and then began anew. Felix was tired of all of this and just wanted to sneak to the main house and flush Robert out. There, Felix and his men could tie a rope around the evil man’s neck and hang him. But that sort of death would be too kind for a man like Robert. Felix wanted harsher punishment for Faro. He’d killed Carlos, and Paulo was still missing.

  During the discussions, his gaze wandered to Katrina. She sat in the cushioned chair with her hand bracketing her chin, trying to keep her head held up. Her eyelids drooped, but not once did her eyes close. Her stare remained on him as well as her beautiful smile.

  His heart softened every time he looked at her—which was quite often. When she had tried to convince him to leave for England, there was something in her rejection that hadn’t set well with him. It had taken him a few days to realize what it was. He could see she loved him, but her excuse for him to leave wasn’t in her expression as much as it was in her words. He could read her well. Never had he felt such fluttery emotions inside his chest, and his mind was always occupied with memories of her. Truly, she was the woman he wanted to be with. Forever.

  He prayed that his grandmother—as well as the king—would understand. It was nearly unheard of for a Lord to abdicate his title, but Felix knew in his heart that Stanley would make a far better Earl of Blackwood than he. Adventure lived in Felix’s heart. He simply didn’t have Stanley’s mind for business and matters of state.

  When the men began discussing Felix’s plan again, he pulled his thoughts away and focused on the discussion. Finally the plan was set. Felipe divided the men out, giving them assignments on where to go and wait.

  “What about me?” Katrina asked in a small voice as she sat up in the chair.

  Felix moved and knelt in front of her, taking her hands in his. “My love, you are going to stay here where it’s safe.”

  “Oh no, I’m
not.” She frowned, and her eyes dulled with sadness. “I want to help. I want to stay with my father and help protect him. He is too frail and won’t be able to defend himself.” She took a deep breath. “And I can use a dagger.” A smile tugged on her mouth. “You didn’t believe me, but I was telling the truth. I can also shoot a pistol.”

  He caressed her cheek and she snuggled against his palm. “I believe you now.” Turning his head, he peered at Felipe. “I think she will be just fine in her father’s room. Faro won’t go there anyway, especially since he knows Mr. Landon is dying. Also, if Faro knows we have the house surrounded, all he’ll want to do is escape.”

  Felipe nodded. “Then let us go. No need to waste another moment.”

  Katrina slipped her hand into Felix’s as his large fingers closed around her delicate hand. She hugged and arm and smiled fully now.

  “I won’t let you down, Felix. I promise.”

  He gave her a wink. “And I promise that no harm will come to you. I shall continue to protect the woman I love.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Either the rain had eased up, or being with Felix made it more tolerable. Katrina figured it was the latter, because he kept her by his side as the group of them trudged back through the mud to the main house. Felix held her hand all the way, and he even carried her across patches of mud when it had become unbearable to step through.

  Although her heart was light with the knowledge that he had chosen his love for her over his life as an earl, she still worried about her father. He was so sick, so weak. Could they find a doctor with an antidote and that could stop the poison? She feared it was too late. She didn’t want him to die this way, and she tried to maintain faith that there was a cure.

  “We are almost there,” Felix told her. “Are you certain you will be all right?”

  She smiled into his rain-soaked face. “Yes. I’m not only fighting for my father’s life, I’m fighting for our lives. Robert is a despicable man and I cannot let him come out the victor. How could we live happily if he is trying to control us?”

  He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and brought her up against him. “You are correct. I just want to make you aware that this battle might end in Faro’s death.”

  “If that’s the way it must be, then I shall be prepared.”

  “You are an amazingly brave woman.” He leaned in to give her a quick kiss on the forehead. “I’m so fortunate that you entered my life when you did.”

  “Not as fortunate as I.” She smiled.

  It didn’t take long for them to reach the main house. The group came to a stop before leaving the fields of rubber trees. Felipe motioned for the first two men to take their positions.

  Katrina held her breath as they ran to the right side of the house. She watched the grounds carefully for any sign of Robert, or any trouble that may arise.

  Felipe gave the signal for the next two. Those men ran to the left side of the house.

  He met Katrina’s gaze. “Are you ready, Miss Landon?”

  “Yes.”

  “Go, and may God be with you.”

  “Thank you.” She turned and searched Felix’s caring eyes.

  He winked and smiled. “I believe in you, my love.”

  That’s all the encouragement she needed. As she darted toward the house, she kept her hand over the dagger stuffed inside her raincoat. When she entered the house, she quickly removed her muddy boots and left them on the rug inside the door.

  She scanned the grand hallway. Not one person in sight. Taking careful steps, she continued up the stairs and toward her father’s bedroom. Worry threatened to overwhelm her, but she fought against the looming feeling. Felix believed in her, which meant she must believe in herself as well. She couldn’t let these men down.

  Her heart pounded like an African drum when she reached her father’s bedchamber door. Taking a deep breath as she tried to calm her nerves, she pulled open the door and entered.

  At first she couldn’t see anything because the room was too dark. The fire in the hearth had fizzled out. She stopped and blinked, trying to adjust her vision. Finally shapes began to take form so she slowly entered, closing the door behind her. A few candles burned, but they didn’t bring much light.

  She listened intently. Nothing in the room but dead silence. Immediately, she swung her gaze to the chair where her father always sat. Empty. As she peered toward the bed, she saw the outline of his form…just where she had seen him earlier this morning.

  There was something odd about him this time. Something different, even eerie.

  Holding her breath, she took measured steps toward the bed. The blankets covering her father weren’t moving. When she came to a stop right beside him, tears filled her eyes, making it harder to see. But she didn’t need to see. She knew it…felt it.

  Death hung thick in the room like a cloud of doom.

  “Oh, Father.” She sobbed and fell to the bed, grasping his stiff, cold hand. “I’m so sorry. I should have been here sooner. I could have—” Her voice choked to finish her thought, and she realized she wouldn’t have been able to save him. He’d been poisoned for too long. It was only a matter of time before death took him.

  Lowering her head, she kissed his very motionless hand. “May God take care of you now and keep you in His arms.”

  Another sound rumbled in the room, sounding like someone chuckling. She jerked upright and shifted her gaze around the emptiness until she saw who had made this noise. Robert!

  “Oh, my dear stepsister,” he said, moving from the corner of the room, out of the shadows and into more light. “What a tender scene I had the privilege of witnessing. Tell me, how long have you felt this way about Henry? Seems to me you should hate him for abandoning you when you were a child.”

  She swiped a tear away before fisting her hands. Anger poured through her so hot she wanted to lash out at him. She wanted nothing more than to take her dagger and sink it deep into this man’s chest. Never had she felt such hatred and resentment for anyone. And Robert deserved every bit of it.

  “The only person in the room that I hate is you.” Slowly, she rose from the bed and faced him. “You are the reason my father is dead. You have been lacing his tea with poison.”

  His eyes narrowed, but he didn’t say anything. Of course he couldn’t deny it, but what surprised her was how well he accepted this. Something wasn’t right. Panic gradually filled her chest.

  “I have been slowly killing him,” Robert nodded, “but there is nothing you can do about it.”

  “Don’t be too certain about that.” She pierced him with a heated glare. “You will pay for your crimes, Mr. Faro. All of your crimes!”

  Tilting back his head, he howled with laughter. He moved closer to her, folding his arms across his chest. “You have a short memory, Katrina. I specifically remember telling you how powerful I am. Because I obtain so much power, and because there are many men who are frightened of me, I really don’t think anyone will try to make me pay for my wrongdoings.”

  She cocked her head. “You honestly believe you are invincible?”

  “I know I am.”

  She snickered haughtily. “Then you are wrong and very foolish.”

  He moved and stood right before her. His gaze ran over her wet hat, and down her raincoat. Reaching out, he flicked the collar of her coat. Excess water fell to the floor. “Katrina, why were you outside, dressed in men’s pants?”

  Hitching a breath, she fought quickly for an answer that wouldn’t let him know about Felix and the other men. They had to be aware that Robert was here with her. They would be coming to rescue her soon, wouldn’t they? “What, now I’m a prisoner and can’t even leave the house?” she snapped.

  “No, you’re not a prisoner, but why would anyone in their right mind go out into this kind of weather when you’re not used to it?”

  “Perhaps I’m not in my right mind. Have you ever thought of that?”

  His eyes turned a steely gray as he aimed her with a
harsh stare. “Then I suggest you get in one quickly. I will not tolerate this kind of attitude from the likes of you!”

  She shrugged and moved past him. Keeping her back to him, she cautiously slid her hand inside her raincoat to grasp the dagger. “Are you saying you can’t handle a stubborn female?” She peeked over her shoulder. He hadn’t moved, but his gaze still followed her. “I thought you of all people could handle a woman such as myself. After all, you are all-powerful, are you not?”

  “Of course I am.”

  She stopped in front of the hearth. Only a few embers were red. She needed to keep stalling—to keep Robert here for when Felix and the others came to rescue her. “Mr. Knightly was able to handle me just fine, so what’s your problem?”

  Heavy footsteps boomed on the floor, coming in her direction. Panic surged through her and she turned around just in time for him to grasp her shoulders. He shook her once so hard her head snapped back on her neck. Pain pierced through her skull, and she closed her eyes, praying it would go away quickly. The hilt of the dagger dug in her palm the harder she gripped it, but she wouldn’t let go. She refused to allow Robert control over her!

  “I’m certain he could handle you. After all, you are your mother’s daughter.”

  She struggled to open her eyes because of the pain shooting through her head, but she glared at him through slit lids. He was too close for comfort. His face was mere inches from her face, and she could smell the nuts and mango he must have eaten earlier mixed with the tobacco from his cheroot.

  Taking a steady breath, she fought for control.

  He must not win!

  “Indeed, I am my mother’s daughter. I’m also my father’s.”

  Robert arched a quizzical eyebrow. “What exactly is that supposed to mean?”

  “It means, you imbecile, that I’m tougher than I look.” She nearly spat out each word as she tightened her fingers around the dagger’s handle, wanting to kill him now. Not yet.

  He chuckled again. “Your father was a weakling.” His fingers dug into her shoulders.