“This can complicate our plans. What about Jace and your revenge? I agreed to aid you because he did you wrong and we’re best friends. Are you willing to forget justice so you can win Leigh? Has she come to mean that much to you in such a short time? Jace is still out there, free and unpunished—and a threat to you.”
Chad’s eyes chilled at dark memories. “I’ve worked hard on a clever plan for Jace’s defeat. I took away Joanna, his father, and the Elliott name and business. All Jace has left is his life and plantation—a thriving business purchased with diamonds half belonging to me. He betrayed me, stole from me, and left me to die a horrible death. But I can’t act rashly. There’s only one safe way to prevent losing all I’ve worked for over the years, and that is by marrying Leigh and getting rid of Jace Elliott. In the secluded and romantic jungle of Africa, I can accomplish both dreams. Jace will never give up trying to clear himself. I can’t allow him to survive. And I have no doubts I can win that beauty.”
“The original plan was clean and simple: get rid of all obstacles. If you let this girl bewitch you and change things, it could fall apart.”
“I won’t let it. Leigh is perfect for the life I have in mind. Don’t worry, old friend, I’ll make certain nothing goes wrong with my new plan. If it does, I promise you won’t be incriminated.”
“What about Louisa? You know what Shakespeare said about a woman scorned. She’ll rant and rave. You could lose it all.”
“Louisa wouldn’t dare give me any trouble.”
Reid Adams was troubled by Chad’s impulsive behavior. His friend was never gullible or erratic. And Chad had never been lovesick; that worried Reid most, because it clouded his thinking. Leigh was stronger and smarter than Chad realized; winning her didn’t seem possible. It wasn’t logical or safe to alter matters now. If anything went wrong … “Don’t fool yourself, old friend. Louisa’s in love with you, even if she is bad-mannered and irascible at times. She can make things embarrassing and uncomfortable for both of you. How would Leigh feel then? She doesn’t want any trouble here with anyone, not when she’s trying to break into our society and business world. If she’s as smart as you think, she’ll back off to prevent any problems. Then where will you be? You need Louisa on this safari, or the prim Leigh won’t go.”
“If Louisa presents a problem here, she’s not going with us. If she makes any there, she’ll be the one Jace kills and will die in Leigh’s place. The way that bitch has been annoying me lately, I wouldn’t mind getting rid of her for good. One thing for sure, Louisa can’t be allowed to suspect her role in my plans. I’ll keep her duped a while. As for Jace Elliott, finally I’ll have justice and revenge. After I return home and marry Leigh, I’ll have his plantation burned. That should lure him back to England to be executed legally. My hands will be clean.”
“Why did you warn him when he returned to London?” Reid questioned. “He could have been captured and killed long ago.”
“Before he dies, I want Jace to have time to suffer like he made me suffer. Killing him would have been simple and merciful. I didn’t like killing Brandon. He was good to me over the years, better than my own father. But Jace forced me to strike where it would hurt the most: at his father, Joanna Harris, the business, his family name, and his damned survival. William shouldn’t have left half to Jace instead of to me.”
“Why didn’t he? Did he suspect anything? Did you kill William like you killed his wife?”
Chad was shocked by his friend’s words. “No! I loved that old man, until he betrayed me after his death. William never knew I was responsible for his good fortune. We were like father and son. He helped me reclaim my social position, earn a fortune, whiten the family name my crazy father had blackened, and gave me self-confidence. I don’t know why William left everything to Leigh, or made that insane codicil.” Chad paused, lost in thought. “But you’re right; he must have suspected I was responsible for Stokely and Elliott’s bad luck. That’s the only reason he would have left half of everything to Jace. But that bastard will never get his hands on anything of mine again!”
When Chad’s frown increased, Reid added, “Leigh hasn’t been here long, and she knows how you feel about this firm. If you go after her this soon, she’ll think it’s only the business you want.”
“You’re right. I’d better cool my ardor before I make a mistake with her, especially after Thursday night. I have a feeling Louisa was entangled in that mischief. I had a talk with her. She won’t try anything stupid again because she doesn’t want to lose me.”
“If you suspect Louisa is to blame, why let her near Leigh? Louisa doesn’t know about the will, so she probably assumes you’ll get at least half if her rival meets with death. You and I know how much she wants you, old chap. But if Leigh dies and Jace doesn’t, you’ll never get that other half from him.”
Confident, Chad responded, “Louisa will behave herself, and I need her a while longer. We’ll both watch her closely. As for Leigh, I have plenty of time for that delightful conquest.”
“The slower you work, the better. She’s a female to be wooed, not one to be swept off her feet and seduced. If you try to conquer her that way, my friend, she’ll think she’s no different from the rest of your prey. But what if your new plan fails? You could endanger it all.”
“If I can’t ensnare Leigh with love and marriage, I’ll be forced to go back to my original plan. But, even if I’m forced to get rid of her, I don’t want Louisa for a wife or as the mother of my children. One thing for certain, Reid, Laura Leigh Webster is a very special woman.”
“And one marked for death, my enamored friend,” Reid added, “if she doesn’t fall under your spell. I never thought I’d see the day when Chadwick Hamilton became the love-smitten conquest. Keep your wits clear, old chap. She’s a very valuable asset, so treat her that way. I’m glad you sent your mother away until this matter is settled. If anything goes wrong in Africa, she could be implicated.”
“You’re right. Mother has already made her sacrifice for me by marrying William so I could become his son. Now, maybe she can find a new man to wed, a rich and virile and titled one this time.”
“What if the man she falls in love with is none of those things?”
Chad laughed and shook his head. “Don’t be fooled by my beautiful mother, old friend. Her angelic face and manner mask the same dark side I inherited from her. She had plenty of lovers while married to my unfortunate father, but she was always discreet. I’m certain she cooled her hot blood elsewhere while married to William. Don’t feel sorry for Fiona or concerned over her happiness. Mother can be a worse bitch than Louisa; she’s just smart enough to conceal it. Where do you think I learned all my charm and skill?”
“You sound as if you hate her,” Reid said.
“Heavens, no, but I’ve never trusted her completely. She’s too secretive with me. Frankly, I think this new plan is best. I wouldn’t want Mother tempted by all that money and power. That would be a lethal mistake. For her sake, I hope she’ll be satisfied with the payment I promised her for marrying William.”
“But that was for half of everything when he died. Leigh got it all. If you marry her and take it, where does that leave Fiona?”
“Hopefully in some rich stallion’s bed, and very soon so she’ll forget that rash promise. Maybe she’ll be too busy and wealthy to remember. While I’m in Africa seeking revenge, I plan to have a marvelous time and see what business ventures are available. Once Jace is destroyed and Leigh is mine, the dark past will be over, Reid. Only sunny years will lie ahead. Merciful heavens, I can hardly wait.”
~*~
Leigh sat on her bed with her legs folded, brushing her damp hair. She fretted over Chad’s behavior this afternoon. It annoyed and worried her. She had to find a way to control him or it would spoil everything. Her restless mind went to the stranger from the wharf. He was handsome, virile, charming—perfect.But she had not seen or heard from him in four days. He knew where she was staying and he had vowed to pursue her. What had happened to him?
Leigh tossed the brush aside and fingered the books she had purchased for the voyage to Africa: books by Dickens, Hugo, Twain, Hardy, Kipling, Melville, and Conrad. She loved to read, and she especially needed distraction tonight. She choseFar from the Madding Crowdby Thomas Hardy. After what the store owner had told her about it, perhaps she would discover something interesting and useful about men, women, and romance. For certain, she needed to learn more about dealing with all of them! She curled on the bed, opened the book, and began her “lessons.”
~*~