“How fortunate for you that he brought it with him. It’s perfect with the gown. And I like your eyes and lips.”
“Thank you for loaning the cosmetics to me. You’ll have to tell me where to order them when we return.”
“Why don’t you simply borrow mine until November,” the redhead suggested, “then I’ll give you a whole supply for your twenty-first birthday. And Chad can throw a huge party for you. Won’t that be fun?”
“Sounds wonderful to me,” Chad declared. “You ladies ready?”
Both said, “Ready,” and they exchanged laughter.
~*~
The estate at the edge of town was elegant and large: a white stucco, three-story mansion nearly surrounded by the lush greenery of wild Africa. There were about seventy guests: a mixture of British, with a few Arabs, French, and Indians. All were either close friends or local business acquaintances of their host, Alfred Johnston, who had invited her group the moment he heard they were in Mombasa.
Music was being played in several rooms, and champagne and wine flowed. Treats had been placed here and there for guests to nibble on after the sumptuous dinner had been completed. Floral fragrances wafted through mesh-covered windows that kept out mosquitoes and other insects. Everyone was dressed in his or her finest garments; the rooms were vivid with an array of colors from the ladies’ gowns and jewels. Men’s talk and pipe smoke drifted through cleverly decorated areas, and women’s laughter floated through the air with them.
Leigh had danced many times, and sipped a little champagne. She was admiring a painting when her host asked her to join him for the next dance. She walked to the appropriate room and slipped into his arms. They chatted in a cordial manner as they moved about the room. Alfred Johnston was an interesting man whose company she enjoyed. She recalled seeing his name on a warehouse door at the wharf. When she mentioned it, he explained about his export/import business.
As he spoke, she studied him. He appeared to be over fifty, with salt-and-pepper hair, and a lean body. His face was pleasant and darkly tanned from the tropical sun. He was around five feet ten inches tall, and a good dancer. She liked his heavy English accent, and notice how educated and intelligent he seemed. From what she had observed during the evening, he was happily married, and was well-liked and respected in the area. He was also very wealthy and good-humored.
Their conversation moved to the impending safari. He enlightened her on the jungle, wild beasts, natives, and African history. He warned her about harmful vegetation, insects, and snakes, and how to avoid them. She noticed how his dark eyes glowed with love and pride for his adopted land. His mood and manner were infectious, making Leigh eager to get her journey underway. If only their guide would arrive!
As her second dance with him ended, he suggested, “Why don’t you come into my special room and view the artwork there?”
Leigh accompanied Alfred to the rear of the mansion and into a large room whose walls were covered with magnificent paintings and artifacts. Small tables held other treasures that he had collected from Africa and around the world. She was fascinated.
“Each one has a special story and adventure behind it,” he hinted.
“Please, sir, tell me all of them. Or as many as time allows,” she entreated eagerly. “What about this vase?” she asked, pointing to one with Egyptian symbols and pictures painted on it.
Before Alfred Johnston could relate any stories, a Hindu servant summoned him. “Stay here and look around if you wish. I’ll return later and fill your ears.” He excused himself and left the room.
Leigh walked to a painting of a group of lions and gazed at it.
Jace Elliott halted at the doorway and stared at the woman’s back. At last the people he was awaiting had arrived. He had begun to worry that he had been tricked into leaving London. For weeks he had stewed over this mystery and fretted over Laura’s involvement in it. He had met the most beautiful and desirable woman ever seen, only to discover she was his enemy’s ward, or so she claimed. He had met her under curious conditions that made him suspicious. The men who had attacked her were certainly not sailors! Then she had mentioned a safari during their second meeting, a safari with the man who wanted to destroy him.
Of all places in Africa, he reasoned, why would Chad come to his territory? How had this enchanting creature come to be his foe’s ward, and why had he brought her along? That bastard was up to something, and Jace needed to learn what his former friend had in mind. He suspected he was being lured into a deadly trap and this female perhaps the means to blind him to the pitfalls ahead.
He would have to thank Alfred again for including Chad’s group tonight and for agreeing to lure Laura away from the guests and her guardian. He wanted their reunion to occur in private. If he was going to learn anything from her, he had to take her off guard. Jace never doubted for a minute that Chad had come to Africa for revenge and that this female was part of Chad’s plot. But, he mused, how and where did she fit into his foe’s treacherous scheme? And was she a willing participant? The suspense had chewed on his nerves. “One never knows whom one might meet in Africa, does one, Miss Laura Leigh?”
She whirled and gaped at the man whose vision had haunted her for over a month. He was leaning negligently against the doorjamb and grinning. His brown hair was combed neatly, and he was attired for this occasion in a dashing white linen suit. The tapered coat and pants evinced his muscular physique, their snowy color enhancing his dark tan and matching his teeth. His eyes were like flaming emeralds, and she felt consumed by their roaring blaze. Her pulse and heart raced, and her breath was stolen. Joy flooded her and washed away her wits. Unable to move again, she stared at him. “I didn’t think I would ever see you again,” she murmured as her softened eyes seemed to caress him.
“Didn’t you now, my enchanting damsel in distress?” he teased, coming forward and halting within inches of her. His engulfing gaze never left her wide blue one. “I had no doubts whatsoever that we’d meet again, and again, and again,” he vowed in a tone which caused Leigh to warm and tingle. “But you made me wait too long.”
Chapter Seven
“Idon’t understand …” Her wits scattered by his unexpected presence and close proximity. He looked so handsome in his well-made suit. He smelled wonderful. His smile was dazzling with those white teeth set amidst a darkly tanned face of handsome features. “I don’t know your name or where you live. I don’t even think I thanked you properly for your gallant rescue that first night.”
“But you did thank me, remember?” he hinted, seductively passing his tongue over his sensual lips as his fingers grazed hers lightly.
Leigh grasped his meaning and warmed even more at the recall of the stolen kisses they had shared. She trembled at his touch and stepped backward without even knowing it. “No matter. I wish to make certain I’ve done so properly. What are you doing here?”
“Trailing you, of course.” He stepped forward again.
“Isn’t that whatI’msupposed to do this time?” she came back too quickly. She watched his gaze travel over her, and hesitate at her throat. She saw his green eyes narrow and chill.
Harsh memories rushed into Jace’s head. “That was the original plan. What took you so long to get here? I was about to give up on you and go home.”
Leigh noticed that the playful mischief in his gaze had shifted to an emotion she did not understand. There was a sharp edge to his voice now, and that disturbed her. She wondered why hostility and cynical accusation seemed to exude from him. She sensed a tightly leashed anger and tension coming from the man. How mercurial he could be, she decided in annoyance. Baffled and alarmed by this enigmatic stranger who evinced a streak of danger, she replied, “Our ship was in need of repairs and we were delayed for a week. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll rejoin the party.” She tried to sweep by him, but he caught her forearm.