Chapter Three
Felix watched MissLandon’s backside swing to and fro as she moved up the street. The sun highlighted dark brown ringlet tresses that cascaded down her back. He liked her hair long. It was definitely different from the way she had it yesterday. Today she looked more relaxed, and so unlike most uppity women. He had to admit she was very lovely, and he quite enjoyed their heated exchanges, only because he couldn’t wait to see who would win.
As he gulped in a breath of air, he tilted his head back, hoping he could clear his mind quickly. One way or another, he couldn’t think about her in this manner. Other more important things were more important.
Shaking his head, he tried to clear away his fuzzy thoughts. He hadn’t consumed any spirits, as Miss Landon had presumed. Instead, his worries about his family had kept him awake during the night.
He stretched his arms over his head and shook his legs before focusing on the boat. His crew had handled most of the loading, but they struggled with the few remaining crates. On a barrel nearby, lay some cowhide gloves. He pulled them over his hands as he moved toward his crew to help.
Just the thought of a new adventure, his spirit was ignited and his enthusiasm expanded. It had been two months since his last journey into the Amazon jungle, but he’d traveled through these parts so often in the past three years, he knew it like his own backyard. Although his childhood years were spent in London living amongst the aristocracy, his adult years were spent away from society. He’d worked as an officer with the Metropolitan Police and made some good friends, but when he was shot and nearly died, he decided to change his course through life. That was when he found his way here—Heaven on Earth.
Time slipped away as he busied himself with preparing the boat. The scorching heat had sweat pouring from his head, trickling down his back, and gathering on his chest. He swiped his sleeve across his forehead, and then gazed up into the sky. By the location of the sun, morning had settled, and it was time to travel.
He straightened and looked toward land.Time to get the spoiled little rich girl.He dipped a tin cup into the water bucket and dumped it over his head. The cool liquid skimmed over his charred skin and refreshed him, if only for a moment. He refilled the cup with water and drank it, letting it slide down his parched throat. After running his fingers through his damp hair, he left to retrieve Miss Landon.
With each step closer to the stubborn chit, his rage boiled hotter than today’s sun. Although he loved the adventure of the jungle, he feared this journey would try his patience more than he’d experienced before. That woman just had to argue with him at every turn. Didn’t she realize he knew what he was talking about?
Pinching the bridge of his nose, he sucked in a deep breath. The heat was definitely doing something to his head. Why else would he want to think about Miss Landon? She would never make him happy. She wouldn’t be able to stop harping long enough.
He stepped inside Consuelo’s store, scanning the aisles for Miss Landon. She’d already been in here for an hour, so why couldn’t he see her? A couple of customers passed by, greeting him with smiles. He gave them nods before moving around them, still keeping a sharp eye out for the woman who knew how to make his temperature rise one way or another.
From the back of the room, a woman’s laugh exploded into a fit of giggles. He hadn’t had the privilege of hearing Miss Landon’s laugh, but the heated tingles scorching his insides prodded him to follow the sound. Going on instinct, he walked to the back part of the store. Consuelo, the owner’s wife, stood next to a small room blocked only with a threadbare blanket. Sections of the brown cloth were so thin he could tell someone was standing behind it. As he neared, a flash of creamy skin drew his attention, and he hitched a breath. Unable to tear his gaze away, he peered closer, realizing what he saw was Miss Landon’s mid-section.Was that her navel?
He groaned, and his mouth grew dry. Within moments she moved and thankfully, he couldn’t see any more of her body. The glimpse he’d received branded his mind quickly, and it would be impossible to erase it.
“Miss Landon, come out and let me see,” Consuelo insisted.
“As you wish. Give me a moment to put on the shirt first,” she said from the other side of the blanket. “I cannot be rushed. If I don’t look presentable, Mr. Know-it-all will refuse to guide me into the jungle, and that is not an option. I mustobey his commands,you know.”
Felix bit his bottom lip to keep from laughing out loud. It was good to know she had listened to him. He stepped to the side of a shelf of clothes, hoping the two women wouldn’t notice him right away.
“Oh, Miss Landon, I’m quite certain Mr. Knightly is not that harsh. I’ve known him since he first came here, and he is a very reasonable man.”
Miss Landon snorted. “He hasn’t shown me that side of his personality, yet. Perhaps I just bring out the worst in him.”
Nodding, Felix couldn’t agree more.
She growled and stomped her foot. From the heavy thud, he could tell she wore men’s boots now. Good. At least she followed directions.
“Are you certain this is the right size?” She yanked the blanket to the side and walked out of the room. Sticking out her right foot, she displayed the boots to Consuelo. “They feel big, and they don’t look good on me.”
He rolled his eyes. Women and their fashions.
Consuelo crouched as her hand went to Miss Landon’s foot and touched the boot. “I do believe these are the right size.” She stood and folded her arms, running her gaze down at her customer. “Miss Landon, you will be traveling through the jungle. Looking good will be the least of your worries.”
Felix grinned. Smart woman. Too bad he couldn’t say that about the younger lady standing beside her. He had to admit, wearing men’s clothes didnotlook good on her. Maybe it was because the trousers practically hugged her lower half, showing him the slender curves her dress had kept hidden. And the man’s shirt she wore... He gnashed his teeth. Why did she have to wear something so form-fitting? In the jungle when the temperature rises to a near boiling, that white shirt would cling to her moist skin. Keeping the other men off her would be harder than fighting the mosquitoes and poisonous ants.
Cursing fate, he bunched his hands together at his side. They hadn’t even begun their trek and already he was having improper thoughts. Perhaps being her guide wasn’t the best decision. He should return the money to her father and stay far away from the tempting beauty.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t turn away from his last escapade. His grandmother needed him soon, and he’d begin his duke responsibilities as soon as he took Miss Landon to her father. He’d make certain to keep her upset at him every minute of their journey so he wouldn’t become attracted to her.
Clearing his throat loudly, he made his presence known as he stepped away from the shelves of clothes. Consuelo spun around and offered a genuine smile.
“Good day, Mr. Knightly.”
