Loving Katrina

Nine

Felix had to admit that Miss Landon helped his dear friends, Manuel and Suzette, more than he had expected. Of course, he wouldn't admit that to Miss Landon's face. However, it seemed Manuel enjoyed the company of such a lovely lady, and that worried Felix. He didn't need Suzette getting upset the way jealous wives could.

Two hours had passed since they'd eaten, and although Felix didn't want to, he kept his eyes on the spoiled rich girl. She meandered around the vessel and talked to the other men. Irritation built inside him. Hadn't he warned her not to try charming his crew? He really didn't want to talk to her about this subject again, but he would. At least she wasn't touching them.

And speaking of touching... Inwardly, he groaned. It was pure foolishness on his part for preaching to her about no physical contact only to have him grab her the way he had when the crocs had bumped into the barge. Of all things, he hated feeling foolish in front of women. For some reason, he was feeling this way around Miss Landon more than he wanted.

As Felix strolled closer, he overheard bits and pieces of the conversation between her and the others. From what he could tell, they were warming up to her quickly. He gnashed his teeth. Of course they were enjoying her company. She was very lovely and extremely charming. He was certain there was a school for wealthy girls to attend that taught them how to woo a man.

Even though he knew what kind of woman she was, it had been hard to resist her a little while ago when they talked against the railing. The way her lips moved as her voice stroked each word, and her green eyes softened as she looked at him made emotions inside of him come alive. When she'd swept the moisture off her neck and throat, he'd found it too alluring. Had she known this, which was why she'd done it? He cursed himself for making her wear men's clothes, especially when they molded to her body so perfectly.

Then when he had caught her from falling, it was quite a struggle not to taste her lips and get a sample of what kind of passion she held, but he was relieved he didn't give into temptation. Being so near was such sweet torture, and he didn't dare experience it again.

It had been five years since he'd learned his lesson about rich women, and he'd made it a rule not to court any of them ever again. They were too fake and cared very little for anyone but themselves. Knowing he'd return to England and meet plenty of that type of woman made him physically ill. If only he could encounter a sweet, kind-hearted, and loving woman. But he feared he wouldn't find her amongst those being put on display during the London Season. The perfect woman for him was out there somewhere, and he wouldn't wed until he was truly in love.

A group of his men helped pack the supplies for the trek ahead of them, a task that assisted in taking Felix's mind off the very alluring woman in their midst—except for when her laughter floated through the air. Every time he heard the angelic sound, he swung his head in her direction, wondering what had caused her to laugh.

As the day wore on, a few of his men napped on the vessel, which was what he should do as well. Yet he dared not close his eyes for fear his lonely mind would take over and create images of the very beautiful woman he didn't want there. Instead, he needed to keep busy.

Katrina sat next to a tall crate that blocked her from the sun. A sketchpad lay on her bent knees as she drew. Eyes focused on her hand, she worked her bottom lip with her teeth. Every once in a while, she lifted her gaze and looked across the river before returning to her drawing.

Curiosity got the better of him, and pulled him away from his packing to walk toward her. On his way, he picked up a bottle of quinine, which was necessary for their trip. It was a treatment for malaria and could also be used as to relax the muscles. He neared, waiting for her to raise her head and meet his stare. She didn't. So engrossed in her drawing, she obviously didn't hear him even when he stopped at her side. He dropped his gaze to her sketch. Surprise washed over him. She'd drawn the river and trees so perfectly he thought he could jump right into the illustration.

He cleared his throat. Startled, she jerked her head up. When their gazes met, her eyes widened and she pulled the sketchpad to her chest.

"Mr. Knightly. Forgive me for not realizing you were there."

"No need to apologize." He pointed to the pad in her hand. "I think your drawing is very good."

She shrugged as pink colored her cheeks. "I love drawing scenery. The river is so beautiful. So serene. I wanted to capture it on paper."

"Will you show me more of your work?" He crouched to her level.

She nodded and placed the pad of paper on her lap. He didn't want to take his focus off her flushed face, but he did to peek at her sketches as she slowly flipped each page. Shocked, he blinked in awe. Her drawings weren't just passively good; they were nearly perfect.

"Miss Landon, you have exceptional talent." He wished the tone of his voice hadn't deepened just then.

"Thank you."

Her face flamed brighter as she looked everywhere else but at him. Finally, when she met his stare, her green eyes darkened. She was breathtaking.

"Here." He handed her a bottle of quinine. "This is for you to take only if you get jungle fever. All you need to do is drink a couple of swallows of this, and within hours, you'll feel better."

"Will I be able to tell if I have jungle fever?" she asked.

"Yes. You will start hallucinating and you'll be extremely ill. But don't worry. I'll be able to tell if you have contracted the fever."

Nodding, she closed her fingers around the bottle. Their fingers brushing against each other caused his insides to burn. Perhaps he'd already caught the fever. Why else would he get so warm every time they were this close?

A gentle smile broke across her face as she turned to her pack and set the bottle inside. Her gaze moved across his face, stirring desire in him he wished hadn't taken root. When her attention was drawn to something over his shoulder, he was relieved. Confusion wrinkled her brow and she pointed at something in the distance.

"What is that?" Standing, she shaded her hand over her eyes and squinted. "Why do those trees look so oddly shaped?"

Felix stood and swung around to see what she was pointing at. His heart sank as panic consumed him. Howler monkeys hung from the tall trees; all of them still as they watched the group on the boat move closer. These wild animals were easily agitated and could make their journey miserable, especially because the boat was nearly underneath these trees, slowly moving nearer.

He glanced at Katrina's wide, curious eyes. He needed to protect her, but where could he hide her here on the barge?

He prayed she wouldn't do anything to irritate the wild creatures.