Page 89 of In the Heat of the Jungle

Jace reasoned that Leigh had to have good reasons for taking the actions she had. Whatever was troubling her, he aimed to discover it. Jace couldn’t forget what she had told him about investigating Chad. Perhaps Leigh had faked affection toward Chad to fool her guardian. That would mean she believed Chad was a liar and a threat and was afraid of the man. But how had Chad discovered their wager, if Leigh hadn’t told him? Why would she expose such a shocking and damaging secret? And when had she done so? It must have been during that long talk at their last camp. Something Chad told her had provoked the exposure, and the change.

On reflection, there had been almost desperation in her lovemaking and mood that night. It was as if she had been trying to prove her feelings, to test him, to entice something from him. Had she wanted to evoke a stronger commitment from him before baring her soul, and heart? Had she wanted him to confess, explain, deny something Chad had told her? What would she have said if he had revealed his love and had proposed? Since he hadn’t responded as she needed him to, how had his stubborn silence affected her?

On the other hand, if she believed Chad loved her and wasn’t a threat, who did she think was after her? Jace Elliott?

Chapter Eighteen

Leigh had been at the plantation for a week. She had halted her accusations and insults concerning Jace Elliott to prevent trouble between her and the housekeeper and to make a friend and ally of Abena. She had helped with the daily chores in the house and yard. The furniture and floors required frequent polish to prevent them from drying out in the equatorial heat. There were meals to be prepared, dishes to be washed, and laundry to be done. The cloth mesh screens were changed and washed when they were cluttered by the dead insects who had tried to get into the house.

Leigh had tried to help clean Jace’s office and bedroom, but Abena always refused and locked the doors while doing her tasks there. Leigh knew one reason for keeping her out of the office: she had sighted a rack of weapons on the wall. Leigh hoped no incriminating papers or letters from Brandon Elliott or William Webster were present anywhere. She also hoped no copy of the strange codicil was in his possession. She wished she knew whatever truth lay behind those sealed doors. Yet perhaps nothing more than weapons and his privacy were being safeguarded by the stubborn housekeeper.

The yard demanded much attention to keep the jungle vegetation from creeping into it and taking control. She had learned quickly that the jungle constantly attempted to recover any ground stolen from it. She enjoyed being outside and working in the area mostly shaded by large trees with persistent vines, colorful and melodious birds, and playful monkeys who chattered noisily when disturbed by her presence.

The same was true of the coffee fields. Workers from the Kikuyu village labored daily to keep back vines and weeds that would strangle the bushes if given a chance. Every week, the healthy shrubs required trimming and shaping. Leigh often watched the native workers through the iron fencing, as she was not permitted outside the high walls and locked gate.

She was eager to walk through the coffee fields and learn about Jace’s business. She wondered why coffee beans were called cherries, and why a crop took years to produce. She wanted to know why he was intrigued by this time and energy consuming crop and by living in a secluded jungle. He had moved here long before his trouble with the London law. Didn’t he find such an existence lonely and demanding? Was he still pining over the loss of Joanna Harris? Was more than the criminal charges against him imprisoning him here? Was he still tormented by Joanna’s betrayal with Chad?

That thought pained Leigh. Neither man had told her about Joanna Harris. Both men, as if a conspiracy, had held silent to prevent her from learning why they would battle over her. Was Joanna one of those secrets Jace had promised to reveal later?

Leigh did not want to think about the two devious men and their lies, or the woman who had broken Jace’s heart, or Chad’s vile seduction, or the possible peril—emotional and physical—she now confronted.

Leigh jumped from the swing where she had been cooling herself after yardwork. She went inside to take a bath and to change clothes. She prepared everything, then soaked for a long time.

One day she had traced the tub drain to learn the buried pipe crossed the backyard, passed under the towering wall, and dumped into the jungle. She reluctantly had admitted how clever Jace was.

As Leigh dried herself, she also confessed how miserableshewas. Despite her anxiety and doubts, she was eager for Jace’s arrival. She wanted to discuss everything with him. She needed to learn what he had in mind with this abduction. With her.

Leigh went into her room and found Abena there. Her possessions from the safari camp were being unpacked, sorted into clean and dirty clothes, items to be put away, and belongings to be repaired.

“Where did you get these?” Leigh inquired, lifting her brush and fingering a book she’d been reading.

“Thiku brought from Bwana Jace.”

“Why didn’t you ask him to wait so I could speak to him? Where is Jace? What is happening?”

“Others believe you dead, buried at village,” Abena revealed to the distressed female. “They on way to Mombasa to leave on big boat. Bwana Jace be home in two, three weeks.”

“Did Jace send a message, a note, to me?”

“Nothing. Others gone downriver. They believe Bwana Jace.”

“But how can they believe I’m dead and buried?” Leigh argued. “Uncle Chad is too smart to be fooled. He would demand to see my body. How could Jace pull off such a trick? I don’t understand.” Leigh was angry with Jace for not sending her an explanation.

Thiku had related most of the tale to the housekeeper, but the woman did not feel it was her duty or right to reveal it. Abena had been told of Leigh’s perils and of Jace’s feelings for the white girl. One of his most trusted bearers, Jace had exposed his daring scheme to Thiku, who had related it to the loyal Abena. Jace had sent word to the stout woman, telling her to take good care of Leigh but to watch the white girl closely for mischief and attempted escape.

Abena shrugged. To avoid a lie, she did not answer.

“Damn him!” Leigh declared. “He can’t do this to me. If I’m believed dead, Uncle Chad will take over my business. He and his mother will get control of my money and possessions. They’ll tell Aunt Jenna I’m dead. My friends will think I’m dead. This is cruel, Abena, mean and heartless. You cannot be a part of it. Please help me. I must get word home that I’m alive and well.”

From blind loyalty and love for her employer, Abena refused. “I sorry. No can do.”

In desperation, Leigh reasoned, “What if an enemy captured Ka’arta and convinced everyone she was dead? What if relatives took your daughter’s money and belongings? Wouldn’t her family and friends suffer? Wouldn’t Ka’arta be terrified and angered? What if someone could help Ka’arta escape or send word home, but refused because she was loyal to the enemy who was holding Ka’arta prisoner?”

The woman did not change her mind, but did admit, “It sad, but must be this way. Bwana Jace not do evil. He has reason to steal you and trick others. When he come home, he tell you.”

“He doesn’t have to tell me. I know why: he gets half of my inheritance and revenge if I’m dead.” There was no need to ask the loyal woman about Joanna.

~*~

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