His voice was bitter as he continued. “Chad was the one to expose my dilemma to me. I knew from the way he was gloating that I was in deep trouble. I didn’t hang around to be questioned and arrested; the evidence was too cunning and damaging to refute from jail, and I didn’t know what else they had on me. I returned to Africa and threw myself into saving my plantation. I knew I had to let things cool down before I could begin my own investigation. Since a coffee crop takes three to four years between planting and harvesting, all I had was time on my hands and frustration to burn off. Once a crop’s in the ground, its care is limited to the trimming required to give bushes a robust, balanced framework and to stimulate growth. The coffee cherries should be ready next year, if another disaster doesn’t strike. In this business, disease, rainfall, and temperature control your success.”
Leigh realized he was rambling, but she let him talk as he pleased. “How can you stay away from your crop for months?”
“I have an excellent overseer named Kambu, and the Kikuyu village nearby furnishes me with plenty of good workers. To support myself, I work as a safari guide for rich and bored Englishmen. But I got tired of feeling helpless and risked a trip to London. Satisfied?”
“How did you get to Africa? Why did you stay?”
He smiled. “I love this land; it’s wild and beautiful, and full of promise and excitement. I hate being away from it very long. After I finished school in ‘82, I joined the Royal Navy and sailed the world over. When I had enough of their tight rules, I took off for bluer seas, until Africa caught my eye. I lived and worked in the southern area for a while. Then, I became a member of the Uganda Railroad expedition. It was on that trip that I lost my heart and soul to this land. I learned my way around while doing lots of different jobs.”
“Why did you go into the coffee business?”
“I wanted to succeed on my own, not live off an inheritance, and I don’t like the textile business. In ’91, I happened upon an excellent deal with an Englishman who wanted ‘out of this damn jungle and back into civilization.’ I used the money I’d earned to purchase his home, land, and crop. It’s near Kiambu, northwest of Nairobi, near the rail line they’re building. That’ll be a big help with shipments and save me lots of work and time. Satisfied now?” he questioned as he laughed.
Leigh grinned. “A little.”
“Tell me about yourself. Start with how you got your name.”
“Leigh was my mother’s maiden name. Laura was her mother’s.”
“That’s mighty stingy information. What have you been doing in London? Where are you from? Tell me more, lots more about yourself.”
Leigh realized he wanted to change the subject and decided to go along with him. She went over her history, then quipped, “Satisfied?”
With a broad grin, he murmured, “A little.”
“Tell me more about yourself, Jace. And tell me why,” she probed, “you and he are enemies now.”
“I told you that’s a taboo subject. Ask me again in two months.”
“That isn’t fair.”
“Life never is. Who knew you were coming to the fort today?”
“Only one person. No, two: Louisa and the rickshaw driver.” Leigh hadn’t forgotten that Louisa had sent the note in London that had resulted in her attack. Her suspicions returned.
“Chad’s … sweetheart?”
“Yes,she wanted time alone with him, so I gave it to her. Why?”
Jace sensed how much the redhead wanted his enemy. “If this wasn’t a chance attack, somebody planned it,” he hinted.
Leigh reasoned aloud, “Louisa didn’t. She couldn’t have. She doesn’t know anyone here, and she only learned about my visit last night. There was no time for a plot, Mr. Elliott.”
Her mention of a ruse alerted Jace. He worried that the redhead had told Chad about Leigh’s plans today and that his foe had plotted this perilous mischief. Or, Louisa could be Chad’s accomplice in a plot against Leigh. But that didn’t make sense,ifChad truly wanted to win and wed this golden creature. Under English law, if anything happened to Leigh, Fiona—and eventually Chad—would inherit the Webster empire. So, if Chad couldn’t win or didn’t want to wed Leigh … That thought sent Jace’s mind to reasoning. Perhaps Chad needed someone to frame or a logical explanation for the timing of Leigh’s death—so close to William’s. It didn’t make sense for Chad to risk losing her to him. Yet that wager had been created to provoke his interest. He wanted more facts; but he held silent for now.
Leigh intruded on his silent fears. “If you don’t mind, please don’t tell the others about this trouble.”
“Don’t want to worry or alarm them?” When she nodded, he asked, “What is my silence worth?”
“Do you always expect payment for everything?”
“Why not? That’s why I took this job.”
“I thought you took it to please and pursue me.”
“You did, did you? You’re right. There are plenty of other safaris.”
Jace’s engaging grin had a weakening effect on her. The tropical sun caused his eyes to squint, and it danced in his windblown hair. He was too tempting. He made no attempt to kiss her or to even move closer, she said, “I should be getting back to the hotel. I told my driver to return at twelve-thirty. He’s probably come and gone by now. Care to find me another carriage, Sir Lancelot?”