Naturally he would be resentful toward William Webster’s granddaughter, especially if he didn’t know about the will’s stipulation. But, she fretted, why was he playing romantic games with her? For revenge? No, she reasoned, he had responded to her before learning who she was. But, she argued with herself, why had he endangered himself to meet her in the garden at Lord Salisbury’s? What did he want from her? As she eyed him closely, her mind hinted,So, this is Jace Elliott, the man who inherits half of everything if…
“What were you doing sneaking around in London? I thought you were wanted by the law and couldn’t—” She halted as he released her and let her sway against the wall behind her.
Jace had noticed her reaction to his identity. “So, you do know who and what I am; you just didn’t realize Sir Lancelot is Jace Elliott, isn’t that right? Why didn’t Chad tell you the truth before involving you?”
“Involving me inwhat?You’ve made many charges and innuendoes, so I’m confused. Please explain.”
“For God knows what reason, old Chadwick wants me to lead your safari. Of course I do have a reputation as the best guide here, but why does he really want to hire me, Laura? Why did he order you to lure me out of London? So I’d be here when you all arrived? Why?”
Astonishment glittered in her eyes. “Where would you get a crazy idea like that, Mr. Elliott? Jim Hanes is our guide. We’re waiting for his return so we can head inland. He’s late, but he’ll arrive soon. Even so, why should that request annoy you to such extremes?”
“Why indeed, his beautiful accomplice?”
Leigh was irritated. They were just beginning to make headway in this mess. “Is there a reason why you keep calling me beautiful and accusing me of things I don’t understand?”
“Because youarebeautiful, too beautiful and tempting. If I agree to head up your safari, how will you thank me this time?”
Leigh flushed in a mixture of embarrassment and anger. “You’re impossible, insufferable, crazy, rude. Why on earth would we want you around us day and night?”
“That’s what I keep asking myself, woman. Chad and I don’t get along at all, so why did he send for me and want to hire me? And why is he using his tasty ward as bait for his little trap?”
“Chad sent for you? Why? He told me he had hired a man named Jim Hanes. He’s been to his office twice since our arrival to check on the delay. You’re mistaken, or downright lying.”
“If you’d like to see his written offer, it’s in my hotel room. Or, you can go ask him. It’s a fact, woman.”
She stared at him. “Chad would never hire you.”
Jace took in her reaction, and Chad’s arrival outside the door. Apparently, Chad had elected to pause to eavesdrop. “Why wouldn’t Chad hire me, Miss Leigh?”
“Because you’re a wanted criminal,” she replied, not daring to tell the truth. Surely this was the last man Chad wanted around them. Was he lying to glean information? Yet, if he and Chad never saw each other, what did Jace mean about their not getting along? More important, did Jace know about the will? She dared not ask. “We wouldn’t go into the jungle alone with you.”
To steal this golden treasure would avenge what Chad had done to Joanna, Jace speculated. If she vanished in the jungle, what would his enemy trade or do to get her back? Jace knew he needed to be with them and, for some reason, Chad was giving him an opportunity. He had to take it and uncover that motive. “The only way I’ll agree to work for Chad is for you to personally make the offer,” he bartered.
Leigh’s mouth dropped open and her eyes enlarged. “If that’s what is required, Mr. Elliott, you’llneverwork for us. I wouldn’t ask you to take us if you were the only guide in all of Africa.”
Jace revealed a smug grin and responded, “Then I suggest you inform your guardian and group that there will be no safari. Without me, you can’t go inland. Jim Hanes has a busted leg, and there’s no one else available. That’s why you need me.”
“Wedon’tneed you. We’ll buy maps to use.”
Jace shook his head. “You can’t.”
“You can’t stop us, Mr. Elliott.”
“Yes, Leigh, I’m afraid he can,” Chad stated from the doorway. “He can and he will, if we can’t persuade him to be our guide.”
Chad closed the door and joined them. The men stared at each other for a time. Leigh felt the animosity that permeated the room. Her curious gaze shifted from man to man. It was clear to her that they were not mere acquaintances, as Chad had implied.
Chad spoke first. “Jace Elliott does have the power to prevent our safari if he refuses to become our guide. It’s the law here. The Imperial British East Africa Company and the Colonial Office won’t allow safaris without a special license and an approved guide.”
“What about Jim Hanes?”
“As Jace told you, Jim has a broken leg. He’s in Nairobi. There isn’t anyone else around to hire. Either we convince Jace to take the job or we miss our adventure. While I was at the Colonial Office, they told me Jace was expected in town any day now. I left a letter for them to pass along to Jace, offering him the job. I was hoping, after he met you, he would be persuaded.”
Leigh recalled Jace’s accusations. “Did you arrange that mix-up with the dinner invitation so Jace and I could meet in London?” she asked. “How could you allow those ruffians to terrify me? If Jace hadn’t come along that night, I could have been injured. Were you hoping I would ensnare Mr. Elliott for you?”
Chad looked shocked. He glanced at Jace, then back at Leigh. “He’s the one who rescued you when you were attacked?” he asked, looking totally surprised. “Why didn’t you tell me?” To his enemy, he questioned, “What were you doing in London, Jace? That was mighty foolish, don’t you think?”
“Don’t tell me you’re worried about my safety old friend,” the green-eyed man scoffed.