Whispered Kisses

by Taylor, Janelle

  Reid Adams wiped more red dust from his sharp features and touslled his brown hair. “How is the chase going?” he asked.

  Chad smiled dreamily and replied, “Better than expected.”

  Reid observed the black-haired man and realized Chadwick Hamilton was under Leigh Webster’s spell. He glanced at the returning and genially chatting Leigh and Jace, then thought, You’re fooling yourself, old boy. Jace has her hooked already. When you realize you’ve lost to him, love her or not, you’ll kill them both.

  Chapter Eleven

  The train halted. Leigh’s suspense and anticipation increased.

  “Jambo, Bwana Jace,” Jim’s men greeted him.

  “Jambo,” he echoed and smiled broadly. He asked if everything was prepared.

  “Ndiyo” came the affirmative response.

  When Jim Hanes’s men questioned his whereabouts, Jace told them, “Hanes aliumia mguu”. “Hanes hurt his leg.” Jace had hired a few of Jim’s men who had been awaiting their boss’s arrival in Mombasa. The fact the other guide had made the necessary arrangements for a safari caused confusion in Jace’s mind about a possible deceit. Of course, it could have been done to throw off suspicion.

  “Safiri saloma. Subira,” the train guard told them, which meant, “Have a safe trip. Take it easy.”

  “Hakkuma mattata. Kwaheri. Asante, rafiki,” Jace responded, which translated, “No problems. Goodbye. Thanks, friend.”

  Everyone gathered nearby while their baggage was unloaded. Leigh could not count the number of bearers, but it looked to be around sixty. The dark-skinned men efficiently packed their burdens and hoisted them abovehead. The train blasted its whistle and began to back away from the large group to return to Mombasa.

  Leigh observed her lover as he gave orders and made plans. Jace was attired in a four-pocket jacket in khaki, with matching pants that displayed huge bellows pockets on his muscled thighs. He was wearing brown boots, and he placed a felt hat on his head. He had used it often, and it had lost much of its strength and shape. A holster with a Mauser .44 caliber pistol was secured about his waist.

  Her gaze shifted to the other men in their party. Chad and Reid were dressed nearly alike in khaki pants, dark boots, water-resistant pith helmets, and Bombay shirts. The shirt of cotton had first become popular in British India because it was soft, airy, and comfortable. Chad’s was blue and matched his eyes, while Reid’s was khaki. Both men looked rugged and handsome, and very much at ease.

  Leigh glanced at the whispering women. Louisa and Cynthia were also attired in similar garments: they looked sleek and relaxed in their khaki drill skirts and well-made jackets. They quickly donned their “topees”—pith helmets—to ward off the sun.

  Leigh was wearing a six-gore skirt in Egyptian cotton with a matching shirt. It was tailored to fit, yet its bottom flare allowed graceful and easy movement. The skirt reached the tops of her brown boots. She, too, put on her helmet to combat the fierce sun overhead.

  Leigh longed for a bath. It was hot, and she was still covered in red dust, as were the others. She moved forward when Jace motioned to them to approach for final instructions and departure. He had already assigned them weapons, as guns were under governmental control in this land. Chad received a Lancaster shotgun; Louisa and Cynthia got Ross automatic rifles; Reid was handed a Krag-Jorgensen carbine; Leigh got a Winchester ‘94; and Jace took the Mauser carbine.

  As each examined the weapons, he said, “We’ll swap around during the safari so you’ll get familiar with all of these guns. We’ll head for the Tsoyo River first, then the Tanzania border. We should reach the Tsoyo tomorrow night, if nothing goes wrong and you all keep up. I sent a runner ahead to have boats waiting to pick us up. We’ll make our first main camp near the border. I want to remind you not to drink unboiled water or to forget your daily quinine tablets. Don’t bathe your feet in mudholes or go without boots. We have troublesome chiggers, ticks, and hookworms that’ll drive you crazy. If I give the order to halt and stand still, do it immediately. You never can tell when we’ll encounter an irritable beast. I’ve gone over the laws, rules, and regulations about hunts, so stick to them. Anyone breaking or abusing them gets sent back. Understand?”

  After they all nodded, Jace added, “Walk between the bearers and keep up. Don’t interfere with their pace; they’re carrying heavy loads. If anyone gets tired or hurt, step aside and send word up the line. If you hear or see anything in the bush, don’t panic and fire. Most animals and natives usually ignore the passing of large groups. If you have your canteens and weapons ready, let’s go.”

  Jace slung his carbine over his left shoulder and took the lead. His friend, helper, and hunting-gun bearer—Wanjohi—trailed close behind, chatting swiftly in his tongue. Leigh was next in line. Ten bearers followed her. Chad and Louisa came next, with more bearers between them and the other couple. The remaining bearers stretched out behind Reid and Cynthia. It amazed her that the men could carry so much weight, along with bows and spears.

  They walked through the remaining woodlands, occasionally sighting or hearing an animal in the bush. Jace skirted most of the hills, making the trek easier for them. They passed a village where friendly Taita people observed them with interest. Grasslands soon appeared. Jace had told her this area provided the quickest changes in climate and scenery than any other in East Africa.

  As they moved along at a steady pace, Leigh studied the man ahead of her. Johi was around five eleven, slim and sleek. Except for small eyes, his features—nose, mouth, chin, and ears—were large. The Kikuyu African had short, curly hair as black as midnight. His shiny flesh was dark brown. There was an undeniable rapport, respect, and deep friendship between him and Jace. From what her lover had said, they had been together as a team for a long time, and the skilled Kikuyu was one of Jace’s most valuable assets in the wild. Attired in his native tuniclike garb of multicolored kikoi cloth, the African carried a spear and his neck was adorned with several beaded necklaces. His Mannlicher carbine was slung over one shoulder, and a bow and quiver of arrows hung over the other. Around his slender waist was a canteen of water on a rope. None of the objects or combined weight seemed even to be noticed by the alert, agile, and reserved assistant.

  Two hours later, Jace halted them near a towering termite hill to rest and to allow the group to examine it and take pictures with their new Kodak box cameras. The bearers laid aside their burdens and sat down to relax. Most, with their weapons across their laps, sipped water from makeshift canteens of gords or ostrichs’s eggs. If they were amused or fascinated by the English gentry, it did not show.

  Leigh stared at the vivid red insect home that was over twelve feet high, the color making a startling contrast amidst the lush green base. She sipped water from her canteen, then replaced it over her shoulder. She was surprised when Louisa asked to take her picture with their guide. Leigh stood beside Jace and before the tall hill. Her heart pounded with the need to touch him, to kiss him, to—

  “I’m finished,” Louisa said for the second time.

  Leigh glanced at Jace, who grinned at her distraction. She removed her helmet and mopped perspiration from her brow. “It’s hot.”

  As she twisted her hair to stuff it beneath her topee, Jace warned, “I wouldn’t do that, Leigh. Mosquitoes love soft, damp napes.”

  “Thanks for the information, Mr. Elliott,” she said merrily.

  As they headed off again, Jace found the privacy to ask Leigh, “Were you complaining about the heat back there? Rule one …”

  Leigh could not help but say, “Guilty as charged, sir.”

  At her playfulness, Jace smiled in pleasure.

  On the grasslands, they saw many animals in the distance: wildebeest, gazelle, zebra, lion, giraffe. Most browers and grazers were eating contentedly while their predators reclined in the shade of acacias and buckthorns, no doubt plotting, their next attack. The group didn’t halt to take pictures, because Jace said they would see plenty from their first campsite.
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  He pointed out a large pack of gregarious baboons and told Leigh interesting facts about their tightly knit order. He passed a caution down the line when he sighted an enormous cape buffalo. “There are five big trophies men want from here: elephant, rhino, lion, leopard, and buffalo. Each one is dangerous to track and kill. That cape buffalo there has a foul temper when disturbed. Never underestimate a wild animal. They’re clever and deadly.”

  They skirted a waterhole where wart hogs were wallowing. The African swine had large tusks that curled over their snouts, a horselike mane over their foreheads, and disfiguring protuberances on their faces. The well-trampled and muddy ground revealed that it was visited often and by many animals, as Jace pointed out to her. He motioned to a kopje, an outcropping of rocks or earth mounds.

  “The natives use kopjes, unusually shaped trees, and waterholes as landmarks and maps. If you know the signs, you can’t ever get lost.”

  They traveled a long distance before the sun lowered itself on the horizon and allowed the day to cool. Jace had given them sufficient rest stops. During one he had whispered to Leigh, “You’re strong and well-conditioned, woman. Perhaps I should start worrying about losing my plantation to you.”

  “Perhaps you should,” she had replied. “But we do have a long way and a long time to go.” “Yes, but you’ve already broken one rule.” “Not really,” she had corrected. “You failed to warn me that true conversational remarks could get me into trouble.”

  Finally Jace halted the group to make camp where several men were preparing them with a meal. While his workers labored, Chad approached Leigh and asked how she’d fared today.

  “Fine. It was hot and tiring, but fun.”

  Louisa joined them. “Isn’t this wonderful, Leigh?”

  “It’s beautiful, Louisa. Aren’t you glad we came?”

  “Without a doubt. I can’t wait to get my first trophy.”

  Something in Louisa’s gaze and tone struck Leigh as odd. Or, the blonde decided, maybe she was too skeptical now of the hot-blooded vixen who lusted for Jace and Chad. “I don’t care about taking trophies,” Leigh responded. “I just want to see everything.”

  They were called to eat. The servants had set up tables. China, crystal, and silver would adorn them at their main camp; tonight, it was eat from metal plates and drink from metal cups. They were served roasted meat, cooked vegetables, hot bread, and wine. Leigh, Chad, and Louisa sat at one table on folding chairs. Cynthia, Reid, and Jace sat at another. Johi ate with the other men not far away. Chad had wanted music during their meal from the gramophone he had brought with him, but Jace had resisted unpacking too many items along the trail. Chad had conceded, as he likewise had over the table settings.

  Tents were put up while they dined and relaxed, although it was unusual for Jace to give that gentle order on the trail. He told them he was making an exception tonight so the women could splash-bathe in the folding canvas basins and change clothes. A fire burned in the center of camp to ward off a nighttime chill and predators. Lanterns hung here and there to provide light. Supplies were stacked away from the main area, and the bearers made their camp around them to prevent loss to sneaky thieves and damage by wild animals. The eating tables were close to each other, so conversation was shared by all.

  “I should warn you women about wearing perfume,” Jace said. “It attracts worrisome insects, and it gives us away to our quarry.”

  “Surely you don’t expect us to go around dirty and smelly?” Louisa protested with a pout. “Don’t be cruel to me, Jace.”

  “You’ll have plenty of places for real baths, Miss Jennings,” Jace answered coldly.

  “Don’t be so spoiled, Louisa. We’re all enduring the same. Cynthia and Leigh aren’t complaining. You knew what to expect.”

  Louisa frowned, suspecting Chad’s remark was meant to point out Leigh’s accomplishments to Jace. “I’m only teasing, Chad.”

  “Really?” he taunted with a wide grin.

  “How far do we travel tomorrow?” Reid interrupted abruptly.

  Jace caught his ruse to prevent a quarrel. “We’ll reach the river by mid-afternoon. We’ll make good time in boats. You should be hunting in a few days. I suggest we turn in after dinner. The first few days are the hardest, getting into shape and adjusting to the trail.”

  “Sounds wonderful to me,” Louisa murmured.

  Jace stood and stretched, and kept his gaze off Leigh. “Don’t be alarmed by noises at night,” he informed them. “Many of the animals hunt and roam during darkness. They usually stay clear of campfires, but it’s best to stay inside and to lace your flaps. If there’s a problem, shout and I’ll come. We have plenty of guards.”

  Everyone separated for the night. The tents had been spaced for privacy. Louisa joined Chad, and Cynthia joined Reid to the right of their large camp. Leigh entered her tent to the left, as did Jace nearby. The tables were left standing for breakfast, but the dinner remains were cleared to prevent attracting wild animals. The bearers and Johi took their mats beneath the stars, and the camp was quiet.

  Leigh sensed a presence. She turned on the bedroll and tried to pierce the darkness. It was very late. In the distance she heard a leopard scream, a sound soon joined by other nocturnal creatures. The scent she detected was familiar. She smiled to herself. “Jace,” she whispered, and felt him touch her arm.

  He reclined beside her. Pulling her close, he whispered into her ear, “How did you know it was me? I thought you were sleeping.”

  She captured his head, turned it, and replied into his ear, “Your special, wonderful scent, and I was asleep. Isn’t this reckless?” she asked, her heart pounding with excitement and her body flaming. Now she knew why he had made his exception about tents tonight. “Johi will warn me if anyone stirs.”

  “You told him about us?” she asked, embarrassed.

  “No, but he knows I’m here. He sees and hears everything.”

  Leigh was glad she had bathed as well as possible in the small canvas basin. Despite his caution earlier, she had put on perfume, hoping he would sneak into her tent. She planned to wash it off later.

  As Jace nuzzled her neck, he murmured, “Make sure you remove this wonderful odor by morning. I don’t want tsetse flies biting you and causing sleeping sickness, or mosquitoes causing malaria.” As his hands drifted down her neck, he discovered a bare shoulder. Boldly his fingers closed over her breast, then passed over her stomach. “What’s this?” he asked, querying her nudity beneath the cover.

  “I was hoping you would visit tonight,” she admitted. She brought his head toward hers and sealed their lips. She had been starving for his kisses. Her fingers drifted over his shoulders to caress them.

  Jace kissed her several times—hungry, deep, urgent—before he parted them to strip quickly in the darkness. He snuggled her against him and returned his mouth to hers. He wished he could see her golden flesh, her tawny hair, her blue eyes, and her lovely features. He enjoyed watching the emotions her expressions exposed. His lips roamed down the silky column of her throat. His tongue teased into the hollows there and over her collarbone. From side to side, he covered her upper body with kisses. At last his eager mouth reached one rosy brown peak and closed over it, lingering there a while, exploring the firm mound and taut peak. Later, his tongue dipped into the valley between the pair and did the same at the other bud. His hand roved her abdomen, then eased down her stomach. It journeyed into a lush golden forest to labor lovingly there.

  Leigh was adrift on a dreamy cloud of passion. She had been in a state of arousal all day. Now she was feverish to merge with him. The core of her womanhood cried out for appeasement. Everything he did heightened her desire for him. He was so skilled, so tantalizing, so satisfying. Her fingers wandered through his brown hair, and she loved its feel against her skin. She smiled at the tickling sensation as his locks teased between her fingers. Her palm caressed his elbow, rubbing back and forth with sensual movements. Later, her hand cupped one shoulder a
nd caressed it in the same stimulating manner. As her fingers roamed, they found the hair on his chest softly coarse. It spread over chest and made a narrow strip to his navel, where it flared again. She didn’t care if the others were camped nearby or what they were doing. She wanted and needed Jace, more so because she had feared losing him yesterday.

  Jace was consumed by the woman with him. Her company today had been wonderful. She made him feel so good, so complete. He couldn’t imagine his life without her in it. It had taken him thirty-two years to find this unique and compatible creature, and he was going to keep her forever, any way necessary. He desperately wanted to exonerate himself so he could create a future with her. Until his name was clear and she was free of Chad’s power, he had to be patient and careful. He knew that Chad would like nothing better than to take away Leigh as he had taken away Joanna. Jace still loved the brunette, but it wasn’t the same kind of love he felt for this tawny female. Yet Chad had to pay for destroying someone so special to him. He had to settle the past, and settle it by November.

  Leigh perceived the sudden tension in her lover. She surmised it was his troubled past that kept a part of him from surrendering his all to her. Somehow, she would help him. To retrieve him, her lips played with his collarbone while her brave hands stroked his rib cage and drifted lower. She noticed his freshly shaven face and was touched by his consideration of her tender skin.

  Jace’s mouth journeyed to Leigh’s, and both were lost in the wonder of their love and the power of their desire. Their tongues touched and played. Their hands blissfully tormented each other. Their bodies meshed and moved as one.

  She murmured into his ear, “I don’t know what to do, Jace.”

  As he nibbled at her earlobe, he answered, “Just enjoy me.”

  “That’s easy, my love. You can teach me more later.”