“I do not know, miss. All’s I know is that his father was a Duke.”
She recalled when Felix had briefly mentioned the Earl, and it was in past tense. “I wonder if his father died.”
Pete nodded. “I wonder that as well.”
“That would explain why Felix has to return to England.”
“It does.”
Why hadn’t he said anything to her? She sniffed back another sob. Perhaps he hadn’t thought she was duchess material. More tears fell and her heart broke a little more. Of course, she wasn’t. Who was she kidding? They both knew that a thieving tavern wench wouldn’t make a good wife to a duke.
But that was neither here nor there. What mattered right now was getting Felix to her father quickly.
In the distance, the trees started changing form. No longer did they canopy the jungle, but instead, the land appeared to be farmland. Rows and rows of shiny green rubber trees decorated the horizon now. Finally! They were here! Yet, where was the house? She groaned. Please let them be close!
The men ahead of her must have seen something that she could not. They shouted and waved their arms. Off to the side of them, another group of men ran their way. Relief flooded her, bringing on more tears. Help was here!
Suddenly, Felix went limp. She stumbled, trying not to drop him. Pete did the same. He swore and adjusted Felix in his arms a little better. Turning his head, he called out to the other men in a different language. All of them broke into a run.
“Felix! Open your eyes,” she cried hysterically. “Youcannotdie on me! Do you hear me?” She shook his limp body. Fear rushed through her. “Felix, I love you. Please don’t die. Come back to me. Open your eyes and look at me. I want to see your incredible blue eyes and charming smile.” Her voice broke as more tears fell.
The men from the plantation were by her side, taking Felix’s body away and laying him on the ground. The energy left her limbs, and she fell to her knees, sobbing into her hands. Pain pierced her knees, but she didn’t care to find out why. She stared at the men surrounding Felix. They checked his eyes, his mouth. Pressed their ear to his chest.
One of them nodded as his gaze jumped up and met Pete’s worried eyes. The man said something in his foreign language. Excitement lit Pete’s eyes as he swung his attention to her.
“He is still breathing.”
Relief washed over her, and she cried and prayed harder. Three men lifted Felix and hurried toward the fields. Pete and another man helped Katrina to her feet. Mentally, she yelled at her limbs to work. She had to move. She must get to the house and be with Felix.
It was if the Lord heard her prayers, because angels lifted her as she stumbled toward the group of men carrying Felix. Everything passed by her in such a frenzy. She didn’t care to look around her. Nothing mattered but him.
Soon, a large, white mansion trimmed with a golden color loomed before her. Three stories high with large windows. The front yard was landscaped with grass, flowers, and cobblestone walkways. A house made for a rich man. Before they could reach the double front doors, servants ran out, adorned similarly to what the servants wore in Macapá, except slightly fancier.
When she entered the house, the first thing she saw was an older brown-skinned, round woman with a kerchief tied around her head and an apron around her thick waist. She issued instructions in their foreign tongue as she pointed her chubby finger toward the stairs. The large men carrying Felix rushed him up the stairs. Katrina moved to follow, but the woman came toward her and gently took hold of her arm.
“No, child. Ya cannot go with dem.”
Her English was broken, but at least Katrina could understand. “But—why not?”
“My child,” she cooed sweetly and patted Katrina’s face, “a sweet, young woman like yerself cannot enter his bedroom. Is not right. Dat hansome man of yers will be looked afta.”
“I—I don’t want him to—die,” Katrina whispered brokenly.
“De doctah will make him betta.” She took Katrina’s hands. “Are ya Miss Landon?”
“Yes.”
“Come with me.”
The woman took her up the stairs that was decorated with garland and ivy, and down a long hallway that looked nearly the same. In fact, from what she had seen so far of the manor, they were ready for Christmas.
They moved into a bedroom. The furnishings appeared to be new and very expensive. Even the rugs were nice and clean as if nobody had ever walked on them.
Katrina stopped suddenly, sucking in a quick breath. This room alone was larger than the tavern she worked at. The biggest bed she’d ever seen sat against the far wall canopied with lovely netting and lavender lace draperies. Cushioned chairs, a sofa and table were also in the room, giving the appearance of a small sitting room. Two cedar armories were placed by the bed next to the white and lavender curtained window. Never in her life had she seen such luxuries.
“Are ya hungry, child?” the housekeeper asked.
“Not really.” Katrina placed her hand on her stomach. “I couldn’t possibly eat at a time like this, not until I know Felix will be all right.”
