Page 77 of In the Heat of the Jungle

Leigh forced her eyes to leave the enticing sight.What are you up to, Mr. Jace Elliott?she fretted.

Louisa called out, “You two having fun?”

Jace yelled back, “It’s wonderful, Red. Come on in.”

Cynthia and Louisa glanced at each other, giggled, and swam to him. The three began to frolic, laugh, and talk. And flirt with each other. Jace did not summon Leigh or look her way.

Leigh was piqued by Jace’s actions. She was also upset by what Chad had exposed to her. She couldn’t get the two secret wagers off her mind. Jace was winning theirs, if she honored their deal. He had won part of his and Chad’s: fifteen thousand pounds for spending three times in her tent. Twenty, if that night in Mombasa counted as part of the safari, as Jace had already been hired and contracted by that night. Would Jace demand payment for those romantic moments? Would Chad pay the fifteen or twenty thousand for her seduction as agreed? What would Chad do when Jace revealed that shocking debt to her guardian? Leigh didn’t even want to imagine that distressing event. One point was odd: If Jace was willing to bet marriage to her with Chad, why had he refused wedlock in their wager when she proposed it? What was Jace’s motive and plan?

Chad and Reid arrived. Reid stripped off his boots and shirt, and went for a swim. Chad sat beside Leigh.

“Having a good time?” he asked, sending her a blazing smile. He noticed how her soaked shirt and pants clung to her shapely body. A camisole, alas, protected her breasts from visual attack. He watched her squeeze water from her golden hair, his loins burning for her.

She nodded toward the merry scene in the river and jested, “Perhaps you should warn our hired hand to behave himself. Some bulls can’t be trusted around cows, even with fences around them. He’s after the entire herd, flirting with all of us. Actually, I think he’s trying to make me jealous.”

“Is it working?” Chad teased, then winked.

“What do you think, my genial guardian? Louisa and Cynthia may be in danger of capture and branding, but I’m wary of that jungle predator. He’s as cunning and clever as a wolf on the prowl, and I don’t want to be ripped apart. Jace Elliott isn’t trustworthy.”

Cynthia took Louisa’s hint and swam to Reid.

Louisa grasped Jace’s shoulders and scoffed, “Look at those two. Chad’s twelve years older than Leigh. She’s nothing more than an innocent girl. What does he see in her, besides money?”

“She’s rich, beautiful, desirable, charming, witty, educated, seductive, sweet, innocent, good company, well-mannered, enchan—”

“Stop! That’s enough,” Louisa wailed, placing her wet fingers over Jace’s grinning lips. She snuggled her body against his. “I’m all those things and more, Jace. When are you going to give me a chance to prove it? Everyone’s busy. We could take a walk in the jungle. I promise, within ten minutes, you’ll forget she exists.”

Leigh realized that her guardian never removed his shirt, not even while swimming or on a hot day around camp. She wondered if that action was to conceal a disfigurement. “Why don’t we return to camp and you challenge me to a game of chess?” she asked Chad. “Perhaps with a little wager?”

Chad leapt to his feet. His hand extended to assist Leigh to hers. With his arm around her waist, they disappeared from sight.

“Despite your many charms and talents, Miss Jennings, the answer is still no. I have my eye on Leigh, for lots of reasons. If I played around, I’d be no more appealing to her than Chad is with you locked around his neck. Sorry.” Jace disengaged the woman’s arms and swam to the bank. “Take over as guard, Reid. I’m heading for camp and a stiff drink.”

“What’s wrong with you, Reid,” Cynthia asked. “You’ve been a bore, and an old man in bed.”

“I’m worried about Chad. He’s determined to win Leigh, and I doubt he can succeed. If he does …”

“You mean he’s lying to Louisa? He isn’t going to marry her?”

“Where are your wits, woman? What do you think?” Reid hinted.

~*~

Leigh wondered if Jace would come running to prevent what he surely suspected from her behavior with Chad at the river, and how soon? She hoped it was fast, because she allowed Chad to kiss her before reaching camp. She needed to let Chad believe he had her duped. She must observe both men during these perilous times, discover the truth and secrets in their deepest hearts, and remove their rivalry masks. She had to learn what they wanted from her. As soon as possible, she needed to escape both deceitful men, but until she did, she must find ways to delude and control both of them.

The brief kiss was pleasant, just a brush over her lips. She was glad he did not embrace her or kiss her passionately. “Let’s begin our game before the others join us. I bet a pound.”

“That’s fine, my lovely ward, but I’d prefer marriage as an incentive, or even a betrothal.”

“You’re much too eager and disarming, Chad. You do have a reputation as quite a womanizer.”

“You’re the only woman I’ve met of any importance and value. I would do anything to win you, Leigh.”

“Anything?” What about Louisa?

“Name it, my sweet. I’ll be your slave for life.”

“I’ll have to give it serious thought after I’m no longer your ward. Let’s go.”

---