Tears burned her eyes. Would she be able to save her parent, or had he already consumed too much poison? Another thought nagged at her... who else was helping Robert besides Blanca? Was there anyone here she could trust?
Once she reached her father’s chambers, she pushed open the door and stumbled inside. The maid was gone, but the tea kettle was still on the tray sitting on the small table next to her father’s bed. He was propped up with pillows behind him as he sipped from the cup.
“No! Don’t drink that,” she cried out and rushed to him.
His eyes were wide with wonder as he lowered the teacup.
She grabbed the cup away from him and threw it into the fire. The low-burning flames sputtered until finally fizzling out.
“Katrina, what has gotten into you, child?” her father rasped.
“Oh, Father.” She sank on the mattress next to him and clasped his frail hand. “I just discovered that Robert has been poisoning you.” She inclined her head toward the door. “Blanca who brings your tea gets it from one of Robert’s hidden rooms upstairs. The rooms are filled with poisonous plants.”
Even though his face was normally quite pale, his skin turned a lighter shade as his mouth hung open. “Blanca was trying to kill me? Are you certain?”
A tear slipped down her cheek as she shrugged. “Do your servants know anything about the plants castor bean and physic nut?”
“I suppose, since they were born and raised in Brazil.”
“Then yes, Blanca is working for Robert and trying to kill you.”
His eyes filled with liquid as a forlorn expression clouded his face. “I should have known.” He shook his head. “Why didn’t I see that?”
She touched his cold cheek. “Father? Do you think your doctor can stop the poison from killing you?” Her voice shook. “Do you think he has an antidote like the one he gave Mr. Knightly?”
Lowering his head, he inhaled a ragged breath. “I’ve been drinking a cup or two of this tea for several months now. I’m surprised it hasn’t killed me yet.”
“Oh, Father.” A sob clogged her throat as she sobbed, leaning her head gently against his shoulder. “There must be a way to keep you alive.”
“Now I’m wondering who in my house I can trust at all. Can my doctor save me, or has he been working with Robert all this time?”
She lifted her head and looked into his tired, sickly eyes. “Is there anyone you can trust who is on this plantation?”
His gaze held a faraway look as if he was trying desperately to think. Her chest clenched with agony. She silently prayed he could think of someone who lived on the plantation that could help them.
He blinked a few times before his gaze came back into focus and he met her eyes. “Yes. Davi and Felipe. They work in the fields. They live in the cabins just south of the plantation.”
Hope bubbled inside of her, and she sat up straighter. “I saw the cabins out the window earlier. I can go there and find them.”
His gaze skimmed over her gown, and he shook his head. “Not dressed like a lady. The rain will soak your clothes and ruin your shoes and you won’t be able to walk.”
“Ah, you forget, Father, Felix had me dress like a man before he took me through the jungle. I still have those clothes.”
“Go, quickly and change. We have not a moment to lose.”
She stood, but before leaving his side, she kissed his cheek. “Father, I promise I’ll do all I can to help you.”
Tears leaked from his eyes. “You are a good daughter. Please forgive me for not trying to get to know you sooner. You are such a delight. I have been blessed just to spend these few weeks with you.”
Emotion choked her throat and she nodded. “I have enjoyed getting to know you, as well.”
Before she could cry in front of him again, she hurried out of the bedroom and to her own room to change. Right now, she needed to think of her father and helping him to recover. Robert would just have to wait. He would not command her any longer, because she refused to do his bidding.
If the only way to stop this man from harming another person was to kill him herself, then so be it.
