“Somebody will be angry,” she teased.
“That’s too bad. I can’t spend my life trying to appease a willful woman. After the safari, perhaps Louisa and I will part ways.”
“Have you told her?” Leigh was secretly glad.
“Not yet. I don’t want to spoil our adventure. Louisa and I have been a twosome for a long time. I owe her that much. I don’t want to hurt or embarrass her. It’ll be kindest and best to let her go back home. I’ll even let her make me the villain in our parting.”
Leigh wondered if he was being truthful and if he’d done that before, considering his colorful reputation with women. “You’re a good man, Chad. She will be heartbroken. She is in love with you.”
He laughed. “Louisa doesn’t love anybody but herself, Leigh. Don’t let her fool you. I’m nothing but a conquest to her. She enjoys being with …” He halted and sent her a roguish look. “How shall I put this without sounding vain? I am considered a good catch. She likes to be seen with me. And she’d like to marry me for my position and money. I’m afraid that isn’t enough for me. I want love and respect.”
“You amaze me, Chad. Being considerate of old flames is a rare trait.” What appeared to her to be a genuine smile flickered over his appealing face and settled in his blue eyes.
“For some reason I’m changing, and I think it’s because of you, Leigh. You’re a good influence on me.”
“Thank you, kind sir,” she responded, returning his smile. Hehadchanged during this afternoon and evening. He was being relaxed and open. Unless he was a good and cunning actor. Maybe Chad was in love with her and Jace wanted to hurt him with her conquest.
“Ready to go?”
“Lead on, Chad; you can be the guide tonight.” While they walked, Leigh prayed that the forceful gaze she sensed on them was Jace Elliott’s. This should teach the traitor she wasn’t to be duped and used. This behavior should make him doubt his potent effect on her. This would show her if that effect was real …
~*~
Jacewaswatching them, and he was furious. He was baffled. Leigh was accepting Chad’s every flirtation. What, he wondered, did she have in mind with this crazy ruse? Was she trying to get information? If so, it was perilous to tempt that man. He would tell her so later. He had set one woman straight today, and it looked as if he had another task awaiting him tonight. It hadn’t taken long to get his point made with the redhead, after which he had sneaked out the window.
He had sent a cable asking Lord Salisbury to check into the men who had attacked Leigh in the London alley. Leigh had supplied the names she had heard them call each other and their descriptions, and a clue about their smelling of horseflesh. He had suggested all employees of Louisa, Cynthia, and Chad be investigated. If any men with those names and faces worked for either one, he would be notified. A friend in the Colonial Office was checking on her attack here for him. With luck, it would be the same culprit, giving him only one villain—or villainess—to thwart.
Jace didn’t like Leigh being alone in the garden with Chad. He headed downstairs to intercept them.
~*~
Leigh walked beside Chad. She realized she could not allow him to kiss her or to touch her, not even to test his magic against Jace’s or to punish Jace. She let Chad know not to make advances by the way she talked and acted. They spoke of business and the London restaurant they were decorating. They talked about her Texas years. “It’s late and I need rest. Let’s head back.”
“That was a pleasant walk, Leigh. You’re enjoyable company. We should do this every night for exercise and to get better acquainted.”
“Sounds nice to me, Chad.”
Jace met them at the next bend in the tropical path. Torchlight danced on his bronzed face and brown hair.
“Hello, Jace. You finish the preparations today? Our departure is still on for tomorrow, isn’t it?”
“We leave by train at ten. Did you tell everyone to be ready? The train doesn’t wait for anyone.”
Leigh and Chad glanced at each other and laughed at a private joke. “No such luck, Leigh, so be good.”
“What’s amusing?” Jace asked, jealousy biting him.
Chad explained. “Cynthia is always running late. This time, she’ll get left behind if she tries to pull one of her grand entrances.”
“If you two gentlemen will excuse me,” Leigh said, “I have to make certain my things are ready so I can get a good night’s sleep.”
“Good night, Leigh. I’ll see you at breakfast.”
Jace was vexed by the way his rival bid his woman good night and by the way Leigh totally ignored him in Chad’s presence. He hoped it was nothing more than a means by which to conceal their affair, but he feared it wasn’t. Leigh gave off a chill that alarmed and confused him. He didn’t say good night to her; he would do that later in her room …
After she was gone, Chad informed him, “Leigh came to my room late this afternoon and demanded to know about our quarrel, Jace. I had to tell her something, or she was going to call off the safari and sail home. She was upset.” He related what he had said to her. “If you don’t believe me, ask her yourself.”
“After hearing how wicked I am, she still wants to go?”