Whispered Kisses

by Taylor, Janelle

  Their talk ceased as Chad and Louisa returned. Chad and Jace looked at each other. Louisa poured the couple a glass of wine.

  “How about you, Leigh? It’ll calm the nerves,” she remarked.

  “No, thanks. Hot tea is fine. Are you all right? That must have been a terrible scare.” From the redhead’s reaction after the incident, Leigh felt it hadn’t been intentional, not on Louisa’s part.

  Louisa inhaled deeply, then released the spent air. “It was terrifying, but it’s over now. I’m glad you’re safe, Leigh. And the others, too. I could have wounded someone badly. Did you examine the rifle, Jace? We heard gunfire.”

  Jace related the killing of the marauding jackel. “That doesn’t happen often. He smelled fresh meat and thought he could sneak off with our dinner.” Jace hadn’t been given time to deliberate what he had overheard. He wondered how Louisa knew about the fort incident. He wished he could have taken in the whole conversation.

  Cynthia and Reid, who had been in their tent, joined them. They were smiling at each other, and everyone noticed the change in their moods. They, too, poured wine.

  “The bearers are packing up,” Jace informed the group. “We’ll move out in the morning. I know a good place for elephants.”

  “I’d like to speak with you privately, Jace,” Chad said.

  “Fine. Let’s take a walk.”

  All the while they walked along the jungle trail, Chad was wondering if Jace was behind some of those incidents, as Louisa suggested. To provoke information, he asked bluntly, “Is there anything serious between you and Leigh? Are you plotting and using these so-called accidents to get my ward into your arms? I don’t like her being endangered just to win a bet.”

  Jace stared at the man. He knew why Chad was angry and suspicious: because of Louisa’s accusations. He had to stay away from Leigh in private. He knew Chad had lied to his mistress and used the redhead. But Louisa’s charge about getting both of them with one scheme sounded logical. Yet what had him worried was Chad’s firm belief that Leigh would never be won by Jace Elliott. He had to be careful. “Whatever I answer, old friend, you wouldn’t believe me. But I’ll respond anyway. No, nothing has happened between me and that beautiful creature. Not that I haven’t tried or wanted it to, but she’s too innocent to charm quickly. Since we’re being honest for a change, I’ll tell you what I suspect. I think you’re responsible, and you’re questioning me to throw me off guard. I think you’re trying to find a way to end this safari and our bet before I have time to win it. I think you want to get Leigh out of my reach and back to London, where only you can work on her. I warn you, I won’t let her be killed or hurt.”

  Chad exploded like a short-fused stick of dynamite. “You think I’m trying to harm Leigh Webster? Are you crazy?”

  Jace used his skills and wits to explore this perilous territory. “Harm her and kill her, no way, old boy. You just want to scare her into your arms and away from me. You want her to believe I’m plotting against her. She told me you can’t inherit even a sixpence if she died, that Webster’s holdings will go to two friends. I bet that shocked you and your mother. No, you don’t want her dead; you need to marry her to keep all you have and to get the rest. You aren’t fooling me with that redhead. If your jealous mistress is playing deadly games, you’d better stop her, or neither of us has a chance of winning our wager. I’m warning you, Chad, don’t try to sneak out on me.”

  “What will you do? Track us to London for revenge?”

  “Is that why you dangled that tasty bait before me? You hoped I’d be so ensnared I’d lose my wits and follow her home where the law would get final revenge for you. It won’t work, Chad. If I don’t win the bet here, I’m not leaving. If I do win her heart, will her guardian give us permission to marry after the safari?”

  “No. If Leigh chooses you over me, it’ll be November before you can collect. Until then, I’ll do and say all I can to change her mind.”

  “I thought as much, so what good is our wager to me?”

  “If Leigh says she wants to marry you in November, you’ll be the winner and I’ll pay off before leaving here. If she doesn’t, you haven’t won. Did Leigh tell you she’s planning to sell me the business?”

  “No, but why should she? She only told me about Webster’s will because I was hinting at you being behind her accidents. She was really defending you, old boy. You really have her fooled good, don’t you? Is she planning to return to America?”

  “I don’t know her future plans, but I’d be crazy to let her get hurt. I prefer to win her and the firm, but that might not be possible.”

  “Because of Tyler Clark, her fiancé in Texas?”

  “Leigh isn’t betrothed. Did she tell you she was?”

  “No, Louisa said Leigh told her. Obviously your lover lied. What else has that redhead done, old boy? She does want you badly.”

  “I’ll make a deal with you, Jace.”

  “Another one?” Jace teased.

  “Don’t be stupid. Let’s both watch Leigh closely and make certain nothing happens to her. All of this trouble could be coincidental. If it isn’t, and one of us isn’t to blame, we have to make sure Leigh doesn’t get hurt again. We’ll both keep a sharp eye on my clever mistress. Agreed?”

  “Agreed.” And Jace revealed a few things that Chad, from his agitated reaction, didn’t seem to know.

  As Leigh and Chad played chess and talked, after dinner, Louisa watched them from a distance and fumed. She whispered to Jace, “Look at her working on him with those blue eyes and sweet ways. You’d think having one man snared was enough for her, but Tyler isn’t around to hold her attention.”

  “Leigh isn’t engaged, Louisa,” Jace dared to reveal. “She only said that to stop you from worrying about her stealing Chad.”

  Louisa was shocked and angered. She eyed Leigh and scoffed, “That little sneak. I should have known she couldn’t be trusted, but the trouble is, if she doesn’t turn his head, another conquest will. Chad doesn’t keep any woman around very long. I can’t blame him for being tempted by Leigh; she does have a lot to offer him. It wouldn’t surprise me to learn she’s behind all her own mishaps just to catch his eye, and yours, Jace. She loves attention. We shot skeet on the ship, so I saw her working with guns. She knows a lot about them. She probably broke mine so she could make Chad think I’m after her. As for that quicksand episode, I don’t know how she pulled off that trick. That little creature is up to something. I’m certain of it. If I were you, Jace, I’d watch her closely.”

  The group traveled for many days, sleeping again under mosquito nets suspended over bedrolls, which allowed no privacy for Jace to approach Leigh. He and Johi observed everyone closely, but nothing unusual occurred.

  The third large camp was reached on the fifth day around noon. While the bearers and servants labored with the preparation of tents and meals, the group went for a walk. They saw a variety of animals, prey and predator and scavenger. As Jace had promised, numerous elephants inhabited this area. With a love for acacia, many of the trees in the scattered woodland were destroyed, eaten and mauled into ruin. Yet it changed woodland to grassland, creating more terrain and food for the creatures who favored grazing.

  They decided to hunt for a time. “Don’t shoot high on the skull,” Jace instructed. “It doesn’t even slow an elephant, much less drop him. These creature have humanlike traits. They mourn dead mates and friends, even bury them and visit their graves occasionally.” He educated them about the lumbering giants, then pointed to a bull that was standing away from the others. “That’s the one you want, Chad.”

  Leigh eyed the enormous animal. Its hide was saggy, like an oversize garment. It was caked in mud and dust to ward off pesky insects and the heat. He uprooted a small tree, tugging on it with his powerful trunk and kicking at it with his large foot. The grayish-brown beast devoured his success, then searched for another, moving farther away from the clustered herd. His prized ivory tusks were as tall as a man, telling his
advanced age, Jace revealed, and its skill in avoiding poachers and perils. Leigh wanted him to survive longer.

  A mother strolled and grazed with her baby, the female’s bulk dwarfing the calf. She gathered tuffs of grass and stuffed them into her mouth, and the baby followed her lead. When the calf rested on the ground, the mother’s trunk hovered over it as if caressing her infant.

  The sky behind them was an azure blue. The grass was a vivid green from recent rains. Their positions on the lush emerald landscape and against the rich blue horizon evoked a feeling of tranquility and wild beauty. Other elephants feasted in a grove of trees. A lion passed them, keeping its distance. The herd appeared gentle and affectionate. Their life was one of leisure, close to each other and to nature.

  Leigh’s eyes scanned their picturesque surroundings. It was alive and active this close to dusk. Warthogs routed near a waterhole, their tails flicking back and forth to discourage flies. The moment they became nervous, the tusked creatures backed into nearby holes until they felt confident enough to venture forth again. Impala, zebra and wildebeest grazed far beyond their hiding place and stayed clustered for protection. Gazelles with their ringed horns browsed as if they were dainty ladies. Elegant giraffes dined on solitary acacias, their rough tongues curling around the supple leaves to yank them free. One towering giant spread his legs wide apart so his long neck and mouth could reach the waterhole, putting him in his most vulnerable position.

  Predators—mainly lions—watched the same scene, but looked content to wait until tomorrow to attack and feed again. Birds landed here and there, mostly egrets and ox-peckers and tick birds who lived with, and on, the larger creatures. A group of vultures circled overhead seeking their next meal. Hyenas did the same on the ground.

  Mosquitoes and flies were heavy today after the recent rains, and near this location where animals roamed and left droppings. The day had not started to cool yet, and perspiration beaded all over Leigh and the others. Leigh was glad Jace had cut a square from mosquito netting and had attached it to her topee. The net covered her pith helmet and grazed her shoulders like a veil, protecting her face and neck from hungry insects. Her long-sleeved shirt did the same for her arms, but insects sneaked under her skirt to feast on her damp legs.

  Jace motioned them closer. He ordered caution, as they could not get upwind in this crowded and busy location. The bull elephant caught a whiff of danger, or perhaps an instinct came into play. His ears flattened against his body, a sign Jace had said to look for to indicate a charge. The beast lifted his trunk and trumpeted a threat to his attackers and a warning to the herd. He shifted menacingly on his front legs, legs that could trample a person into the ground. Its stance revealed power and confidence.

  Chad had a good shot, and took it. He fired a second time. The animal dropped to the ground. The herd perceived death and danger. Quickly the mothers summoned their young, and all ran into thickets.

  The group went forward and examined Chad’s victory. Louisa took pictures, as she did during each hunt. Reid complimented his friend. Leigh stared at the dead giant and wanted to cry in mourning.

  Jace realized this was his last safari. These animals were part of the land he loved, and he was helping to destroy them and it. At first, it had been a natural way of life. It had been exciting and stimulating. Now, it didn’t seem the same. Watching an enemy get such enjoyment from killing suddenly had a strong impact on him.

  “The bearers will handle it,” Jace said. “Let’s get back to canip before dark. I don’t want any big cats jumping us.” Jace glanced at Leigh, then Chad. “Predators sense when someone is encroaching on their territory. It makes them real nervous and irritable, and very dangerous. They’ll attack just to scare you away to protect their terrain.”

  Extra men went to work preparing the trophy to be carried to the river for hasty transportation to Mombasa. Jace had asked for most of the hunting to be done in this area, because it was easier and quicker to get the prizes to the Mombasan preserver from this camp. Certain men were trained and skilled in pretreating heads and hides to prevent their loss to scavengers, heat, and deterioration. The bloody and smelly task began as the safari party left the scene.

  The next two days were busy, bloodthirsty, and successful ones for the two couples. Cynthia and Louisa killed zebras. Reid got a leopard and elephant. Chad got his cape buffalo, giving him four of the “big five” trophies he craved. Now he was eager to go after a lion.

  Leigh didn’t shoot anything, and that pleased Jace. He was also pleased, and slightly baffled, that no peril endangered his love. He wanted desperately to be with her, but open flaps at night prevented it. Too, Chad was sticking to her like a second skin.

  As for Leigh Webster, she was relieved that the incidents had ceased. She missed Jace. He was nearby but so far out of reach for the present. Chad was on his best behavior, as were the others. She was enjoying the scenery, but she was miserable. She wanted Jace; she needed him. She longed for privacy and his touch. Not even a kiss or an embrace had been possible lately. If only they could find a way to be alone, to talk, to hold each other.

  Jace realized how odd it must look to Chad for him not to be pursuing Leigh. Of course, he laughed and joked with her in camp and on the trail, but he hadn’t made any romantic gestures. Perhaps he should. Jace approached and asked, “Leigh, would you care to take a walk? The sunsets here are breathtaking. There’s also a family of hyrax nearby that you might enjoy seeing.”

  Leigh turned and looked at her lover. “I’m sorry, but Chad just asked the same thing, Jace. Perhaps later or tomorrow?”

  “That’s fine,” he replied, disappointed.

  Reid prepared himself to do as Chad had ordered, to keep Jace and Johi in camp so neither could spy during the stroll. He knew what Chad was going to do, and he concurred. It was about time Chad got back to important business, he fumed, and rid them of that blond obstacle. Now that Chad knew he had lost, it would be easy for his friend to get rid of Leigh. Yet, Reid was worried. It was as if the girl lived a charmed life, escaping every snare set for her. After this talk, she would be vulnerable, susceptible, and helpless, because Chad would make her turn against her intrusive hero.

  “Leigh, I have a terrible confession to make,” Chad began when they were a safe distance from camp. He had guided them into an open space where no one could sneak up and listen, in case Reid failed in his task. For days he had been charming her so she wouldn’t realize he intended to crush her. His first and only true love had to be punished for her betrayal. Before he took her life, he had to hurt her as she had hurt him. “I did something awful, and I’m sorry. I believe it’s the reason behind everything that’s happened to you.”

  Leigh’s blue gaze focused on her guardian’s. Her pulse quickened. Her heart pounded in dread. Her throat felt tight and dry. She sensed something horrible in the air. “What is it, Chad?”

  Chad frowned and said, “I don’t know where to begin, or how to make you understand and believe me. I know you haven’t had any accidents for a while, but I’m still worried. I want to get this safari over with, so we can get out of this dangerous land. As soon as I get a lion, we’ll have a reason to leave without arousing Jace’s suspicions.”

  “I don’t understand,” she murmured, her heart pounding. Was he suspicious and trying to separate them?

  “After I explain, if you think I’m right, I’ll call off the safari today and we’ll go home. I’ll pay Jace his full salary, so he’ll have no reason to object. It’ll cost me a great deal, because I had to double it to coax him into taking this job. But I made a stupid mistake in judgment. He was so reluctant to become our guide that I made a crazy wager with him.” He related their contract terms. “Whichever of us wins you in marriage gets you, the money, to share your holdings, victory, and revenge. That’s why Jace Elliott accepted this job.”

  Chad watched the stunning effect of that disclosure on her. “I never intended to play our game for real, but I suspect Jace is doing so
. I never believed he could catch your eye, and surely not your hand. The problem is, I love you and want to marry you. But I can’t begin to woo you until I get rid of Louisa, earn your trust and respect, and get you away from Jace’s threat. Those incidents at the fort, with your unloaded gun, with Louisa’s rifle, those spells, and that quicksand. I think Jace is responsible. I also think he wants to turn you against me by hinting I’m to blame so he can win that foolish wager. He sees it as a way to get revenge on me and William and to get his hands on the woman I love and on your inheritance. That isn’t the worst part. He insisted on adding an additional five thousand pounds for every night either of us slept in your tent. You know I haven’t tried to seduce you to win, but I’m afraid he will.”

  Despite her horror at all he was telling her, one sentence stood out the most. “How do you know about my gun and the fort?” she questioned. “I told Jace not to mention them and worry you. Why did he tattle?”

  “Jace told me when we took that walk at our last camp. I asked him face forward if he was trying to harm you or trick you. He denied it, of course. He tried to point the finger at me and Louisa. I’m not saying Louisa didn’t pull any of those tricks, but not all of them. I know she’s jealous and spiteful, and I shouldn’t have brought her along. I knew I was falling in love with you, and that scared me. You’re a tempting treasure, Leigh Webster, but I’m used to freedom. I also knew it would scare you for me to start acting lovesick. Jace told me what you said about the will. Why did you lie to him?”

  “We agreed not to reveal it to him, so I haven’t. When he kept making hints about you being a threat to me, I used it to silence him. Why are you telling me all this? Why should I believe you?”

  Chad withdrew the cleverly altered contract from his pocket. “Can you recognize my handwriting and Jace’s?”

  She had seen both during the safari, when notes were made or licenses marked. “Yes.”