The safari would get underway in three days, and her wager with Jace would begin. Despite their bargain, this afternoon he had left her side without making any attempt to embrace, kiss, or seduce her. Jace Elliott had her totally baffled and frustrated.
Leigh paced the room. She had learned a great deal about the enticing man since meeting him. She was glad Jace had been open about a few matters. She had learned more about herself and her emotions. She loved being with him. She felt good in his company. She believed he was innocent, that he was a unique person. She liked and respected him. She was experiencing more than the budding of friendship. She desired him. She was falling in love with that green-eyed seductor.
~*~
Leigh was anxious to see what the next day and the safari would bring. Louisa had asked Leigh to give her and Chad time alone, and Leigh had agreed. She had told the redhead she was going to see the old Portuguese fort. Louisa had hugged her and thanked her.
Leigh had been awakened early, as she had each day. While darkness was deserting the foreign land, she had heard the echoing calls of themuezzinfrom the small towers attached to mosques summoning the faithful Muslims to prayer. It was a custom unchanged since the Islamic traders had first settled in this land. She had listened to the melodious calls of the “Crier” from the minarets, then dozed for a time. Later, she had risen, dressed, and eaten breakfast alone.
She checked her string purse to make certain her derringer was inside and loaded. She sneaked from the hotel and hired a rickshaw to take her to the old fort. As Leigh was rushed along, she quickly glanced at the scenery much as she had done on her arrival, noticing the same sights, smells, activities, and sounds. When the driver halted, she paid him and asked him to return in an hour to fetch her. Fort Jesus, the sixteenth-century fortress, was located near the natural harbor where her ship had docked to unload its passengers and cargo. It was spread over a large area, and a stone wall encompassed the fortress, other buildings, and the grounds. The fort was unlocked, but no visitors and natives were around today. In size, shape, and appearance, the main structure reminded her of an English castle. The yard was enormous and, despite their age, most buildings were in excellent condition. Tropical trees and vegetation had been allowed to remain intact here and there, giving the fort a mysterious and sultry aura.
Leigh tried to imagine it in olden times—noisy and filled with soldiers, weapons, and supplies. She tried to envision the fierce struggles that had taken place here for control of this crucial seaport. It must have been a terrible loss for the Portuguese.
She strolled about the area, always keeping a tight grip on her purse. Leigh felt safe venturing out alone, but she still did not drop her guard for an instant. Afterward, she planned to visit the bazaar before returning to the hotel. That should give Louisa enough time alone with Chad. Perhaps Jace would return from his business dealings by tea time and they could get together again.
The sun was past its noon level, and her early-fed stomach told her it was nearing mealtime. Her driver was to return at twelve-thirty to fetch her, so it wouldn’t be long now.
A man in Arab garb raced to her. Seizing her hand and pulling on it, he entreated, “Bibi, memsa-hib,come! Boy hurt. Need help.Mbeia sana,very bad. Please to come help. My son fall, dying.”
Leigh hurried out of the fort with the anxious man, along its right side, and down a path toward the water’s edge. In the distance, she saw adhowbobbing on the liquid blue surface where sunlight dazzled, then a still body near a large rock. It looked as if the boy had fallen from it, perhaps while playing. His garment was twisted about him. His arms and legs were positioned unnaturally. Leigh’s feet slipped and slid as she followed the nervous man to see if she could give aid.
Before reaching the victim, Leigh noticed the prone figure was too large for a boy and his position was odd, as if skillfully arranged. Her guard lifted with speed. As the man in front of her was turning, she fumbled with her purse to loosen its string. She yanked the derringer from inside and pointed it at the deceitful man. She saw his dark eyes narrow and chill; their gaze and his expression were evil. She felt cold menace in the hot air.
When he lunged for her armed hand, she fired. The jolted weapon sent a bullet into his thigh. He staggered and looked shocked. The prone man sprang from his position and headed their way.
Panic filled her. Leigh backed up and warned, “Stay back or the next shot will be in your chest.” She knew she only had one bullet left, but she hoped these foreign men weren’t familiar with this type of gun. Obviously she was right, because they halted, then glanced at each other as if plotting their strategy. From atop the path near the fort corner, Leigh heard a familiar voice.
“Leigh, are you all right?” Jace called out. “I’m coming.” He moved as quickly as the terrain allowed. “Stay calm. I’ll be there in a minute.”
The two men exchanged words in their language. The second one helped the first—blood flowing down his injured leg—to rush toward their waiting boat. He shoved it into the water, and off thedhowwent the moment wind filled its sail. Leigh didn’t fire at them again; she could not kill a man—even an attacker—in cold blood.
Jace eyed the gun and vanishing boat, then asked, “What happened? What are you doing here alone?”
Apparently he had put the clues together rapidly and accurately. She explained to the breathless man what had happened. A scowl lined his handsome face. “Don’t scold me again, Sir Lancelot,” she teased to lighten the situation. “Ever since that night in the London alley, I carry my trusty derringer with me for protection. My uncle in Texas gave it to me, and it works perfectly. What are you doing here, Mr. Elliott?”
“I was finishing some business with a man nearby. I saw you leaving the fort with a strange man. I figured something was up. When I heard that shot … You could have been killed or abducted.”
Leigh savored the worried look on his face. “But I wasn’t. I can take care of myself, most of the time.”
“I can see that,” he agreed, still frowning. “You shouldn’t go out alone, Leigh. The Sultan of Zanzibar probably heard there was a beautiful woman with golden hair here and sent his men to capture her for his harem,” he jested, planning to check into the matter.
“Tell him I would make a terrible slave. I’m willful and stubborn, according to some people I know.”
“This isn’t a joke, Leigh,” he said in a serious tone.
“It’s over now. It’s nice to know my Sir Lancelot is always around when I’m in danger. How is that so?”
Jace caught the provocative tone in her voice. “Probably because you’re always into mischief. You’re a very desirable woman, so men everywhere will be after you, including me. You realize this means you owe me an extra night with you. According to rule two, if you get yourself into danger or trouble, I get an extra reward. I wonder …” he murmured huskily. “Are danger and trouble the same or do I earn two extra nights for you getting into both?”
“You are a greedy rogue, Jace Elliott. We aren’t on safari yet, so this incident doesn’t count. Besides, I solved it, remember? Did you connive with those men to help me lose my bet with you?”
Making a X over his chest, he vowed, “I cross my heart those men don’t work for me and never have. I’ll get the Colonial Office to investigate the matter. We can’t have ruffians attacking our visitors and scaring them away from our beautiful land. This is all your fault for going out alone. Don’t do it again,” he cautioned.
“I’ll be good, my legendary guide. Can I ask you a question that you’ll promise to answer honestly?”
“Such as?” he replied, his brow lifting inquisitively.
“Did you pay Hanes to fake an accident so you can replace him?” she asked as they headed up the hill.