Page 76 of In the Heat of the Jungle

~*~

“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 near 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…

Chapter Sixteen

On the fourth day at their current major campsite, Jace and Leigh received a curious surprise: Louisa moved into Cynthia’s tent, and Reid Adams moved in with Chad. Jace and Leigh surmised it was because of the talk late yesterday between Chad and Leigh, during which Chad had proposed. What both found strange was the fact that Louisa did not seem upset by the change in quarters. Since Chad had behaved little differently to his ward at breakfast, the blonde and the handsome guide concluded that Chad was somehow duping Louisa, and the redhead did not as yet realize she had been discarded.

They rested and relaxed that day following their long trek and several hunts. Music played on the gramophone. Chad and Reid enjoyed chess. Louisa and Cynthia chatted. The servants did chores. Jace cleaned his guns. Leigh read. Johi observed everybody.

It became hotter and steamier as the hours passed. Lunch was over, and the two men were drinking steadily. Sweat bees, flies, and mosquitoes pestered all of them today; and no one wanted to use the smelly repellent Jace offered. The air was still and heavy, and the sky was clear blue. Birds and monkeys chattered in the surrounding trees. Sweet scents of tropical flowers reached their noses. Louisa suggested a swim for the three women. Jace came to alert, and decided to be their guard. The four left camp and headed for the river.

Chad and Reid were at either end of a table, a chess board separating them, with nothing between the two men and the tents to use for concealment.

When they began to whisper, Johi could not hear their words or get closer. Jace’s friend was annoyed, but helpless. He did not believe the white girl was tricking his friend and he doubted Jace, too, mistrusted her deep inside. Something strange and perilous was going on, Johi concluded, but Leigh Webster was not to blame. He had studied enough creatures in the wild to know which ones were good and bad. Once Jace cleared his wits, his friend would know that, too. But he would obey Jace’s orders no matter what they were.

~*~

“You said you would explain things. What’s going on? Why did you kick Louisa out? And why isn’t she mad?”

Chad looked at Reid. His brown hair was mussed, he hadn’t shaved in two days, and his grayish-brown eyes were narrower than usual. His friend looked worried and puzzled. “Relax, Reid, old chap. Everything is fine. It’s a good thing I haven’t killed her yet, because I was wrong about Leigh. You were wrong about her, and Louisa was wrong. There’s nothing between Leigh and Jace, nothing. She’s considering my marriage proposal; that’s why I had to dupe Louisa and get her away from me. It’s a damn good thing those drugs didn’t harm her. They were not intended to kill her, only to make her sick enough to be taken home. I don’t know if any of her accidents have been either Louisa or Jace’s doings, but I’ll make certain nothing happens to my future bride.”

“What are you telling me, Chad?”

Chad revealed what Louisa, Jace, and Leigh had told him. “It’s a mighty big puzzle, but I figured it out. All the pieces fit, Reid. I haven’t lost her or the bet, but Louisa and Jace wanted me to think I had. That sly traitor is damned lucky. I’m going to forget about my revenge on him. I’m not taking a chance of messing things up again. There’s no way Jace can bind me to those crimes in London, so he’s no threat anymore. As for that trouble years ago, hell, he might be telling the truth about trying to save me. I’ll be generous and give him the benefit of doubt. If I keep things stirred up between us, I’ll never be free of him. I’m going to let my whole past die, Reid, and begin a new life with my ravishing ward.”

“You’re talking crazy. She has you so charmed you’re not thinking clearly. You’ll lose everything.”

“Leigh Webster is going to marry me; I’m sure of it. Check,” Chad said with the gleam of two impending victories in his blue eyes, putting Reid’s king under attack with a white knight. “Take your next move wisely, old boy, or this match is mine, too.”

As Reid Adams pretended to consider which ebony piece to move on the chessboard, his mind was troubled by Chad’s swings in mood and behavior, which could get them into trouble. Reid didn’t want to be incriminated in this lethal affair. He was angry with Chad for succumbing to Leigh’s charms and altering the plot, not once, but twice. That was hazardous, as Jace and Leigh might already be suspicious. A smart man—which Chad usually was—should recognize the perils of being indecisive and emotionally distracted, but the besotted man was irrational these days. It would serve Chad right, Reid fumed, if Leigh rejected him and surrendered to Jace Elliott. Chad had become a lovesick fool.

As Reid moved a castle on the chessboard to take Chad’s knight and to defend his king, he reasoned, “What if she’s lying? How do you know Leigh and Jace aren’t on to your plot and duping you?”

“They couldn’t be. I got rid of the drug, so there’s no evidence. If Jace suspects anybody, it’s Louisa, or Leigh. If I’m wrong, I have a pawn and plan in reserve. Checkmate, old boy,” Chad remarked, placing a queen within striking distance of Reid’s king, adding to the threat by one of Chad’s bishops whose path had been cleared by the same move. “Another game?”

“No, thanks. Let’s take a walk and loosen these stiff bodies. Do us a favor, keep a clear eye on them.”

~*~

While Louisa and Cynthia were in the bushes being “excused,” Leigh was lying on her stomach on the grassy bank. She trailed her fingers on the surface and pondered the men in her life. A quote by Lucretius came to mind: “It is more useful to watch a man in times of peril … to discern what kind of man he is; for then at last words of truth are drawn from the depths of his heart, and the mask is torn off.” She was doing exactly that.

Leigh’s clothes and hair were almost dry. Yet it was so hot and humid that perspiration glistened on her body again. She wriggled forward and splashed cool water on her flushed face.

Jace bounded from beneath the surface, seized her, and pulled her into his slippery arms. She didn’t have time to scream before he covered her mouth with a soul-blistering kiss. When he released her, he teased, “I still owe you plenty, so don’t forget the count.”

Leigh ached for peace and truth, but he was being devilish. “Damn you, Jace Elliott, I hate your little tricks.”

Jace chuckled. “Temper, temper, my tawny lioness. Retract those claws and get that kill glint out of those lovely blue eyes. I was only teaching you a lesson. You had your eyes closed. What if I had been a man-eating croc? By now you would have lost your head and your life. He can snap it off with one crunch. What a tasty meal you’d make for any creature, including this one. I can hardly wait for my feast to begin.”

Leigh perceived something different about Jace, and it alarmed her. His smile was feigned. His kiss had been almost punishing. A curious glint was in his jungle-green gaze, a mysterious and predatory one. She studied him as he watched her. His jawline was taut, as if his teeth were clenched, as if he was keeping a demon imprisoned behind those white bars. His grasp had been tight and rough. He was pretending to be playful and seductive, but he was making an intimidating point. To draw him out, she remarked, “I believe you’re supposed to be on guard against all perils, Mr. Elliott, including my notorious guide. I’m not in the mood for rogues and games. Just keep away, as you promised last night.”

As they heard Louisa and Cynthia returning, Jace grinned and said, “Fine, for now. Later, never.” He swam away with long and graceful strokes.

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