Whispered Kisses

by Taylor, Janelle

  They traveled for three days, trekking through the jungle and across grasslands without sighting anyone. Each night, Jomo boiled water and filled their canteens. Buha hunted small game and fruit for their meals. The two men shared camp chores. They allowed her to slip behind underbrush whenever she said, “lyoo.” They even corrected her pronunciations of their words and taught her a few more. If only she knew how to say, “help,” “crime,” and “reward for rescue.” But even if she could, she doubted it would matter to them.

  On the second evening, she had been permitted to bathe in a safe pool where water cascaded from a foothill. She had donned clean garments and washed the others, which would be dry by morning to pack. Leigh was glad Jace had sent along a few extra items.

  On the third day, Jomo had whispered, “Acheni.”

  Leigh had stopped as ordered. Jomo had pointed to a leopard on early prowl. They had hidden until the spotted predator was gone. Leigh had been nervous, but the two men had carbines. She hadn’t been tempted to steal or to snatch one to escape, as she knew she could never make it out of the jungle alone. She didn’t even know which direction to take to civilization and safety.

  During the trek, the two men called her “Bibi Leigh.” They were friendly, protective, and kind.

  On what she assumed was the fifth day since her abduction, Jomo pointed ahead to reveal Jace’s home.

  Leigh was amazed by what loomed before her wide eyes. There was an enormous clearing where coffee bushes covered the ground for a long distance. She noticed native workers amongst them.

  Foothills surrounded the clearing, slopes with lush vegetation and trees. There was a huge open shed with equipment. A few hundred yards from it was a white wall that encircled the large home. Between solid sections, there was iron fencing. No doubt, she mused, to keep out wild animals while allowing for scenic views and air flow, and too high to scale for escape. So, this was Green Hills Plantation. She realized how aptly it was named.

  Leigh followed the two men to a gate. It was open. They did not enter, but Jomo called to the housekeeper. She stared at what reminded her of a Spanish hacienda with its woodwork, style, white exterior, arched walkway, and red roof. The yards were clean. Floral bushes and tropical plants created a beautiful and tranquil setting. A swing for two was suspended from the branch of a large tree. A water-supply system could be seen over the roof: a giant container to catch rainwater, then pipes to let off the excess and carry it inside. She guessed the encompassing white-painted wall was ten feet high. She glanced through the decorative iron fencing that was located every ten feet or so along the wall. She scanned her surroundings again. Everything was breathtaking, incredible. She had difficulty believing she was in the middle of a jungle in Africa.

  “Jambo, Abena. Habari?” Jomo greeted the stocky African woman who joined them and asked how she was doing.

  “Mzuri. Karibu. Habari ya safari?” Abena told them she was fine, welcomed them, and asked how their journey went.

  After the three Africans talked a few minutes, the older woman met the blonde’s gaze and said, “Welcome, Bibi Leigh. You expected. I here to serve you. Come inside to rest.”

  “You speak English,” Leigh murmured in surprise and relief.

  “I speak good English, for many years. Kwaheri,” she told the two men good-bye. “Come. Must eat, rest, bathe.”

  Leigh observed the woman of about fifty who was short and plump. Abena wore a colorful shift in native material. A matching bandanna concealed her hair. The woman smiled, exposing white teeth amidst a deep brown complexion. Her chocolate eyes sparkled with interest and friendliness. “Where is your daughter, Ka’arta?” Leigh tested Jace’s words from that day in Mombasa.

  “Ka’arta lives in village. She helps missionary speak to our people. She knows English more than Abena. When coffee berries ripe, she helps pick. She go Mombasa with Wanjohi for supplies. I work day for Bwana Jace. I go home night. I be close. No need to fear.”

  “Bwana Jace kidnapped me,” Leigh charged. “That’s against the law. He’ll be arrested and taken to prison. You must let me go.”

  Unruffled, Abena asked, “Go where?”

  “Home.”

  “You far from home. Must stay inside and be safe.” The woman closed the gate, locked it, and dropped the key into her pocket. “Come,” she coaxed, and walked toward the house.

  Clutching her small bundle, Leigh followed the woman. “You must help me escape, Abena, or you’ll be in trouble, too. What Jace did is wrong, bad. Lawmen will come after me and him.”

  Abena halted and turned. Displeased, she refuted, “Bwana Jace not bad, never wrong. He say keep you safe. He law here.”

  “You don’t understand, Abena,” Leigh reasoned. “Jace and I are enemies. He tried to hurt me, to kill me. He stole me from my family. I will not stay in his home.”

  The woman looked Leigh over and frowned. “No speak evil of Bwana Jace. No man good and kind as him.”

  “You don’t know what he’s like. He’s mean and—”

  The older woman backed away a few steps. She no longer smiled. “Say no more, Bibi Leigh. When comes home, you tell him such things. Abena his friend and servant. I cannot help you.”

  Leigh watched the woman enter the house. She realized the servant would not listen to her accusations or aid her escape. She glanced at the locked gate, the high wall, and the iron fence. Jail! she fretted. Jace had captured her and imprisoned her. She wondered why. If he intended to murder her, she would be dead by now. Perhaps, she worried, Chad had told him what she said about not honoring her bet. Louisa had learned about all wagers, so she could have told Jace with the hopes he would get her out of Chad’s life. Perhaps Jace merely planned to force her to pay her debt to him …

  Leigh was alarmed, afraid, and angry. There was no escape without help, and no one here would provide it. She must make friends with the housekeeper and workers. It would be a mistake to turn them against her. Perhaps in time … But how much time did she have before Jace arrived to collect?

  Leigh was intimidated by doubts and fears. She decided to think about them later. She went inside the house, astonished by what greeted her alert senses. The living area was enormous, open and airy. The heavy furniture was in dark wood, and was spaced well in the room. The floors were polished and shiny and the high ceilings were beamed with dark wood, making a lovely contrast to the white walls and light-colored fabrics. Plants were here and there in various-size containers. Several paintings—all African scenes and animals—hung on the walls. Other African objects were placed at vantage points. A piano sat near one corner. Decorative oil lamps and candleholders were sources of light after dark. Drapes were pulled aside and belted. Mesh screens of a thin material covered the windows and doors to keep out insects. It was impressive and immaculate.

  Leigh heard noises. She followed them through an archway into a dining room, then into a kitchen. There she saw a sink, working counters, a wood stove, cabinets, a round table with four chairs, and the servant. Abena was preparing food for her.

  Leigh approached the woman and said, “I’m sorry if I upset you, Abena, but I’m upset. I’m scared and confused. I don’t know why Jace drugged me and kidnapped me. He and my uncle are terrible enemies. Suspicious accidents kept happening to me on the safari. Jace kept threatening me. I don’t know why I’m a prisoner.”

  The woman softened. “Bwana Jace have good reason. He tell you why when he comes home.”

  “When is he arriving? How did he explain my abduction? He’ll be in terrible trouble for doing this. My uncle will have the law after him. I must go to Mombasa to show him I’m alive and well. Please have the men take me there. I promise to keep Jace out of trouble.”

  “He return soon. I not know answers to questions, but you safe. Sit, eat. I prepare a bath. Full stomach, clean body, clean clothes make you better.”

  Leigh gave up on the woman’s assistance for the present. She took a seat and ate the hot meal. When she finished, she plac
ed her dishes in the sink. She was amazed by the clever water system that made chores easier for any woman working in this kitchen.

  Leigh went to look for Abena. Against the front wall of the house was a long hall. Leigh called out, “Abena?”

  The woman’s scarfed head appeared from one room. “Come.”

  Leigh went to join her. Once more, amazement consumed the blonde. The spacious room held a large tub with a pipe over one end and a control valve. A drainpipe near the floor exited the house.

  “Must keep plug in,” Abena said. “If not, snakes and spiders get in tub. Mosquitoes and flies come in house.”

  Leigh glanced at the toilet. A water tank was suspended above it on the wall, with a long chain to flush it. She noted a smaller sink, shelves with linens and bathing supplies, a mirror, and lamps on the wall. The one window was high for privacy. Leigh’s mouth was agape.

  “How did Jace do all of this in the jungle?” she inquired.

  “House built by other man. He sold to Bwana Jace. Bwana Jace do many smart things to house. Make it pretty and comfortable. He see many things sailing around world. He learn them and do here. He plenty smart. Good man, as Abena tell you.”

  Leigh noticed how the woman could speak good English at times or drop words in excitement at others.

  “You want Abena to help? You want Abena to go?”

  Leigh had never bathed before a stranger. She smiled and said, “Thank you, but I can manage alone.”

  “All you need here. I be in kitchen.” She left the room.

  Leigh stripped off the dirty garments. She removed her walking boots. Her eyes noticed the bandage. She removed it, staring at the clever wound and wondering again how and why Jace had faked the snakebite. She couldn’t wait to hear his explanation.

  The slender female climbed into the sun-heated water. It felt wonderful. She leaned back and relaxed. Leigh didn’t know what kind of house she had expected Jace Elliott to have, but it certainly wasn’t one this beautiful and efficient. What a surprising man he was.

  After a time, Leigh took the washcloth and soap. As she lathered it, she realized the bar had a floral scent. Her brows lifted, and she smiled. After bathing her body and scrubbing her hair, she rinsed the tawny locks beneath the fill pipe.

  Leigh stepped out of the tub. She dried herself and wrapped the large cloth about her. The polite girl bent forward and washed out the tub, being careful to plug the drain securely.

  Her blue gaze touched on the medicine and a fresh bandage that Abena had placed on the sink. Suspicion and anger filled Leigh again. It was obvious Jace had planned this ruse from the start, and Abena knew all about it, else she would not have lain out such items.

  As Leigh jerked a robe from a hook, she was shocked to discover it was one of her own, left behind in Mombasa. She donned it and went to find that sneaky housekeeper.

  “Where did this come from?” she demanded.

  Abena turned, looked at the robe whose front the girl was holding between her fingers, and said, “Bwana Jace sent for you. Have many things in your room. I show you.”

  “How did you know about this?” Leigh asked, lifting the robe and pointing to her injured leg. “Bwana Jace did that to me.”

  Abena frowned, creating creases on her forehead and between her brows. “Jomo tell Abena Bibi Leigh hurt.”

  “Listen to me, Abena,” Leigh demanded, then explained how she had been drugged and brought here. “I know that looks like a snakebite, but I wasn’t bitten by anything. It’s a trick. How can you defend a criminal and help him commit such a wicked crime?”

  “I obey Bwana Jace. Come, I show you room.” The vexed woman left the kitchen with Leigh trailing close behind.

  There were four doors along the hallway. The woman guided Leigh to the third one, a bedroom.

  “You stay here. Bwana Jace’s room next; it locked. Office locked. I be in kitchen.” The now-reserved African left her there.

  Leigh fumed at the woman’s stubborn behavior and her own mistake. She peeked out the door and heard noises from the kitchen. She checked Jace’s bedroom and office doors; they were indeed locked. The vexed blonde returned to the guest room and closed the door; it would not lock without a key. She looked through the drawers and closet, stunned to find them filled with her own possessions.

  “Is there no end to your boldness, Mr. Elliott?” she mumbled.. “How did you get these away from the hotel? How will you explain their absence?” Reality engulfed Leigh. “You planned this abduction from the start. All the time you were romancing me, you were waiting to kidnap me. Damn you! You were lying and cheating the whole time. You were going to make certain I lost our bet and paid off immediately. You dirty, rotten bastard. You won’t get away with this.”

  Three days later, Jace and the safari party reached the Athi River. Two flat-decked boats were awaiting them, along with the men sent ahead to hail the cargo carriers.

  One captain waved, smiled, and shouted, “Good to see you, Jace. You got trouble and need a lift?”

  Jace went forward and shook his hand. “We lost a member of the safari to a bush-snakebite. The others don’t want to continue. We only had a couple of weeks to go. Thanks for waiting, Daniel.”

  “That’s too bad, but it happens. These English don’t realize how dangerous the jungle is. They think it’s all fun and games. They come here dressed and prepared for a tea party or afternoon stroll.” Daniel hushed as Chad joined them and was introduced.

  Jace looked sad as he informed the captain, “Leigh was his ward and niece. She was only twenty, beautiful and enchanting. We didn’t find her in time to give any help.”

  “Wouldn’t have done any good if you had,” Daniel replied. “Bush snakes are deadly. We’ll get you loaded and push off.”

  “I’ll pay you in Mombasa.”

  “No charge, friend. You’ve done plenty of favors for me.”

  The extra bearers, those not needed for the last trek between river and train, were dismissed to head home. Jace’s men trusted him and knew he would send their payment after he received his at the end of every journey. The baggage and passengers were put aboard the two boats and off they went. The river was high because of recent rains, so they made good time.

  Jace sat cross-legged on the deck. He leaned his head against a support post and pretended to close his eyes but watched the others through narrow slits. Johi and the bearers were on the second boat; the two couples were with him. Everyone was silent and almost sullen. Chad drank heavily, and Reid stayed wrapped over the man like a cloak. Louisa and Cynthia kept to themselves, whispering and scowling.

  To Jace, the redhead seemed to. have given up on her pursuit of Chad. At first she had tried to repair the damaged relationship, but Chad had scorned and avoided the female as if she were a noxious disease. Observing the gleams of hatred and revenge in Louisa’s eyes, Jace was glad he wasn’t in Chad wick Hamilton’s place.

  Jace hoped the couples would relax and open up during the trip downriver. As it was perilous to travel at night, they would make camp each day at dusk. With others around, especially the amiable Daniel, perhaps the hunting party would settle down.

  Jace thought about Leigh Webster ensconced at his home. He could hardly wait to confront her, to force the truth from those lovely and lying lips. He had to extract the secret she and Chad were withholding from him. No doubt the devious and delightful creature was plenty scared. That was good, he decided. It would make his impending task of extracting information easier.

  Yet these days of separation had worked hard on him. Jace dreamed about her at night and thought about her all day. He couldn’t forget how Leigh looked at him, how she held him and kissed him, how she made love to him. She did not do those things like a guileful woman. No matter her secrets and original plans, the woman seemed to love him. He couldn’t get their last night together off his mind. She had been passionate but troubled. She had confessed to how much she wanted him. She had hinted at problems to be resolved later. Yet sh
e had made love to him as if it were their last time. Something had her confused, frightened, and tightlipped. He had to unravel that mystery soon.

  Jace reasoned that Leigh had to have good reasons for taking the actions she had. Whatever was troubling her, he aimed to discover it. Jace also couldn’t forget what she had told him about investigating Chad. Perhaps Leigh had faked affection toward Chad to fool her guardian. That would mean she believed Chad was a liar and a threat and was afraid of the man. But how had Chad discovered their wager, if Leigh hadn’t told him? Why would she expose such a shocking and damaging secret? And when had she done so? It must have been during that long talk at their last camp. Something Chad told her had provoked the exposure, and the change in Leigh.

  On reflection, there had been almost desperation in her lovemaking and mood that night. It was as if she had been trying to prove her feelings, to test him, to entice something from him. Had she wanted to evoke a stronger commitment from him before baring her soul, and heart? Had she wanted him to confess, explain, deny something Chad had told her? What would she have said if he had revealed his love and had proposed? Since he hadn’t responded as she needed him to, how had his stubborn silence affected her?

  On the other hand, if she believed Chad loved her and wasn’t a threat, who did she think was after her? Jace Elliott?

  Chapter Eighteen

  Leigh had been at the plantation for a week. She had halted her accusations and insults concerning Jace Elliott to prevent trouble between her and the housekeeper and to make a friend and ally of Abena. She had helped with the daily chores in the house and yard. The furniture and floors required frequent polish to prevent them from drying out in the equatorial heat. There were meals to be prepared, dishes to be washed, and laundry to be done. The cloth mesh screens were changed and washed when they were cluttered by the dead insects who had tried to get into the house.