The following day, Chad suggested they remain in camp to rest and relax, and to make certain Leigh was all right before their trek continued. Everyone agreed, because they were satisfied with their successful hunt for leopard yesterday. As with the rhino head, the leopard’s was sent downriver to Mombasa, along with its exquisite hide.
Seeing such a beautiful creature slain to mount its head on a wall and to use its skin for a cape took away part of Leigh’s enjoyment of the safari. She was glad the British government had placed controls on how many leopards could be slain and was trying to halt poachers, as it would be a crime to see them vanish from existence one day.
Three-fourths of the bearers packed up extra goods and supplies, and everything the party could do without for a while. Chad helped Leigh gather her un-needed items and placed them before her tent. The sleek, dark-skinned carriers headed for the next campsite, to clear the area and prepare it for use, and to avoid the slower pace of the safari group. The hunting party was to leave early the next morning.
While Leigh and the others enjoyed a cooling swim, Jace searched his lover’s tent once more to find the bottle of powder gone. While one of his men stood guard, Jace searched the other tents, finding nothing.
When Johi returned to camp, he told Jace, “The animal walked strange. He was weak, thirsty. He slept in danger. It is bad sign.”
Jace was puzzled and unnerved. “I looked in her tent, Johi; it’s gone. She doesn’t have to lose her bet on purpose to have me. But if she got sick and had to be taken home, or pretended she was, what could I do? I have to question her. I don’t like the fact she’s to marry someone and hasn’t told me. And I don’t like how friendly she is with Chad.” His green eyes were full of conflicting emotions.
“Jace ana wivu sana,” Johi hinted.
Jace scowled. “No, Jace is not very jealous.”
“We hunt nyati, simba, tembo, soon. Must clear head.”
“I’ll be ready to stalk buffalo, lion, and elephant, my friend. First, Leigh has some explaining to do. It could be someone hid that bottle there for me to find, so I’d blame her and doubt her. Or figured that was the last place I would search. That sneaky redhead is mighty jealous of Chad and Leigh. Watch her closely. As for my old friend, I know how deceitful he can be.”
By nightfall, Leigh hadn’t mentioned the missing bottle to Jace, so it wasn’t medicine she needed. Nor had she mentioned the sweetheart awaiting her return in America. It was clear she did not suspect Chad of mischief, because she was too friendly with her guardian. Jace was disturbed. He couldn’t forget the incidents in London, at the fort, and with her unloaded weapon. Yet they could have been all accidents.
Jace didn’t want to panic Leigh, but he was worried about so many “accidents” atop this one with her canteen, which was clearly intentional. He had ordered Johi to make sure he handed Leigh her canteen as soon as it was filled, allowing no time for tampering. If Leigh was to blame, why? If not, who was framing her, and why? And was the motive potentially lethal? All he could do was wait and watch.
Chad noticed how tense Jace was, and knew why. While helping Leigh pack, he had recovered the tiny bottle from Leigh’s boot to realize part of the powder was missing. He had hidden it there each day because it should be the last place Jace looked if his suspicions were aroused. To make certain Jace could not confront Leigh and the others with the bottle, he had discarded it in an abandoned termite mound during a private walk this morning while Jace, Johi, and the others were busy. If Jace made a fuss, he had no evidence. Besides, the drugging powder had affected Leigh so strongly, especially yesterday. Too, he could expose himself by pressing her to go home, as Jace had hinted accurately at his guilt and motive. All he needed to do was be patient, persistent, and charming. If Jace or Leigh became a problem, he could use the altered contract to—
Louisa nudged Chad and asked a second time, “Don’t you think Leigh’s better today? I was worried about her.”
“Really?” Chad chuckled and taunted.
“Of course I was. If anything happens to your ward so soon after William’s death, it might look strange to the authorities. It’s to your advantage and safety, lover, to see that she stays alive and well.”
Chad looked at her. “I hadn’t thought of that, Louisa,” he remarked, “but I’ve always tried to take good care of her. You didn’t have anything to do with this odd illness, did you?”
Louisa glared at him. “Don’t be absurd. As your … lover, I could be considered an accomplice if she died suspiciously. We had better make certain little Leigh returns to London in excellent health. I think Jace is responsible for her troubles.”
“Why would you think that?”
“I’m not blind or stupid, Chad. You two hate each other. And Jace does have that silly wager with Leigh, and that large bet with you.”
“I told you it was to trick Jace into working for me. But if you get jealous and tattle to Leigh about it, love you or not, I’ll have to squash you like one of these pesty insects.”
As if teasing, Chad laughed as he mashed the bug into bloody pieces, but Louisa knew he was serious, and dangerous. “I only meant that I doubt Jace views it as a joke. A lot of money and his pride are involved. Whether or not you realize it, lover, Jace is wooing Leigh. I tried to ensnare him as you requested, but he spurned my charms. He said it was to prevent trouble with you and Leigh. Sorry, but I can’t distract him from his goal. That bruises me something awful.”
“Don’t worry about it. You did your best. Thanks, Louisa.”
“Our best isn’t enough, Chad. From the way I see it, she owes him a thousand pounds for being unable to take the hardships of this safari. Would Jace pull this deceit to win a meager bet with her? Or use it to score points with her by playing her concerned friend and fearless protector? Would he try to spite you by harming her?”
“Seduce her, if he could; but harm her, never.”
“Aren’t you forgetting he’s a dangerous criminal?”
“Alleged criminal,” Chad corrected.
“You can’t argue he’s a desperate and resentful man.”
“But a fair and honest one. Don’t worry. She’s fine now. I’m sure Jace wouldn’t endanger Leigh’s health and life for either or both bets. Just don’t get edgy when it looks as if I’m wooing her. It’ll only be a pretense to safeguard my bet with him.”
“I asked Cynthia to sleep in Leigh’s tent tonight and to keep an eye on your ward. She’ll call us if Leigh has any more problems. I’m sure Reid won’t miss her tonight. They aren’t getting along well.”
“That’s a shame. We make a good foursome.”
Louisa didn’t know why Chad was defending Jace, or which man was responsible for Leigh’s spells. Maybe Chad was getting anxious about his wager with Jace and was using a way to get Leigh out of the jungle man’s reach. Or maybe, Jace was to blame for making Leigh lose their private wager, or to win Chad’s. True or not, it gave her the opportunity to point a guilty finger at Jace Elliott for what would happen next. During the episodes, she had been careful with her words and expressions to make herself appear innocent when Leigh had her next and last accident. Chad didn’t know it, but Jace stood to gain a lot more than a thousand pounds from Leigh Webster. Louisa knew she had to get rid of the blonde before they left Africa, because it was easier here. “Since Leigh’s better, we won’t have to return home early. That’s good.”
“Are you finally enjoying yourself?”
She smiled and licked her lips. “Yes. It took a little adjusting, but it’s wonderful. Of course, today wasn’t the best, not with so many of our nice things taken ahead. When do I get me a trophy?”
As the redhead skillfully caressed and aroused Chad, he replied, “Soon, my sweet. We’re aiming for cape buffalo at our next camp. We leave in the morning, so we should get to sleep.”
As she trailed her fingers over Chad’s shirt, she felt the scars underneath and wondered if Jace was involved in that painful mystery. With their cots gone and sharing a bedroll, Louisa murmured, “We should take advantage of this last night of privacy for a while.”
Chad seized her and agreed, pretending she was Leigh …
Restless, Chad left Louisa’s embrace without disturbing her. He found Reid outside, a cup in one hand and a bottle in the other. The campfire was aglow as usual to chase away darkness and predators. Chad approached his friend and asked, “Couldn’t sleep, either?”
“Not tonight. I’m worried about you, Chad. You’re too charmed by your ward to think clearly. If I were you, I’d be worried, too.”
“About what?” the dark-haired man, inquired in intrigue.
“About your wild plan and Jace Elliott.”
“Everything’s going great, Reid. What has you troubled?”
“I don’t agree that you’re winning. Leigh offered to sell the business to you, not marry you. It sounds to me as if she doesn’t plan to remain in London. I find it strange and unsettling that she changed her mind after meeting Jace. If I didn’t know you were behind those drugging incidents, I would think Jace was up to mischief.”
“You worry too much, Reid. The bottle’s gone, and I’ve been keeping our contract in my pocket lately so Jace won’t find it and see what I added above his signature. He’s been doing fine, no problems.”
“That’s my point, Chad. Considering your entwined past, Jace’s suspicions about you and William, and what you two wagered—doesn’t it strike you odd that he’s not making any trouble or any overtures to Leigh? They were alone most of the day, and she was bathing when we returned. While strolling around, I made, a curious discovery. Her tent, just hers, has a secret entrance at the back corner. For all we know, Jace has been sneaking in and out during the entire trip. I’ve been observing their behavior. I think he’s already won the bet, and he’s just waiting for the best moment to cram it down your throat.”
In the dense jungle, their second temporarily permanent camp was ready upon their arrival. They had traveled through bushed grassland and thicket, journeying northwestward along the Tanzania. border for several days before halting there. They had crossed the Amboseli Plains near the Chyulu Range. Eight to ten days’ walk to their north lay the foothills of the Great Rift, and Nairobi.
Jace hadn’t been given a chance to talk privately with Leigh. They had slept on bedrolls beneath individual tents of mosquito netting, instead of using the time and energy to set up and break a large camp each day. During their walks, Chad had kept Leigh close to him, laughing and joking and talking with her. It seemed to Jace that Chad was making a stronger move on his love. Jace was getting edgy with the new situation and with the denial of her company. Yet Leigh hadn’t had any more problems. For that, he was glad.
Two hours after reaching camp and settling in, Jace and Johi left to scout the area for game: buffalo haunts.
Louisa and Cynthia returned to camp with wet heads. The area was safe, so the group had been told they could have more freedom in this location. Reid and Chad were playing chess, drinking, and listening to music on the gramophone. Leigh had been resting and reading, but came outside to join the others for hot tea at four. The head servant, Mkwawa, served it with tinned sweetcakes, and left.
“That was wonderful, Leigh,” Louisa said. “You should have gone with us. There’s a marvelous rock-enclosed pool not far away. Jace marked the trail with rags tied to bushes. It’s so cool and clear.”
Leigh watched the woman put away her rifle and rub her curry-colored hair with a drying cloth. Having been drinking for two hours, Reid and Chad separately excused themselves into the jungle for a time. Cynthia took a chair at the table and began to comb her hair. This site was hot and steamy. To Leigh, a bath sounded nice, especially if Jace sneaked a visit later. “I’ll go after I finish my tea.”
When Chad finally returned, he asked his ward, “Do you think you should take a bearer to guard you? They’re camped in the next clearing. Mkwawa can assign one.”
Leigh didn’t care to have a stranger nearby during such a private moment, and the other women had encountered no trouble alone. She smiled at him. “I always keep my derringer in my bag. I’ll fire a shot if danger strikes. Be back later.”
“Just follow the marked trail, to the right when it forks. It’s simple to find,” Louisa told her. “Do you need to borrow anything?”
“Thanks, but I have everything I need.” Leigh entered her tent.
Reid and Chad went to a small crate to select another bottle of wine. “It’s odd she didn’t go with Cynthia and Louisa,” Reid hinted. “You think she’s secretly meeting Jace? He is out of camp, and he’s been watching her mighty intently. I think something’s going on, and it’ll cost you everything if it isn’t stopped.”
Chad looked at Reid. “No, it won’t. I’ve taken precautions.”
“Flirting with her won’t change matters if it’s too late.”
“Wooing isn’t what I have in mind, old friend. Wait and see.”
When the men rejoined the women at the table, Chad grinned at Louisa and suggested, “Why don’t we sneak inside while she’s gone?” Chad glanced at Reid and Cynthia and remarked, “You should relax, too. Maybe a little … recreation will do wonders for both of you.”
Reid nodded and Cynthia shrugged, and both agreed to comply.
Leigh gathered clothes from her packs and lifted her grooming bag with her bathing supplies. Through the net-covered entrance to her tent, Leigh saw the two couples go inside. She decided to give them plenty of time for privacy. She surmised that Chad couldn’t be too eager for her and her holdings or he wouldn’t continue carrying on with Louisa. Unless, of course, the virile lord needed appeasement badly and frequently; she had heard that some men did.
She left camp and walked the verdant trail, its foliage heavy on both sides and above her. She hummed music from the gramophone and halted here and there to look at unusual flowers and plants. She was distracted by worries. She wanted to be totally honest with her love, but felt that was impossible at this time. She was certain Jace didn’t know about the codicil and, even if he did, he wouldn’t be a threat to her. She trusted Jace Elliott, but he did have secrets. She didn’t know how facing prison or execution affected a person or what it compelled one to do for exoneration and survival; yet, she felt safe with him.
Leigh prayed that her grandfather was blameless for the Elliotts’ troubles. She hoped that William had made out the codicil to lessen Jace’s resentment and suspicions. But to enlighten her love at this early date would have the opposite effect. She couldn’t guess how he would react to such a discovery. She didn’t want him to feel duped, which he might. She didn’t want an angered man to end the safari before she could expose her good intentions. Jace didn’t seem impulsive or rash or vindictive, but he had suffered a lot and was in peril.
Leigh needed more time and closeness with Jace before that stunning revelation. She did not want to damage their budding relationship by inspiring him to doubt her reason for coming to Africa and for yielding to him. William had a reason for including Brandon’s son in his will, and perhaps Jace would unknowingly reveal it. Her grandfather obviously knew Jace was trustworthy, as William would not tempt a dangerous man to harm her for revenge and greed. If Jace came to love her and staked a marital claim on her, he would understand and forgive her protective silence. Jace already mistrusted Chad and her grandfather, and had mistrusted her in the beginning, so enlightening him soon was too much of a risk. Jace needed time to get to know her better and want her even more, and to get reacquainted with his old friend. By the time the safari was over, her love would know she could be trusted, and hopefully she would find her guardian could be, too. It would be wonderful if the two men could bury their pasts and become friends again.
In time she would explain everything to Jace. For now, silent observation seemed best. Her curious illness had passed and she was feeling marvel—
The bushes wiggled to her left. Leigh glanced that way and saw ferns and other greenery trembling. No growl reached her ears, but something of size was disturbing the location. Perhaps someone was playing a trick on her. Thinking of Jace and time alone together, she grinned. “Who’s there?” she asked, trying not to laugh aloud.
There was no response. Bushes and plants moved again. Leigh’s smile faded as she scanned the area. Goosebumps danced over her body. Instinct warned of danger. She fumbled for her derringer. It wasn’t in the bag, and her anxiety mounted. She always kept the weapon there, so she hadn’t brought a rifle. How foolish she had been, and where was her gun? Leigh tossed the bathing bag aside and grabbed a broken tree limb for protection. It was short and weak, but anything was better than being unarmed. “This isn’t funny. Who’s there?” Still no response: no voice, no growl, no lunge at her. Leigh began to back away with caution, gluing her eyes to the suspicious location. Lush green leaves moved again, closer to her, but she couldn’t see anyone or anything. Maybe, she thought, it was one of the bearers hunting or strolling. But no, she reasoned, they would answer.
“Who’s there?” she demanded. Surely an animal would have fled or attacked by now. She was vexed and frightened. She dared not plunge into the ocean of green to remove her fears. She stood tense and still. The movement ceased. Leigh assumed it was a small animal and she had frightened it; yet she remained apprehensive. An eerie silence encased her; even the wildlife was strangely quiet and motionless. She realized she couldn’t hear the gramophone. She must have walked too far. She should return to camp for a weapon and perhaps a guard. As she turned in the narrow path, there was brisk movement in that direction, cutting off her retreat. Watching that area closely, she began to back away again. Something was out there and it was a threat to her. Suddenly her feet gave way and she slipped. To her horror, she realized why: quicksand.
Leigh screamed, “Help! Chad! Reid! Help! Jace! Mkwawa! Help! I’m in quicksand. Hurry!”
There was no response. The engulfing foe sucked greedily at her entrapped body. Jace’s words came to mind: “Don’t struggle; it pulls you deeper. Stay limp and get control. You can float on your back in quicksand, but working slow is vital.”
Once she forced herself to calm down, she didn’t sink as fast. There was no need to waste energy screaming; she doubted she could be heard. She was too far from camp and the music was probably still playing. How could she have made such an error? Where was the fork? She scolded herself for not realizing how far she had walked, as the pool couldn’t be this distant from camp, and she hadn’t noticed a rag marker in quite a while. It had been rash not to bring a rifle or a guard. Jace had warned them about such precautions, and about quicksand being nearby. He had told them to never leave camp alone, and her Sir Lancelot was off in the jungle somewhere.
Hindsight was too late. Leigh saw a vine dangling in the hungry mud. She stretched her hand and tried to reach it. She prayed. She willed it to move closer. Her fingertips touched bark. The vine moved, the other way. Tears rolled down Leigh’s cheeks. She was going to die, she feared, and Jace would blame himself for her carelessness.
She struggled again for the live rope, quicksand to her shoulders by now. Miraculously her fingers captured it. With all her strength, she pulled and worked until she was on the bank. Leigh rolled to her back, exhausted, still holding the vine in a tight grasp. Her breathing was labored. Her heart pounded. She was covered in clingy muck, but alive. She cried in relief, and from tension.
Jace appeared and snatched her into his arms. He didn’t have to asked what happened. “That was stupid, Leigh!” he scolded, his temper getting the best of him from anxious relief. “I told you not to leave camp alone. What are you doing way out here?”
Leigh’s frightened gaze locked with Jace’s panicked one. She explained what had taken place, and noticed Jace’s odd stare. Giddy from her shock and his soothing presence, she quipped, “How did you find me? Sir Lancelot to the timely rescue again.”
“This isn’t amusing, woman. When Johi and I returned to camp, Reid and Cynthia told me you were at the spring alone. I followed your tracks. You didn’t even bring a rifle with you. How many tim—”
“I thought I had my derringer,” she interrupted. “I told them I would fire a shot if trouble struck.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“It’s gone.”
“No, it isn’t. I found your bag spilled back there. It’s right here,” he said, pulling out and holding up the little weapon.
“I didn’t see it. I suppose I was too scared. I got lost.”
“On a marked trail?” Jace scoffed. “You’re more skilled than that.”
Leigh had calmed enough to be miffed. “There was no fork.”
Jace lifted her and the bag and headed down the trail. He stopped at one point and said, “This fork, Leigh.”
The wide-eyed blonde gaped at the other trail to the right, several rags tied on both sides of the path. Jace carried her down it to a beautiful spot where an underground stream bubbled up into a deep crevice to form a pool. He lowered her legs to the ground.
“I didn’t see the fork. I guess I was looking up at the monkeys playing in the trees, then the bushes moved.” Faintly she heard music coming from the camp, and realized it wasn’t far away.
“That’s when you should have screamed for help. Why did you keep going without a weapon and getting farther from camp?”
“I had a limb, and I didn’t think,” she admitted. “I’ll bathe and change, then we’ll talk. All right?”
“Fine,” he concurred, knowing what he wanted to discuss.
“Want to join me?” she enticed, smiling to soothe him.
“The others could come looking for us. I’m sure Chad won’t like the idea of us being alone in such circumstances. Get cleaned up. I have something to discuss with you,” he remarked, sounding mysterious.
“Were Chad and Louisa in camp?” she inquired.
“Yes. In his tent having fun,” he added. “Cynthia and Reid were quarreling and drinking. Why did you ask about Chad and Louisa?”
She was aware of his odd gaze and tone. “You didn’t mention them earlier. I just wanted to make certain we’re alone.”
“We are. Johi is up ahead, guarding our privacy.”
Despite that remark, Leigh didn’t ask why it wasn’t safe to make love. After her near-death experience and days of denial, she yearned to be with Jace again. But clearly he did not feel the same, and she wondered why. She stripped and bathed, then dried and dressed. Jace kept his back to her, an action she found curious. She was also surprised that the keen-witted man hadn’t teased that she owed him an extra wager day for getting into danger, giving him five points. He was angry with her, she reasoned, but over an accident. There was no one to blame but herself. The gun was where it should be, and so was the marked trail. Jace had told her the others were in camp, so it must have been an animal in the bush. Everyone was accounted for, except Jace, who had been off in the jungle with Johi.
When she joined him, Jace asked, “Who is Tyler Clark?”
Leigh looked stunned. “Who told you about him?”
As she wrapped a drying cloth around her head turban style, he replied, “Louisa.”
“I might have known,” Leigh remarked with annoyance.
“Are you engaged to him?”
Her shock increased. “Heavens, no! Is that what she told you?”
“Yes. Why?” he probed, not taking his green eyes from her.
“I led her to believe we were sweethearts to stop her from worrying about me and Chad,” Leigh answered. “I detest Tyler.”
“Does she have reason to worry?”
Leigh didn’t know if he was serious or not, but he certainly appeared to be. Vexed by his attitude, she scoffed, “Don’t be ridiculous! How could I want Chadwick Hamilton when I have Jace Elliott?”
“You two have been very cozy lately,” he accused.
“Jealous?” she teased, unaware of his real turmoil.
“Should I be?” he questioned, his tone demanding and cool.
To settle him down, she explained, “He’s my guardian, stepuncle, business associate, and friend.”
“I don’t like him being any of those things to you.”
“None of them can be changed, Jace.”
“Why did you fake those spells on the trail?”
Leigh squinted her eyes and gaped at him. “What?”
“I found that tainted water in your canteen and that drugging powder in your tent,” Jace divulged. “What happened to it?”
Leigh came to full alert. Something was afoot. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Are we back to riddles, Sir Lancelot?”
Jace explained, and Leigh’s eyes grew wide and large. “You’ve been searching my tent? Spying on me?”
“If you didn’t pull those acts to help me win our wager, then who did? You do seem to be having a mighty lot of ‘accidents.’”
“Where is this notorious powder?”
“As I said, it’s gone. It was in your spare boots.”
“I see, the evidence is now missing?”
“You have my word it was there,” Jace vowed, “and your canteen was tampered with three times. Your gun, too, on the rhino hunt. Johi told me it wasn’t loaded when he checked all the guns that night. Did you forget to reload after practice or did you remove the cartridges?”
Leigh didn’t like this conversation. “Certainly not. That would be stupid and dangerous. Why didn’t you tell me about it?”
“I didn’t want to scold you, in case it was a one-time oversight. When you were having those curious spells, I didn’t want to scare you until I had proof. I should have kept that bottle when I found it, but I thought it might be medicine, until Johi checked it out by drugging an animal that last day in camp. I ordered him to check your gun and canteen every morning. Nothing’s happened to them since that last day you were ill. What did you and Chad discuss that night on your walk? Either it scared him, pleased him, or warned him to watch out.”
She caught his meaning. “Are you implying he’s a threat to me, and I said something clever to halt his plan?”
“I think somebody on this safari is after you, besides me.”
“I see,” she murmured again. “I suppose you think this incident today was another false accident. I assure you it wasn’t.” She pointed out the facts to him. “So, you see, it was my fault. As for the powder and spells, that could be Louisa’s mischief. She is jealous.”
Jace was aware that she didn’t mention the other episodes. “If Louisa was to blame, she got rid of the evidence to avoid being caught.”
Leigh deliberated his words. Her father had taught her to use logic on problems, which she did now. It was illogical for Chad to harm her. It was illogical for a villainess to conceal her bane—her weapon and means to her downfall—where the victim could find it. By the same token, why would Jace lie? It had to be a mistake. It must have to do with him being suspicious of an old enemy, and perhaps wary of her and their wager. “Don’t you think this alleged plot is a little melodramatic, Jace? Chad would kill Louisa if she harmed me.”
“You’re Webster’s heir. What about Chad harming you?”
“I’m more than positive he wouldn’t,” she stated.
Her confidence riled Jace. He could not stop himself from taunting, “Because he loves you and wants to marry you.”
Leigh was worried about this change in the man she loved. She did not like him keeping secrets and acting sneaky. “You could be right, but that doesn’t matter to me. I’ll tell you something private that might put your mind at rest. Lord Chadwick Hamilton doesn’t inherit if I die. If death befalls me before I marry and produce an heir, William Webster’s estate is divided between two of his best friends.” Leigh wanted to stop this nonsense, so she didn’t mention Fiona as an heir. “For Chad to get his hands on any Webster money and property, he has to marry me. I ask you, would a man burn the only bridge across an impassable canyon to hid dreamland? That is, if I am the object of his greatest desire, as you believe and claim,” she hinted. She observed the effect of her disclosure, and noted disbelief.
Leigh continued. “I’ve read Grandfather’s will many times, and discussed it with a London lawyer. So has Chad and his mother. There are no loopholes. None, Jace. By the same token, why would Chad’s lover, who knows all his secrets, harm me and cause Chad to lose everything? He would hate her and discard her, and she’s smart enough to know that. So, that leaves me to suspect any deception. I ask you, why would Laura Leigh Webster beguile Jace Elliott?”
The instant those words left Leigh’s mouth, she knew she could not now tell Jace he was one of those two heirs. That would supply the motive her love was seeking! She berated herself for not telling him the truth sooner. She must hold silent with him staring at her with a mistrustful gleam in those narrowed green eyes. As much as she hated thinking it, Jace was the only one unaccounted for earlier, and he had so much to gain by her death. He was always around when she had accidents. No, she argued with herself, he could never harm her. It was distress playing tricks on her dazed mind and battle-weary body.
Jace turned and took a few steps from the distracting beauty. This news was most unexpected and befuddling. It explained why Leigh didn’t fear a threat from Chad. And it revealed why Chad was desperate to win William’s heir. Chad couldn’t be trying to harm her. Jace finally turned and asked, “Do you think Louisa is capable of plotting to kill you?”
Leigh pondered his serious question. Louisa Jennings was a spoiled, vain, spiteful, and impulsive—yes, she admitted—bitch. But committing cold-blooded murder to chance getting Chad … The redhead knew of Chad’s womanizing, knew she might never capture the handsome earl, knew another woman—besides Leigh—could steal him. Louisa could not go around murdering every female who caught Chad’s roving eye. She disliked and distrusted Louisa, but thinking the woman able to kill seemed unconscionable. “No. Louisa is capable of pulling mischievous tricks to scare me off or to prove she’s superior; but murder me, I think not. We both know ruses can get out of hand, as ours did in Mombasa. If she was responsible for any of those stunts, or all of them, obviously she’s been frightened into stopping.”
Jace was alarmed to discover that Leigh felt she was in no danger when his deepest instinct told him she was. “Will you at least keep your eyes and ears open, and be extra careful?” he entreated. He walked to her and gazed into her troubled eyes.
When Jace’s hand lifted to caress her cheek, Leigh pushed it aside. “Strange things have happened to me since I left America, Jace. I find it odd that you’re always around when they do. You were the only one not in camp today. You marked the trail I missed. You found my missing gun. Your friend prepares my canteen and weapon. We have a bet you want to win. The fort is in your territory. You were in London when I was attacked. You constantly accuse a man who can’t possibly want to harm me. You try to create doubts and fears in me so I’ll trust only you, yet you have no evidence. If we didn’t pull those tricks, there’s nobody left but you.”
Astonished, Jace stared at her. “You doubt me?”
Leigh needed to clear the wits of her confused lover. “No more than you doubted me when you searched my tent and asked me about those incidents. I’m hurt and disappointed. Why don’t we keep a little distance between us for a while? You’re already five points ahead. If I’m not careful, you’ll win our wager. I plan to do everything I can to make certain you don’t. Besides, you’ve already received the prize I wagered, and I’ve covered any extra nights you’ve won. You’re five points ahead, Jace, so your plantation isn’t in jeopardy. We both know rule three is a joke, so if you believed for one minute that I took staying with you for a year seriously and that I would fake an illness to entrap or elude you, you don’t know me at all.”
Jace halted Leigh’s departure. He had to explain, make her believe the truth. “Listen to me, woman. I guess I handled this talk all wrong. I’m too upset to think straight. I could have lost you to that quicksand. That could have been poison instead of a dazing drug in your canteen. That rhino could have charged you when your gun was empty. Those Arabs in Mombasa could have you far away in a harem by now. Those false sailors could have raped you and killed you in London. I didn’t do any of those things, Leigh. You must believe me. I’m sorry if I made it sound like I doubted you. We still have a lot to learn about each other. Everyone does impulsive things once in a while. I had to make certain you didn’t want me to win badly enough to take chances and be sneaky.”
“That’s fair enough, Jace, as long as I can also make certain you won’t be sneaky and desperate. I don’t believe you want to harm me or trick me. I only wanted to point out facts you missed. As you see, we both have valid reasons to doubt each other and to be cautious in our relationship. I do think you’re right about one important thing: we don’t know each other very well. I think it’s best if we get better acquainted before anything happens between us again.”
Jace was vexed with himself. He knew Leigh was honest, fair, and innocent. He had let his fears and worries cloud his thinking. Without panicking her, he had to discover the truth and protect her. He knew what must be done soon. “I’ve messed up things between us, haven’t I?” he asked.
She couldn’t lie. “No, but it does make us stop and think. This has taught us a lesson, Jace—not to judge too quickly and rashly. If you make real peace with Chad, it might help you get over this bitterness and mistrust of everyone. As long as you cling to the past, you’ll never be free of its demands. Let’s get back to camp before the others start thinking wild thoughts,” she hinted.
In camp, Jace revealed Leigh’s “accident” with the quicksand and watched the others for clues. “From now on, nobody leaves camp without a guard and a weapon. Tomorrow, we’re going after buffalo, so I suggest you all get a good night’s sleep after we eat.”
Chad grasped Leigh’s hand and asked, “Are you hurt?”
“Just my pride. It won’t happen again. I’m being too careless and having too many accidents lately. I’ll be extra alert in the future,” she remarked, knowing that would please Jace.
“It wasn’t my fault, Chad,” Louisa said. “I told her to take the path to the right. Didn’t I, Cynthia, Reid?”
The sullen couple who had not enjoyed their afternoon did not get a chance to back Louisa’s claims.
Leigh smiled at the almost frantic redhead and told her, “It was my fault, Louisa. I was looking the other way and missed the fork. Then I couldn’t locate my gun to fire a signal.”
Louisa eyed Jace’s quicksand-soiled clothes and Leigh’s freshly scrubbed look. She wondered if Chad noticed the implication in their appearances and realized how long they had been together in the steamy jungle. “Thank goodness Jace returned and rescued you.”
“I didn’t,” Jace reminded the woman. “Leigh pulled herself out.”
“You could have been killed,” Louisa wailed in guile. She wondered where Chad had been while she was getting ready to make love. Her lover had excused himself first and hadn’t joined her in their tent until sometime later, and in a strange mood. Was it possible …
“I’m fine.” Leigh wondered why the woman was so concerned about the accident. Was Louisa afraid Chad would blame her as he had done with the attack in London? Had the handsome earl discovered his lover guilty of drugging his ward, as Jace believed, and threatened her again? Perhaps, Leigh mused, she had dismissed Jace’s warnings too quickly or too lightly…
It was extremely hot and stuffy that night, so everyone slept with their tent flaps tossed aside and only mosquito netting covering the entrances. A large fire blazed in the clearing to discourage predators from strolling into camp. Nocturnal insects and birds were on the move during darkness. Floral odors clung to the heavy air, as did smoke from the flames where brush crackled as it was consumed.
Leigh tossed and turned for hours, plagued by this unexpected breach between her and Jace. Perhaps he did have valid reasons to think and say what he had, but it distressed her. Not only his behavior, but the fact he truly believed someone was a threat to her. It was possible, and that reality alarmed her. She hadn’t told him about Fiona being in line for the inheritance to halt his suspicions about Chad. She had gone over and over the matter, but still felt that Chad wouldn’t try to harm her to get half of an estate that would be years in coming. Nor would Chad want it split with anyone, especially with Jace Elliott. Perhaps, Leigh reasoned, she should tell Jace about her grandfather’s strange codicil. Maybe he could understand the inducement behind it.
No, she decided, because Jace was keeping secrets from her. If she disclosed that fact, there was no telling how he would react. In view of his suspicions, he might think worse of her.
What if Jace knows about the will and the motive behind it? she fretted. Or knows of the codicil and wants to learn the reason for it? If he loves and wants you to stay with him, why not propose or lose the wager to you? Yet he’s trying his best to win only a night or two. Why? Are you ready to take that risk? What if you don’t know him at all? He told you he was after Grandfather and Chad. Could love or desire change him so completely, so quickly?
The safari had weeks to go, and civilization was far away. She wished she were somewhere alone with Jace, getting to know him better. That had to wait. Just because he claimed she was in peril, that did not mean she should flee to safety with him as he had coaxed several times.
Leigh left her cot and washed perspiration from her face. She saw Jace standing near the edge of the clearing with firelight flickering on his body. She realized he couldn’t sleep, either, and that touched her. She was tempted to join him and talk, but anyone awake could see them and suspect the truth. She couldn’t forget what Jace had told her about how much power her guardian had over her estate. No, she refuted—over her and her entire life.
To be fair to Jace, she didn’t know Chad very well, either. Did her guardian crave a profitable marriage? He hadn’t done more than a little flirting so far, and he was still dallying with Louisa. Would her stepuncle get rid of her and settle for half of everything, rather than get nothing, as half was still worth a fortune? Would Fiona Webster allow her son to control her share until he inherited it? But what if something happened to her and to Jace during the safari?
It’s just hot and miserable tonight, Leigh scolded herself, and you’re thinking crazy. Both our deaths would look too suspicious to the authorities. Chad isn’t stupid or reckless. But what about that deceitful redhead? Does she know about the will? Chad certainly tells her plenty for someone he intends to discard soon! Would she plot one or two deaths so her lover could inherit and then marry her? Stop it, Leigh!
Leigh watched her lover as he took a walk. He was so tall, handsome, and virile. He knew so much about this land, possessed alluring prowess in all areas. His brown hair was mussed and his khaki shirt was hanging open and revealing a hard chest. His stubble looked dark against his tanned face. She loved him and wanted him deeply. She had to stay near him as long as possible. She had to win his love and trust. Would cruel fate let her? It was always stealing her loved ones, and maybe that was why she feared doing or saying anything to lose him.
Oh, Mother, how I wish you were here to counsel me, she thought with sadness. I can do such terrible damage if I make the wrong moves. Does he love me as much as I love him? Does he love me at all, or only desire me? Is there a dark side to my golden hero? How can I tell? What should I do?
Jace felt Leigh’s gaze on him, as he had hoped and intended. He knew it was an underhanded thing to do, but he had to win back her trust, respect, and affection. She had proven she desired him as much as he desired her, so he had to use all of his skills to tempt her. He was unsettled by the distance that he had placed between Leigh and him. There were so many matters troubling him: his hunger for Leigh, the threat to her, the charges against him in England, his beloved father’s murder and losses, Chad’s motive for this safari, and his old friend’s odd behavior.
Only if Chad stood to gain from harming her would a deadly threat from him be possible. Leigh had revealed there wasn’t one. As for the lustful redhead, surely everything that had happened to Leigh was too complicated for her wits. Jace admitted that some women were as smart, brave, cunning, and daring as men. But women too often allowed emotions to rule their senses, to cloud their judgments. It wasn’t logical for Louisa Jennings to risk losing the object she desired most to spite—or to slay—a rival, as Leigh had said. Joanna Harris had proven his biased—he admitted—theory about women to him; Leigh had proven to him there were exceptions.
Chad had wanted, and had taken, Joanna. He had ruined her. Jace could not let him do the same with Leigh, even if he lost her through his foolishness this afternoon. He and Chad had been so close long ago. Chad’s treachery had destroyed their tight bond. At one time, Jace had wanted to slay him with his bare hands. Now, he didn’t know what to think and feel. Chad was within reach for revenge, yet he couldn’t bring himself to do anything about it. He could have allowed that rhino to end the matter; yet something had stopped him. Perhaps Leigh’s importance to him stayed his vengeful hand and lessened his hatred and bitterness. Good memories of the past and the old relationship with Chad had returned to haunt him. If only Chad wasn’t right about him looking guilty years ago. If only he himself wasn’t afraid to trust the man who claimed he wanted a truce. If only so much wasn’t at stake.
It rained for two days, keeping everyone inside. They listened to the gramophone, played games, talked, and waited. The two men drank almost continuously, against Jace’s advice. At times Leigh tried to read, but it was nearly impossible with the annoying Cynthia Campbell underfoot. Quarreling with Reid again, the brunette—at Louisa’s secret request—had moved into Leigh’s tent.
During their hunt the following day, Jace instructed the group about the buffalo. “We’ll be able to locate them by egrets flying overhead. They perch on the animals to eat lice and pests. Buffalo usually feed at night and wallow in marshy spots during the day. They favor tall grass; that’s why we look for the birds to give away their presence. You’ll be amazed by his size. A full grown male weighs two thousand pounds. His horns are as thick as my arms, and the tips are sword sharp. They’re mistrustful, violent tempered, and clever. They charge at the first sign of a threat, so we have to be quiet and careful. They gore their victims, trample them, kick dirt on the body, then trot away with head high in victory.”
When the quarry was sighted, Leigh was indeed amazed by the creature’s menacing size and apparent strength. Their hides were dark and their formidable horns were black.
Jace went on. “Even the largest and most skilled predators fear the buffalo. Lions respect them and keep their distance, unless they sight one that’s sick or wounded from a battle. Those horns can rip open a lion’s underside with one sweep. Animals are quick to learn their own strengths and weaknesses, unlike humans.”
Leigh was glad they moved upwind toward the truculent creatures, allowing any breeze to carry their scent away from their quarry. She sighted numerous buffaloes resting in the tall grass, and a few grazing nearby. Egrets flew overhead or dined on huge carcasses. She saw yellow-billed ox-peckers seeking their own prey upon the enormous beasts. She walked close behind Jace and followed his silent signals. The others trailed gingerly behind her.
Jace halted the hunting party and turned for final instructions. “We’ll take that big bull over there by himself. He’s far enough from the others to prevent trouble. Everyone make certain you’re ready. If the herd charges after we fire, do exactly as I say.”
Jace and Johi started to move out first. Everyone checked their weapons. A gun discharged, the blast sending Louisa to the grass. Leigh screamed and hit the ground. The herd scrambled to their legs, bellowed in rage, and began an earth-rumbling stampede.