This wasn’t the first time he saw a spark of interest in her eyes, but he quickly doused his thoughts, telling himself there wasn’t anything he was going to do about it, anyway. Although she appealed to him because of her beauty, he did not like her stubbornness or her haughtiness.
The crew spoke very little as they rested their tired legs and aching feet by the stream. Miss Landon and Suzette sat on a slope. They had taken their boots off and splashed their feet in the water.
Felix munched on beef jerky as he mapped out the rest of the way in his head. If his calculations were correct—which of course, they were—they would reach her father’s plantation in about four days. Perhaps, five. Of course, if by chance it rained, that would slow down their expedition. He glanced up at the sky and silently prayed it wouldn’t rain. Yet, this was the Amazon jungle. It wasn’t called arainforest for nothing.
Miss Landon dried off her dainty feet and pulled her socks back on before slipping her feet into the boots. Once she was laced up, she stood and walked toward him. Her hair still dripped a little with water, but thankfully her clothes didn’t look very wet, so he wasn’t worried about them clinging to her womanly curves.
When she neared, he motioned to a spot on the ground next to him in a silent invitation for her to join him. Without a word, she squatted and brushed the ground with her hand, making it smooth for her bottom. She sat and met his gaze.
“Do you feel a little more refreshed?” he asked.
“I do. It was a much-needed break.”
“That’s good to hear.”
Her focus moved to the half-eaten jerky still in his hand. “May I have some?”
“Certainly, Miss Landon.” He reached into his pack and pulled out a slice and handed it to her.
“Thank you, Mr. Knightly.” She nibbled on the end as her attention roamed the trees behind him. “How much longer until we camp for the night?”
Felix looked up at the sky to study where the sun was on the horizon before meeting her questioning gaze. “I suspect we have approximately three more hours before we should stop and put up our tents.”
“Oh,” she said with a sigh. “That long?”
“Yes, that long. Why? Don’t you think you can travel three more hours?”
She shrugged as she pushed a wayward curl from her forehead. “I hesitate to tell you, only because you thought so highly of me earlier.”
“Let me guess...you really are weary and your feet ache along with the rest of your body.”
She narrowed her gaze on him, showing her stubborn temperament again. “Mr. Knightly, I didn’t say—”
“No, you didn’t. Forgive me for putting words in your mouth. Please, I beg you, finish what you were going to tell me.”
Huffing, she folded her arms. “All I was going to say was I would rather rest for the remainder of the day only so I will have the energy to walk tomorrow.”
“I understand, but you also have to realize, if we want to arrive at your father’s plantation in four days, we have to use up as much daylight as we can.”
“Yes, I know, but you and your crew are used to this—” she gestured with her hand— “kind of life. I’m not.” Her voice rose slightly. “I’m only suggesting you not make this a full day of walking on my first day of the journey.”
He leaned forward and gently touched her cheek. She froze but didn’t pull away. “Miss Landon, I fear this heat has made you forgetful. We spent a few hours on the barge this morning, which means we have not been walking a full day at all.”
A growl escaped her throat as she slapped his hand away. “Then by all means, let’s keep moving today so tomorrow I’ll be so stiff and sore that I’ll require someone to carry me most of the way.”
Chuckling, he stood and shook his head. “I have faith in you, Miss Landon. I think you will be just fine tomorrow.”
Her mouth tightened as she glared up at him. She grumbled and rose to stand. “Naturally, nothing I say will change your mind.”
“Naturally.” He nodded. “We will keep walking until I say it’s time to stop.”
Suddenly, her whole face tightened, and she closed her eyes. Was she preparing to throw another temper tantrum? And yet, this was different.
“Miss Landon? Are you all right?”
She didn’t respond. Her hands fisted, but she didn’t open her eyes. Her face lost a little color.
Worry crawled inside of him. “Katrina? What’s amiss?”
