Whispered Kisses

by Taylor, Janelle

  She had vowed she would never do this, not even if he was “the only guide in all of Africa.” But she was provoked, challenged, trapped. “As Chad explained, I believe the demand is for me to beg you to be our guide and to make a bet with you. All right, Jace. Will you please be our guide? Is one thousand pounds enough to wager?”

  Jace grinned in relief. “Indeed, you are brave and unselfish. I like the way you yield without cowering. Yes, my enchanting lioness, I’ll be your guide through the African wilds. Nothing would please me more than getting to know you better. As for your wager, I’m sure a thousand pounds was Chad’s suggestion. He craves money and power, but I don’t. All I need is enough money to live on, and I earn plenty for that. You did say, anything last night,” he reminded her.

  Leigh looked baffled, worried. She studied this moody and mysterious man who had been thrust into her life and heart. She wanted to get to know him better. In fact, she wanted him, period. “If you don’t want to bet money, what do you have in mind?”

  “Winner’s choice, Miss Webster,” he announced.

  Leigh stared at him. “That covers a large territory, Jace.”

  “Anything your heart desires that I own or can get.” He added mirthfully, “Legally, please. I’m in enough trouble with the law as is.”

  Leigh’s heart fluttered. “Anything? As you warned me once, that could be a costly and dangerous mistake.”

  “But you must confess, it will be exciting, and profitable for one of us. My offer stands: anything I own,” he asserted with an air of nonchalance. He waited to see if he would receive any clues to Chad’s guileful trip. Was Leigh aiding Chad’s plot? She looked so innocent and honest. Joanna had appeared to be both but had proven she was neither. He could be wrong about Leigh, too, but prayed he wasn’t. “Well?” he hinted. “You don’t plan on losing to me on purpose, do you? So what difference does it make?” he teased.

  A big difference, she concluded. “I don’t plan on losing, period. If I do, what prize do you want? Part of Webster International?”

  “No, I’m happy in the coffee and safari businesses. If textiles interested me, I would have joined my father’s firm years ago.”

  “Then, what do you want from me as a prize, if you win?”

  “Need you ask?” he murmured with an engaging grin. He moved closer to her and captured her gaze with a stronger hold. He lifted her hand and turned it over to kiss her palm, then each fingertip. He was glad she did not look or pull away. Jace felt her tremble, and he was aroused, too. Her hands were soft but .chilled—a sign of tension. Her respiration had increased—a mark of nervousness and desire. He doubted Chad affected her this way.

  He loved just being near her. She was easy to talk with and comfortable to be around. This woman wasn’t false or flirtatious. She was exquisite, a prize to win and value and defend, a prize he craved. He admitted to himself how strongly she affected him, and how much he wanted her. She was someone to share everything with, when the time was right. But he had to be certain she was as genuine, direct, and honest as she alluded to being, which would take time and effort. From observing his parents’ and other couples’ relationships, he knew physical attraction wasn’t enough to bond a man and woman together, not the way they should be.

  “Even if it was unintentional, you’ve tempted and tormented me, Leigh, so you have to know what I want from you.” His fingers trailed over her cheeks and lips as he disclosed in a husky tone, “If someone wants to really enjoy it, a special treasure can’t be taken by deceit or force. It must be surrendered willingly or it’s meaningless. Ever since that night in the alley, you’ve haunted me day and night like a golden ghost. In my present predicament and exile, I have little opportunity for romance. Since time is short, I’m afraid I have to be impulsive and forward. The plain truth is, I want you, woman.”

  Leigh was stunned. He certainly was direct! His jungle-green eyes were alive with passion and the thrill of heady adventure. Lordy, he was tempting, and she was too susceptible. His fingertips stroked her cheek. She was moved by his touch and words, yet she was uneasy. Why didn’t he want to win his father’s firm or the equivalent in money? Did he think winning those would be easy after seducing her? Did he want—need—vengeance against the Websters and Chad first? Did he see her as a path to victory? Surely he sensed how vulnerable and receptive she was to him. Leigh pushed his distracting hand into his lap. She had to think clearly, if that was possible with him so near. “That’s a mighty big wager on my part, Mr. Elliott. Of all women available, why do you want me—an inexperienced girl—as your lover? Besides, I couldn’t even stay behind as your mistress and ruin my reputation. Chad would be so furious he would resign and leave me in a barrel of trouble. I can’t become your lover on a crazy bet.”

  She misunderstood his meaning, and Jace knew he must let her do so for a while. If he demanded a future marriage, she might panic, and a marriage might be impossible for a long time given his situation. Yet he had to discover her feelings today. “I want you, Leigh Webster, not another woman,” he stated simply. He locked their gazes. “Once this safari is over and we’ve become good friends, I want you to spend your last night here with me, all night. I would love to wager more time, but I know that’s impossible. Whatprize do you crave, Leigh?”

  Her gaze slipped over his muscular, virile frame. Her keen eyes took in his attractive features, that alluring smile, his potent appeal. At least he was honest about his interest in her, but could she agree to one passionate night in his arms and bed when she wanted so much more from him? Yet that one night could lead to something more valuable and permanent if she lost the bet. No, she couldn’t lose, so why not agree? What should she play for: the plantation, money, or him? She knew how he valued his freedom. His grin was so smug. He was demanding her all, so why shouldn’t she do the same? She heard herself say, “The price will be you, Mr. Elliott, total possession.”

  It was Jace’s turn to be stunned. “That would make our wagers the same,” he ventured. “There wouldn’t be a loser or a winner. Of course, I’m not complaining, but Chad surely will.”

  “No, our wagers are not the same,” she corrected him. “If you lose, you exonerate yourself, marry me, and move to London.” She Witnessed the disbelief in his gaze as she continued. “If I win and Chad deserts me, you’ll be there to run the firm for me. Surely you learned the business from your father, so it shouldn’t be a problem. As far as my guardian knows, our wager will be for a thousand pounds. Another thing, you must give your word of honor you won’t do anything intentional either to make me lose this bet or to help me win it. Agreed?”

  Jace wondered what she was up to with this provocative and incredible proposal, even though marriage had been his original idea. But why wed him, a near stranger and alleged criminal, when she had her choice of men? Was she trying to lure him into danger in England? That was the only way to exonerate himself. Did she think he would refuse her terms and say to forget the wager? He tested her feelings for, and loyalty to, his foe by saying, “If you lose, I get you for a night and get even with Chad. If you win, I still get even with Chad. Either way, I’ll profit. But how will you benefit from winning? What debt do you owe me that has to be paid with a sacrifice? Clearing myself can’t mean this much to you, even if I saved your life. And you can have this quarry anytime you want him, my daring predator.”

  Leigh ignored his generous offer. “Why do you need to get even with Chad? What happened between you two?”

  “It’s an old quarrel, a private one. Why don’t you ask him?”

  “I did,” she confessed. “He’s as quiet about it as you are. Why the big secret, Jace? How bad could it be?”

  “One day I’ll tell you all about it, but not now.”

  She persisted. “But I need to understand so I won’t get entangled in this mess. How would you get even through our wager?”

  “Either way, Chad would lose you.” She looked puzzled. “Don’t fool yourself, Leigh. He wants you as badly a
s I do, but not for the same reasons. I guarantee you’ll be better off with me.”

  Leigh fretted over the fact he had revenge in mind, and that she might have misread him and his “reasons.” If Jace was willing to marry her or become her lover immediately, why withhold something so important? The past had to be significant, since both men were so affected by it. Since neither would talk, both had to be involved equally.

  Jace couldn’t tell her yet about Joanna’s conquest or Chad’s wild charges of treachery and betrayal. Added to the trouble he was in already, it would darken his image too much. If the truth came out, Chad would try his damndest to convince her Jace only wanted revenge because of Joanna. Jace knew if he held silent, Chad would, too; the man wouldn’t confess freely and paint himself black. He glanced at the alert blonde. Leigh needed to get to know him and trust him before she would accept his claims of innocence on all accusations. “You need a husband this badly for some reason, or is this a joke?”

  “No, I don’t need a husband for any reason, but your freedom is the most valuable possession you own, just as what I’ll have to gamble is mine. Since you insisted on my plea for your guidance and this bet, I have to strike where it hurts the most.”

  At her playful attempt to unsettle him, he chuckled. “How could it possibly hurt me to marry the beautiful, enchanting, and wealthy Laura Leigh Webster, a woman I desire like crazy? Too, it would keep Chad from getting you. It’s a great deal. But the truth is, I want you far more than I crave revenge.”

  Leigh knew she had wagered rashly. She could not understand what had gotten into her. At any moment she had expected him to halt this madness, but he hadn’t. Yet, if he could clear himself, he would have done so by now, so she had nothing to fear.

  Jace tested her. “It’s a very tempting wager, Miss Webster: me against a glorious African night with you. But if I lost, I might not survive in London for you to collect your winnings. Then, we both lose. Yet that’s a risk I should be willing to take.”

  Leigh paled and stared. “You aren’t serious?” Jace grinned. “You can’t be.” His grin broadened, then he chuckled. “This sport has gone far enough. Let’s get down to real business.”

  Jace laughed at her anticipated reaction. “Coward,” he taunted. “Already admitting your defeat? Or simply regretting your reckless demand? Tell me, Leigh, which do you fear most: winning or losing? And why are you so set on me clearing myself? Don’t you think I’ve tried? Don’t you realize how dangerous that can be?”

  “You don’t strike me as a quitter, and you’ve taken that risk before. That is why you were in London recently, wasn’t it? Maybe I can help. Maybe I can hide you while you search for evidence.”

  He was intrigued, and suspicious. “Why would you do that?”

  “You saved my life, Jace, and you also took another risk to return my locket. Most of all, I like you and I think you’re innocent. I want you cleared so you can get rid of your bitterness and stop being a prisoner here. That has to be frustrating.”

  He was moved deeply. “Why does any of that matter to you?”

  She laughed and jested, “How else can you track and pursue me?”

  “It hasn’t been a problem for me yet,” he retorted merrily. “How much did Chad tell you about my trouble in London?”

  She related what she knew about it. “As you can see, not much, so what did he leave out?”

  Jace exposed a few facts to see how she took them. “I’m not guilty, and neither was my father. We were cleverly framed. Who, how, and why, I don’t know. The two witnesses are gone, but the evidence is still on file. The authorities have enough proof to arrest me and question me if I step foot in England, but not enough to pursue me here and charge me. If I turned myself in, I would be stupid, because I have no alibi, and no proof I wasn’t involved. Circumstantial evidence would do me in. Frankly, I don’t intend to die for crimes I didn’t commit. Somehow I have to prove my father was framed and murdered and prove I wasn’t involved. I can’t do that dead or in prison.”

  “Or from Africa, Jace. Who stood, or stands, to gain from destroying you and your father?” Leigh asked in a serious tone. “Who hates you that much?” His response was one she didn’t want to hear.

  “Your grandfather and Chad Hamilton. With Stokely burned out and killed, my father blamed and destroyed, and me helpless—they got everything, a near monopoly, lots of money and power. And Chad got revenge. Then, Leigh Webster was thrown into my path.”

  “That explains why you were so suspicious of me and our meeting. After sneaking into London, you rescue a woman to learn she’s connected to the two men you’ve come to investigate. Then, she mentions a trip to your territory. I’ll admit it sounds odd. But those are pretty wild charges against my family, Jace.”

  He agreed, and wondered why she wasn’t furious. “No wilder than the ones I’m accused of, and you did ask for the truth. My father didn’t kill himself, Leigh. He didn’t commit arson and murder. He didn’t write that letter to me, at least not willingly. I have to learn the truth and punish whoever is responsible. I honestly think it was William Webster and Chadwick Hamilton.”

  To her, he appeared sincere at this moment. “How could they possibly have done such an evil thing?” she refuted. “You can run a man out of business without murder and arson. Or you can burn out a rival like Stokely and foreclose on another one’s debts, as Grandfather could have done with Brandon Elliott. You’re talking about cold-blooded murder, possibly two of them. My grandfather wouldn’t do that. Besides, they were friends, and partners in new ventures.”

  “Who told you that?”

  “How would you know if it’s true or false? Chad said you’d been gone since you were eighteen, and you’ve only visited a few times. Did you know my grandfather? Did you have any connections to him?”

  Jace didn’t grasp the purpose of her last two questions. “I received letters and cables from my father. Sure he was in debt to Webster, but they weren’t partners. As for being friends, I’ll admit my father liked and respected Webster, and thought he felt the same about him. He also believed he could trust him; that’s why he accepted the loan. As for me, I didn’t know Webster or have any dealings with him.”

  His answer left Leigh even more confused about the codicil, if Jace was being honest. It also made her doubts about her grandfather resurface. “What if there was someone else who wanted Stokely out of the way, or your father, or both?” she speculated. “Or what if that person simply needed someone to blame or an explanation for the death of one of them? Perhaps the guilty person simply used your father’s note to keep you away so you couldn’t unmask him. There are other possibilities and suspects, Jace. Don’t you think you’ve been away too long to know about them? Aren’t you allowing Grandfather’s takeover and your feud with Chad to color your judgment? Chad told me you were planning to use the earnings from your last crop to pay off that loan. Was it destroyed by foul play?”

  “Nope, just disease.” He was impressed by her wits but her words didn’t change his mind.

  “Then they aren’t responsible for your father being unable to settle his debt with them. Surely you don’t expect a businessman to write off a bad investment because of a client’s tragic death. If you hadn’t lost your crop, the loan would have been repaid.”

  “Not for another year. I was hoping Webster would be here now so I could question him about that loan and what happened.”

  “I’m sorry he didn’t get to make this trip. It could have been good for both of you. Chad said he was very depressed after your father’s death. It’s a shame you didn’t get to see him before he died in December. I’m sure he could have explained everything.”

  He sensed more in her words than she was telling. “Why?”

  Leigh didn’t detect any revealing reaction to her probing. “So you could get rid of these suspicions. It isn’t good to hate and be bitter for so long. Why won’t you or Chad tell me what happened between you years ago? If you believe he would go
to such lengths for revenge, it must have been something awful.”

  “I’ll tell you the whole story while I’m collecting my bet. I wouldn’t want what happened so long ago to color your judgment of me, and it would. I am going to win, Leigh, be assured of that.” He sighed deeply and flexed his taut body. “I didn’t want to get into my troubles today, but we’ve been discussing them at great length. We can’t solve anything, especially here, as you said earlier.” He smiled and said, “Perhaps I will entice your help one day. Let’s get back to a matter we can solve. What you’re asking is to my benefit, so you’ll have to select another prize. How about my plantation?”

  He was refusing to wager himself and she wondered if that meant he only wanted her virtue as a vengeful prize. Since she wasn’t going to lose, why not let him enjoy that stimulating fantasy? “That would leave you with nothing after I win,” she stated, allowing the other matter to drop for now.

  “You’re risking a lot, so I should, too. Although marriage to you is quite tempting, woman, I can’t honestly gamble with something I don’t know I can do. We both realize I might never be able to clear myself, and I couldn’t move to London. I love Africa; I belong here. Do we have a deal?”

  For some reason her grandfather had felt he owed this man. With cunning and daring, she could settle that curious debt now. She had an enormous amount of money and property, so she could venture part of it. Chad had said he needed money … “In all seriousness, no more games or tests, I’ll wager one-third of all I own. If you win, you can use your earnings to hire investigators to clear you while you remain safe at home.”

  Jace was astonished; he knew what the Webster empire must be worth. “I’d rather have you for a night,” he bartered.

  “How can you turn down so much money and the power it carries? Chad said you lost your crop and it takes years to nurture another one.”