The older gentleman shook his head. “Oh, you’re mistaken, Miss Landon. It was specifically instructed that onlyyouwould be going.”
She gasped, and her heartbeat tripped. “That is improper, even for a pauper such as I.”
Her mother leaned forward. “Mr. Jamison, I willnotallow my daughter to travel with the guide without another woman present. It’s scandalous, and I just won’t have it. I insist on going with her.” Once again, because of her raised voice, deep coughs wheezed through her chest.
He shrugged. “I’m sorry Lucy, but those are Henry Landon’s rules.” He paused for a brief moment. “If it makes you feel any better, Mr. Knightly is an acquaintance of Henry’s and a true gentleman.”
Katrina’s cheeks grew warm with unease. “Mr. Jamison, I don’t even know Mr. Knightly, and I’d feel extremely uncomfortable if—”
He held up his hand. “No need to fear, Miss Landon.” He pushed away from his desk, walked to the door, and opened it. “Mr. Knightly? Would you come in now?”
Katrina clasped her hands tightly against her stomach and kept watch on the door, waiting for her guide. When a rugged-looking man with a large frame entered, her breath caught, and moisture gathered on her palms. The man, whom she expected to be twice her age, was nothing like she’d conjured in her mind. He was much younger, appearing to be in his late twenties. His expensively tailored clothes stretched across his muscular body.
When she tore her gaze from his build and focused on his face, her mouth turned dry. He was absolutely the most handsome man she’d ever beheld. Azure eyes and raven hair were complemented by his tanned skin. His square, shaven chin was lifted high with authority to emphasize his proper upbringing.
The man’s gaze met hers and held. The pleasantness she’d first detected when he sauntered into the room vanished. When his mouth tightened into a frown, her heart dropped. For some reason, he wasn’t impressed with what he saw—just like the first man who had left this room earlier. Mr. Knightly must also know of her lowly circumstances. His dark expression told her that this journey was not going to be enjoyable.
“Mr. Knightly,” Mr. Jamison introduced, “this is Henry Landon’s daughter from his first marriage, Miss Katrina Landon.”
Using all her strength, she lifted from the chair and stood on wobbly legs. Stretching forth a shaky hand, she smiled politely. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Knightly.”
The handsome man ignored her hand, and his angry expression didn’t waver. “Miss Landon, before we go any further, I need to make one thing clear.” He folded his arms over his broad chest. “I willnotcater to the pampered comforts that a spoiled little rich girl is accustomed to. We’re taking a journey through the Amazon jungle, so prepare yourself for hard labor.”
Although his rough voice made her shudder, she wanted to laugh in his face.Spoiled little rich girl?Why did he think that? He’d be surprised to learn that she had been working hard her whole life. She was not accustomed to any type of pampering, and she should rectify that point immediately. But just as she opened her mouth to enlighten him, mischievousness took root.
Perhaps she should make him believe she was what he thought. And when the truth finally came out about her past, she would make this judgmental man eat his words. Katrina may look like a lady on outward appearance, but she would let her true streak of stubbornness unearth itself in due time.
Chapter Two
Felix Knightly glaredheatedly at the stunning female. She didn’t look anything like what he’d been told. Mr. Landon had hinted that his daughter had beendown on her luck,but she appeared completely the opposite now. The dresses both she and her mother wore looked to be the latest fashion from Paris. This was certainly no woman who’d beendown on her luck.And if it was, Felix didn’t want to see what she looked like when good fortune smiled on her.
He knew women like Miss Landon who had wealthy fathers and had been taught to flaunt their money. He hadn’t met a rich woman yet who was sweet and kind with a giving heart. In his eyes, wealthy women were ugly no matter what their outward appearances displayed. Miss Landon was no different. Eventually, she would show her true self, and he’d bet good money that deep down inside, she was rotten to the core.
He had been paid well to play nanny to a rich’s man brat, and although he had gladly accepted the payment, he wouldn’t abide her spoiled antics. They were going to get dirty, the heat would suffocate them, swarms of mosquitoes and poisonous ants would try to eat them alive... and those things would be the enjoyable part of the journey.
He wasn’t looking forward to the days ahead when she discovered their time in the jungle would be no trip to the dressmaker or a tea party in London’s high society.
