Loving Katrina

Thirteen

The weary travelers entered Manaus before dark. Earlier, Felix had asked Manuel what he wanted to do about Suzette, and his friend was adamant about getting his wife to town as soon as possible.

Felix pointed toward the small hut used as the doctor's office. "Manuel, take your wife there while I make arrangements for our lodging at the inn."

As soon as he said it, Katrina's eyes widened with surprise and happiness spread across her face. The others in the group declined to stay at the inn as they walked toward the nearest tavern. Soon, only Felix and Katrina were left standing in the middle of the street. He gave her a one-shoulder shrug and motioned with his hand toward the inn. "Shall we proceed?"

"Yes, we shall." She grinned eagerly.

He led the way, and surprisingly she kept in step beside him, apparently she had the strength to keep on moving now.

"Mr. Knightly, do you suppose the inn will allow me to take a bath?"

He arched an eyebrow at her. "You are not too tired?"

"Of course not. Who in their right mind would be too tired to bathe?"

He nodded. "I see your point, and to answer your question, yes the inn does have accommodations, which of course, costs a little more."

The light disappeared from her eyes when she frowned. "Does that mean you aren't going to allow me any comfort?"

As much as he wanted to tease her, he really didn't have the energy. Not tonight. Too much had happened today to sap his momentum. "On the contrary, I shall allow you that comfort seeing how you won't get it again until you reach your father's plantation."

Her shoulders sagged as a relieved sigh blew from her mouth. "Thank you, Mr. Knightly."

Felix walked into the small hut-style building and paid for two rooms. He strode beside her while escorting her to her room. She said a quick thank-you before hurrying inside and closing the door.

He looked forward to relaxing in his own tub as well, but first he needed to ask questions to the people he knew in Manaus. Fire ants in that location of the jungle was unheard of. Hopefully, someone would know something.

As he went into the street, he scanned the diminutive town. It held two taverns—one at each end of the street—a general store, one inn, and a doctor's office. He knew nearly every person who lived in this area. With a pang in his heart, he realized this would be the last time he'd get to see them for quite a while. These people were like his family. From time to time other travelers wandered through, and the people who lived in these parts welcomed all newcomers as well.

He walked into the tavern and immediately noticed a couple of new faces mixed with a handful of familiar faces. The men who knew him lifted their mugs in salute as they called out his name. Felix grinned, wondering if he would ever feel just as welcomed when he returned to England and entered one of the gentlemen clubs. Definitely not!

He approached the table where his men sat, and Felix took a chair next to them. Within minutes, a drink was placed in front of him. He glanced into the big brown eyes of the buxom serving wench and offered her a polite smile. Her black hair was in disarray, hanging over her shoulders, and her brown skin glistened with sweat. A mixture of body odor and whiskey surrounded her like a perfumed cloud, making his stomach roil in disgust. She batted her eyes at him and sashayed away with a familiar come-hither look.

It surprised him to think that before meeting Miss Landon, women like the serving wench had never bothered him before. Now he was more aware of the sweet smell that permeated a high-class woman, and the silky texture of her hair and skin. Big brown eyes were not to his liking any longer, but instead, he wanted to gaze into the lovely jade color of Katrina's eyes. He'd also rather gaze upon shapely her figure as opposed to the overly round curves of the serving wench.