“We’ll sail through the afternoon, and by early evening we’ll be to the point where we can walk.”
“All right.”
This time, it was a movement across the river that caught her attention. Three more crocodiles slid on their bellies from the riverbank into the water.
“Look.” Mr. Knightly pointed, moving nearer to her, his arm outstretched toward the reptiles. “They will follow us for a little while before becoming distracted and give up.”
“Why do they want to follow?”
He looked at her with an eyebrow arched. “Because sometimes things fall off the barge, and they want to make certain they are there to see if it’s edible.”
“Oh.” A shiver coursed through her and she tightened her hands on the railing.
After a few minutes passed without any more words between them, Katrina became more and more aware of how close he stood. Why hadn’t he moved yet? He’d had plenty of opportunities.
The moisture on her neck thickened, whether from the horrid heat or the man’s nearness, she couldn’t decide. She swiped her hand along her neck, tilting her head back and closing her eyes as she opened the shirt at her throat just enough to allow a little air to venture inside and refresh her, if only slightly. When she blinked her eyes open, Felix’s attention was on her neck. His gaze darkened, but not from anger. A different emotion flashed in his eyes this time. Her heartbeat quickened from his intense stare.
She licked her dry lips. “This heat is wicked.”
He blinked a few times before meeting her gaze. “Get used to it. The humidity is only going to get worse the farther into the jungle we go. Not only that, there won’t be much of a breeze because the large trees will block the air’s circulation.”
She nodded. “I understand.” She moved her hand across her neck again, not being able to look at anything else but Felix. There was something between them, and she wished it would disappear. The only thing she wanted to concentrate on was the upcoming meeting with her father... and getting the money he’d promised... and hoping he didn’t get hit with any darts or that his house didn’t catch on fire as her vision had predicted.
Felix Knightly was too distracting, and she couldn’t have it. He was just like most of the men she met at the tavern. Although, he really wasn’t. He was much better than those drunkards. He was in a class all by himself.
Nevertheless, the daydreams she had of marriage and family would never be probable with a man like Mr. Knightly—the rogue! She had decided years ago she would not become like the immoral women she had grown up around. Instead, she would save herself for her husband. Mr. Knightly acted like most of the men she’d met at the tavern. They were definitely not looking for marriage.
Katrina cleared her throat and turned away from him. A rush of air blew from his mouth in a relieved sigh. Why had he acted this way? The man was certainly a curious person.
“Mr. Jamison mentioned you were an associate of Henry Landon. Is that correct?” She rotated her head to glance his way again.
“I met him once a few years back in Rio de Janeiro.”
“Would you tell me what he looks like?”
Confusion glinted in his eyes. “You have never met your own father?”
“Never.” She shrugged nonchalantly.
“Hmm, I see.” He released a heavy sigh and nodded. “Well, your father has wavy brown hair like yours, and he is probably just as tall. I remember him being a confident man—much like his daughter, I’m certain. I’ll recognize him when I see him again, but I don’t exactly know where his rubber tree plantation is located.”
“Then how will you know which way to go?”
“My man, Manuel, knows the way.”
She placed her hand on his arm. “Then we won’t become lost?”
He glanced at her hand as if her palm burned him, so she quickly removed it. He looked back upon the river, his jaw tight and his gaze narrowed.
Katrina folded her hands, reminding herself he didn’t like her touch. It would be hard to keep from making any physical contact with him since she’d always been an affectionate person. Obviously, Mr. Knightly was exactly the opposite, and she didn’t want to upset him anymore than she already had.
“Miss Landon, I know how stubborn you can be, but you must trust me on this trip.” His face turned toward her again. “You must do as I say instead of what you think you should do.”
She scowled. Once again, he was stirring her temper. Why did he always have to tell her this, and why did she rise to the challenge? “What are you talking about, Mr. Knightly? Have I not been following orders like anobedient dogas you so eloquently phrased it yesterday?”
He shook his head. “You have, but only if I threaten you. I don’t want to argue about this. You must do what I tell you or this trip will be very long and tedious for both of us.”
She blew out an exasperated breath. “I cannot understand why you think I’m such a wayward child. I assure you, I will do as you have asked.”
