Within seconds, he brought them both rocketing up from the surface. She laughed and wiped her eyes, and he wiped his using only one hand since the other was still wrapped around her waist. His smile widened, and his eyes gleamed with humor.
They continued to stare at each other for the longest time. Soon, their laughing subsided. Katrina’s breathing quickened, and she realized his breaths were also speeding up. His gaze dropped to her lips. Butterflies danced in her tummy.
Kiss me, please... She held her breath, hoping her silent plea would become a reality.
TEN
Katrina looked good dripping wet. Felix loved the way her green eyes darkened with desire. That only meant one thing. She wanted a kiss.
He shouldn’t, but his insides stirred with the desire to kiss her again. As hard as he tried to come up with more excuses not to, he couldn’t. Katrina did something to him that he couldn’t explain. All he knew was that she was vastly different from any other spoiled rich girl he had known.
Especially Eva Crowley.
As he grew more familiar with Katrina, he stopped thinking of her as a spoiled little rich girl and began thinking of her as a woman—a woman who had a tender heart and cared about others. A woman he enjoyed spending time with.
Ever so slowly, he lowered his head and brushed his lips across hers. A heady sigh escaped her mouth as she closed her eyes. But before he could fully kiss her, Carlos’ voice rang through the trees, calling Felix’s name.
Inwardly, he groaned. Of all times for his friend to need him, why this moment?
Katrina’s eyes snapped open. She released the hold she had around his neck and moved away from him. Her cheeks flamed brightly.
Grinning, he took her hand and pulled her with him to the bank so they could climb out of the water. By the time he brushed the wet hair out of his face, Carlos stepped around the trees, his expression laced with panic. Felix’s heart sank to his knees. What now?
“Knightly, we cannot find our supply of quinine.”
“What?” Felix raised his voice. “How can you not find it? I know we started out with it.”
Carlos shrugged. “I think something happened to it when we were at Manaus. We have searched our packs. The only two bottles left are yours and Miss Landon’s.”
The headache that had threatened not long ago when Felix was with his Indian friends, quickly returned. The pounding in his skull grew harder than before. They were not far enough into the jungle to find the Cinchona tree—the bark of the tree was what quinine came from. So he had to work around that issue.
He rubbed his temples. “Take three men with you and find the Cocoa tree plant, the Trumpet tree, and Chavillia. Collect their leaves.”
Carlos nodded, turned and rushed back to camp.
Felix released a pent-up sigh and ran his fingers through his quickly drying hair. His attention moved to Katrina whose eyes were wide with amazement.
“Will you teach me about the different types of plants and herbs?” she asked.
“Why do you wish to know?”
She shrugged. “It gives me something to do while I’m out here. Not only that, I enjoy learning.”
“How nice to hear.”
“Will you teach me?”
“I shall, my dear.”
After a few moments of silence, she sighed. “How will those plants that Carlos and the others are searching for help?”
“They will keep us well until we reach your father. I’m certain he has a good supply of quinine to give us for our journey back.”
“What if he doesn’t?” Her tone was hesitant.
He paused long and hard, hoping he could gather the strength to sound positive. But under the circumstances, he couldn’t accomplish it. The plants would do some good, but if anyone contracted malaria, the medicine was all that could save them. “Then God help us all.”
KATRINA COULDN’T BELIEVE how much she’d learned today. Felix had taken the time to point out the herbs—both good and bad—along the trail. He’d shown her a plant called black nightshade, a green plant with black berries. He mentioned that some Indians use it for drugging their enemies because it gave them hallucinations and made them tremble. It was also very deadly if mixed with other plants.
Castor bean was another poisonous plant. The leaves were huge. Apparently, when mixing this plant with physic nut—a plant that grew very green berries—the combination could be dangerous. Mixed together, the strong, sweet taste would cause one to throw up, and over a long period of time, could eventually become deadly.
She shivered, not believing there were such lethal plants out here in this jungle.
Soon, night had fallen, and Katrina realized how incredibly dark it had become. Then again, the tall trees canopied the jungle so much that it was difficult sometimes to even see the sky. The group had finished their meal and were all sitting around the fire. Not many of them spoke, but the sounds around them were filled with the voices of other creatures. Owls hooted, monkeys chattered, and frogs croaked...but thankfully, they hadn’t heard the jaguar since the Turri Indians had left.
Felix sat nearby, staring into the orange and red flames of the fire licking the air as the wood popped. His elbows rested on his knees, his head cradled in his hands. He hadn’t talked much after Carlos had delivered the terrible news about the quinine. Felix’s man had taken three others and scoured the area for the specific plants, but only found a few. Felix had reassured the group that these would work for now, but they must keep looking during their journey.
Soon, her eyelids became heavy, and she knew it was time to head back to her tent. It scared her to sleep out here where those unsettling, crawling creatures were so close...and who knew where the jaguar had gone? A shiver swept over her, and she rubbed up and down her arms.
“Are you cold?” Felix questioned in a low voice.
“No.” She looked at him. “I’m just thinking about going to bed.”
“I’ll take you there.” He stood and grabbed a piece of wood that lay halfway in the fire. Using it as a torch, he led her toward her tent. “Make certain you keep the mosquito netting over your bed and the flap to the tent closed at all times. There is a small lantern in your tent as well. Keep it lit low all during the night.”
“Your words are not comforting me very much,” she mumbled as she sluggishly followed him.
“Do not be scared, my dear Katrina,” he told her over his shoulder. “We are all here and will protect you.”
When they reached her tent, he crawled in first. He shook out her blankets, checking for snakes, spiders, or anything else lurking within.
After he lit her lantern, he backed out and stood. “Your tent is clear.”
“Felix, you are not reassuring me that all will be well tonight.”
He reached out and cupped the side of her face. She wanted to cuddle against his palm, but resisted.
“I know you’re frightened of the unknown, but I assure you, most of the animals and serpents go to sleep at night as well.”
“I’m certain they do, but I don’t want them sleeping with me.”
He chuckled and stroked her cheek. “Are you afraid of being by yourself?”
Heat crawled up her face, and she feared he’d be able to feel it on his hand. Was he hinting at spending the night with her? The idea did have merit. As unseemly as it was, the simple truth was she would feel safer if someone stayed with her. “What would you do if I said yes?”
He stepped closer. His hand slid from her cheek, down to her throat as his thumb rubbed softly across her skin. Her throated turned dry, and she longed for more of his gentle touch. By now she had stopped wondering why her body always reacted in such a way, because she wanted more of these stirring feelings inside her.
“If you are afraid of being alone, there is only one thing I can do.”
“Wh—what’s that?”
“Stay with you in your tent.”
His voice was so low she wasn’t sure she’d heard him correc
tly. “You would do that, even though it’s improper?”
Nodding, he moved even closer—scandalously close. “I shall do all I can to protect you, my dear.”
“I—um, I—” She cleared her throat. “Well, under the circumstances, I believe it’s a good idea to stay with me. After all, I’m not used to the jungle, and you are. I will need a brave, strong man to keep me from harm.” Brave? Strong? Why in Heaven’s name had she used those words? It was a good thing she didn’t tell him he was incredibly handsome, too!
“Yes, you will.” He grinned.
His breath whispered across her face, smelling like the mango fruit they’d eaten earlier. Goodness, she couldn’t take her gaze off his mouth, either. In truth, this was not a good thing at all!
His head lowered slowly. Another kiss would follow soon. She could feel it with every beat of her heart. And she greatly anticipated the warmth they’d share. After their brief kiss at the waterfall, she had yearned for more. His lips hovered next to hers and she held her breath. On her own accord, she puckered and leaned toward him, hoping to meet him halfway. But before she knew what was happening, he straightened and turned back to his men, calling for Carlos. Her hopes dropped and shattered. Perhaps there would be no kiss tonight.
Carlos jumped up from his place by the fire and hurried toward Felix. “Yes?”
“I will be staying in Miss Landon’s tent tonight. I fear she is too frightened to be alone.”
Carlos’ lips twitched as if he was trying not to grin. Katrina wanted to slap him and tell him to mind his own business. Whatever he thought was going to happen in her tent tonight would definitely not happen.
“That is understandable.” Carlos nodded.
Felix handed him the torch. “After we are inside, make sure everything is clear.”
“Yes, Sir,” Carlos said.
Motioning his hand inside, Felix gave a small bow. “After you, my dear.”
She crouched and crawled in on her knees, inching her way to the bed of blankets. Where would he sleep? Her heart skipped a beat. Perhaps she didn’t need all of these blankets and she could allow him to use a few. After all, it was still quite hot and the closed tent would make it that much warmer, she was certain.
Felix followed inside. Carlos went to work assisting Felix in tying the tent closed. While the men were busy, Katrina quickly moved some of the blankets and made another makeshift bed. Unfortunately, the space wasn’t very big and the only other place to put his bed was right next to hers.
The men said their good-nights and she scrambled to her blankets, plopped down and sat up straight. Felix turned. His gaze moved to the empty bed. The corners of his mouth stretched wider.
“I thank you for thinking of my comfort.” Without looking her way, he moved to the blankets and lay down on his back, folding his arms behind his head.
She cleared her throat. Good grief, if her mouth grew any drier, she might become worried that she was ill. “Mr. Knightly, should I—”
“Katrina, please. You have called me Felix several times already today. Why stop now?”
“Um, yes. You are correct.” She glanced at her pack resting in the corner. “I was just going to ask if you think I should change into my night clothes.”
He chuckled loudly. In fact, it sounded almost as if he blasted a laugh.
“Katrina, since you are the only woman in a camp full of men, I suggest you remain in your clothes. You can change into fresh clothes in the morning, after I leave the shelter.”
Heat crept up her neck to her face that had nothing to do with the humidity in this tent. “Point well taken.” She scooted down, lay on her side, and faced him. He still stretched out on his back, looking up at the top of the tent.
Silence lasted a few minutes. The night sounds she’d heard earlier weren’t as loud now, and thankfully, the pop of the fire sounded close. It was a comforting feeling, but not as comforting as having Felix so near.
It was hard not to look at him. Perhaps look wasn’t the right word, because she was doing so much more than looking. Devouring was more like it. Yet with such a robust man lying next to her, what else could she do?
With his arms folded behind his head, his chest appeared so much wider, and his muscles so much more pronounced. His hair brushed against his arms, and may the devil take her—she thought he looked so much better with a small mustache and beard than he had when he was clean shaven.
Tonight would be torture!
How could she sleep with such a fine male specimen lying next to her? How could she erase from her mind those moments when he’d taken her in his arms—and especially when he’d kissed her? Plain and simple, she couldn’t. If she did surrender to sleep, he would certainly be in her dreams, and she would love every second of them.
“Is there something on your mind, Katrina?”
His deep voice startled her, mainly because he hadn’t even turned to look at her when he spoke. Yet now she noticed that self-assured grin she had seen a lot lately stretched lazily across his face.
She couldn’t confess she enjoyed staring at his handsome profile. Instead, she must let him believe something else was going through her head.
“Umm...actually yes, there is something on my mind.”
Finally, he turned his head and met her stare. “What is it?”
I want you to kiss me. Blinking, she quickly pushed that thought out of her head. “I really don’t know you very well.”
“No, you don’t.”
She waited for him to continue, and when he didn’t, she rolled her eyes. “Will you tell me about yourself?”
“What do you want to know?”
Everything! She wanted to know about his family, his likes and dislikes. Had he been a sweet little boy, or a holy terror? She wanted to know the experiences he’d been through in his life that made him the man he was today. More importantly, she wanted to know if he could ever love a woman like her, a woman who had lived in squalor all of her life and worked with her mother in a tavern for a living. “Tell me about your family.”
Several long moments passed before he released a defeated sigh and rolled on his side, facing her. His head rested in the crook of his arm, still folded behind his head. Goodness, his eyes were so wistful. She could stare at them forever.
“I was born in Sussex, England. My father owns a small estate where my family and I had enjoyed the country life. That is where I was raised, mainly.”
“Do you have any siblings?”
“I had an older brother, who died one year ago, and I have two younger sisters who—as far as I know—still live at home.”
She crinkled her brow. “You don’t know for certain?”
“I have not spoken to my family in three years.”
“Why not?”
“I disagreed with my parents on what I should do with my life, so they disinherited me. They thought I should have been a soldier, or a clergyman. However, I became an officer with the Metropolitan Police until I was shot and nearly died. During my recovery, I decided I wanted to travel the world and search for adventure.” He shrugged one shoulder. “When you come that close to death, you realize all the things you want to do.”
“Yes, that’s the truth.” She paused and then asked, “So is that’s why they disinherited you? Because you want to travel?”
“Yes.”
She shook her head. “That seems cruel.”
“You are not a man from a titled family, so you wouldn’t understand.”
Sighing, she shrugged. “You’re probably correct.”
“In any case, I left home and haven’t written to my family since I told them goodbye. I’m hoping that my sisters, Ellie and Laura, have been married off to wealthy gentlemen by now, but I don’t know.”
“Why would you hope that?”
“Because then they will be well cared for. After all, that’s what parents do when they have daughters.”
“I must say I’m very happy that I was not raised that way. Perhaps it�
��s because I only lived with my mother.”
“That was our way of life, Katrina. We did what our grandparents and parents wanted us to do. Our parents were doing what they thought was best for their children...without really knowing what was truly best for us.”
“I can understand that reasoning.” She paused before asking, “So, how did you come to be here in Brazil?”
He flipped a lock of hair off his forehead. “While I was recovering from the bullet wound, I met a traveler. He told me about Macapá. When I arrived, I met a few men who were guides for the area. Some men had even been guides in the rainforest. That is how I became the man I am today.”
Nodding, she smiled wide. “Because you thrive on adventure.”
“Exactly.”
“Do you ever wish to return to your family? To England?”
His smile slowly disappeared and confusion gathered in his expression. “I would like to see my family again, but that isn’t my home any longer. This is my home. However, I’m certain there will come a time that I will be needed in England, and so I will eventually return.”
By the way he talked, she received the impression that he thought that time would come very soon. There was something he knew but wasn’t saying. She shouldn’t pry. Hopefully, he would share his secrets with her when the time was right.
Her heartbeat pulsed to a nervous rhythm. This would be the right time to tell him about one of her secrets. She just prayed he didn’t think any less of her. From Felix’s story, she figured he was born into wealth. Her station in life was likely much further beneath his, and he could possibly change his opinion of her once he knew of the circumstance that brought her here.
There was only one way to find out. She must tell him now.
ELEVEN
“I hope you can return to England,” Katrina told him, “if only to see your family one more time. I’m sure they love and miss you greatly.”
“Perhaps.” He shrugged.
“You know, I’m a little envious of you having brothers and sisters. While growing up, I had prayed for a brother and a sister, but all I had to confide in was my mother.”
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