Page 95 of In the Heat of the Jungle

Those discoveries convinced Leigh he was telling the truth. “Chad was fooled because I told him our wager was a trick. He implied you were a threat to me. He said he loved me and he proposed. He offered to sign a legal document giving up any claim to my holdings. He sounded sincere, almost desperate to convince me of his love. I said a lot of things to fool him. I used my feminine charms, and I said bad things about you. I didn’t trust either of you, and I was stalling you both until I could leave for America. He didn’t get me on his side, Jace, but he did turn me against you, with good reason. He told me about the wager between you two. He made me read the contract, including the extra five thousand for each night you spent with me. He burned his copy to prove he wouldn’t try to claim any winnings from you. Did you collect the twenty thousand pounds for your four nights with me as you wagered with Chad? Twenty-five, if you count that first time in Mombasa.”

“What are you talking about? That wasn’t part of our deal. I would never agree to such a wicked term.”

Leigh related what she had read in Chad’s contract. Jace fetched his copy, and the truth came to light.

“So, that’s how he made me a bastard in your eyes. I’m sorry you learned about the wager from him. That clarifies a few things.”

“You lied to me. Duped me. Used me, and betrayed me. I … trusted you. I gave everything to you. Why, Jace? Why wasn’t it enough? Why did revenge on Chad mean more to you than I did?”

“You were enough, Leigh. I was willing to forget the past just to have you. Until I discovered you were lying to me. That day you and Chad had that long talk, I was spying on you two, but I couldn’t hear what was being said. After you left Chad in the clearing, he raced after you, and the two of you halted near my hiding place. He swore his love and offered to do anything to prove himself to you. You agreed to consider his proposal. I heard you tell him to remember his promise to keep the truth from me, as you had. You said it had been difficult at times not to tell me everything and get the past cleared up, as you didn’t know how I would deal with such facts. You said: ‘We came here to study him, and we have. He doesn’t know anything, so we’re safe.’ Chad replied: ‘I’m relieved that you’ve kept what your grandfather did a secret. If he knew, Jace would kill us both.’ You told him I trusted you and desired you, that ‘Mr. Jace Elliott isn’t hard to fool.’ Those words were burned into my memory, Leigh. When we talked in Mombasa, and other times, you claimed you had no knowledge of why Chad came here, but your own words exposed you. Isn’t it time for the truth between us? Was William Webster involved in those charges against me? Is that what you’re hiding from me? You’re condemning me to a life of exile and dishonor to protect a dead man’s name and your inheritance?”

Leigh was astonished and dismayed to learn that Jace had heard those incriminating words, words used only to fool Chad. She had to make him understand and believe her. “If Grandfather and Chad were responsible for those crimes, I know nothing about it. We came here to enjoy a safari. At least I was led to believe so. But we did want to learn something from you. It’s the same reason Chad wants you killed. Obviously there was a deadly plot against us; I was too naive and distracted to see it or to believe your charges. Now I understand why you changed and acted so oddly toward me. I’ll tell you the whole story. What I wanted to glean from you during the safari and our talk at the hotel was why Grandfather left half of his estate to Jace Elliott in case of my death. I wanted to know if you knew about such a strange codicil. Since my inheritance includes money and possessions taken from your family, I wanted to know if you would kill me to collect it.”

She paused before stressing, “You see, Fiona gets half and you get half, and Chad doesn’t inherit. At least, not until his mother dies. I didn’t exactly lie to you about that part. That’s why I was so shocked at Mr. Johnson’s party to discover the man I had been dallying with was the Jace Elliott in Grandfather’s will. That’s why I wondered if you had been trailing me in London for criminal reasons. After I got to know you, I trusted you. By then, I was afraid to tell you. Every time I was going to be honest, something happened to silence me. I’m sorry, Jace. It was so confusing. What do you mean to my grandfather? What debt does he owe you? What was your connection to him? Did you know about the will? Are you planning to collect your half before I’m proven alive?”

Jace jumped up and stalked. “You’re serious?” he halted and asked. When she nodded, he declared, “This is crazy! What’s going on?”

“As of my death, which you’ve cleverly arranged and pulled off, Jace Elliott owns half of my worth: the estate, companies, money, everything. So, you see, I’m valuable to you dead. You don’t have to risk your life by going to England to claim your half. You can contact the law firm from Mombasa. Chad will be shocked to discover you’re alive and demanding payment of your share. That’s why he hired Jim Hanes to kill you.”

Leigh entreated, “You can’t allow them to take everything by letting them think we’re both dead. Fiona goes through money faster than a bullet leaving a pistol. At least cable them you’re alive.”

Leigh had to settle another deception. “You have quite a decision to make. Do you truly get rid of me, claim half my wealth, and go after your true love? Or do you let me live and pay off my wager, then release me? Joanna still haunts you, doesn’t she? If you can forgive her for yielding to Chad, you might be able to win her back and live happily ever after.”

Jace reacted by ceasing all movement and staring into her misty eyes. “Are you surprised I know about your lost love?” Leigh asked. “Louisa told me how Chad took Joanna Harris away from you. She said you bought this home for her, but she betrayed you and didn’t marry you. She became one of Chad’s conquests. He hates you for that trouble in South Africa, and you hate him for stealing your love. What a misguided and wicked pair you make. Louisa said you wanted to punish Chad for stealing Joanna by stealing me from him. Is it true?”

“When did Louisa tell you about Joanna?”

“That last day, during our little confrontation.” Leigh repeated their entire conversation.

“That bitch! She told us part of your talk, but she left out plenty and the whole truth. Lordy, what you must have been thinking and feeling all these weeks. I’m sorry, Leigh. I should have told you everything long ago. Yes, I loved Joanna Harris; I still do.” Jace witnessed the anguish in Leigh’s eyes. He went to sit beside her and held her hands in his.

“Joanna Harris is my stepsister. My father married Catharine Harris when Joanna was six and I was fifteen. She was a little sister to me. While I was working here on the plantation, Joanna’s fiancé dropped her for another woman. She was crushed and humiliated. While she was in that vulnerable condition, the charming Chad seduced her. She moved in with him and became his mistress. She believed he loved her and was going to marry her. When I went to London to bring her here to recover, I found her living with that bastard. We fought, and I was jailed for almost beating him to death. He paid guards and prisoners to harass me every day and night. Joanna refused to see me. She disappeared right after Father’s death. I think she knows Chad was involved. He’s looked for her and I’ve looked for her. Catharine lives in Scotland now, but she doesn’t know Joanna’s whereabouts. I visited Catharine before I met you in London. If Joanna knows what Chad did, she’s in danger, and she could help exonerate me.”

“You think Chad wants to kill her to silence her?”

“Yes, but he can’t find her. I can’t either. The reason I was in London was to see Lord Salisbury. It’s due to him I haven’t been arrested. He’s stayed the law and has men from Scotland Yard searching for my stepsister and trying to prove me and Father innocent. Two witnesses against us are dead. Chad isn’t one to leave loose ends. Joanna is still alive because she’s written to me a few times over the years. Somebody mails letters for her from different ports, so I can’t track her. She’s hiding something, Leigh, and she’s afraid. That night in the garden, I was waiting around to see Salisbury. He left town before I could reach him. I had to sail the next morning to beat you here. That’s why I didn’t know about William’s sudden death or who you are.”

“What about Grandfather’s will? I don’t understand it. Neither does Chad.”

“Neither do I. He and Father were friends, but he didn’t know me. If he was involved in Father’s frame—and mine—that could explain why he felt guilty and made retribution before he died. If he wasn’t, and discovered Chad was, that would explain his curious decision, too. Since he’s dead, we’ll never know the truth. He could have left Fiona included because he didn’t know about her and Reid, or to keep them from getting suspicious and angry. We don’t have any evidence against Chad, except for what Johi overheard. It’s Lord Hamilton’s word against an alleged criminal’s and his best friend’s. I don’t even know if we can have Reid and Fiona investigated and arrested. Hopefully that cable will incriminate them. Maybe we can unmask Cynthia and Louisa. I hate for any of them to get away with this.” Jace looked at Leigh. He smiled. They had talked enough about such terrible matters. “Did I tell you how beautiful you look? Was your outfit supposed to appease my temper and distract me?”

Leigh laughed. “Abena gave me several sarongs. They’re comfortable and cool in this steamy climate … I’ve missed you, Jace.”

He pulled her into his arms. “And I’ve missed you, woman. After what you’ve been through, this isn’t the best time to complete my confession, but I love you.”

Leigh leaned away to look into his eyes. She smiled and refuted. “It’s the best time in the world, Jace, because I love you, too. What a complicated mess we’re in. How will we get out of it?”

“By getting married, if you’ll agree.”

Her pulse raced. “Marry you?”

“That is what I wanted to wager but realized it wasn’t the right time. I was a fool not to tell you that was my intention all along. I wanted time to win your love and trust. When I feared I didn’t have them and wouldn’t have a chance to get them, I had to act boldly and rashly. I know I don’t have the right to ask you to marry a criminal and exile yourself here with me, but I can’t help myself. As long as Chad thinks we’re dead, he can’t stop us. I wanted to clear my name before offering it to you, but that might be impossible. I love you, Leigh, and I can’t imagine spending the rest of my life without you. As soon as I prove myself to you, will you—”

Her fingers on his lips halted his remaining words. “You don’t have anything to prove, Jace. I believe you; I was only confused for a time. I don’t care about the past or those charges against you. I don’t care if having you costs me my entire inheritance. I love you, and I want to marry you. Name the date and place.”

“Abena told me the Protestant missionary will be in the village in a few days. Is that too soon?”

“Not soon enough. What shall we do until then?”

---