“Why don’t you ask him?”
Her breath caught in her throat. Dare she dream? Dare she believe in happy endings? For so long she’d convinced herself there was no such thing. Now there just might be a chance for her to be completely happy.
She blinked the tears away. “Let me think about this later tonight. I can’t think now. I didn’t eat the food Mrs. Cooney brought up for me, and I think that’s why my head hurts.”
“Have Mrs. Cooney make you something quickly. In fact, tell her I want you to meet my stepson, Robert. I think the two of you should finally get to know each other.”
She nodded. “Do I get to meet your wife, as well?”
“No. She died a year ago.” Sadness covered his face.
“I’m sorry for your loss.” She took a deep breath. “I’ll go find Mrs. Cooney now.” She turned and walked to the door. Resting her hand on the knob, she paused, feeling the need to say something else. She looked over her shoulder at the sickly older man who was still watching her. “I thank you for letting us use your physician to help Mr. Knightly.”
“Felix is a good man.”
“Yes, he is.” She nodded as her voice choked. “And thank you for thinking of me all these years. I really thought you didn’t care.”
“That is because your mother wanted you to think that way, but I have saved every letter she returned. If ever you want to read them, let me know.”
Emotion tugged on her heartstrings again, and she took another calming breath. “Not at this time.”
Just as she opened the door, her mind jumped to the forewarning she saw about a house being on fire. As she tried to study the burning structure, she could see that it was indeed, this house. “One more thing before I go.” She looked at him over her shoulder. “I have premonitions, and a fire will break out in your house. I don’t know when, and I don’t know who will start it. But please be cautioned and take necessary steps to see it doesn’t happen.”
He sat up straighter and his eyes widened. “You can see forewarnings?”
“Yes.”
Chuckling softly, he shook his head. “My sister had that gift, as well.”
Surprise washed over her. For many years she’d wondered how she was able to obtain such a gift. Comfort spread through her knowing that it was hereditary. “I thank you for telling me that.”
He nodded. “And I will take precautions as you have suggested.”
She hurried into the hall before changing her mind. She really needed some food to stop this headache. Besides, she’d had enough upsetting surprises being thrown at her already today. She didn’t need more.
Katrina couldn’t find Mrs. Cooney, so she wandered to the main level of the house until she found the large dining room. A few of the kitchen staff were adding garland to the tall Christmas tree, but when they saw her, they stopped. Their eyes grew wide.
“Good day,” she said politely. “Could I trouble one of you for something to eat?”
“Yes, miss.” The two younger women bobbed and hurried in through the side door.
Katrina sat at the long table and waited. She tried to take in the beauty of the expensive furniture and paintings, but her mind wouldn’t rest long enough to let her do this. Instead, she kept thinking about what her father had said about her mother. He was telling the truth, and shame clawed its way through her, quickly shredding her dignity.
This was just too much to think about right now. Tomorrow was soon enough to think about her mother. For now, Katrina would think about what her father had said about Felix. It comforted her to know that her father approved of Felix.
She knew he loved her because he’d told her a couple of times already, but did he love her enough to want to marry her and stay here to run the plantation? She still didn’t know if she could handle such a responsibility out here in the wild jungle. However, with Felix by her side as her husband, she could accomplish anything.
Her heart softened and slowly her headache began to disappear. Perhaps she’d mention it to him tonight when she went to check on his progress. She’d see what his thoughts were and if she felt that he would indeed stay here with her—as her husband—then she would ask that very important question.
Quite bold of her to ask a man to marry her, and she didn’t know if she was that daring yet. Maybe she’d have Henry talk to Felix first.
The side door swung open and one of the servants carried in a tray of food. Katrina’s stomach grumbled loudly, and she placed her hand on her stomach. The juices in her mouth started flowing, and she didn’t know what to eat first.
“Thank you,” she told the servant who bobbed again and then left. Hungrily, Katrina began eating the fish. Her only meal since leaving Macapá had been nuts and berries. She was dying for some actual meat.
On the hard wooden floor behind her, heavy footsteps came her way. She turned her head to see who had entered the dining room. A tall man with wide shoulders walked toward her. His hair was black, and his glare was almost as dark. His skin tone wasn’t as olive colored as the Portuguese servants who worked here, but she could tell he had a little of that nationality in him. He dressed in expensive clothes that were probably tailored to fit his frame. In between his finger and thumb, he held a cheroot that was still smoking.
She had seen him before, but where? In a flash, she remembered. He had been the man coming out of Mr. Jamison’s office when she and her mother were waiting to see the attorney. This was the man who had turned up his nose at her before leaving the office.
