Page 136 of Seduced

“What brings you to Ceylon?” Anthony asked with genuine interest.

Bernard had had three months to weave plausible tales of why he was in the Indies. He had a facile tongue and quite enjoyed piling one lie on top of another. Living by one’s wit provided both excitement and satisfaction. “I’m thinking of investing in a plantation. A friend of mine, Adam Savage, has a place called Leopard’s Leap, on the market.”

“Oh, Lord, I wish I had the resources to buy the place. I’m over there nearly every day. It covers over twenty thousand acres and I swear every plant flourishes. The crops are abundant because it’s been nourished with love and care for a decade. It’s not just the things that are grown, even the people thrive at Leopard’s Leap.”

The expression upon Eve’s face did not change, but her mind raced about. So, Savage was selling the place after all. Obviously he must have decided his future lay in London. The question was, would he return for her? Actually, the longer he stayed away, the richer she became. In the months since he had departed she regularly used his ship to sell valuable cargoes in Canton. Her connection with Raja Singh and his whole household had proved invaluable. They were so addicted to hunting, they had five hundred beaters;

Eve found a ready market in Canton for almost anything they captured dead or alive. The jackal had a small horn on its skull covered by hair. It brought a high price because it was considered a magic charm that restored men’s potency. Birds, too, were a good source of income. Toucans and parrots were caged, peacocks and egrets were valuable only for their feathers. Even snakes brought in money; pythons for their exotic skins, cobras for snake and mongoose fights. Civet cats provided musk glands and leopard provided exotic spotted pelts. She did not hesitate to take ivory tusks from the Raja’s emissary. She simply marked the shipping cratesRATTAN.

On a recent visit to the mainland Eve had been introduced to Sir John Macpherson. England’s Prime Minister Pitt had appointed him to India after his invaluable service in America during the War of Independence. She had had him eating out of her hand and had invited him to come for a visit to Ceylon. She knew he would come. He was the sort of man who really appealed to her. He was predictable, he was also an earl. Eve smiled a secret smile. Second Earl Cornwallis. He had surrendered to Washington at Yorktown, and if she chose, he would surrender to Eve at Ceylon.

Her mind came back to her present guest and she found herself wondering what he would be like in bed. Not easily controlled, she thought shrewdly.

Anthony and Bernard were making plans to ride over to Leopard’s Leap.

“The man the Company put in charge is called Denville. I’ll introduce you to him. He’s really a decent fellow. He admitted freely I couldn’t learn much about tea and rubber from him, that it’s the Tamils who have the expertise, so I learn by watching them. It’s absolutely fascinating.”

Eve caught Bernard’s eye. “Enthusiasm is quite out of style, but my son doesn’t seem to care. One-day I expect him to take up residence over there.”

“Well, I must have caught his enthusiasm. I can’t wait to explore this legendary Leopard’s Leap and learn the secrets of its success.”

“It will take weeks to see it all, and then beyond the plantation there is the jungle to explore,” Anthony explained.

“This time, be sure to take your gun along, darling,” she reminded her son. She put down her napkin and a servant was at her elbow immediately, holding her chair so she could arise. She glanced at Bernard. “A man isn’t much use in the Indies without a loaded gun.” The sexuality implicit in the remark was lost on Anthony as he gathered up his notes.

Chapter 43

Only a week had elapsed between the time theRed Dragondocked in Colombo and theFlying Dragonreached that port. If Bernard Lamb was there, Savage hoped to catch him by surprise. If he was not, there was no need for alarm.

When Savage boarded his East Indiaman he was pleased for once that theRed Dragonhad taken a full three months to make the voyage. He was less than pleased, however, when he learned the prisoner they transported had ruined the cargo in the hold where they had secured him. Savage cursed, wishing Bernard the bastard had met with a fatal accident on the long voyage. He decided not to tell Antonia of her ruined French fashions; she had taken such delight in choosing them. He told theRed Dragon’screw to keep their eyes skinned in Colombo, as he wouldn’t be surprised to see Bernard Lamb turn up.

When Lady Randolph saw that their baggage would have to be transported by buffalo wagons she apologized profusely to Adam for having brought so many trunks. What a fortunate inspiration it had been to include Mr. Burke, for without his strong helping hand she doubted she would ever make it to the foothills and the Lamb plantation.

Antonia treated the whole thing like a great adventure, and looking at her granddaughter, Roz had to admit she was absolutely flourishing. The long, indolent sea voyage had made her blossom, or perhaps it was simply because she was in love. Anyone looking at Adam and Antonia knew they were in love and that they had already mated. She had done her best to keep them apart, but as a result they shamelessly devoured each other with their eyes. The sooner these two were married and got on with the business of making babies, the better for everyone.

Antonia’s languor disappeared the moment she arrived in Ceylon. Everything here was completely different from England, the people, the trees and flowers, the insects, the fragrant warm air. She was filled with the anticipation of seeing her mother for the first time in over ten long years and she couldn’t wait to be reunited with her twin. But mostly she knew her excitement came from the awareness that very, very soon now, she and Adam would be man and wife.

She could hardly wait to see Leopard’s Leap, because she knew how much it meant to Adam. His plantation had been a labor of love for a decade and she knew it had become a part of him. She hoped that his adopted country and its people would find a place in her heart.

Antonia hummed and sang as the little mare Adam had bought her trotted along beside a buffalo cart, where Roz sat beneath a large parasol. Adam Savage rode at the head of the small cavalcade of wagons. For two days Antonia had only seen his wide shoulders and broad back, but it was enough to make her the happiest woman alive. She would willingly follow him to the ends of the earth.

Adam rode at a steady pace, alert and watchful for any danger or even discomfort that might befall the small party in his care. He was not looking forward to the confrontation with Eve. The situation would be awkward from the outset. He wished he’d had the luxury of seeing her before the others arrived to settle matters so they knew where they stood, but that was impossible. The best he could do was deliver his charges to Government House, then withdraw to Leopard’s Leap so they could enjoy a family reunion. He must discreetly let Eve know he needed to see her in private.

Finally, Savage decided that in all decency he must send a dispatch with a runner to Government House to give Evelyn a few hours’ notice that her daughter and her mother were about to descend upon her. As he penned the note he thought how easy it would be to write her a letter explaining in detail why their relationship was over, but that would be the coward’s way out. He must tell her face to face, take all the blame, somehow soften the rejection. He must find the words that would save her pride. Savage did not agonize over what he had to do. They had certainly never loved each other.

Adam Savage chose the place to rest and water the animals because of its beauty. At this time of the year a waterfall made a deep pool not fifty yards from the road. In the daylight it attracted thousands of colored birds, and the wild orchids and flowering shrubs were covered with butterflies.

Antonia brought her mare to the pool’s edge so she could stand beside Adam. The sound of the water would drown out the private words they shared. “It’s like Paradise. Oh, I wish we were alone so we could bathe together.”

“Water attracts beautiful things, but it also attracts dangerous ones. Especially at sunset when wild jungle animals come to drink. Never go near water alone, darling.” He took off his shirt, dipped it in the cool water, then put it back on. “Ah, that feels so good. How are you standing up to the heat, love?”

“I don’t really mind it. I learn from you. I wear only drab cotton for traveling and tie my hair back with a leather thong as you do. I never felt less glamorous even when I dressed in Tony’s clothes, but I feel disgustingly comfortable.” She glanced back at Roz and Mr. Burke, then slipped out of her cotton shirt. When she bent forward to dip it into the cool water her lovely ripe breasts almost popped from her cotton chemise. It took every ounce of willpower Adam possessed to keep his hands from her. It had been a long time since he had been able to make love to her. When she put her wet garment back on, his desire was inflamed further. It clung to her wetly, emphasizing every luscious curve. His gaze became so intense, she knew he was fully aroused. She swayed toward him. “Your eyes are as blue as the Bay of Biscay,” she whispered sensuously.

“Stop it. Behave yourself. A young bride should be chaste.”

“You should have thought of that in Ireland when you took my innocence,” she taunted.

He reached out to lightly caress her cheek. He felt so very protective of her suddenly. “It will take me at least a year to strip you of your innocence, my beloved.”

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