Page 87 of In the Heat of the Jungle

“Ka’arta lives in village. She helps missionary speak to our people. She knows English more than Abena. When coffee berries ripe, she helps pick. She go Mombasa with Wanjohi for supplies. I work day for Bwana Jace. I go home night. I be close. No need to fear.”

“Bwana Jace kidnapped me,” Leigh charged. “That’s against the law. He’ll be arrested and taken to prison. You must let me go.”

Unruffled, Abena asked, “Go where?”

“Home.”

“You far from home. Must stay inside and be safe.” The woman closed the gate, locked it, and dropped the key into her pocket. “Come,” she coaxed, and walked toward the house.

Clutching her small bundle, Leigh followed the woman. “You must help me escape, Abena, or you’ll be in trouble, too. What Jace did is wrong, bad. Lawmen will come after me and him.”

Abena halted and turned. Displeased, she refuted, “Bwana Jace not bad, never wrong. He say keep you safe. He law here.”

“You don’t understand, Abena,” Leigh reasoned. “Jace and I are enemies. He tried to hurt me, to kill me. He stole me from my family. I will not stay in his home.”

The woman looked Leigh over and frowned. “No speak evil of Bwana Jace. No man good, kind as him.”

“You don’t know what he’s like. He’s mean and—”

The older woman backed away a few steps. She no longer smiled. “Say no more, Bibi Leigh. When comes home, you tell him such things. Abena his friend and servant. I cannot help you.”

Leigh watched the woman enter the house. She realized the servant would not listen to her accusations or aid her escape. She glanced at the locked gate, the high wall, and the iron fence. Jail! she fretted. Jace had captured her and imprisoned her. She wondered why. If he intended to murder her, she would be dead by now. Perhaps, she worried, Chad had told him what she said about not honoring her bet. Louisa had learned about all wagers, so she could have told Jace with the hopes he would get her out of Chad’s life. Perhaps Jace merely planned to force her to pay her debt to him …

Leigh was alarmed, afraid, and angry. There was no escape without help, and no one here would provide it. She must make friends with the housekeeper and workers. It would be a mistake to turn them against her. Perhaps in time … But how much time did she have before Jace arrived to collect?

Leigh was intimidated by doubts and fears. She decided to think about them later. She went inside the house, astonished by what greeted her alert senses. The living area was enormous, open and airy. The heavy furniture was in dark wood, and was spaced well in the room. The floors were polished and shiny and the high ceilings were beamed with dark wood, making a lovely contrast to the white walls and light-colored fabrics. Plants were here and there in various-size containers. Several paintings—all African scenes and animals—hung on the walls. Other African objects were placed at vantage points. A piano sat near one corner. Decorative oil lamps and candleholders were sources of light after dark. Drapes were pulled aside and belted. Mesh screens of a thin material covered the windows and doors to keep out insects. It was an impressive and immaculate setting. Beautiful. Exotic. Enchanting.

Leigh heard noises. She followed them through an archway into a dining room, then into a kitchen. There she saw a sink, working counters, a wood stove, cabinets, a round table with four chairs, and the servant. Abena was preparing food for her.

Leigh approached the woman. “I’m sorry I upset you, Abena, but I’m upset. I’m scared and confused. I don’t know why Jace drugged me and kidnapped me. He and my uncle are terrible enemies. Suspicious accidents kept happening to me on the safari. Jace kept threatening me. I don’t know why I’m a prisoner.”

The woman softened. “Bwana Jace have good reason. He tell you why when he comes home.”

“When is he arriving? How did he explain my abduction? He’ll be in terrible trouble for doing this. My uncle will have the law after him. I must go to Mombasa to show him I’m alive and well. Please have the men take me there. I promise to keep Jace out of trouble.”

“He return soon. I not know answers to questions, but you safe. Sit, eat. I prepare a bath. Full stomach, clean body, clean clothes make you better.”

Leigh gave up on the woman’s assistance for the present. She took a seat and ate the hot meal. When she finished, she placed her dishes in the sink. She was amazed by the clever water system that made chores easier for any woman working in this kitchen.

Leigh went to look for Abena. Against the front wall of the house was a long hall. Leigh called out, “Abena?”

The woman’s scarfed head appeared from one room. “Come.”

Leigh went to join her. Once more, amazement consumed the blonde. The spacious room held a large tub with a pipe over one end and a control valve. A drainpipe near the floor exited the house.

“Must keep plug in,” Abena said. “If not, snakes and spiders get in tub. Mosquitoes and flies come in house.”

Leigh glanced at the toilet. A water tank was suspended above it on the wall, with a long chain to flush it. She noted a smaller sink, shelves with linens and bathing supplies, a mirror, and lamps on the wall. One window was high for privacy. Leigh’s mouth was agape. “How did Jace do all of this in the jungle?”

“House built by other man. He sold to Bwana Jace. Bwana Jace do many smart things to house. Make it pretty and comfortable. He see many things sailing around world. He learn them and do here. He plenty smart. Good man, as Abena tell you.”

Leigh noticed how the woman could speak good English at times or drop words in excitement at others.

“You want Abena to help? You want Abena to go?”

Leigh had never bathed before a stranger. She smiled and said, “Thank you, but I can manage alone.”

“All you need here. I be in kitchen.” She left.

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