Page 61 of In the Heat of the Jungle

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

~*~

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

~*~

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

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

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

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

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

~*~

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

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

~*~

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

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

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

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