Page 65 of In the Heat of the Jungle

“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 others were busy. If Jace made a fuss, he had no evidence. Besides, the drugging powder had affected Leigh strongly, especially yesterday. He must not expose himself by pressing her to go home, as Jace had hinted 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.

“Yes, 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. If you get jealous and tattle to Leigh about it, love you or not, I’ll 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. 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?”

“Allegedcriminal,” Chad corrected.

“You can’t argue he’s desperate and resentful.”

“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 agreed, pretending she was Leigh …

~*~

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