Marie Higgins
Page 22
“Only because you poisoned him. Tell me, dear stepbrother, why did you poison him? Was it because you needed him weak in order to take the plantation?”
“Oh, my dear Katrina. I must admit how surprised I am, not only from your boldness, but your intelligence as well.”
She shrugged. “Like I mentioned before…I am my father’s daughter. Here, let me show you.”
She yanked out the dagger from her raincoat, and plunged the steel blade into his stomach. His eyes widened, and he stumbled backward. She wouldn’t release her weapon, so it slid free from his body as he moved away. Blood dripped from the blade, and also down his dark blue evening jacket and matching trousers.
Fright—laced with pain—darkened his expression. Slowly, his face lost color. He staggered toward the door.
“This isn’t the end, Miss Landon,” he wheezed. “Mark my words. I will win!”
As he headed to the door, she screamed at the top of her voice. Lunging after him, she held the knife high in the air.
He stopped and turned toward her. Just as she was prepared to stab him again, he swung his fist and knocked the dagger from her hand. The weapon skidded across the floor, underneath her father’s bed. Before she could think, Robert drew back his fist and belted her across the face.
Excruciating pain exploded in her head. Her jaw throbbed and she fell back. Her head hit the floor before any other part of her body could. Dizziness swam inside her, causing her vision to become fuzzy. She couldn’t allow the agony to take her. She must focus on him.
Holding his bloody wound, he staggered from the bedroom. On hands and knees, she scooted across the floor toward the hallway. Just as she fell out of the room, she saw Robert going toward the corridor where his rooms were located.
When everything began to swirl around her, she closed her eyes, praying it would soon stop. Her stomach lurched, but the mere idea of throwing up only made the stinging in her head worse.
“Felix!” she cried out. “Help me!”
Footsteps pounded on the floor, but she couldn’t open her eyes to see.
“Katrina!” Felix’s voice raised in alarm mere seconds before his strong arms cradled her against his chest. “You’re bleeding.” He lifted her hand the dagger had been holding earlier.
“No,” her voice choked out. “It’s Robert’s blood.”
“Robert? Where is he?”
Once again, she struggled through the dizziness reeling in her head, and tried to open her eyes. She was able to open them slightly, but it was enough to see the door Robert had gone in. “There. He went there.”
Felipe’s loud voice issued instructions to the other men. Through her groggy vision, she saw them run toward the door and kick it open. Suddenly, heavy white smoke billowed like thick clouds in the air, quickly filling the corridor. Men turned away, coughing.
“The rooms are on fire!” Felipe yelled.
Felix lifted Katrina in his arms, holding her close to his chest, and shouted, “Someone, get Mr. Landon.”
“No,” she said quickly. “Felix, he’s already dead.”
His arms tightened around her. “Sweetheart, I’m so sorry.”
Smoke continued to fill the hall, growing fuller by the second. Screams from the servants echoed through the house as they rushed to assist, mixed with the shouts from Felipe’s men.
Felix bolted down the steps, darting past servants rushing to help with the fire. Felix ran outside into the rain carrying Katrina. As the wetness coated her face, she snuggled against his chest. A sob escaped her throat, more from pain coursing through her body than the terror unfolding before them. Felix had her now. He would protect her.
She struggled to remain alert. Felix caressed her arm and back, while whispering soothing words of comfort. The commotion from within the house continued to ring through the evening. Felix’s voice soon overrode everything, even the sound from the rain beating upon the ground.
From off in the distance, she heard the shout from Felipe, the relieving words she never thought she’d hear. Faro is dead!
Chapter Twenty-One
As much as Katrina hated the rain, it was the downpour that saved the house from burning. In fact, only Robert’s quarters had been scorched. It seemed to purify the grounds from that evil man.
She sat at the vanity table in her bedroom the following day and stared at her reflection. Gently, she ran the tip of her fingers across the ugly purple mark marring her skin. The whole right side of her face was bruised, but thankfully, that was the only damage he’d caused her.
Felipe, Felix, and the other men had gone through the house interrogating the servants. Felipe fired Blanca and one other servant. They even discovered the doctor had been assisting Robert. Felipe and Davi were tasked with taking those who had conspired with Robert into Macapá to let the law deal with these criminals.
Earlier, Katrina had taken a relaxing bath to ease her aching body. She picked up the brush and carefully pulled it through her damp hair. She braced her hands on the vanity and stood. She tied the sash on her wrapper tight around her waist as she paced the floor in bare feet. It was still too warm for slippers.
There was so much to think about, but she must decide what to do about her mother. Lucy was still in Macapá, and Katrina knew her mother would be anxiously waiting for some word, especially since it had been several weeks since Katrina left with Felix.
It was a little strange to imagine, but she had inherited a plantation. She didn’t know the first thing about running a rubber tree plantation, but with Felix by her side she was certain they would make this place their own little paradise.
First things first. She needed to marry Felix. True, she should have her mother here for the ceremony, but she also didn’t want to give Felix time to change his mind. Not that he would…but she was still very insecure that a man like Felix would want someone like her.
A knock came upon the door. “Who is it?”
It opened and Felix poked his head inside. “It’s just me. Are you dressed?”
She chuckled. “Not really. I’m still in my underthings.”
“Splendid. May I enter?”
She planted her arms on her hips and narrowed her teasing gaze on him. She loved the laughter in his voice. “Didn’t I tell you I’m not dressed?”
His grin widened as he stepped inside and shut the door behind him. “You did. However, I see that you don’t mind my presence in the least.”
“Not at all.” She walked to him and slipped her arms around his waist. “However, you must promise me that you will wait until after we are married before you ravish me.”
Laughing, he wound strong arms around her, pulling her closer. “Oh, what punishment you inflict upon me. Well, I suppose I shall have to wait. Especially since I’m sure you’re still sore.”
“I am.”
“Then I shall promise not to ravish you.” He kissed her forehead. “So tell me, have you been planning our wedding?”
“I have.”
“And what day should I inform the others to make available?”
Sighing, she smiled. “I haven’t actually picked a day, yet. I’m still deciding on whether I want my mother here.”
He shrugged. “It’s up to you. I can send some men to fetch her if you’d like.”
Her smile left her face and she shook her head. “I fear she wouldn’t survive the trip. My father was ill because he was poisoned, but my mother’s illness has been with her for years. It’s only getting worse. I believe the best thing for her is to find a doctor straightway.”
“I agree.”
She lifted her hand and stroked his rugged jaw. He was so incredibly handsome, not to mention the kindest man with the largest heart. How had she gotten so fortunate to find a man like him? “There is a Priest here on your father’s plantation. We could have him marry us. So perhaps we should hurry and marry and then go to Macapá and take Mama to a doctor.”
“Now that is a great idea.” He kissed the tip of her nose.
“What should we do after that?”
Lowering her eyelids, she presented him a lazy grin. “Anything your heart desires, my wonderful husband.”
He bent his head and captured her mouth in a blissful kiss. Sighing deeply, she hooked her arms around his neck and participated fully. It didn’t take long before the kiss turned wild, steamier, and she nearly lost her breath.
Felix had always made her feel weak in the worst way, but now she cherished it. Never did she want that to change. He could sweep her off her feet with just a smile and wink. Definitely, she was the luckiest woman alive, and she’d continue to be as long as he was by her side, which of course would be forever.
* * * *
Slowly, Macapá’s shoreline was fading as the boat left the main land, and headed toward England. Gripping the wooden rails, he swayed with the rhythm of the boat. He gnashed his teeth so hard, he feared he’d break them.
They thought they had won. But they were sorely wrong!
He’d tricked them by thinking he’d burned in the fire. It was actually his manservant whose life ended so tragically.
Pain sliced through his middle, and Robert Faro gripped his bandaged wound. It surprised him Katrina’s dagger hadn’t caused him more damage. But he’d heal, and when he did, he’d return to claim his prize. Katrina had no clue to what kind of treasure the plantation could bring her, but he knew. That piece of land was something he wouldn’t give up. Indeed, it was worth risking his life for.
Next time he’d be on guard. He wouldn’t allow anyone to injure him again. He was invincible, and he’d prove it one way or another.
“One day, my dear stepsister. You and your Mr. Knightly will be dead along with the others who have dared to cross me,” Robert grumbled as Macapá slowly disappeared from sight.
THE END
Find out what happens in book #2 of the Paradise Series – “Amazon by Moonlight”, coming in 2014.
**READERS**
Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this book, please consider posting a review on Amazon, Goodreads, or Barnes & Noble. The fate of indie books depend entirely on the reviews it gets.
Author’s Bio
Since Marie Higgins was a little girl playing Barbies with her sister, Stacey, she has loved the adventure of making up romantic stories. Marie was only eighteen years old when she wrote her first skit, which won an award for Funniest Skit. A little later in life, after she’d married and had children, Marie wrote Church roadshows that were judged as Funniest and Best Written. From there, she branched out to write full-length novels based on her dreams. (Yes, she says, her dreams really are that silly)
Marie has been married for twenty-eight years to a wonderful man. Together, they have three loving daughters and several beautiful grandchildren. Marie works full time for the state of Utah, where she has lived her entire life. Marie plans to keep writing, because the characters in her head won’t shut up. But her husband smiles and pretends this is normal.
Visit her website / blog to discover more about her - http://mariehiggins84302.blogspot.com
Table of Contents
Edition License Notes
Other stories from Marie Higgins
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
READERS
Author’s Bio
Table of Contents
Edition License Notes
Other stories from Marie Higgins
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
READERS
Author’s Bio