Felix Knightly heatedly glared at the stunning female. She didn't look anything like what he'd been told. Mr. Landon had hinted that his daughter had been down on her luck, but she appeared completely opposite now. The dresses both she and her mother were wearing looked to be the latest fashion from Paris. This was certainly no woman who'd been down 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'd 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.

As he studied the heiress, her smug, green gaze challenged him. She lifted her chin, letting him know of her stubbornness. She'd be a handful, but he was up to the test. The longer their gazes held, her body relaxed and the darker her eyes became. He wasn't certain he liked that, only because it made her look prettier.

She folded her arms across her bosom. "I'll certainly try to keep up with you, Mr. Knightly, but you'll have to remember I'm a lady, and I have delicate sensibilities."

Just as I suspected. He arched an eyebrow. "I shall keep that in mind, Miss Landon."

As she stepped forward, her hands slid down the sides of her dress and drew his attention to her graceful curves. Her flowery scent purposely teased his senses. He'd always enjoyed the fragrance of roses. It reminded him of his grandmother's flower gardens back home in England, and made him homesick for his family.

"Let me know what I need for this journey," her voice softened, "and I'll be ready first thing in the morning."

"I shall get you a list, but let me warn you, I intend to leave by sunrise. I'm aware young ladies like yourself aren't used to rising early, but—"

"Mr. Knightly," she interrupted. "I said I would be there." Her grin widened, showing him her perfectly straight teeth. Even though he wouldn't admit it aloud, she did have a nice smile.

He nodded. "Fine."

"Mr. Knightly? I have one question." She stepped closer, and he realized she was slightly taller than most women he knew, but he still towered over her. "How many of your men are planning on traveling with us?" she added.

"It will take a good strong crew of ten to make it through the jungle."

Her smile softened and her eyes darkened to jade. He could read this woman well. She wanted something and intended to use feminine charms to get it. He wasn't worried. He had been handling women like Miss Landon for quite some time. They couldn't get the best of him.

"Will you allow my mother to accompany us? She is very upset with the idea of her daughter being the only woman in a group of men."

He wanted to laugh in Miss Landon's face. She was a good performer, he'd give her that, but he was also immune to fancy women who thought all they had to do was bat their eyes, pout, and he would give them their way. Many women had tried—and failed.

It was hard to believe her mother wanted to accompany them. Although the older lady was still a strikingly handsome woman, it was obvious by her frail body and pale skin that she was very ill. There was no way this woman would last one day in the jungle. It was bad enough he had to play nanny to her daughter, but he refused to take a sick woman along.

He stroked his chin and ran his gaze over Miss Landon. Those wide innocent eyes pleaded earnestly, and by the way she clasped her hands against her small waist until her knuckles turned white, he could tell she desperately waited for his answer. He decided to play with her a little before refusing her request.

He sighed heavily. "Well, the payment I received was only for one person."

"I'll pay you more," she quickly countered.

The older woman sitting in a chair gasped followed by a cough. This confirmed his belief that she was indeed ill.

He shrugged. "My supplies are for you and my men. On such short notice, I don't know where I'd find the items needed to accommodate another. There's also the issue of food—"

"I'll share what I have." A sly smile touched her heart-shaped mouth. "We are both very light eaters. We'll make do."

He raked his fingers through his hair and shook his head. "I don't know, Miss Landon. Your mother looks unwell. I highly doubt she will have the strength."

Miss Landon stepped forward and reached her hand out to touch him, but only brushed her fingers along the front of his shirt. "I shall assist her. Besides, you won't even notice her presence. She'll be as quiet as a mouse."

At that moment, the older woman coughed. Quiet? Unlikely. He grinned out of the corner of his mouth. "Have you ever heard a mouse scurry across a floor or inside a wall, Miss Landon? Mice aren't exactly silent."

Her tempting mouth tightened and her hands balled into fists. Through her calm expression, she gave him a razor sharp smile. "Then please, Mr. Knightly, tell me what you want me to do. It's not proper for a young woman to be alone with a man."

"You'll not be alone. My men will protect you from me, if that is your concern."

The smile disappeared and her nostrils flared. Felix bit his cheek to hold back from laughing.

She huffed and propped her hands on her slim waist. "Mr. Knightly? Do you or do you not intend on taking my mother?"

He grinned. "Sorry, but I can't."

"Can't or won't?"

"Won't."

Suddenly the gentleness vanished from her delicate features and a deep growl escaped her throat. Her nails were like claws as they flew through the air toward his face, but he quickly grasped her hands before she could slap his face. Her bosom rose and fell quickly; the material of her dress grazed the back of his hands. Her warm breath fanned his face and it smelled like a spearmint leaf.

"Curse you, Mr. Knightly." Her angry eyes watered. "If you had no intentions of allowing her to go along, then you should not have led me to believe—"

"Miss Landon," he hissed. "Would you calm yourself and listen to me?"

"I'm appalled at you, Mr. Knightly," she continued, ignoring his demand as her eyes flashed with fervor. "I'm a lady, and I shall not have my reputation ruined. I'm quite certain my father wouldn't appreciate it, either."

The mother sprang from her chair and tried to peel her daughter away. He held the young woman tight as he met her piercing glare.

"Miss Landon, would you cease your prattling for two minutes and listen to me? There is one rule you must learn before tomorrow." His gaze swept over her face, across her tinted cheeks, down her perky nose to those full lips. He then shifted his attention back to her dark green eyes. "You will not disobey my orders. You'll follow me like an obedient dog and do everything I say. I know the trail very well, and I know what to expect. Your spoiled behavior is dangerous to take with you, so I suggest you leave it home with your mother."

Her raspberry tongue darted out and swept across her lips. Her throat jumped in what appeared to be a hard swallow. Tears gathered in her eyes, but he could see her stubbornness kept them from falling.

"Promise me you'll follow my rules, Miss Landon."

Her body trembled. After a few moments of silence, she nodded stiffly.

"Say it," he demanded.

Startled, she jumped. Her expression hardened. "Yes, Mr. Knightly. I'll follow your rules. I will not disobey."

Smiling, he released her hands. She fell back against her mother whose protective arms wrapped around her shoulders. The old woman threw him a gaze as sharp as a dagger, even though her coughs had taken more color away from her face, if that were possible.

Although the young woman had relented this time, he knew their journey would be filled with pitfalls along the way. Nothing he couldn't handle, though.

He nodded to the two women. "I'll admit you are correct, Miss Landon. An unmarried woman should not travel without another woman present. I will have one of my men bring his wife along since she is familiar with the jungle."

Relief crossed Miss Landon's face, but thankfully, she didn't say a word.

He continued, "I shall meet you at the docks first thing in the morning. I sincerely hope you will be ready." He glanced over her fitted gown, enjoying the way it hugged her slender figure, before he turned and marched toward the door.

"But Mr. Knightly?" Mrs. Landon's voice squeaked. "What will I do while my daughter is gone? I don't have the funds to pay for a room at the inn while I wait for your return."

The daughter gave Felix a pouty look and he wanted to growl in frustration. "Fine. I shall pay for your lodging."

The older woman gave him a nod. "I thank you, Sir."

Quickly, before the two women realized they needed something else, he hurried out of the office. Once outside, he breathed in the clean, crisp air. Not very often did he allow a woman to make him upset, but then again, he hadn't run across one so uppity since he left England three years ago. For a moment, he wasn't certain if it was her attitude, or her beauty that disturbed him more. This particular trek would certainly take years off his life.

Felix grumbled and mounted his horse. He didn't have the patience for someone so spoiled. Men followed commands better than a woman, and he wasn't looking forward to arguing with her the entire time. Her father paid him well, but this wasn't about money. Adventure was what he sought, and Felix thrived on danger.

As he rode toward his home on the edge of town, he continued to question his decision to take Miss Landon through the jungle. It wasn't that he couldn't do it—he just didn't want to. He didn't want to hear her whine every step of the way. He wasn't that desperate for money.

Thankfully, though, money wasn't an issue. He already owned a few homes—this place and a small house in England he'd been contemplating about selling. He loved to travel, so living in nice houses was not necessary. Instead, he'd accepted this journey into the jungle because it was what he loved to do.

After stopping, he tied his horse to a fencepost near the makeshift barn and headed toward the front door of the house. From up the street, a boy called his name. Felix waited until the lad stopped in front of him.

Breathless, the boy handed him a paper. "Sir, this letter just came for you."

"Thank you." Felix flipped him a coin. The boy grinned, and clutching the coin in his hand, he ran off.

Felix entered his home and shut the door. When he opened the letter, his grandmother's name at the bottom of the missive grabbed his immediate attention. He hadn't talked to her since he left London right after he'd been disinherited by his father. Anxious, he skimmed the message. The news slammed into him like a runaway team of horses. Shaking his head, he read it again.