“Does it go all right with this gown?” she asked.
“It makes me think of peaceful oceans, and sunken treasure ships, and magical sirens. You look absolutely stunning tonight. Every man in the room—single or married—will be aching for your company.”
She laughed softly. “You do wonders for a woman, Chad. Thank you, for the compliment and the keepsake.” As they hesitated at the stairs chatting, Louisa came to join them.
“Ready to go?” she hinted, watching Chad observe Leigh in a disturbing manner. “You look lovely. That necklace is beautiful.”
Leigh fingered it and said, “It belonged to my grandmother, so I inherited it when Grandfather died. It’s exquisite, is it not?”
“You’re lucky those ruffians didn’t steal it when they accosted you. Isn’t that the same gown you were wearing that night?”
Since Leigh knew that Chad had revealed the episode to his flame-haired lover, Leigh had also related her experience to Louisa during the voyage and asked her to keep her secret. “Yes, but it was repaired in time to bring it. along. As for this treasure, I wasn’t wearing it that terrible night. Chad passed it along to me only this afternoon.”
“How fortunate for you that he brought it with him. It’s perfect with the gown. And I like your eyes and lips.”
“Thank you for loaning the cosmetics to me. You’ll have to tell me where to order them when we return home.”
“Why don’t you simply borrow mine until November,” the redhead suggested, “then I’ll give you a whole supply for your twenty-first birthday. And Chad can throw a huge party for you. Won’t that be fun?”
“Sounds wonderful to me,” Chad declared. “You ladies ready?”
Both said, “Ready,” and they exchanged glances and laughter.
The estate at the edge of town was elegant and large: a white stucco, three-story mansion nearly surrounded by the lush greenery of wild Africa. There were about seventy guests: a mixture of Brit-ains, with a few Arabs, French, and Indians. All were either close friends or local business acquaintances of their host, Alfred Johnston, who had invited her group the moment he heard they were in Mombasa.
Music was being played in several rooms, and champagne and wine flowed. Treats had been placed here and there for guests to nibble on after the sumptuous dinner had been completed. Floral fragrances wafted through the mesh-covered windows that kept out mosquitoes and other insects. Everyone was dressed in his or her finest garments and the rooms were vivid with the array of colors from the ladies’ gowns and jewels. Men’s talk and pipe smoke drifted through the cleverly decorated areas, and women’s laughter floated through the air with them.
Leigh had danced many times, and sipped a little champagne. She was admiring a painting when her host asked her to join him for the next dance. She walked to the appropriate room and slipped into his arms. They chatted in a cordial manner as they moved about the room. Alfred Johnston was an interesting man whose company she enjoyed. She recalled seeing his name on a warehouse door at the wharf that terrible night. When she mentioned it, he explained about his export/import business.
As he spoke, she studied him. He appeared to be over fifty, with salt-and-pepper hair, and a lean body. His face was pleasant and darkly tanned from the tropical sun. He was around five feet ten inches tall, and a good dancer. She liked his heavy English accent, and notice how educated and intelligent he seemed. From what she had observed during the evening, he was happily married, and was well-liked and respected in the area. He was also very wealthy and good-humored.
Their conversation moved to the impending safari. He enlightened her on the jungle, wild beasts, natives, and African history. He warned her about harmful vegetation, insects, and snakes, and how to avoid them. She noticed how his dark eyes glowed with love and pride for his adopted land. His mood and manner were infectious, making Leigh even more eager to get her journey underway. If only their guide would arrive!
As her second dance with him ended, he suggested, “Why don’t you come into my special room and view the artwork there?”
Leigh accompanied Alfred to the rear of the mansion and into a large room whose walls were covered with magnificent paintings and artifacts. Small tables held other treasures that he had collected from Africa and around the world. She looked around, fascinated.
“Each one has a special story and adventure behind it,” he hinted.
“Please, sir, tell me all of them. Or as many as time allows,” she entreated eagerly. “What about this vase?” she asked, pointing to one with Egyptian symbols and pictures painted on it.
Before Alfred Johnston could relate any stories, a Hindu servant summoned him. “Stay here and look around if you wish. I’ll return later and fill your ears.” He excused himself and left the room.
Leigh walked to a painting of a group of lions and gazed at it.
Jace Elliott halted at the doorway and stared at the woman’s back. At last the people he was awaiting had arrived. He had begun to worry that he had been tricked into leaving London. For weeks he had stewed over this mystery and fretted over Laura’s involvement in it. He had met the most beautiful and desirable woman ever seen, only to discover she was his enemy’s ward, or so she claimed. He had met her under curious conditions that made him suspicious. The men who had attacked her were certainly not sailors! Then she had mentioned a safari during their second meeting, a safari with the man who wanted to destroy him.
Of all places in Africa, he reasoned, why would Chad come to his territory? How had this enchanting creature come to be his foe’s ward, and why had he brought her along? That bastard was up to something, and Jace needed to learn what his former friend had in mind. He suspected he was being lured into a deadly trap and this female perhaps the means to blind him to the pitfalls ahead.
He would have to thank Alfred again for including Chad’s group tonight and for agreeing to lure Laura away from the guests and her guardian. He wanted their reunion to occur in private. If he was going to learn anything from her, he had to take her off guard. Jace never doubted for a minute that Chad had come to Africa for revenge and that this female was part of Chad’s plot. But, he mused, how and where did she fit into his foe’s treacherous scheme? And was she a willing participant? The suspense had chewed on his nerves. “One never knows whom one might meet in Africa, does one, Miss Laura Leigh?” a husky voice asked from behind her.
Recognizing it instantly, Leigh whirled and gaped at the man whose vision had haunted her for over a month. He was leaning negligently against the doorjamb and grinning broadly. His brown hair was combed neatly, and he was attired for this occasion in a dashing white linen suit. The tapered coat and pants evinced his muscular physique, their snowy color enhancing his dark tan and matching his teeth. His eyes were like flaming emeralds, and she felt consumed by their roaring blaze. Her pulse and heart raced, and her breath was stolen. Joy flooded her and washed away her wits. Unable to move again, she stared at him. “I didn’t think I would ever see you again,” she murmured as her softened eyes seemed to caress him.
“Didn’t you now, my enchanting damsel in distress?” he teased, coming forward and halting within inches of her. His engulfing gaze never left her wide blue one. “I had no doubts whatsoever that we’d meet again, and again, and again,” he vowed in a tone which caused Leigh to warm and tingle. “But you made me wait too long,” he added.
Chapter Seven
“I don’t understand …” she murmured, her wits scattered by his unexpected presence and close proximity. He looked so handsome in his well-made suit, and he smelled wonderful. His smile was dazzling with those white teeth set amidst a darkly tanned face of handsome features. “I don’t even know your name or where you live. I don’t . even think I thanked you properly for your gallant rescue that first night.”
“But you did thank me, remember?” he hinted, seductively passing his tongue over his sensual lips as his fingers grazed hers lightly.
Leigh grasped his meaning and
warmed even more at the recall of the stolen kisses they had shared. She trembled at his touch and stepped backward without even knowing it. “No matter. I wish to make certain I’ve done so properly. What are you doing here?”
“Trailing you, of course,” he teased, stepping forward again.
“Isn’t that what I’m suppose to do this time?” she came back too quickly. She watched his gaze travel over her, and hesitate at her throat. She saw his green eyes narrow and chill.
Harsh memories rushed into Jace’s head. “That was the original plan. What took you so long to get here?” he demanded almost harshly. “I was about to give up on you and go home.”
Leigh noticed that the playful mischief in his gaze had shifted to an emotion she did not understand. There was a sharp edge to his voice now, and that disturbed her. She wondered why hostility and cynical accusation seemed to exude from him. She sensed a tightly leashed anger and tension coming from the man. How mercurial he could be, she decided in annoyance. Baffled and alarmed by this egnimatic stranger who evinced a streak of danger, she replied, “Our ship was in need of repairs and we were delayed for a week. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll rejoin the party.” She tried to sweep by him, but he gently caught her forearm.
He faced her. “Won’t Chad be angry if you fail to enchant me? With a little effort, Miss Leigh, it could be an easy and possibly enjoyable task. Try it. I know Chad will be pleased since he wants me here so badly. Don’t fail twice in a mission.”
Leigh looked at him in utter bewilderment. Since he was dressed for the occasion and was inside the house, he must have been invited by their host. He seemed at ease, not cautious and alert as he had been those other two times. Why had he come to Africa, and how had he wrangled an invitation to this party? And what was all this about Chad? She stared at him, then said, “I don’t follow you.”
He threw back his head and filled the room with a hearty laughter which belied his fury with William Webster for giving his mother’s most prized necklace to Chad’s ward—or for selling it to Chad to use as a seductive token. The items in his father’s safe had been special family possessions, belonging to Jace. The old man had no right to those sentimental and ancestral treasures, or to get rid of them without giving Jace the opportunity to reacquire them himself. No doubt it had been part of the settlement for those faked debts! Then, for Chad to use Laura’s lovely neck to flaunt it in his face tonight was too much of a challenge, something that demanded repayment. To make matters worse, according to the hotel desk clerk, Webster hadn’t even come with them to Mombasa. Now Chad was trying to hire him, him, to lead their safari! No doubt his ward was the bait to entrap him, since Chad had a mistress along. But, Jace mused, was her role a willing one? He had to be firm to provoke information from her. “I don’t understand. I don’t follow you,” he mocked her claims. “I warn you, Miss Leigh, don’t tempt me to alter my first impression of you. That could be a dangerous mistake,” he threatened.
Leigh gaped at the man as if he were insane. She was too stunned to jerk free and run from the room. Why, she wondered, was he threatening her, taunting her, playing crazy games with her?
“I thought you were only a beautiful woman in trouble that night in London. For your sake, I hope that’s true. If you’re under Chad’s spell, I’d advise you to break it and sail home on the first ship to America. This is no place for a delicate creature, and Chadwick Hamilton is a voracious beast who will devour a careless victim like yourself. Did you tell him about our meeting, or did he already know I was in London? Did he arrange our little encounter near the docks? Were you supposed to snare me for him?” he questioned deviously.
That burst of words clearly told Leigh the two men were not friends. As for his other questions, she was completely confused. Dismay, and a little fear, flooded her seawater eyes. She yanked her arm from his light grasp and glared at him. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, sir. How could I tell my guardian about you when you’ve never told me your name—or anything about you? He’s going to be furious that you followed me here and that you’re being so hateful. If you want to stay out of trouble, then steer clear of me. I don’t want to hear any more of your accusations.”
Leigh brushed past him and headed for the door, then she halted and turned. Something strange was going on, and she needed—wanted—to discover what was afoot. With bravery and boldness, she approached him and said, “Yes, I do want to know. What do you mean and why are you so angry?”
He focused that challenging gaze on her and asked, “Were we supposed to meet that night in London? Did Chad want us to meet and get acquainted? Were you supposed to lure me here for some reason? I know how sly Chad can be, and I know he wants me here with you.”
Leigh mistook his meaning. She recalled Chad’s words about “stunning a friend of mine.” This stranger had been dressing for dinner when he had rushed to rescue her. He had gotten angry when she mentioned Chad’s name and her dinner appointment. Could he have suspected that Chad was throwing them together, and he didn’t like it? Had their first meeting been arranged to make this man interested enough in her that he would come along with them? That would be ridiculous and dangerous. Yet she questioned, “Are you the man I was supposed to meet that night? Does Chad want you to come on safari with us? Tell me exactly what you’re accusing me of doing.”
It was Jace’s turn to be unintentionally misled by her words. She had taken a long time to come up with an answer, a bad one. “Come, Laura, don’t play more games with me. I’m here now. We both know that meeting on the wharf was no accident, and your mention of this safari wasn’t, either. The woman I rescue just happens to be Chad Hamilton’s ward. This ward just happens to mention they’re leaving Monday on safari. Her guardian just happens to want me along,” he scoffed.
“Tell the truth. It was a clever ruse to catch my attention, to get me here with you, wasn’t it? How did Chad know I was hiding there?” Cold lights glittered in his verdant gaze. A tight sneer controlled his mouth and a tic appeared along his chiseled jawline. “Well?” he demanded. “Did you lose your courage after getting a look at me? Was old Chad angry after you seemed to fail in your assignment?” he almost snarled. “I’m here now, so what do you two want with me?”
Leigh shook her head to clear her wits. “I wasn’t trying to meet you, and I didn’t tell you I was coming to Africa so you would track me here. I was trying to discourage your interest because you seemed devilish and smug, and maybe dangerous. I take it you know Chad?”
He obviously didn’t like her response. Leigh saw his furious gaze return to her necklace and linger there, growing colder and narrower by the minute. For an instant, she thought he was going to snatch it off her throat. Yet, when his gaze returned to hers, it was relaxed and enticing!
In case she might be telling the truth, Jace decided to soften his approach. “What else will you take from me, my tawny lioness?” he asked in a lazy voice.
His abrupt change took her by surprise, and she found herself gazing into those hypnotic green pools. She broke herself from their spell and queried, “Why should I want anything from a total stranger with such a quicksilver manner?”
“Well, I don’t suppose you want to come to my hotel room and retrieve your possessions. I can see you’ve already replaced them, or Chad did it for you,” he stated in an insulting tone.
Leigh’s cheeks flamed with vexation. “That is quite enough, Mr.— Whoever you are! I told you to keep them. I don’t need any reminders of that horrible night.”
“You really shouldn’t have worn such an elegant gown that night after agreeing to that little ruse with those … so-called sailors. I wondered why they gave up so quickly and easily. I imagine they weren’t paid enough to get beaten up by me, just enough to catch my interest and attention. Tell me, Laura, how far would you have gone with them while awaiting my rescue? What if I’d already left my hiding place and wasn’t there to be ensnared by your little game?”
Leigh wasn’t one
to react violently to situations, but at his implication her hand lifted before she even realized it.
He seized it in midair and pinned it behind her, bringing their bodies into intimate contact. “Temper, temper,” he teased. “Such potent fire in those entrancing eyes. So beautiful and devious. Not such a delicate lady after all. Chad has taught you well about wild perils and sweet passions. Sometimes it’s too dangerous and costly to walk a wild trail, Miss Leigh. You should retreat before it’s too late.”
“I don’t know what’s behind all this, but I don’t like it, or you! When I returned to the hotel that night, I checked the dinner invitation. It said Stems Street, not Stams, so the mistake was mine, not Chad’s. Stop accusing him and me of trying to entrap you. Our first meeting was an accident, and you arranged the second one! First, you entice me to chase you, then, you threaten me to go away. I don’t understand you, and I don’t like your behavior.”
Her defense of his enemy annoyed him. Yet he was captured by the innocence in her eyes and tone. Maybe it had been fate’s design. Her eyes seemed to freeze into chips of blue ice, warning him of her rapidly rising fury.
“Take your hands off of me this instant. If there’s a problem between you and my guardian, your quarrel does not include harassing and insulting me. I won’t respond to your absurd accusations further, except to say I honestly was attacked that night in London. No tricks were involved on my part. If you don’t release me this minute, you brute, I’ll scream very loud,” she warned.
“And spoil Chad’s plans for all of us?” he taunted, appearing not the least troubled by her threat. He started off using the crazy coincidence to provoke her into revealing something—anything—useful, then summoned a crafty ruse. When she twisted in his arms and looked ready to call out, he added, “Not to mention the humiliating scene it would create in Alfred’s home. You’ll ruin the party and start a lot of nasty gossip. Naturally I’ll announce it’s a lover’s spat. After all, we met secretly twice in London. If Chad didn’t sic you on me, he’ll be most vexed and intrigued by that news. Shall we tell him?”
Whispered Kisses Page 12