With speed and keen wits, Jace took in the situation. Leigh was fine, just shaken. His reflexes were quick at work. Over the din he shouted, “Everybody fire into the air and keep firing until I say halt. We need to scare off that herd.”
Louisa had been knocked to the ground when her gun misfired. In surprise and fear, she had tossed the uncontrollable weapon aside. Her gaze had gone to Chad’s, the startled look vowing her innocence.
Leigh gaped at the redhead for a moment. She jumped from the grass unharmed, just unsettled by the near miss. She began discharging rounds to help the others frighten off the menacing buffaloes.
The herd halted at the roaring of guns, bellowed and pawed, then trotted in the other direction to disappear into thickets.
Jace seized the Ross automatic to examine it. He had little time to decide how to handle the near fatal episode. If Leigh hadn’t leaned over to scratch an insect bite, she would be dead. If he revealed the gun had been tampered with, Chad would end the perilous safari and take Leigh into danger in London. Johi checked Leigh’s gun each morning, but not the others’. He also cleaned and checked all weapons after each hunt, so this deed had been done after gun reassignment and practice last night. Whoever did it knew Louisa Jennings would carry the rifle today…
“When Louisa threw it down so hard, it broke the mechanism,” Jace explained. “I can’t tell what caused it to misfire. Louisa is lucky it didn’t explode in her face, or she didn’t shoot off her foot, or shoot one of us in the back. I’ll have this rifle checked out when we get back to Mombasa. This has never happened before, and I don’t like it.”
Chad glared at his fallen mistress, who had not gotten up or been helped to rise.
“It isn’t my fault, Chad,” Louisa declared. “When I slid the bolt forward, it fired. I didn’t have my finger on the trigger.”
“This is a new model, Chad, just came out this year,” Jace explained. “Perhaps it has a defect. The gunmaker is Charles Lancaster in London. I’ll ship it to him and let him figure out the problem. I can’t use weapons I don’t trust,” Jace remarked, knowing the well-made gun was not to blame. If Louisa was responsible, his words should scare her into being more careful with her own life. With this foiled attempt, she wouldn’t dare make another move any time soon. And if it wasn’t Louisa, the guilty bastard would have to lay back for a while until everyone relaxed. That was all Jace needed, time to put his own play into motion. “You want to head for camp or track those buffalo?”
“I think they’re too dangerous for us to challenge. I’m more interested in lions and elephants. Let’s get on with our safari. Why don’t we head for the next camp in the morning? This area is dangerous.”
Jace was delighted with Chad’s suggestion. He had intended to make the same suggestion’ tonight. Their next location would place them within a few days of Nairobi, and closer to his plantation. “That’s fine.”
After reaching camp, Leigh went into her tent to be alone. Reid fetched a bottle of Scotch and went to work on it. Cynthia paced the clearing, unnerved by Jace’s words. Johi began checking all of the weapons. Jace went to alert the bearers about the change in schedule. Louisa and Chad walked to the pool to relax and talk. Jace skirted the campsite to eavesdrop.
“Are you trying to get rid of me so you can get at your little ward?” Louisa asked. “You heard Jace; I could have been killed.”
“Your imagination is running wild again, Louisa.”
“Is it?” she challenged. “It would be profitable and vengeful for you to frame Jace for my death, then marry Leigh. Is that your plan? Get both of them?”
“Are you daft? Jace wouldn’t be arrested for an accident, and I’m not trying to lure him back to London to get arrested for those other charges. I’m not after Jace. We’ve had problems, but I wouldn’t try to kill him. As for you, I was planning to ask you to marry me when we returned to London. But, if this is what you think of me, I’d be the daft one.”
Louisa was stunned. “What do you mean? Are you serious?”
“Don’t play ignorant with me, Louisa. You know how I feel about you. Would I have stayed with you so long if you weren’t special to me? I’ve tried to get you to be nice to my ward. You haven’t been, despite your little pretense of friendship. As long as you make Leigh want to avoid you, I can’t tell her about us. I have to assure my friendship with Leigh before November. If we married or became betrothed, she could get rid of me to be rid of you. She’s talking about selling the business to me. If I’m careful, she will. Hear me good, woman, if you’re behind any of these accidents, stop them now.”
Louisa was wary. “What about your wager with Jace?”
“What about it?”
“You told me you’ll owe him fifty thousand pounds if he gets Leigh during this safari. You asked me to distract him. I tried, but he wasn’t interested. He’s too busy working on Leigh. If he wins, it’ll cost you a lot of money and a great deal of pride.”
“Don’t worry about that silly bet. He would have charged me that much anyway. Actually, it saved me an extra twenty-five thousand by not having to double his salary. I don’t have to marry her, Louisa. She just has to leave here with me, and alive, to sell out in London. I told you, it was only a trick to provoke Jace into working for us. He required an irresistible enticement and Leigh was my bait. I was hoping to get truly close to her during this trip, but my jealous lover keeps causing trouble and rifts. Even if she doesn’t sell to me, I still need a way to control the firm and her.”
“What if Jace does win her?”
“He can’t. Leigh would never fall for Jace Elliott, never.”
“She already has,” the redhead disclosed, “and he’s fallen for her. He was in her suite a long time in Mombasa, and left grinning ear-to-ear. I know a satisfied look when I see one.”
“He was making that thousand-pound wager with her.”
“Both times? He visited her twice.” Louisa revealed how Jace had gone to Leigh’s room one night and had remained a long time. “It was that day she was attacked at the fort, and I rented another room to ensnare him for you. I bet he planned that trouble just to weaken her toward him. How can a girl resist a man who’s saved her twice? I was glued to my door, Chad, so I know when he left, very late and very happy. I bet they’ve been sneaking around during the safari. You know they were alone on the trail and in camp during our leopard hunt. I bet there was no quicksand accident. I bet they were meeting in the jungle. And I bet Jace is behind those incidents just to make Leigh cling to the Great White Hunter and that he’s convinced her you’re after her money and to blame. I bet they’re having an affair!”
Chad’s gaze was cold. “That’s a lot of wagers, Louisa.”
“I bet all I own that I’m right, and telling you the truth.”
Gunfire sounded in the camp. Jace left his hiding place to rush to the clearing, where Johi was standing over a dead predator. The jackel had sneaked into camp after meat waiting to be cooked.
Chad’s head jerked toward camp. “What was that?”
“Gunshots. Johi is probably testing the weapons. I’m not using that Ross again. I’m lucky his little trick didn’t get me killed. One more thing, Chad, do you know about the bet between Leigh and Jace?”
“Of course I do. I suggested the thousand-pound wager.”
“I mean the second one,” Louisa divulged.
Baffled, Chad asked, “What second one?”
Louisa took great delight in revealing what she had discovered in Leigh’s tent. If Chad was duping her, this news would change matters. “Do you believe me now, love? With all that’s happened, you and Leigh have both lost your bets to Jace. That’s why I think he’s behind all these curious events, just to win. If Jace marries Leigh, you’ll lose everything, Chad. I’ve tried to interfere by making Cynthia sleep in her tent, but I can’t do it all the time. They’ve been making a fool of you behind your back. I bet Jace is licking his lips in anticipation of revealing the truth to you. I’ve never liked or trusted that little witch. You’re so smitten by her that you can’t see through her pretense. She’s smart and selfish. She fools everyone with her angelic face and false behavior. I was so afraid she’d take you away that I’ve been acting badly.”
Louisa glued her gaze to Chad’s. “There’s another clue you missed, lover: if Leigh lost her locket at the waterfront, how was she wearing it that day she had lunch with me and Cynthia? She wore it beneath her dress, but I saw it when she tried on a gown. How, when, and where did Jace return it, if she only saw him once? I bet he sneaked into her London suite and they got real acquainted.”
Chad narrowed his glacial blue eyes. “That deceitful bitch! That bastard! They won’t get away with tricking me. Jace will never marry Leigh and get her inheritance. I’ll make certain of it. As for me, you don’t have to worry about me loving that guileful bitch. I’m marrying you, Louisa, just as soon as I get control of the firm. Until this safari ends, we’ll be the best friends Leigh has. Understand?”
Leigh had hurried from her tent to investigate the commotion. She watched Jace drag the daring but reckless animal from camp. She lifted the tea kettle and poured herself a cup. As she sipped it, Jace returned. They exchanged probing looks.
“How are you?” he questioned.
“Better now, thank you.” She had withdrawn from Jace and now all she wanted to do was run away with him. Would he marry her if she sold out to Chad and agreed? How would he feel about the sale to his old enemy, a sale including all he had lost to her grandfather? What would Chad do and say about such an event? According to Jace, and she believed him, Chad had full authority over her and her actions until she was twenty-one. If only those two men didn’t distrust each other, everything would be fine. How much did each want vengeance? Where did she fit into their puzzle?
“That was close, Leigh,” he remarked.
“It was an accident, wasn’t it?” she asked, watching him.
Jace knew his answer would control her emotions. “I plan to find out as soon as possible,” he replied with caution.
Their talk ceased as Chad and Louisa returned. Chad and Jace looked at each other. Louisa poured the couple a glass of wine.
“How about you, Leigh? It’ll calm the nerves,” she remarked.
“No, thanks. Hot tea is fine. Are you all right? That must have been a terrible scare.” From the redhead’s reaction after the incident, Leigh felt it hadn’t been intentional, not on Louisa’s part.
Louisa inhaled deeply, then released the spent air. “It was terrifying, but it’s over now. I’m glad you’re safe, Leigh. And the others, too. I could have wounded someone badly. Did you examine the rifle, Jace? We heard gunfire.”
Jace related the killing of the marauding jackel. “That doesn’t happen often. He smelled fresh meat and thought he could sneak off with our dinner.” Jace hadn’t been given time to deliberate what he had overheard. He wondered how Louisa knew about the fort incident. He wished he could have taken in the whole conversation.
Cynthia and Reid, who had been in their tent, joined them. They were smiling at each other, and everyone noticed the change in their moods. They, too, poured wine.
“The bearers are packing up,” Jace informed the group. “We’ll move out in the morning. I know a good place for elephants.”
“I’d like to speak with you privately, Jace,” Chad said.
“Fine. Let’s take a walk.”
All the while they walked along the jungle trail, Chad was wondering if Jace was behind some of those incidents, as Louisa suggested. To provoke information, he asked bluntly, “Is there anything serious between you and Leigh? Are you plotting and using these so-called accidents to get my ward into your arms? I don’t like her being endangered just to win a bet.”
Jace stared at the man. He knew why Chad was angry and suspicious: because of Louisa’s accusations. He had to stay away from Leigh in private. He knew Chad had lied to his mistress and used the redhead. But Louisa’s charge about getting both of them with one scheme sounded logical. Yet what had him worried was Chad’s firm belief that Leigh would never be won by Jace Elliott. He had to be careful. “Whatever I answer, old friend, you wouldn’t believe me. But I’ll respond anyway. No, nothing has happened between me and that beautiful creature. Not that I haven’t tried or wanted it to, but she’s too innocent to charm quickly. Since we’re being honest for a change, I’ll tell you what I suspect. I think you’re responsible, and you’re questioning me to throw me off guard. I think you’re trying to find a way to end this safari and our bet before I have time to win it. I think you want to get Leigh out of my reach and back to London, where only you can work on her. I warn you, I won’t let her be killed or hurt.”
Chad exploded like a short-fused stick of dynamite. “You think I’m trying to harm Leigh Webster? Are you crazy?”
Jace used his skills and wits to explore this perilous territory. “Harm her and kill her, no way, old boy. You just want to scare her into your arms and away from me. You want her to believe I’m plotting against her. She told me you can’t inherit even a sixpence if she died, that Webster’s holdings will go to two friends. I bet that shocked you and your mother. No, you don’t want her dead; you need to marry her to keep all you have and to get the rest. You aren’t fooling me with that redhead. If your jealous mistress is playing deadly games, you’d better stop her, or neither of us has a chance of winning our wager. I’m warning you, Chad, don’t try to sneak out on me.”
“What will you do? Track us to London for revenge?”
“Is that why you dangled that tasty bait before me? You hoped I’d be so ensnared I’d lose my wits and follow her home where the law would get final revenge for you. It won’t work, Chad. If I don’t win the bet here, I’m not leaving. If I do win her heart, will her guardian give us permission to marry after the safari?”
“No. If Leigh chooses you over me, it’ll be November before you can collect. Until then, I’ll do and say all I can to change her mind.”
“I thought as much, so what good is our wager to me?”
“If Leigh says she wants to marry you in November, you’ll be the winner and I’ll pay off before leaving here. If she doesn’t, you haven’t won. Did Leigh tell you she’s planning to sell me the business?”
“No, but why should she? She only told me about Webster’s will because I was hinting at you being behind her accidents. She was really defending you, old boy. You really have her fooled good, don’t you? Is she planning to return to America?”
“I don’t know her future plans, but I’d be crazy to let her get hurt. I prefer to win her and the firm, but that might not be possible.”
“Because of Tyler Clark, her fiancé in Texas?”
“Leigh isn’t betrothed. Did she tell you she was?”
“No, Louisa said Leigh told her. Obviously your lover lied. What else has that redhead done, old boy? She does want you badly.”
“I’ll make a deal with you, Jace.”
“Another one?” Jace teased.
“Don’t be stupid. Let’s both watch Leigh closely and make certain nothing happens to her. All of this trouble could be coincidental. If it isn’t, and one of us isn’t to blame, we have to make sure Leigh doesn’t get hurt again. We’ll both keep a sharp eye on my clever mistress. Agreed?”
“Agreed.” And Jace revealed a few things that Chad, from his agitated reaction, didn’t seem to know.
As Leigh and Chad played chess and talked, after dinner, Louisa watched them from a distance and fumed. She whispered to Jace, “Look at her working on him with those blue eyes and sweet ways. You’d think having one man snared was enough for her, but Tyler isn’t around to hold her attention.”
“Leigh isn’t engaged, Louisa,” Jace dared to reveal. “She only said that to stop you from worrying about her stealing Chad.”
Louisa was shocked and angered. She eyed Leigh and scoffed, “That little sneak. I should have known she couldn’t be trusted, but the trouble is, if she doesn’t turn his head, another conquest will. Chad doesn’t keep any woman around very long. I can’t blame him for being tempted by Leigh; she does have a lot to offer him. It wouldn’t surprise me to learn she’s behind all her own mishaps just to catch his eye, and yours, Jace. She loves attention. We shot skeet on the ship, so I saw her working with guns. She knows a lot about them. She probably broke mine so she could make Chad think I’m after her. As for that quicksand episode, I don’t know how she pulled off that trick. That little creature is up to something. I’m certain of it. If I were you, Jace, I’d watch her closely.”
The group traveled for many days, sleeping again under mosquito nets suspended over bedrolls, which allowed no privacy for Jace to approach Leigh. He and Johi observed everyone closely, but nothing unusual occurred.
The third large camp was reached on the fifth day around noon. While the bearers and servants labored with the preparation of tents and meals, the group went for a walk. They saw a variety of animals, prey and predator and scavenger. As Jace had promised, numerous elephants inhabited this area. With a love for acacia, many of the trees in the scattered woodland were destroyed, eaten and mauled into ruin. Yet it changed woodland to grassland, creating more terrain and food for the creatures who favored grazing.
They decided to hunt for a time. “Don’t shoot high on the skull,” Jace instructed. “It doesn’t even slow an elephant, much less drop him. These creature have humanlike traits. They mourn dead mates and friends, even bury them and visit their graves occasionally.” He educated them about the lumbering giants, then pointed to a bull that was standing away from the others. “That’s the one you want, Chad.”
Leigh eyed the enormous animal. Its hide was saggy, like an oversize garment. It was caked in mud and dust to ward off pesky insects and the heat. He uprooted a small tree, tugging on it with his powerful trunk and kicking at it with his large foot. The grayish-brown beast devoured his success, then searched for another, moving farther away from the clustered herd. His prized ivory tusks were as tall as a man, telling his advanced age, Jace revealed, and its skill in avoiding poachers and perils. Leigh wanted him to survive longer.
A mother strolled and grazed with her baby, the female’s bulk dwarfing the calf. She gathered tuffs of grass and stuffed them into her mouth, and the baby followed her lead. When the calf rested on the ground, the mother’s trunk hovered over it as if caressing her infant.
The sky behind them was an azure blue. The grass was a vivid green from recent rains. Their positions on the lush emerald landscape and against the rich blue horizon evoked a feeling of tranquility and wild beauty. Other elephants feasted in a grove of trees. A lion passed them, keeping its distance. The herd appeared gentle and affectionate. Their life was one of leisure, close to each other and to nature.
Leigh’s eyes scanned their picturesque surroundings. It was alive and active this close to dusk. Warthogs routed near a waterhole, their tails flicking back and forth to discourage flies. The moment they became nervous, the tusked creatures backed into nearby holes until they felt confident enough to venture forth again. Impala, zebra and wildebeest grazed far beyond their hiding place and stayed clustered for protection. Gazelles with their ringed horns browsed as if they were dainty ladies. Elegant giraffes dined on solitary acacias, their rough tongues curling around the supple leaves to yank them free. One towering giant spread his legs wide apart so his long neck and mouth could reach the waterhole, putting him in his most vulnerable position.
Predators—mainly lions—watched the same scene, but looked content to wait until tomorrow to attack and feed again. Birds landed here and there, mostly egrets and ox-peckers and tick birds who lived with, and on, the larger creatures. A group of vultures circled overhead seeking their next meal. Hyenas did the same on the ground.
Mosquitoes and flies were heavy today after the recent rains, and near this location where animals roamed and left droppings. The day had not started to cool yet, and perspiration beaded all over Leigh and the others. Leigh was glad Jace had cut a square from mosquito netting and had attached it to her topee. The net covered her pith helmet and grazed her shoulders like a veil, protecting her face and neck from hungry insects. Her long-sleeved shirt did the same for her arms, but insects sneaked under her skirt to feast on her damp legs.
Jace motioned them closer. He ordered caution, as they could not get upwind in this crowded and busy location. The bull elephant caught a whiff of danger, or perhaps an instinct came into play. His ears flattened against his body, a sign Jace had said to look for to indicate a charge. The beast lifted his trunk and trumpeted a threat to his attackers and a warning to the herd. He shifted menacingly on his front legs, legs that could trample a person into the ground. Its stance revealed power and confidence.
Chad had a good shot, and took it. He fired a second time. The animal dropped to the ground. The herd perceived death and danger. Quickly the mothers summoned their young, and all ran into thickets.
The group went forward and examined Chad’s victory. Louisa took pictures, as she did during each hunt. Reid complimented his friend. Leigh stared at the dead giant and wanted to cry in mourning.
Jace realized this was his last safari. These animals were part of the land he loved, and he was helping to destroy them and it. At first, it had been a natural way of life. It had been exciting and stimulating. Now, it didn’t seem the same. Watching an enemy get such enjoyment from killing suddenly had a strong impact on him.
“The bearers will handle it,” Jace said. “Let’s get back to canip before dark. I don’t want any big cats jumping us.” Jace glanced at Leigh, then Chad. “Predators sense when someone is encroaching on their territory. It makes them real nervous and irritable, and very dangerous. They’ll attack just to scare you away to protect their terrain.”
Extra men went to work preparing the trophy to be carried to the river for hasty transportation to Mombasa. Jace had asked for most of the hunting to be done in this area, because it was easier and quicker to get the prizes to the Mombasan preserver from this camp. Certain men were trained and skilled in pretreating heads and hides to prevent their loss to scavengers, heat, and deterioration. The bloody and smelly task began as the safari party left the scene.
The next two days were busy, bloodthirsty, and successful ones for the two couples. Cynthia and Louisa killed zebras. Reid got a leopard and elephant. Chad got his cape buffalo, giving him four of the “big five” trophies he craved. Now he was eager to go after a lion.
Leigh didn’t shoot anything, and that pleased Jace. He was also pleased, and slightly baffled, that no peril endangered his love. He wanted desperately to be with her, but open flaps at night prevented it. Too, Chad was sticking to her like a second skin.
As for Leigh Webster, she was relieved that the incidents had ceased. She missed Jace. He was nearby but so far out of reach for the present. Chad was on his best behavior, as were the others. She was enjoying the scenery, but she was miserable. She wanted Jace; she needed him. She longed for privacy and his touch. Not even a kiss or an embrace had been possible lately. If only they could find a way to be alone, to talk, to hold each other.
Jace realized how odd it must look to Chad for him not to be pursuing Leigh. Of course, he laughed and joked with her in camp and on the trail, but he hadn’t made any romantic gestures. Perhaps he should. Jace approached and asked, “Leigh, would you care to take a walk? The sunsets here are breathtaking. There’s also a family of hyrax nearby that you might enjoy seeing.”
Leigh turned and looked at her lover. “I’m sorry, but Chad just asked the same thing, Jace. Perhaps later or tomorrow?”
“That’s fine,” he replied, disappointed.
Reid prepared himself to do as Chad had ordered, to keep Jace and Johi in camp so neither could spy during the stroll. He knew what Chad was going to do, and he concurred. It was about time Chad got back to important business, he fumed, and rid them of that blond obstacle. Now that Chad knew he had lost, it would be easy for his friend to get rid of Leigh. Yet, Reid was worried. It was as if the girl lived a charmed life, escaping every snare set for her. After this talk, she would be vulnerable, susceptible, and helpless, because Chad would make her turn against her intrusive hero.
“Leigh, I have a terrible confession to make,” Chad began when they were a safe distance from camp. He had guided them into an open space where no one could sneak up and listen, in case Reid failed in his task. For days he had been charming her so she wouldn’t realize he intended to crush her. His first and only true love had to be punished for her betrayal. Before he took her life, he had to hurt her as she had hurt him. “I did something awful, and I’m sorry. I believe it’s the reason behind everything that’s happened to you.”
Leigh’s blue gaze focused on her guardian’s. Her pulse quickened. Her heart pounded in dread. Her throat felt tight and dry. She sensed something horrible in the air. “What is it, Chad?”
Chad frowned and said, “I don’t know where to begin, or how to make you understand and believe me. I know you haven’t had any accidents for a while, but I’m still worried. I want to get this safari over with, so we can get out of this dangerous land. As soon as I get a lion, we’ll have a reason to leave without arousing Jace’s suspicions.”
“I don’t understand,” she murmured, her heart pounding. Was he suspicious and trying to separate them?
“After I explain, if you think I’m right, I’ll call off the safari today and we’ll go home. I’ll pay Jace his full salary, so he’ll have no reason to object. It’ll cost me a great deal, because I had to double it to coax him into taking this job. But I made a stupid mistake in judgment. He was so reluctant to become our guide that I made a crazy wager with him.” He related their contract terms. “Whichever of us wins you in marriage gets you, the money, to share your holdings, victory, and revenge. That’s why Jace Elliott accepted this job.”
Chad watched the stunning effect of that disclosure on her. “I never intended to play our game for real, but I suspect Jace is doing so. I never believed he could catch your eye, and surely not your hand. The problem is, I love you and want to marry you. But I can’t begin to woo you until I get rid of Louisa, earn your trust and respect, and get you away from Jace’s threat. Those incidents at the fort, with your unloaded gun, with Louisa’s rifle, those spells, and that quicksand. I think Jace is responsible. I also think he wants to turn you against me by hinting I’m to blame so he can win that foolish wager. He sees it as a way to get revenge on me and William and to get his hands on the woman I love and on your inheritance. That isn’t the worst part. He insisted on adding an additional five thousand pounds for every night either of us slept in your tent. You know I haven’t tried to seduce you to win, but I’m afraid he will.”
Despite her horror at all he was telling her, one sentence stood out the most. “How do you know about my gun and the fort?” she questioned. “I told Jace not to mention them and worry you. Why did he tattle?”
“Jace told me when we took that walk at our last camp. I asked him face forward if he was trying to harm you or trick you. He denied it, of course. He tried to point the finger at me and Louisa. I’m not saying Louisa didn’t pull any of those tricks, but not all of them. I know she’s jealous and spiteful, and I shouldn’t have brought her along. I knew I was falling in love with you, and that scared me. You’re a tempting treasure, Leigh Webster, but I’m used to freedom. I also knew it would scare you for me to start acting lovesick. Jace told me what you said about the will. Why did you lie to him?”
“We agreed not to reveal it to him, so I haven’t. When he kept making hints about you being a threat to me, I used it to silence him. Why are you telling me all this? Why should I believe you?”
Chad withdrew the cleverly altered contract from his pocket. “Can you recognize my handwriting and Jace’s?”
She had seen both during the safari, when notes were made or licenses marked. “Yes.”
“Read this, and don’t judge me too harshly. I swear I never meant for it to go this far. I’ll even pay Jace the fifty thousand to get you out of here safely. I was trying to make peace with him, and I thought for a while I was succeeding. I was wrong, Leigh. He still doesn’t trust me or forgive me. He hates me and wants revenge, through you. I told him I was in love with you and wanted to marry you. He charged it was because of the firm, as I was afraid you’d believe if I started after you too soon. If you’ll marry me, I’ll sign a legal document that will deny me any right to the company should anything happen to you. It’s the only way you’ll know you can trust me completely. Even if you don’t love me, I can’t allow you to get entangled in this mess between me and Jace.”
After Leigh read the contract, Chad burned it. “Now, when you leave with me, I have no legal proof of his wager, nothing to gain. The bet isn’t and never was important to me, Leigh. I only made it to get Jace to work for us. To prevent trouble, I’ll pay whichever amount he demands. You can hate me, disrespect me, and reject me, but let me help you get away from him before he makes another attempt to beguile you. When we return to London, you can fire me and avoid me. You can sell the firm and return to America, if you desire. I won’t try to stop you, even though I have the power to do so. I love you, and I only want you to be safe and well. I swear it.”
As Leigh stared at him, Chad said, “I honestly don’t know if Jace is trying to harm you or trick you, or if he’s fallen in love with you, as I have. These incidents make me nervous and wary. I thought you should know the truth so you can watch yourself.”
Leigh decided to test this man with her own stunning revelation, if Chad didn’t already know about it. She needed it to appear as if she trusted and liked him enough to confide in him. Upon return to camp, she would destroy her contract, too. “You aren’t the only one who made a foolish wager with him. Jace and I have a bet you don’t know about.” She revealed the terms of her secret wager and she watched Chad’s blue eyes enlarge. “That’s right, Chad, me against his plantation. Of course, like you, I wasn’t serious, and never believed I’d lose. If it weren’t for all those curious incidents, I would be safe from him. No matter, for I would not take his plantation and I wouldn’t spend a single night with that greedy criminal. As with you, Jace insisted on a valuable wager before he would take the job. The thousand pounds weren’t enough to entice him, and I knew how eager everyone was to go on the safari. He was so damn cocky I was provoked into signing an agreement. Besides, I wanted to study him, see what I could learn about that codicil. At the time, it seemed harmless and amusing. As Jace is a wanted criminal, after I return to London or America, what can he do to collect? Nothing. He’s so proud that I figured he wouldn’t tell anyone I had outsmarted him, so my reputation seemed safe.”
“Heavens, Leigh! He’s a clever and dangerous man, a vengeful one. I know from experience. You shouldn’t have been so reckless.”
“Neither should you, Chad. It appears he outwitted both of us. When I realized he was playing seriously and I was losing to him, I knew I had been a fool. That’s why I couldn’t cancel the safari when I became ill. I didn’t want Jace telling everyone about our deal and humiliating me. If I lost, I planned to escape him before he realized I had sailed. Currently, we’re even in points. I promise you, it’ll be a draw, or he’ll be left fuming after my deceit and departure.”
“You mean you won’t honor the agreement?”
Leigh sent him an insulted look. “I wouldn’t sully myself for any man or reason,” she scoffed convincingly. “You’re right about him being suspicious of you and Grandfather, but I told him he was crazy. I told him you don’t inherit if I die, so you have no reason to harm me. He didn’t believe me. There’s something else you should know.”
Leigh seized his full attention with that hint. “I saw Jace twice in London, but he never revealed his identity, and we both know why. That night at Lord Salisbury’s, I slipped outside for fresh air. Jace sneaked up on me and returned my locket. I told him you were my guardian and you wouldn’t like a stranger chasing me. He said he wanted to get to know me; it’s clear now it was because of my connection to you. To discourage him, I mentioned we were leaving on safari. That’s why he was in Mombasa; he was lying in wait for us. I think he paid Mr. Hanes to fake an injury so you’d have to hire him. I didn’t know who he was until he confronted me at the party here. That’s also when he learned who I am and got these crazy wager ideas.”
When Chad frowned, Leigh said, “I didn’t tell you about our second meeting because I didn’t want to worry or anger you. That’s the same reason I didn’t tell you about my rash wager. There’s something I don’t understand. Jace didn’t tell me his name, but he was very romantic at the wharf, until he learned I was meeting Lord Hamilton for dinner. When I told him in the garden I was your ward, he became romantic again. But after he discovered I was a Webster, he backed off. Considering his wager with you, why did he halt his romantic pursuit? A man can’t catch a woman if he doesn’t chase her. True, he’s been flirty and attentive, but nothing more. That’s odd, unless those wagers were tricks to get this job to spy on us. I made my bet to test his motives and knowledge, but he refused money, property, or marriage to me. I suppose he needed me to think he didn’t want those things from me.”
She took a breath and continued her ruse. “What I can’t figure out is, if he needs to marry me to win or to get my holdings, why not woo me or lose to me? Unless he doesn’t trust either of us to honor our wagers. On the other hand, perhaps he can’t lose to me because he’s guilty and can’t clear himself. Or he assumes one night with him will soil me so much that you’d never want me and he’d have revenge on you and the Websters. I don’t grasp his motives. I think it all hinges on how much he hates you and Grandfather, and on how far he’ll go for vengeance. And on whether or not he knows of that codicil. I’ve watched him closely, but I haven’t uncovered any clues. He also told me about your claims of love and marriage,” Leigh added, “and he’s hinted that you and Louisa are trying to get rid of me.”
Chad grasped her hands and gazed into her eyes. His voice carried a pleading note as he said, “Surely you didn’t believe him.”
Leigh withdrew her hands. “Frankly, I don’t know what or whom I believe. Both of you have tricked me, and tried to use me for your own gains. I can’t understand why you would do such a thing to me. I’m a stranger to Jace Elliott and he could have just cause to beguile me, but you didn’t. I’m hurt and disappointed. We’ll complete the safari, then see what happens.” Leigh turned and left him standing there.
Chad feared that Jace and Louisa had misled him. He realized that Louisa shouldn’t have known about the fort attack. He had dropped his new plan too swiftly and rashly. Perhaps there was still a chance of winning Leigh and the bet with Jace. He should have known this sweet and innocent angel couldn’t be wicked and devious. It was incredible, but he truly loved and desired her. Chad rushed and stopped her at the edge of the clearing. “Leigh, I love you. Please let me prove it. I’ll do anything you say. You can test me and punish me, but forgive me. Please love me and marry me. Before the ceremony, we’ll get a lawyer and I’ll sign away all rights to everything you own. I swear it. Let me prove myself to you, prove it’s you I want, not the money.”
Leigh observed her handsome guardian. No matter how much Lord Chadwick Hamilton had lied to her, she was certain he was telling the truth at this moment. That astonished her, swayed her broken heart, and convinced her dazed mind. Jace should have told her about that awful contract. If she confronted him, he would give a logical explanation that she could not disprove, or believe, at this late date. Jace had deceived her in the worst way. She looked at Chad. “All I can promise is to think seriously about your proposal, Chad. I believe you, and I’m very fond of you. No matter what happens between us, you’ll always be a part of Webster International, if I don’t decide to sell it to you. Just remember your promise to keep the truth from Jace, as I have. It’s been difficult at times not to tell him everything and get the past cleared up, but I don’t know how he would deal with such facts. We came here to study him, and we have. He doesn’t know anything, so we’re safe. Let’s keep it that way. Agreed?”
“Agreed, my love. I’m going to guard you, Leigh. I swear I won’t let anything or anyone harm you. I’m relieved that you’ve kept what your grandfather did a secret. If he knew, Jace would kill us both.”
“Perhaps, and perhaps not. He trusts me and desires me. Mr. Jace Elliott isn’t hard to fool. As I told you, I have no intention of honoring my secret wager with him. If he tries to follow me back to London to collect, he’ll be arrested. Let’s go. I. need a drink.”
Jace kept his seat on the ground behind the bush near where they had halted. As soon as he could get away from Reid Adams’s questions, he had tried to sneak up on Leigh to see what he could learn. He had been too distant for listening, until they had paused nearby. What he had discovered staggered him, and he wished he knew the rest of their conversation. Pain knifed his heart, and fury burned hot and destructive inside his head. A ravenous hunger for revenge chewed at his tormented gut. As first suspected, he was the target of a cunning plot. But Leigh Webster was pulling the strings to her puppet Chad. He had never seen his old friend behave this way before. Obviously Louisa was being duped and framed to hide their guilt. All of those incidents had been to ensnare him. Leigh had lied to him. She had gone too far to beguile him. She had won his love. She had lowered his guard and dazed his keen wits. He had let her get to him and enchant him, just as Chad had done. She would pay!
In camp later, darkness engulfed the site. After finishing the strong Scotch, Leigh’s anguish numbed a little. Knowing she couldn’t trust Jace hurt deeply and intensely. Knowing she couldn’t trust Chad, or the others, alarmed her. She just wanted to get out of this steamy jungle. She wanted to go home to her aunt Jenna. She wanted to exchange her new problems for her old familiar ones. She left the table and walked to loosen taut muscles. Jace swaggered to her and grinned, a sly and devilish expression.
“I’m seven points ahead, Miss Webster,” he murmured. “It looks as if I’ll win our little wager. You owe me one passionate kiss and six extra glorious nights. Maybe the ship will need repairs again to give you time to pay up. If not, we’ll figure something out. Maybe I’ll sneak into London again and you can help me in two ways.”
Leigh was astounded by his words and mood. “You’ve been eating loco weed. I’m not an animal in one of your traps. You’ve been paid plenty for any honest debt I might have incurred. As for the rest, I can’t be blamed for accidents or for carelessness on the parts of others. This wager is a farce to get at me. It’s over, Jace.”
“I’m afraid it isn’t, my golden lioness. That wasn’t our deal. Until you lose the contracted bet, points can’t be tallied and payments can’t be made. You owe me one kiss and six nights so far.”
“You’re a deceitful beast, Jace Elliott. I haven’t lost fairly. As you said, I’m not paying for a crime I didn’t commit.”
“That isn’t my fault, my wild beauty. A bargain is a bargain. I warned you to think hard and long before giving me your word. You’ll have to stick to it. I’ll be watching you closely to make certain you don’t turn coward or traitor on me. Just so the others won’t get suspicious, I’ll keep my distance until the safari is over. Maybe you’ll be hungrier for me by then and be a tigress in bed. Good night, love.”
Leigh gaped at him, glad her back was to the camp so the others couldn’t see her expression. She was also glad they were preoccupied in a card game so no one would interrupt or overhear. She couldn’t get Jace’s wager with Chad off her mind, but she thought it unwise to mention that knowledge. She couldn’t understand how he could sign such a wanton wager, even if done before their love affair. The man that she loved was suddenly a mystery to her, and possibly worse. “You’re only two points ahead, Mr. Elliott. You’ve endangered my life five times, so that’s five points in my favor.”
The handsome guide looked her up and down. “How do you figure that, Leigh? I know how I’ve earned my score: one scream during the rhino hunt for a kiss, three nights for being endangered by drugs three times, a night for quicksand peril, two nights for being endangered during the buffalo and rhino hunts to equal six extra nights and seven points in my favor. Where did your score come from?”
“You didn’t tell me about the powder in my canteen three times, so my life was imperiled by your careless oversight and lack of defense. My gun was unloaded or mishandled during a dangerous hunt, putting my life in jeopardy, since you’re in charge of all weapons. The same applies to my last point: your carelessness with a broken weapon nearly caused Louisa to shoot me. Since Johi is your hired man, you’re responsible for any mistakes he or the others make. That’s five points for getting me into trouble or peril, as per your rule two, Mr. Elliott.”
Jace grinned and shrugged. “That’s very cunning, Miss Webster. But I’m still two ahead and I will win. By the way, since I broke rule two five times at five kisses each, when do you want to collect those twenty-five tasty tokens? Just let me know. I’ll be obliging.”
Leigh watched him stroll away, whistling. He had won another battle with his quick and keen wits. She was unnerved again. We’ll see who wins our final battle, Jace, she vowed to herself. It could have been so wonderful between us, if you were honest and really loved me. Maybe you do and don’t even realize it. Maybe you’re too controlled by hatred and resentment to see what you’ve done to us. God help us both, because I love you and want you and I believe you feel the same way.
Chad approached her. “What did Jace want? He looked annoyed.”
Leigh had to fool her guardian to prevent any problems with him, so she replied, “He was just teasing me about our secret wager, playfully warning me to watch my step or I’d lose more points to him.”
“I’m glad you trust me enough to discuss the matter with me.”
Leigh sent him a convincing smile. “We have to stick together until this is over. I don’t think it would be a good idea to let Jace know I told you about our real bet, or to let him discover that I know about his wager with you. We can’t confront him with his duplicity. We burned our proof. I was afraid someone might find my contract, and I’d be humiliated. If we expose his game and demand to leave, it might cause big trouble. We don’t know this jungle, Chad. If we angered or challenged him, there’s no telling what he would do. He could lead us around in circles for weeks.” She frowned. “I can’t decide if Jace is dangerous or not. Every time I try to relax him enough to trust me and open up to me, he gets skittish. Are you sure he’s serious about his wager with you? He’s certainly not trying to win me.”
“Jace never was a woman-chaser, so maybe he doesn’t know how to charm and woo one. Or maybe duping you comes hard for him. Or maybe he realizes he can’t collect on our bet even if he won your heart. You can’t marry a criminal and exile yourself, and I guess he knows it. If he fell in love with you, he couldn’t ask you to share such a fate; no proud man would. He probably knew all along that neither of us could win such a wager. But I’m sure he wishes he could. I do.”
“Until this matter is settled, Chad, I can’t think beyond friendship. We need to get to know each other better.”
His eyes glowed from more than moonlight. “I understand, Leigh. First, we have to get Louisa and Jace out of our lives.”
“Louisa will be easy to discard, but I’m not so sure about Jace Elliott. He’s too suspicious of you, Grandfather, and me. If we tip our hand, we’ve got big trouble. If Jace knows about the will and is behind these accidents, he might be willing to settle for half of Grandfather’s estate rather than pursue me for all of it.”
From knowing Jace for years, and suspecting Louisa was the real culprit, and not wanting Leigh to panic into a slip, Chad said, “I honestly don’t think you need to fear Jace. Even if he’s behind these curious happenings, I’m sure it’s only to compel you into his arms. Don’t worry, Leigh; I’m here to protect you from all harm.”
“We’ve been spying on the wrong person, my friend,” Jace told Johi. He related what he’d overheard earlier. “Look at the two of them over there with their heads together plotting more mischief. She duped me. Lordy, she was so sweet a temptation. The craziest part is that Chad really loves her. He’d do anything for her, even confront an enemy again so she can study me. I only wish I knew what she really wants and needs from me. It must have something to do with her grandfather and those crimes. I’m a fool. I’ve been working on Chad for evidence when she’s the boss, the one with all the answers I need. Damn her! She’s a Webster through and through. Did you give Jomo and Buha my orders?”
“They are ready to obey.”
Jace sighed in anguish. Once more his world was inside out; again, Chad Hamilton and a Webster were to blame. “Good. As soon as Leigh’s dead, I’ll guide the others back to Mombasa, then we’ll return home, Johi. I’m tired, really tired.”
Wanjohi knew the man meant in spirit, not in body. He would help his best friend exact revenge on those who had harmed him. Soon, the African sun would set on their deceits, and payment would be taken by force. Soon, this savage safari would be over forever…