It also surprised him she wasn’t limping or acting like her feet were sore. Deep down inside, he knew she was trying to prove to him that she could walk in men’s boots—only because he’d told her she couldn’t. That blasted woman defied him at every turn, and she enjoyed doing it, he was certain.
She seemed to have made friends with Manuel’s wife, Suzette. The slightly older woman had shown Katrina how to wrap her hair in a coil that lifted the hair away from her face that would bring a little more circulation to her skin. Here in the jungle, surrounded by trees and bushes, there was no wind as they’d briefly had while on the boat. Beads of moisture lined Katrina’s face and neck, but then everyone in this group suffered from the suffocating humidity. Every once in a while, Katrina used her canteen to drip water on her head, but thankfully, she didn’t use too much. He was relieved to know she had listened to him and followed his instructions about saving water.
Felix wished Katrina wasn’t so lovely. Any normal man would lose their thoughts whenever she was around. Her exotic eyes and infectious laugh only made it harder for him to keep his distance. Throughout the day he heard her chuckle along with some of his men. Inwardly, he boiled. Hadn’t he told her not to flirt with his crew? Being this playful, she was inviting mayhem.
He slowed his steps and waited until Manuel joined him. They’d been good friends since the first month Felix was in town, and they’d gone on several expeditions together. A pang of remorse twisted in Felix’s chest. He would truly miss his friend once he moved back to England. Returning home to step into his title was necessary, but he wished his friends could come with him.
Manuel’s grin bothered Felix since his friend had only smiled while chatting with Katrina. Felix gave him a nod. “What is so funny?”
The other man’s mouth stretched wider. “Miss Landon’s sense of humor surprises me. She has made us laugh more than I can remember doing while on an expedition. Not often do I laugh while hiking through the jungle in this horrendous heat.”
Felix arched an eyebrow. “Tell me, Manuel, what does she say that’s so funny?”
“The way she talks with humor in her storytelling makes us all laugh.” Manuel shrugged. “I do not know how else to explain it. Sometimes I forget she is wealthy because she acts and talks just like one of us.”
Now Felix was very interested in finding out what Katrina was saying. Of course that meant he would have to get closer and talk to her, and be nice.That, he didn’t think he’d be able to do.
“How amusing. Well, I’ll certainly have to listen to one of her tales now, won’t I?” he asked.
“Yes, you will.”
Felix slowed his steps and stretched his back as he glanced around their surroundings. If memory served him—which it usually did—not far from here was a little stream where they could refresh themselves. Some streams like that one was not good for drinking, but splashing water on their faces was allowed. Right now, they needed to do something to cool off. “Manuel, when we pass that group of trees up there, we’ll stop near the stream and rest our tired feet for a spell.”
His friend nodded. “I will tell the others.” Manuel quickened his step and hurried ahead.
Felix waited for Katrina and Suzette to join him. Suzette gave him a nod, but Katrina didn’t look at him. Stubbornly, she lifted her chin and gazed in another direction.
“How are you faring, Miss Landon?” he asked.
“Quite well, if you must know.”
Her answer was short and clipped. He bunched his hands into fists as anger slowly filled him. “I’m glad to hear that. I was sure you wouldn’t be able to handle the walk, and now I see how wrong I was.”
Her gaze whipped to him, and her eyes widened. “You actually admitted you’re wrong?”
“Of course. I’m smart enough to acknowledge when others are right, which is why tomorrow I will not treat you like the delicate flower I thought you were.”
“You won’t?” Her voice rose a little higher as if she still couldn’t believe he was saying this.
He tried not to grin, but it was almost all he could do to keep a straight face. “No, I won’t. In fact, I will speak with Manuel this evening when we break for the night, and we’ll see what items in our packs will be reasonable for you to carry tomorrow.”
Her steps faltered, and for a moment it looked as if color had vanished from her face. Once again, he tried not to laugh and had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from doing so.
“Y—you want me to carry something?” This time her voice wasn’t as loud.
“Yes. It’s clear you can handle the task. I applaud you for your strength, and I shall not treat you like an invalid again.”
“Well, you see, Mr. Knightly, although my feet might be strong, I’m not certain if my back is—”
“Come now, Miss Landon. This is not the time to be doubtful. I’m sure you can handle the task or else I wouldn’t have suggested it.”
Her expression morphed from confused and anxious, to vexed. It appeared as if she were trying to find a way to convince him otherwise. He quickly decided to switch the subject and pointed to the stream that was now visible. “Splendid. We are here.” He smiled at her. “Miss Landon, we will take a small break and rest our tired feet. Feel free to splash yourself with the water, but don’t get it in your mouth because it’s not clean enough to drink. The liquid will refresh you, I promise.”
Before she could stop him, he hurried to the water, not daring to peek back for fear he’d let loose the laugh he’d been holding. Indeed, it was quite comical to watch her, especially when he bested her at her own game this time.
He shrugged out of the pack he’d been carrying before sitting on a large rock. He leaned down, scooped a handful of water, and splashed it on his face. If only the liquid could be cooler, but it was better than nothing. Cupping his hands, he then scooped up more water and threw it on his head a few times before threading his fingers through his damp hair.
When he straightened, he glanced toward Katrina. Her gaze was on him, wandering slowly over his face and hair. Once her eyes locked with his, her face flamed crimson, and she spun around and moved to another part of the stream.
