Chapter Thirteen

The first sight of the Manyatta, the Masai village, was a surprise. It was surrounded by a fence that looked like a giant circle of tangled thornbushes, and was twelve feet high. Jace explained that it was called an engang and its purpose was to keep out lions and to keep in their cattle.

Once inside, Leigh saw numerous huts with flat tops and made of earth and dung. The dung was thickened and strengthened with straw, and plastered to a round framework of strong branches. The odor was strong but not unbearable. Groups of cattle were everywhere, having been brought inside for the night. Young boys tended the “supreme providers” with great care, even with affection and respect.

The Masai depended on cattle for meat and blood and milk. They halted to watch several men at work with a cow. A leather thong was tied around its neck, and it was held motionless. One man knelt and fired a blocked arrow into the animal’s jugular vein. Blood was caught in a gord. Some of the men drank the red liquid hot from the task. Others mixed it with milk, then consumed it. Leigh noticed how the bleeding halted immediately. The cow seemed unhurt, and not the least troubled by the deed, but she felt a little nauseated.

Jace had told them many things about this nomadic tribe of lion-killing spearmen. They settled in an area as long as the grazing was good, then moved on when it wasn’t. They never camped near waterholes, because the earth was trampled and barren, and predators were a threat. Water was hauled by women to camp, and none was wasted, not even for bathing and drinking. That was done at rivers.

Flies were numerous and busy inside the enclosure. But Masai did not kill them or even shoo them away, believing spirits of ancestors could inhabit all living things. Their god was called Enkai, and the lives of these drinkers of blood were filled with rituals and customs.

Until his middle teens, a Masai boy tends the herd, while the girls milk cows and serve as the warrior’s concubines. Between sixteen and twenty, a boy is circumcised in a grand ceremony. During this training period he is given warrior raiment and weapons, and his head is shaved. A few years later, he becomes a full warrior. Only then can he marry and grow hair to be braided into a certain style.

The Masai warriors—moran—were very tall and slender, a handsome race with sharp and bold features. The garb of some consisted of animal skins draped toga-style; others wore a cloth wrapped around their hips. Their hair was plaited in an elaborate style, its top held against the forehead with a cord beneath the chin. The black hair was heavily greased with animal fat and dusted with red ochre. Their storklike legs were decorated with designs running from groin to ankle by scratched mud. Most of them had simple beaded bands around their necks, wrists, and ankles. Their bodies displayed a reddish-orange cast from the ochre mud smeared and dried there. Most had large loops in earlobes stretched to an amazing size.

The girls who served the warriors did so before the age they could conceive, a fact Leigh found distressing. When puberty ended, the young girls were circumcised, too, and declared ready for marriage.

The women looked much different from the men. Their shaved heads shone in the sunlight. Large collars of beads and coiled wires were worn about their necks. To Leigh, the weight seemed as if it would be uncomfortable, but the dark-skinned women didn’t appear to notice. They even slept on special wooden headrests to protect their jewelry. Most were attired in kikoi, a colorful sarong like garment.

The people greeting them were friendly and courteous. The Masai were said to make formidable enemies but very good friends. They were proud, old-fashioned people who retained their ancient and pastoral existence. They did not seem to mind the British takeover of this land, or dislike the white intruders.

As Jace conversed with the tribesmen, Louisa declared, “I am not eating or sleeping here, Chad. We’ll probably all get sick and die.”

Chad pulled Jace aside and told him, “None of us want to spend the night here, Jace, or join these people for dinner. I’m afraid our diets and customs vary too much. I think you understand. Let’s visit a while, then move on before dark.”

Jace was disappointed, but didn’t argue. He had hoped to get Leigh alone tonight, after Johi used a “magical native potion” in the others’ wine, but he had realized bringing along wine would seem curious. “We’ll talk a few minutes, then find a place to make camp.”

The Masai insisted on dancing for them. A group of near-naked warriors carrying seven-foot spears gathered before the whites now sitting on brush mats. The men bunched tightly, gave a loud whoop, then jumped into the air in unison, except for one. Their greased, ochre-coated bodies undulated to a drum beat, then leapt upward again. A Masai chant was sung by the dancers. The drumming grew louder. The jumps moved closer together and higher. The man who did not leap with the others murmured a different chant, a longer one. The dancers all sang the same two words over and over.

It reminded Leigh of descriptions she had read of American Indian war dances and chants and their affect on the pioneers. But this was wonderful, not terrifying. It was primitive, hypnotic, and fascinating. She was enchanted by sight and sound.

“What are they saying?” she asked Jace.

He chuckled and replied, “They’re telling about their adventures.”

“Men’s bawdy tales?” Louisa hinted.

“Something like that,” Jace answered with a grin.

Louisa leaned toward Jace and murmured, “Actually it’s very arousing, don’t you think?”

“No, I don’t, Miss Jennings,” he said, calm and formal.

“Well, I do,” she responded, undaunted.

Chad was talking with Leigh. “Isn’t this marvelous? Aren’t you glad we came? Everything’s going perfectly.”

“I’m having a glorious time, Chad, and all is well,” she said in a tone certain to get her meaning across.

Moving closer to the blonde, Chad whispered, “I am being good.”

“Yes, you are, very good. It isn’t too hard, is it?”

He sent her an engaging grin. “Surprisingly not at all. Who knows? We might stay longer than planned. Would you like that?”

“What if the others get tired or bored?” she inquired.

“They can leave anytime they like. They aren’t captives here.” He lowered his voice even more. “We might have more fun without them. Just me and you, and our guide.”

“That wouldn’t be proper,” she said, trying to discourage him.

His gaze softened. “Under one circumstance, it would.”

She laughed. “Stop teasing me, Chad.” The drums and dance ended, and so did her dismaying banter with her guardian.

After their return to camp, it rained hard all day and night, and the bearers took cover in the jungle. A meat-and-vegetable stew was prepared by the servants beneath a canvas and brush shelter, then carried indoors and served to everyone. The others rested and played games, while Leigh snuggled up with a book. No one went outside in the storm, except Jace, who sneaked to Leigh’s tent.

As he unlaced the secret opening, she quickly put out the lantern to prevent telltale shadows on the canvas walls. “Isn’t this dangerous, Jace?” she whispered, even though the rain was loud and heavy around them. She waited for him to seal the entrance.

“Yep, but I couldn’t wait any longer to get my arms around you. I’ve missed you, woman. You don’t know what pleasure I get from kissing you and touching you. It’s driving me wild.”

“Me, too,” she confessed as he joined her. “You’re soaked. Why don’t we get you out of these dripping clothes?”

Jace trembled with desire. “I didn’t come here to seduce you, love. I can settle for kisses and hugs and talk.”

“But I can’t. I want you, and you’ve seen to it that I need you.”

“What a clever man I am,” he teased, kissing her.

Leigh’s arms banded his body and she nestled against him. “I’m getting you wet, love. Sorry,” he murmured against her ear.

“I don’t care.” She unbuttoned his shirt and removed it. As Jace took off his boots and pants, Leigh slipped out of her garments.

Jace pulled the bedroll to the floor, knowing the single cot couldn’t hold their combined weights. He drew her down beside him. They kissed deeply as they cuddled.

Leigh thought it would spoil the romantic mood by questioning him about the secret entrance and by revealing Chad’s overture, so she held silent. “This feels good. I like having you near me.”

“I love having you near me, woman. These past days have been terrible. Half the time I’m scared to look at you for fear of exposing my feelings. The other half, I can’t keep my eyes away. What have you done to me? I’ve never felt so helpless and frustrated. I can’t wait to win our bet and get you all to myself. Which reminds me, you owe me a kiss for breaking rule one.”

She laughed softly. “You only have one point, my irresistible guide, so don’t get cocky yet. If it’s payment you demand, I’ll gladly comply.” She sealed her mouth to his and tantalized him with her tongue.

Jace’s hands rubbed up and down her sleek back as she lay half across him. Her tawny mane fell around his head and tickled him in spots. With her so near and steadily consuming his being, revenge and exoneration —all wild perils—seemed far away or nonexistent. He was caught up in a beautiful dream where only sweet passions dwelled with them. He groaned as his arms tightened around her waist.

Leigh’s fingers wandered into his brown hair, and damp curls clung to them. She kissed away the raindrops on his face, then drifted down his neck to do the same there. Even the furry covering on his chest was wet, and her fingers played there a while, making tiny curls. His flesh was cool, slick, and firm beneath her roaming hands. She needed and wanted to explore him and felt brave enough to do so. It was as if the driving rain pelted against her tent like a primitive drumbeat, creating a mesmeric force that compelled her to perform this ancient ritual of love.

Leigh’s lips journeyed along his chest. Her tongue circled the small but taut peaks on his virile landscape. Her hand drifted along his sides, over his stomach, and into a thicker covering of soft fur. It, too, was damp. She moved her hand lower still, savoring the evidence of his desire for her. Her courage did not desert her, as she was too enchanted by love’s task to be sway from this new adventure. She felt Jace stiffen in surprise, heard him moan in delight, and felt him relax once more. With leisure and care, her hand traveled up and down the lengthy domain where heat and strength met her.

Jace didn’t know if he wanted to lie still or wriggle in pleasure, or if he could even control his actions. Leigh seemed in a provocative mood tonight, as if she boldly sought a treasure. She was a novice at love, but she was learning fast. He felt tense and afire. His head was dazed by hunger, and his body ached with it. As her hands and lips worked at mapping her easily conquered territory, he shuddered in arousal.

When he thought he could last no longer, Jace rolled Leigh to her back and assailed her breasts with his greedy mouth. His hands and mouth began an intoxicating expedition of their own over her beckoning ground. He called on all the knowledge, experience, and skills he possessed to stimulate and pleasure her, and himself.

When they joined together, it was nearly shattering to both. They labored with love, yearning, and urgency. Their victory came within minutes, so high was their arousal and need.

In the dreamy aftermath, Jace held her against him. “Every time I take you, it’s like the first time, the best time. How is that?”

“It’s the same for me. I think nothing could be better, but it always is. It’s like a hunger that’s never satisfied for more than a while. I suppose it’s because you whet my appetite and keep me starving for you all the time. That’s a mean and naughty trick, Jace Elliott.”

“No more than the trick you play on me, woman. You tempt me day and night to lay permanent siege to you, knowing I can’t.”

That statement worried Leigh. Was this all he had in mind for them? Because he was a wanted man? Or because she only affected him sexually? She wanted more, much more, from him.

“Unless,” he murmured, kissing and nuzzling her ear, “you trick Chad and sneak to my plantation.”

“You know I can’t, Jace. Chad would never agree to a voyage to Texas just months before my birthday.”

“He will if he thinks you trust him and you’re turning your affairs over to him,” Jace refuted. “You don’t have to tell him you’re returning in December. I don’t want you going there as long as he has such power over you. And we can use more time together.”

It was tempting, but would it work? Should she even consider more time without wedlock? She loved this man, but how well did she know him? He was eager to keep her here until November, but why? He couldn’t get revenge on Chad without exposing them, and Jace would not hurt her that way. What would her love feel and say when she was free to make her own choices? Would he offer marriage even if he couldn’t exonerate himself? Was this a test of her feelings for him? “It’s crazy, but who knows what will happen?”

His fingers stroked her hair and bare skin. “You’re right. I might decide to hold you captive and enjoy you for a very long time.”

“I could always escape.”

“Not through the jungles around my place. It’s very secluded.”

Leigh’s fingers teased over his parted lips. Her teeth nibbled playfully on his cleft chin. “That sounds intimidating, Mr. Elliott. Who is around to help me if you turn into an uncontrollable beast?”

Soft chuckles sounded in his throat. “No one. My housekeeper, workers, and friends would never take your side against me.”

“What if we wind up on the same side and I don’t require help?”

“That’s what I’m scheming for, woman. How did you guess?”

“Do you hear that?” she whispered, sitting up beside him.

“Hear what?” he asked, coming to alert.

Without hurting him or leaving a mark, she bit his shoulder. “Nothing is what. It’s stopped raining. Someone might check on us. You’d better go.” She kissed him as if saying farewell.

“Before proving my stamina and desire?” he jested, pulling her back to the bedroll. His mouth fastened to hers, as eagerly as if he hadn’t taken her in days …

Leopard was on their schedule next. As they walked, Jace instructed the group on the species. “The leopard’s a solitary animal, except during mating season. He hunts in the bush and woodlands, but he loves to climb trees to sleep and to bask in the sun. He normally hunts at night, but he’ll carry his kill into a tree with him to keep other predators from stealing it. He mostly stalks smaller animals, like waterbuck, but one of his favorites is baboon. If you haven’t seen pictures of him, he’s tawny with black markings, almost like little squares. He’s big, mean, and powerful. He’s bloodthirsty, fast, and cunning. And vindictive. He’ll. attack without provocation, and kill for the sheer pleasure of it—one of the few animals with that trait. Sometimes he doesn’t even devour his victim, just leaves the body lying there. Naturally we can’t stalk him at night, so we’ll try to find one sleeping or chasing baboons.”

They had left camp two hours ago. Leigh was feeling strange. She was lightheaded and thirsty. She felt tense, but very drowsy. She surmised it was the climate, or lack of sleep.

As the women excused themselves in the bush, Louisa watched her closely, then asked, “Leigh, do you feel all right? You look dreadfully pale and your cheeks are like red roses.”

Leigh drank from her canteen. “I’m tired and stiff. I read too late last night and didn’t get enough sleep. I won’t do that again, rain or not. It’s terribly hot today.” She mopped at the beads of perspiration on her face and neck and swatted at insects.

“No hotter than usual,” Louisa refuted. “Why don’t I suggest we return to camp? I’ll tell Jace I’m exhausted and feeling sick.”

Leigh was annoyed, because it sounded as if the redhead was trying to prevent her from being the reason to break a wager rule. She assumed Chad had revealed the thousand-pound bet with their guide and had ordered the redhead’s aid. It rankled that Chad couldn’t keep promises and secrets. More sharply than intended, she said, “I’ll be fine after this break. Don’t worry about me, Louisa.”

They crossed a veld, which was open country where grass and scrubs grew. They were heading for a thornbush area, then a thin forest with plenty of baboons: leopard country. They had seen many animals but hadn’t stopped to hunt.

The farther they traveled, the weaker Leigh felt. She did not want to alarm Chad and Jace, or to lose another point. Not that she didn’t intend to make Jace her future, but a deal was a deal. It had to be won fairly. She staggered, and caught a tree to steady herself. The bearers nearby called out to the leader, a few feet ahead.

Jace halted and looked at Leigh. As surreptitiously as possible, he had observed her at each stop. She had a tight grip on a tree limb and her head was lowered. If only she were closer so he could have kept an eye on her, but the women were journeying behind with the bearers. “Leigh, what’s wrong?” he asked, going to her side.

Chad joined them. “Are you ill, Leigh?” He tested her cheeks and forehead for fever as his blue eyes examined her.

Her pretense was in vain. She leaned against a tree and said, “I’m just tired and hot. We’ve been walking a long time. I’m used to riding horses, not traveling afoot. Can we take a break?”

“Certainly,” Chad said before Jace could. “Sit down and rest. Drink some water. You’re sweating. That makes you weak and shaky. Jace, how about a fire and bracing tea? It might help.”

“No, please don’t fuss over me. Just water and rest,” Leigh implored weakly.

Chad held the canteen, as Leigh’s hands were quivering. He knelt beside the blonde, who leaned her head backward and closed her eyes. He glanced at Jace, looking worried. He saw that Jace was concerned.

“We’ll rest here, then head back when Leigh feels up to it.”

“I think that’s an excellent idea,” Chad agreed. He passed his canteen to Leigh, because she had emptied hers.

They lingered over an hour. The others strolled and took pictures. Jace and Chad stayed near Leigh, who dozed. Johi watched all of them.

Finally, Leigh opened her eyes and said, “Let’s go. I’m fine.”

Chad studied her. “You look better. You were mighty pale.”

“Whatever it was, it’s gone now. Why don’t we continue?”

“It’s too late in the day. We should return to camp,” Jace said.

That night, Jace could not check on Leigh because Louisa stayed with her, at Chad’s insistence. Jace hoped her spell earlier in the day was nothing more than fatigue and heat. He knew he should have let her get more sleep the night before. He wouldn’t overtire her again.

As Leigh claimed her canteen and weapon for today’s trek, she whispered to Jace, “That’s two points I owe you.”

“Even though it was my fault you were too exhausted to go on?”

“You got as much sleep as I did, so that made us even yesterday.”

“Not really. I’m accustomed to this climate and terrain. You aren’t.” He took her weapon and checked it. “But I’ll accept the point. I might need it to win. You aren’t cheating, are you?”

“Me? Certainly not,” she said, then grinned.

This time, they didn’t even make it to the veld before Leigh experienced the same symptoms. The group halted once more.

“Why don’t you go ahead with the hunt?” Chad suggested. “I’ll stay here and guard Leigh. I don’t want her traveling like this.”

“I’ll stay,” Reid said. “You’re the one who wants the leopard.”

“You take the kill and glory. I’m worried about my ward.”

“Why don’t we all rest for a while?” Jace said. “If Leigh can’t continue, we’ll carry her back to camp.”

“No,” Leigh protested. “I don’t want to spoil everyone’s fun.”

“She’s right. Go get us a leopard, Reid.”

“If that’s what you want, fine with me. I feel lucky today.”

After the others departed, Leigh took a nap. Chad laid his gun in his lap and watched her. He wished he could curl up beside her, make love to her, then sleep himself. His fingers stroked her damp hair as she slept. He smiled, then frowned. He didn’t like the way Jace and Leigh were becoming friends. He wanted to get her away from the man and back home. If she made it necessary to end the safari, he could work on her in London. The trip had been good so far. They had gotten closer. Without Jace’s distraction, his task would be easier, and Jace couldn’t pursue her in England. If so …

He would gladly pay off her wager with Jace, and he wouldn’t mind paying Jace an added bonus for canceling the safari. He caressed Leigh’s cheek, then bent forward to kiss it. As she shifted her position, he slipped her golden head into his lap. For a long time, all he did was stare at her. She was exquisite. A marriage between them was perfect, even if he had to give up his revenge on Jace to prevent anything or anyone from stopping it.

That thought shocked Chad. Yet he realized it might not be wise to take any chances of ruining things. He had punished Jace many times, and Jace would surely lose Leigh and the wager. There was nothing to implicate or connect him to the Stokely and Elliott crimes, so perhaps he shouldn’t press his luck. The same was true of killing Jace or having him slain. With so much within his grasp, it was crazy to threaten it. A curious relief surged through Chad. Once he had this woman and all she offered, he would possess enough to make him happy for the rest of his life.

Cynthia was staying with Leigh tonight, so once more, Jace could not get at his love. He was nervous. It couldn’t be a trick, he decided, so what was happening to her? Johi was keeping a watch on the two women, so Jace knew they were innocent. As for Chad, he seemed too taken with Leigh to injure or endanger her. That left …

In their tent, Louisa prepared for bed. “What do you think is wrong with her, Chad?” she asked.

“The climate, like Jace said. If she keeps this up, I might have to take her home. I can’t risk her well-being for a little fun.”

“Why can’t she stay in camp while we finish the safari?” the redhead ventured. “There are plenty of servants here to tend her. She doesn’t need a doctor, does she?”

“I doubt it, but I’ll keep an eye on her.”

So will I, my cunning lover. Louisa had seen the way Chad had behaved for the last two days. It filled her with fury and hatred.

Leigh reclined on her side, toward the canvas wall. She pretended to be asleep to avoid conversation with the dozing brunette. She felt anxious and alarmed. The ailment had attacked her twice. It wasn’t normal. Was it unfamiliar food, water—or insects? She certainly had enough bites to irritate her. Or, she mused, it could be someone’s doing. But how? Everyone ate the same food, drank from the same bucket, and suffered from the same pests. Louisa had calmed down. Chad desired her. The others were strangers. And, Jace …

Jace what? She contemplated in torment. Loves you? Desires you? Wants to win the bet? He already has three points. If you get sick and can’t complete the safari, what then? Could he be playing unfairly with you?

Their leopard trek continued. They traversed the savanna without trouble. This was an area of intense and gripping drama, a place of the swift and cunning, of violent death, of wild beauty. Zebras mingled with wildebeests for protection from predators. One brown creature wasn’t lucky today, they remarked, seeing a female lion hanging on to the nose of a wildebeest, trying to drag it to certain death. Another lioness struck at the animal’s vulnerable throat, strangling it to death. Soon the feast began and later the scavengers would finish off what the sated lions left behind. Other lion prides were on kopjes—rock or earth mounds— dozing or watching the scene before them, deciding when and who to attack for their next meal.

Jace explained the seasonal migration of the wildebeest, which began in June. The vast herd was joined by zebras, gazelles, and cape buffalos; and all were stalked by lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and vicious wild dog packs. Jace talked of how many creatures didn’t survive the annual journey, many trampled or drowned while crossing the Sand River on the trip to and from Tanzania and British East Africa. Their carcasses fed crocodiles and other predators.

As they entered light woodland, impalas exploded into flight, leaping high and fast to escape the intrusion. A herd of elephants with lifted trunks moved toward another feeding area. Gray infants were nearly undetectable in the midst of towering creatures with large legs. Birds and animals scattered in fear before them.

Leigh frowned as her head swam in a bleary sea. It was happening to her again. She was confused, angry, and alarmed. They were far from medical help, if it was required. She did not know if this annoyance was caused by nature or man.

“If his whiskers are down, he’s relaxed,” Jace was saying. “When they bristle upward, he’s angry and nervous, so be careful. Once we—”

“Chad!” Louisa called out, “Leigh’s in trouble again.” Louisa caught the blonde’s arm and steadied her. “Sit down before you fall.”

Leigh was too shaky to argue. Chad and Jace rushed to her and dropped to their knees, both questioning her with concern.

“I’m just a little dizzy. I’ll be fine in a minute. It’s the heat.”

Chad and Jace eyed her and argued, “No, it isn’t.”

“You go ahead,” Chad turned to Jace. “I’ll stay with her again. She can’t continue like this, and there’s no need to lose the whole day. We’ll camp until you return this afternoon. Reid hasn’t gotten his leopard.”

“Why don’t I stay with Leigh?” Jace suggested. “Johi can take over for me, and the bearers are all skilled hunters. If she needs doctoring, I’m the one best qualified to treat her here. After she’s regained her strength, I’ll carry her back to camp. We’ve already lost three days with rain and stops. Johi can help you get that leopard. Just do as he says, and no taking risks.”

Chad knew Leigh would be safe in Jace’s hands, and that Jace couldn’t make any romantic progress with her in that condition. Chad didn’t want it to look as if he wanted to get her alone. To prevent suspicion, he agreed. “That sounds fine to me, Jace. I would like to get one of those creatures before we leave this area. You sure she’ll be all right and you can manage alone?”

“I think so. She only needs to adjust to our climate.”

“Why can’t Louisa and I rest here and go back to camp with Jace and Leigh?” Cynthia asked.

“Jace will have his hands full tending and carrying Leigh.” Chad answered. “He doesn’t need two complaining females atop his task.”

“We wouldn’t be any trouble, and we can act as guards.”

“If trouble arose and you two panicked as you did during the rhino hunt, Leigh could be injured. No, both of you are coming with me and Reid. No more arguing. We’ll see you back in camp this evening. Let’s go, everybody. I hear a leopard growling my name,” Chad jested.

With Johi in the lead and the bearers behind the foursome, off they went to hunt for the day.

Jace was surprised that Chad allowed him to be alone with Leigh. Yet the woman was in no shape to be wooed or seduced, and Chad wanted that fearless trophy. Slinging his weapon over his shoulder, he lifted his love and carried her into the shade of an acacia.

“Leigh, can you hear me?” he asked. His keen eyes studied her. She was ashen and trembly but her cheeks were red.

“Yes,” she replied, her dry tongue feeling thick.

Their gazes locked, ocean blue with jungle green. “When you feel strong enough to walk, I want to get you into the jungle so I can check you over for injuries. If you don’t feel up to it soon, I’ll carry you. Do you know if you have any odd bites? Or any festering cuts?”

“Only a few mosquito bites. Nothing strange.”

“I need to get privacy to remove these clothes and check you over thoroughly. If a tsetse fly or malarial mosquito got to you, I need to know, now. You have been taking your quinine tablets?”

“Yes, and I haven’t played in any bad water. I’ll be fine. Is this a trick to get me alone and naked?” she teased, feeling drowsy.

“I wish it were, but it isn’t. I haven’t seen any symptoms like yours around here. Is there an illness you might have inherited?”

“None that I know of, Jace,” she replied after drinking from the canteen he lifted to her mouth, his canteen.

When Leigh felt steady again, Jace shouldered both their weapons and canteens. He placed one arm around her waist and guided her into the jungle. He found a safe spot and halted them. Leigh took her canteen and drank again, her thirst seeming unquenchable.

“There’s no polite way to say this woman, but strip.”

Leigh’s head whirled and her knees buckled. “I can’t.”

Jace laid her on the verdant ground, working anxiously to undress her. He examined her from head to foot, and found nothing unusual. When she pulled him to her and entreated him to make love to her, he protested. “That isn’t fair, Leigh. You’re ill. I’ll let you rest here, then carry you back to camp. If you aren’t better by tomorrow, I’m getting you to a doctor.”

“I’m completing this safari,” she argued. “Even if I have to remain in camp every day, I’m not canceling it.”

Jace was scared. He didn’t want to lose her permanently. “This isn’t a trick, Leigh. Forget the bet. My only concern is you.”

Dazed, she argued, “Oh, no, you don’t, Mr. Elliott. The safari and wager are on. I owe you four points, so you’d better collect them before we lose count and time. I’d better pay up as we go.”

Leigh was so insistent and seductive that Jace lost his head and made passionate love to her. The tropical world where colorful birds sang, playful monkeys chattered, and exotic flowers bloomed was wildly enticing. It was as if they were secluded from everyone and everything in the lush green haven. Primitive instincts took control.

As they lay nestled together, she murmured, “I’m fine now. I was merely faint from hunger for you.”

“That’s a condition I wouldn’t mind you keeping, woman.” Despite his jesting words, Jace was convinced something was wrong with Leigh. He needed to get her back to camp so he could search it for clues while the others were gone. If he didn’t find anything suspicious, he would need to decide what to do about her illness. He couldn’t be selfish and keep her with him if her life or health was in jeopardy. He also wanted and needed more time with Chad, to open up the man about those crimes, but he had to think of Leigh first.

As Leigh slept on her cot, Jace searched Chad and Reid’s tents to find nothing enlightening. He was disappointed because he wanted to discover a reason for her condition. He walked to the eating tables outside, lifted the canteen lying there, and drank from it. Within moments, his head was spinning like a leaf in a brisk wind. He sat down and shook his head to clear it. When the spell passed, he noticed the canteen on the table was Leigh’s, as each person had one with initials scratched on it. He recalled they had shared his canteen during the return trip, but she had drank from hers before her last dizzy spell and nap.

Jace sniffed the contents to detect no unusual odor. He went to his tent and poured the remaining liquid into a cup. He rinsed her canteen and hung it on the post where all canteens stayed when not in use. Johi filled them each morning from water boiled by a servant, filled Leigh’s with the same water everyone else drank. What had been slipped into hers? By whom and why?

Jace searched the two men’s tents again. He hadn’t missed anything. He was vexed with himself for doing so, but he entered Leigh’s tent to search it while she slept nearby. He knocked over her spare boots, and a small bottle rolled to the ground. He bent and fetched it. White powder was inside. Jace used his handkerchief to take a sample. He returned the bottle to its hiding place. He wondered if she did have an illness she had kept from him and this was medicine. He would try to find out from Chad—without letting his old foe know just what he had discovered.

The others entered camp while Leigh was bathing in the river, and Jace kept guard at a respectable and concealed distance.

Chad approached Jace as he sat on the ground cleaning his pistol. “How is she?”

“Like new. Do you know of any family illness she may have inherited?” Jace inquired, looking at his old friend.

Chad shook his dark head. “Did you ask her?”

“Yep, and she answered the same. Leigh says she doesn’t have any suspicious bites or scratches. She’s taking her quinine; I counted her supply to make certain. She slept most of the day. When she got up, she was fine. Maybe it’s just the heat and climate. We’ll watch her closely. If she continues like this, we’ll have to head back.”

“I understand. The important thing is Leigh, not the money.”

“I’m glad to hear you say that, old friend. Since neither of us has made any progress, our bet doesn’t really matter, does it?”

“You’ll still earn the twenty-five-thousand pound salary.”

“What about her bet? You covering it, too?”

“Naturally I’ll pay the thousand pounds, but it isn’t her fault she got sick. No matter, you won it fairly, if she can’t finish our trek.”

“I can see this situation doesn’t upset you. I suppose you wouldn’t mind getting her away from my temptation so you can woo her.”

“What does that mean?” Chad asked.

Jace smiled. “If she stays here, I’ll be after her as soon as she’s well. Leigh Webster is one exciting and beautiful woman.”

“Too bad you can’t follow her back to London,” Chad taunted, “if we have to leave early.”

Jace stood and stretched. “Ah, yes, those charges against me. You could assist me there, old friend.”

Chad looked intrigued. “How could that be?”

“By helping me discover who framed me and Father, how it was carried off, and why it was done. Got any ideas?”

Chad looked at the brown-haired man. “Are you claiming innocence, or just trying to clear yourself?” he challenged.

“You knew Father well enough to know he wasn’t involved.”

“True,” Chad admitted. “But then who do you think did it, and why?”

“You and Webster,” Jace responded in a calm tone.

Chad frowned at him. “When are you going to stop thinking like that? I would never kill Brandon and Stokely to get at you. I liked your father; he was good to me over the years. He was the kindest and gentlest man I knew. After that South African affair, there were bad feelings between you and me, but I’m not that wicked. My quarrel was with you.

“You hurt Joanna to get back at me,” Jace reminded.

“That had nothing to do with our trouble. It just happened.”

“It wouldn’t have if I’d been home.”

“But you weren’t. Besides, it would have happened between us anyway. Joanna wanted me as much as I wanted her. When you find her, ask her, and you’ll see I’m not lying.” Chad sighed heavily. “I only let you believe it was for spite because our affair upset you so much. You’re the one who came to our home and attacked me. I had to defend myself. Look at the mess we created. I’m tired of this battle, Jace. Revenge doesn’t matter to me anymore.”

Chad coaxed Leigh into taking a private walk. When they were out of sight, he stopped and asked, “Are you sure you’re all right?”

A glowing smile filled her blue eyes. “I’m perfectly fine, Chad. I’m sure it was nothing. It probably won’t happen again.”

“If it does,” he insisted, “I think we should return home.”

Leigh didn’t want to leave this country where her love was exiled. “And let Jace Elliott win my bet? No way. If I have to remain in camp every day, the rest of you will have fun. Today was the worst, so I think it’s over. It was probably one of those brief attacks people get when they visit unfamiliar areas.”

Chad caressed her cheek and smiled. “You do look better. You had me scared and worried. I don’t want anything happening to you. My ward has become very special to me.”

Leigh feared that someone was trying to harm her. She wanted to make certain it wasn’t her guardian. Then she would check out Louisa. To test him, she ventured, “If I decide to sell Webster International, would you like to buy it? I would make it easy and painless for you to obtain the firm.”

Chad was stunned. “Sell the company? You can’t, not even to me. You’ll be good at running it, and I’m eager to work with you. We’ll make a good team, Leigh. That firm’s been in the Webster family for a hundred years. Don’t consider a sale too hastily. if you don’t want to run it, I’ll do it.”

She looked at him. “You don’t want to purchase the firm?”

“Of course I do, if you are determined to sell. I love that company and helped enlarge it. But I hope you aren’t serious and you won’t sell it. We can do great things with it, together. I’d like us to get closer, Leigh. I’m very fond of you.”

She was relieved that he appeared honest. He seemed to want both the firm and her but did not appear to crave the business in a threatening manner. She smiled. “And I’m very fond of you, Chad.”

The call came that dinner was ready. Leigh and Chad returned to camp, smiling and chatting.

“You’d think one man was enough for that greedy girl,” Louisa muttered to Jace. “I wonder what she’s planning to do about her fiancé in Texas. Poor Tyler Clark is pining away while she’s chasing Chad.”

Jace glanced at the annoyed redhead. “Who is Tyler Clark? I didn’t know she was betrothed. Chad didn’t mention it to me.”

“He’s the foreman on the ranch her aunt owns in America. Leigh told me and Cynthia all about him, several times. She said she hasn’t decided if she wants him to move to London or if she’ll return to Texas. From the way she’s carrying on with Chad, Tyler might have lost her.”

Jace eyed Leigh and mused on what he’d learned today …