Love?She deliberated that condition. No, Leigh reasoned, she couldn’t be in love with that emerald-eyed rogue who haunted her day and night. She did not know him well enough for that to be true. But, she admitted, her feelings were traveling in that direction. She was physically and emotionally attracted to him, yet she knew, love required far more. It also required knowing, respecting, and liking a man.
Leigh smiled as warm memories filled her head. Her mother had told her of those matters when she was only fourteen and had her taste of first love. Her mother had tried to explain the difference between infatuation, physical attraction, and real love: emotional facets Leigh had not fully understood until now. “Thank you, Mother.”
Leigh left the doors open to listen to the rain while she tried to quell her tension and prepare for sleep. She doused the lamps and climbed into bed. “Africa,” she whispered. “You’re actually in Africa.”
~*~
The next three days passed in a blur. On Tuesday, the women were confined inside because of the heavy rains and mud. Chad and Reid sought their guide without success. Leigh spent the day reading. Dinner passed smoothly and genially, revealing that Chad and Louisa had settled their differences, much to Leigh’s relief.
On Wednesday, they took a ride in adhowto a small island where they enjoyed a picnic at a beautiful lagoon. Afterward, they strolled around town to see the sights and to shop. Leigh and Chad, with Louisa’s assistance, selected and purchased many items for their client’s restaurant in London, and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.
Thursday morning, the women were told to relax again while Chad and Reid checked out business ventures in Mombasa. At dinner, Chad told them that their guide, Jim Hanes—who had gone inland last week—had not returned to his office yet. All they could do was wait, and have fun. But he did reveal plans for a special evening the following night: a party at Alfred Johnston’s home, and on Chad’s thirty-second birthday.
~*~
Friday morning, Leigh sneaked out to go shopping for a birthday gift for her guardian. She was not away long, and for a good reason. During the entire time, she felt as if she were being watched. It wasn’t unexpected for strangers to receive attention and stares, but the gaze she sensed was evil and intimidating. She had searched the buildings and crowds but couldn’t find anyone suspicious spying on her. Uneasy, she had returned to her suite to put away her packages and to drop her derringer inside her purse.
At two o’clock, Chad came to Leigh’s suite with an unexpected gift for her. After unwrapping it, she glanced at him. “It’s exquisite.”
“An exquisite necklace for an exquisite neck,” he replied. “It’s very old and valuable, but it belongs to you. It was part of the Webster estate, and Mother thought you should have it. I found it in the safe the day before we sailed, and I was saving it for a special moment. Wear it tonight if it matches your gown.”
“It will, and I shall,” she responded happily to the treasure. “I have something for you, too.” She fetched his two gifts and said, “Happy birthday, Chad,” and handed them to him.
He opened the first one and withdrew a two-foot blade. As he examined and admired it, she explained, “It’s asimi,a bush knife for rituals. I thought you could hang it in your office as a souvenir of our safari … Now open the other one,” she coaxed eagerly.
He did so, and she related, “It’s a carved statue of Ngai, the Kikuyu god who lives atop Kere-Nyaga, the tall mountain here. Isn’t the workmanship wonderful?”
“They’re both magnificent, Leigh. Thank you,” he said, and kissed her cheek. “I’ll always treasure them. They’re the best birthday gifts I’ve ever received. No, the best gifts for any occasion, because you selected them with the best motive of all: friendship.”
Leigh smiled. Chad was standing close, was smiling warmly, and was gazing at her tenderly. Yet, for once, his mood seemed genuinely affectionate and sincere. That worried her even more than his overt flirtation. “Where is Louisa?” she asked to bring him back to reality.
Chad realized he was making her jittery, so he slowed his pace. “Taking a nap. She’s expecting a long and busy evening. Why don’t you rest, too? We’ll leave at seven.” Chad took his gifts, thanked her, and left.
~*~
Leigh dressed in the sapphire and cream gown she had worn the night she had been attacked on the London wharf. Thanks to the delay in departing, it had been repaired in time to bring for special occasions.
Her tawny hair was swept up on the sides and secured atop her head with the new blue aigrette. The remainder of her wavy mane flowed down her back like a golden river. She lightly dusted her lids with the blue powder Louisa had sent to her room, and smeared a thin coating of pink cream on her lips.
Leigh lifted the necklace that Chad had given to her. She had never seen her grandmother wear it, but she had been around the woman on very few important occasions. The blonde was delighted that Chad and his mother had passed it along to her, but was surprised Fiona had parted with the unusual treasure.
Leigh studied it with keen interest and admiration. On a delicate gold chain was attached an irregular-shaped piece of labradorite, an iridescent blue feldspar whose surface alluded to a dreamy underwater world. With very little imagination, one could easily pick out gently undulating algae and a sunken ship that had found its final resting place on the sandy floor of a deep blue ocean. She fastened the necklace around her neck.
When the correct time arrived, Leigh left her suite. As she descended the steps, Chad came forward to meet her. His blue gaze swept over her, then alighted briefly on the necklace.
“Does it go all right with this gown?”
“It makes me think of peaceful oceans, and sunken treasure ships, and magical sirens. You look absolutely stunning tonight. Every man in the room—single or married—will be aching for your company.”
“You do wonders for a woman, Chad. Thank you, for the compliment and the keepsake.” As they hesitated at the stairs chatting, Louisa came to join them.
“Ready to go?” she hinted, watching Chad observe Leigh in a disturbing manner. “You look lovely. That necklace is beautiful.”
Leigh fingered it and said, “It belonged to my grandmother, so I inherited it when Grandfather died. It’s exquisite, is it not?”
“You’re lucky those ruffians didn’t steal it when they accosted you. Isn’t that the same gown you were wearing that night?”
Since Leigh knew that Chad had revealed the episode to his flame-haired lover, Leigh had also related her experience to Louisa during the voyage and asked her to keep her secret. “Yes, but it was repaired in time to bring it along. As for this treasure, I wasn’t wearing it that night. Chad passed it along to me this afternoon.”