She wiped away a tear that had slipped from her moist eyes. As much as she’d been crying lately, it surprised her that she still had tears left in her to shed. The pain in her heart from losing Felix was too fresh, yet she was tired of feeling this way. How long would it take before her heart mended? And when would Robert take her back to her mother so they could leave for home? The wait was killing her.
Out of the corner of her eyes, she noticed one of the maids carrying a tray of tea. The woman smiled at Katrina as she walked to the nearest table.
“I’m hoping you would like some tea.” She set the tray down and picked up the kettle and teacup. Hesitating to pour, she watched Katrina’s eyes, waiting for the approval.
The strong, sweet scent she’d detected during the times she had visited her father, was in this tea kettle, too. Never had she smelled tea this potent. It was all she could do not to plug her nose.
“What was your name again?” she asked the kitchen maid.
“Blanca, Miss Landon.”
“I find it strange, Blanca,” Katrina began, “that since my arrival here, I have never been offered any coffee or another type of drink. Do you not have anything besides tea in your kitchen?”
A blush splashed over the other woman’s face, and she gave a forced laugh. “Forgive me. I was told you liked tea.”
Katrina scrunched her forehead. “Who would have told you that?”
“Master Robert, of course.”
Although Katrina really didn’t mind drinking tea, it upset her to think Robert was ordering the staff to do his bidding and telling them things he clearly didn’t know. “Actually, I would like some lemonade. Do you have that?” She offered a polite smile.
“Uh, oh yes of course. I shall get it now.” The maid picked up the tray and hurried toward the door.
Footsteps boomed on the wooden floor in the hallway, making the maid pause. The other woman hesitated as she swung her gaze around the room, almost as if she was looking for a place to hide. Instead, she lowered her head and rushed out the door, barely missing bumping into Robert as he strode in the room. He held himself tall like a man of power would, and Katrina wanted nothing more than to spit in his face or knock him down from his pedestal.
“I hear you don’t like our tea,” he stated as he walked toward her.
Shrugging, she turned her attention back out the window. “There are a lot of things I don’t like around here.”
A deep chuckle rattled in his chest. “Have you always been this obstinate?”
“Always.” She gave him a sharp nod.
“I came to tell you that your time at the plantation has come to an end.”
She turned her head, arching an eyebrow at him. “Oh really? What makes you think that?”
“Because I have received word that Mr. Knightly is finally on his way to his family. Now that he has boarded a ship, I feel it’s safe to take you back to Macapá and make certain you and your harlot mother return to the slums.”
A knot of emotion stuck in her throat, and her heart broke into smaller pieces. Her eyes burned as she held back the tears. Although she’d told Felix to go home, a part of her wanted him to stay and fight for their love. Hearing of Felix’s departure was almost more than she could bear, because this was indeed what reality was all about, not one of her silly girlish dreams of a knight in shining armor coming to her rescue. Her heart cried out for him to return, for him to sweep her into his arms and rescue her from this evil man and the wretched plantation. But then she realized it would never happen. She must admit it and move on with her life as Felix had moved on with his.
She took a deep, calming breath. “When would you like us to leave?”
“Tomorrow morning, very early.”
“You don’t want me to spend the holiday with my father?”
“I’ll make up some excuse that the old man will believe.”
“Fine. I shall be ready and waiting.”
His lip curled up in a jeer. “I’m sure you will. I hope you don’t mind hurrying during our journey. I’m very anxious to get you back home.”
“Not any more anxious than I am.”
“Good. I’m relieved to see we are thinking the same thoughts. I suggest you say your goodbyes to Henry. I assure you, he is dying quickly. Make certain you see him before we leave tomorrow for it will be your last visit with your father.”
“I shall.”
