Loving Katrina

Thirty-One

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 became 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 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 have a happy marriage if he is trying to control us?"

Felix 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. And she for certain would not let her sight come true.

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.