Page 100 of In the Heat of the Jungle

~*~

Laura Leigh Webster and Jace Edward Elliott were married by a Protestant missionary in a short and simple ceremony the following afternoon. The wedding took place in the yard, with many joyous workers in attendance. Johi, Ka’arta, Abena and her husband, and Kambu were present. Leigh wore a lace pale-blue dress, and tropical flowers in her tawny hair. Jace wore a suit, and looked the perfect gentleman. A party followed with foods and treats prepared by Abena and her daughter. The guests drank lavishly from fruit juice and wine.

Using the one bottle of champagne Jace owned, he toasted his bride with the unchilled liquid saying, “To the only woman I’ve ever loved or ever will love, my beautiful wife.”

Leigh did not give him her toast until they were alone. She said, “To the only man who has or can or will offer me wild perils and sweet passions. I love you with all my heart and soul, Jace Elliott.”

~*~

On June twenty-five, Jace checked his crop one last time and left Kambu in charge again. Bearers had been summoned to get them to Mombasa. Johi went along to guide the men home afterward. Farewells were said to Abena and the others, and they departed.

~*~

The group reached Mombasa on July sixth, four days after Chad and his companions docked in London.

On the seventh, Jace picked up the written testimony of Jim Hanes from Alfred Johnston, to whom Jace explained the events. He went to the Colonial Office and was given copies of the Arab abductors’ confessions. He placed those crucial papers with Reid’s cable to Fiona, then sent a telegram to Joanna Harris Marlowe, telling her of Chad’s threat to his and Leigh’s lives, and pleading for her help. He asked his stepsister to meet him in London at Lord Salisbury’s home. Then he cabled the Prime Minister.

Leigh sent word to her aunt near Dallas, also explaining matters and requesting secrecy until her problem was solved. She did not go into detail, but told Jenna she would write everything soon.

~*~

On July ninth, Leigh and Jace Elliott sailed from Mombasa, British East Africa, toward London. Leigh was prepared for “Mother’s Misery” which was due that day, but it did not appear …

Chapter Twenty

London, England

July 30, 1896

Leigh was in London once more; this time, it was under different circumstances. She was the wife of Jace Elliott, and they had come to settle the past. She and Jace had traveled under the names of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Johnston. Upon docking, they remained aboard the steamer until dark, in case Lord Chadwick Hamilton was having the waterfront watched for Jace’s approach. They were picked up in a covered carriage belonging to Prime Minister Cecil Salisbury and taken to his home. There they found Joanna Harris Marlowe, who had arrived two days ago.

The auburn-haired woman of twenty-three hugged her stepbrother and cried. Joanna begged Jace’s understanding and forgiveness. When she was calmed, Jace asked for the truth.

Joanna’s hazel eyes were red and dewy as she complied. “I never wanted you or anyone harmed, Jace; you must believe me. By the time I learned what was happening, it was too late; I was too deeply involved to expose Chad. After Father’s death, I heard Chad say you could never return to England. He said he didn’t want to kill you, that he wanted you to live and suffer, so I believed you were safe. When I received your telegram about his attempts on your life, I couldn’t hold silent any longer. Whatever happens to me, this horrid nightmare must end. I would have told you sooner,” she vowed, “but I wanted to protect Frank and little Jace, and myself. I have a wonderful husband and son. I told Frank everything, and he agreed I should come.”

Leigh and Lord Salisbury remained silent and alert, but Jace asked several questions; “How did you meet Frank Marlowe? How did you run away? Why?”

Joanna sipped water to wet her throat and dry lips. “Let me tell you what happened here first. My journey started long ago, when our parents married. I’ve known Chad since I was six years old. I liked him and trusted him, Jace, just like you did and Father did. I was daft about him from the time I became a young woman. You know how he attracted and charmed all the girls. Chad had a powerful magic, an evil magic, about him that lured people to him; then, he consumed them like a voracious devil. All except you, Jace; you saw him for what he was and pulled free of him. I wasn’t that strong or that lucky.”

Her hazel eyes were haunted by memories. “If you’ll recall, I was not in London when you visited in ‘92. I was with Mother’s kin in Scotland. I didn’t know about the trouble between you two.” She pushed straying locks of chestnut from her pale face. “I was to marry Benjamin Carver in the spring of ‘94. He called off the betrothal and married another woman. I didn’t truly love him, but I was hurt and humiliated. Chad rushed to see me. He poured on that magical and irresistible charm. Before I knew it, I was enslaved to him in heart, mind, and body. He promised to marry me that Christmas, and he convinced me to move into his home. Father and Mother were ashamed and furious, but I was too in love to listen.”

No one interrupted the painful confession, and no one spoke when Joanna halted to sip more water.

“When you came home in June, Chad ordered me not to see you. I didn’t want any trouble or to lose him, so I obeyed. When you came to his townhouse, you two got into that terrible fight. Someone summoned the authorities, and you were arrested. Chad refused to let me see you and explain about our love and marriage.” She rubbed the scar on her cheek. “He told me he had struck me in the heat of your quarrel because I begged to speak with you alone. He told me what happened in South Africa. He was so loving and convincing. That’s why I didn’t come to the jail or see you after you were released. While you were imprisoned, he asked me to steal Father’s knife. You know, the one you brought to him from South Africa with his name carved on it. I also stole a lantern from the company, marked Elliott’s of London. Chad said they were for a harmless trick, and I believed him. Then Mr. Stokely was killed and his company burned, the very day of your release and departure. Those two witnesses lied about Father being there before the fire. His knife and lantern were found in the alley. Chad had asked me to invite Father to the townhouse to discuss how to make peace with my family so Chad and I could marry. Father was with me during the fire, Jace; he couldn’t have been involved.”

Jace concealed his rage and shock. “Why didn’t you tell the authorities? Or tell me?”

“I was afraid and confused,” Joanna admitted. “I didn’t want to believe Chad was involved. I hoped Father would be proven innocent. I reminded Chad that Father was with me that awful night, at his request. I also reminded him about the knife and lantern I had taken for him. Chad told me they had been stolen from his office to incriminate him. He said people would think we were lying to save Father, and we might be suspects if we went forward. Chad promised to find the best way to handle everything; he swore to help clear him. It sounded logical, and I was so enthralled by him. When Father killed himself, Chad said it was because he feared he couldn’t prove he was innocent.”

Joanna dabbed at tears. “When Webster International took control of Father’s firm and most of his estate, Chad mentioned that both his business rivals were gone. The way he acted made me suspicious. Mother was left with very little, and Chad refused to help her or to discuss our marriage. He became cold and hateful. He started making hazy comments about how Father’s death and the loss of your inheritance would hurt you. He boasted how my seduction had hurt you. He talked about Webster’s having a monopoly, as if he was due the credit for such prosperity. They all tormented me. I had to discover the truth.”

Joanna lowered her lashes. “I watched Chad closely. One night I followed him to a meeting with the two witnesses. He didn’t pay them, Jace; he murdered them. Reid Adams was there, too. I realized what Chad had done, how he had used me, how he had destroyed our family as revenge on you. I realized he had lied about you. I even feared he had killed Father. I knew he would kill me to silence me. I hurried to his place, packed a few things, and sailed on a ship leaving for America at dawn. I left Chad a note saying I was with my grieving mother so he wouldn’t search for me in time to halt my escape. I docked in Charleston, took a train to Atlanta, then several to Denver, using different names each time. I hoped the many changes of cities and names would prevent Chad from finding me and killing me. I thought he’d never look in America. I was so distraught that I didn’t think anyone would believe I wasn’t involved.”

Jace grasped her trembling hands. “You could have come to me, Joanna. You could have trusted me. I would have helped you.”

“You had sailed for Africa. I was afraid Chad would come after both of us. I knew you and Mother would be safe as long as I stayed away and remained silent. I didn’t want to go to prison or be hanged, Jace. I couldn’t face any more humiliation or endure more anguish. On the train, I met Frank Marlowe. He is such a good and kind man. He knew I was suffering. He spent time with me. He made me smile and laugh again. He had a ranch near Denver. He said all he needed was a wife, and he asked me to marry him. I was fond of him, and it seemed the perfect escape. But I came to love him, really love him. It wasn’t infatuation as with Ben and Chad. When our son was born, we named him Jace. Everything was wonderful. I was happy, and starting to forget. Then your cable arrived. I knew if you had located me, Chad could, too. I couldn’t run away from Frank and the baby. I revealed the whole truth to him. He understood and believed me, and forgave me. He said I should help you convict Chad for his crimes.”

“How did you get those few letters to me?”

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