By sailing at dawn, Jace schemed, he would be several days ahead of them, awaiting their arrival. With Webster and Hamilton within his reach, perhaps he could unmask the truth, as they were his best—no,only—suspects. He eyed the woman before him and prayed she wouldn’t become Chad’s mistress before docking in Mombasa. It wasn’t above Chad to seduce even an innocent and naive ward!
Jace saw her watching him. He could not help but wonder if Webster and Hamilton had discovered his presence and set up their first meeting for a dark reason. Or perhaps this blossoming flower was being used. For all Jace knew, she might not be Chad’s ward at all, as his old friend was rather young and notoriously rakish to be appointed a female minor’s guardian! Jace couldn’t imagine any loving father tossing his innocent lamb to such a wolf. Yet Laura struck him as being honest.
This meeting was accidental, as neither she nor those men could have known he’d be here. He had seen her tonight with Chad, and it strangely seared him like a roaring fire. He wondered how much Laura Leigh meant to Chad, and if Chad meant more to her than a guardian. How had an American girl become an Englishman’s ward, when Chad had no blood kin except his mother? Would Chad be upset if something happened to Laura in Africa? After all, the jungle was a perilous place for someone who didn’t know it. Jace worried that his treacherous old friend had something special in mind for her, else Chad wouldn’t have taken on the responsibility. Or maybe there was a cunning lioness beneath that golden mane and tawny body. For certain, she was irresistible and enchanting. But sincere?
Jace tested her interest and loyalty toward Chad. “From what I’ve heard, your guardian has quite a reputation as a womanizing scoundrel. I hope you don’t fall prey to his wiles. You’re much too lovely and genteel to be added to his long string of conquests.”
“Does a similar warning apply to you, Sir Lancelot?”
An engaging grin captured his face. “I’m afraid my secluded and busy lifestyle does not provide opportunities for me to meet and romance exquisite creatures. I suppose that’s why I’m so enchanted by you, Laura Leigh. Believe it or not, I don’t usually chase after bewitching strangers, so you must excuse my boldness and understand my predicament. Sadly, my time and therefore my efforts are limited.”
“Who are you?” Leigh asked, more intrigued.
Jace looked her over, then playfully blew on the plumes in her hair. He chuckled as they fluttered wildly, just as his heart was doing from alluring nearness. He grinned and teased, “You’ll know soon, my fetching damsel. Let it be an eagerly awaited surprise.”
Before she could react, she was pulled into his arms and kissed. The stranger’s lips were persuasive and enticing as they parted hers and compelled her response with skill and ease. His effect on her susceptible body and mind was instant and overwhelming, and no refusal was possible. Her senses reeled and her wits vanished as their lips meshed. Tingles raced over her body as an array of sensations assailed her. She yielded to him without restraint, powerless to resist him, unwilling to resist him. A reckless emotion attacked the core of her being and she embraced him fiercely, helplessly surrendering to the magic of this passionate and perilous moment. As if coming from her soul, a fiery heat seared her from head to foot and branded her with his mark of ownership. Their first kiss on the waterfront had been nothing like this.
Leigh had dreamed of this heady moment since first meeting the seductive stranger. His deft tongue teased along her parted lips and darted into the moist and inviting haven. His mouth was flavored with aged brandy, and she savored his intoxicating taste. He smelled of clean flesh and freshly washed clothes, of a tropical paradise whose blazing sun was baking her skin. She seemed to melt like a snow flake beneath its powerful heat. She wanted him closer, and nestled against him. His fingers trailed up and down her back as his mouth traced her features before capturing her lips again. She wanted his thrilling kisses and caresses to continue forever. His body was hard against hers, his lips tender, yet deliberately stimulating, his hands gentle but firm and possessive. Forgotten were her fears and doubts of him, forgotten was reality itself. All she knew was his irresistible embrace. A soft moan escaped her lips before she grasped his head and drew his mouth more snugly against hers. She pressed closer to him, as if daring even air to separate them.
Jace shuddered in fiery arousal. She was like a hungry lioness in his arms, feasting on him, devouring his control. The equatorial heat couldn’t compare with that of his body. He wanted to carry this heady moment to the limit. He was tempted to seize her and flee with her to consummate the feelings she inspired within him. He had only enough wits left to know he had to cease this madness.
When Jace drew back, he saw the blaze of desire in her wide eyes and on her rosy cheeks. She trembled with desire, as did he. He read other emotions in her sapphire gaze: she was wary, alarmed, and innocent. But she was strongly attracted to him. That was a good start, if she was important to his enemy, and even if she wasn’t. Perhaps Laura was the golden key to unlock the door to this dark mystery. He would know very soon, but for now, he’d knew he must leave before he frightened her, or someone discovered them, or he lost all control. Besides, they would meet again soon, in his territory. Once he had her in his domain and African winds were blowing over them, he would become the predator again and she his exquisite prey. For now, she was a trail too wild to walk …
He forced his thoughts to return to business. Unable to meet with Salisbury, and with Chad here at the party, it was the perfect time to search Chad’s home and office for clues.
The provocative Englishman murmured, “I don’t want to spoil your fun tonight, so I’ll leave you to charm your many admirers. Don’t worry, my golden enchantress, our paths will cross again. I promise you, Laura Leigh, I’m no fool or coward. With luck, next time, you’ll be the persistent tracker and I’ll be your fortunate and obedient quarry. I promise you I won’t try to escape or resist your lovely snares.”
Leigh was too dazed by his amorous siege, curious words, and swift departure to respond. As she tried to comprehend his meaning and halt her trembling, he slipped into the shadowy bushes and vanished. Her keen eyes searched for moving branches and she listened for footsteps or broken twigs. She strained her ears to catch his location or to hear which direction he was taking, but he moved like a stealthy wolf on the prowl. How, she wondered in amazement, had he learned such skills? A puffy white cloud drifting across a serene Texas sky made more noise coming and going than he had, and a lack of wind rustled more leaves than his movements. He possessed more than one kind of prowess.
Once more the emerald-eyed man was gone, and without giving his name. Perhaps he was playing a roguish and guileful game to entice her interest. Or perhaps he was crazy and dangerous.Which is it, my handsome stranger?We shall see, as I have no doubt our paths will cross again. Then, I’ll solve your riddle.
She heard familiar voices and panicked. With haste, Leigh concealed herself to prevent being found with passion-pinkened cheeks and mussed hair. She crouched, peered through bushes, and listened.
“I need to talk about something important, Louisa.”
The redhead pressed close to him and murmured in a seductive tone, “The kind of talk I want to do can’t be done here, although it would be most exciting to use Lord Salisbury’s garden.”
“Stop that,” he ordered as he pushed away her probing hands from below his waist. “I want the truth, you hot-tempered wench. I know how much you dislike Leigh. Did you have anything to do with her attack on the wharf? You were too drunk by the time I returned to the restaurant to give me any straight answers. Then you spent the remainder of the night with Cynthia. That isn’t like you.”
“Did you miss me in bed, lover?” she teased but did not continue when she noticed his frown. “Don’t get upset, Chad. Cynthia and I needed time to finish our travel plans and wardrobes. We’re leaving soon, and there are things to do.”
“You’re stalling. Did you try to have Leigh scared off or killed?”
Louisa brushed strayed locks of fiery red from her ivory face. “Are you serious?” she asked, glaring at him.
“You’re damn right I’m serious! You wrote that message. Did you list the wrong address, then have hired men waiting for her?”
“Did Iwhat?How dare you think so wickedly of me, Chadwick Hamilton! Surely you know me better than that by now. Did she show you the note?”
“Yes, and it said Stems Street. But I doubt she read it wrong twice. How did you pull off a dangerous stunt?”
“I didn’t. But I’m glad the little chit ran into trouble. We haven’t had an evening alone since she got here. It would suit me fine if she sailed back to where she belongs. She isn’t one of us, and I don’t like her clinging to you.”
“Leigh doesn’t cling to me, Louisa. We’re friends. Swear you didn’t pull a crazy ruse last night.”
“You’re questioning me like a criminal. What has she done to you, Chad, to make you treat me this way? It’s mean and unfair. Everything was wonderful between us until she arrived.”
“Swear it, Louisa,” Chad persisted, “and you’d better tell the truth. Leigh is important to me. I’m responsible for her.”