As she twisted her hair to stuff it beneath her topee, Jace warned, “I wouldn’t do that, Leigh. Mosquitoes love soft, damp napes.”
“Thanks for the information, Mr. Elliott.”
As they headed off again, Jace found the privacy to ask Leigh, “Were you complaining about the heat back there? Rule one …”
Leigh could not help but say, “Guilty as charged.”
At her playfulness, Jace smiled in pleasure.
On the grasslands, they saw many animals in the distance: wildebeest, gazelle, zebra, lion, giraffe. Most browsers and grazers were eating contentedly while their predators reclined in the shade of acacias and buckthorns, no doubt plotting their next attack. The group didn’t halt to take pictures, because Jace said they would see plenty from their first campsite.
He pointed out a large pack of gregarious baboons and told Leigh interesting facts about their tightly knit order. He passed a caution down the line when he sighted an enormous cape buffalo. “There are five big trophies men want from here: elephant, rhino, lion, leopard, and buffalo. Each one is dangerous to track and kill. That cape buffalo there has a foul temper when disturbed. Never underestimate a wild animal. They’re clever and deadly and fast.”
They skirted a waterhole where wart hogs were wallowing. The African swine had large tusks that curled over their snouts, a horse-like mane over their foreheads, and disfiguring protuberances on their faces. The well-trampled and muddy ground revealed that it was visited often and by many animals, as Jace pointed out to her. He motioned to akopje,an outcropping of rocks or earth mounds.
“The natives usekopjes,unusually shaped trees, and waterholes as landmarks and maps. If you know the signs, you can’t ever get lost.”
They traveled a long distance before the sun lowered itself on the horizon and allowed the day to cool. Jace had given them sufficient rest stops. During one he had whispered to Leigh, “You’re strong and well-conditioned, woman. Perhaps I should start worrying about losing my plantation to you.”
“Perhaps you should,” she had replied. “But we do have a long way and a long time to go.”
“Yes, but you’ve already broken one rule.”
“Not really, you failed to warn me that true conversational remarks could get me into trouble.”
Jace finally halted the group to make camp where several men were preparing them with a meal. While his workers labored, Chad approached Leigh and asked how she’d fared today.
“Fine. It was hot and tiring, but fun.”
Louisa joined them. “Isn’t this wonderful, Leigh?”
“It’s beautiful, Louisa. Aren’t you glad we came?”
“Yes, I can’t wait to get my first trophy.”
Something in Louisa’s gaze and tone struck Leigh as odd. Or, the blonde decided, maybe she was too skeptical now of the hot-blooded vixen who lusted for Jace and Chad. “I don’t care about taking trophies,” Leigh responded. “I just want to see everything.”
They were called to eat. The servants had set up tables. China, crystal, and silver would adorn them at their main camp; tonight, it was eat from metal plates and drink from metal cups. They were served roasted meat, cooked vegetables, hot bread, and wine. Leigh, Chad, and Louisa sat at one table on folding chairs. Cynthia, Reid, and Jace sat at another. Johi ate with the other men not far away. Chad had wanted music during their meal from the gramophone he had brought with him, but Jace had resisted unpacking too many items along the trail. Chad had conceded, as he likewise had over the table settings.
Tents were put up while they dined and relaxed, although it was unusual for Jace to give that gentle order on the trail. He told them he was making an exception tonight so the women could splash-bathe in the folding canvas basins and change clothes. A fire burned in the center of camp to ward off a nighttime chill and predators. Lanterns hung here and there to provide light. Supplies were stacked away from the main area, and the bearers made their camp around them to prevent loss to sneaky thieves and damage by wild animals. The eating tables were close to each other, so conversation was shared by all.
“I should warn you women about wearing perfume,” Jace said. “It attracts worrisome insects, and it gives us away to our quarry.”
“Surely you don’t expect us to go around dirty and smelly?” Louisa protested. “Don’t be cruel to me, Jace.”
“You’ll have plenty of places for real baths, Miss Jennings.”
“Don’t be so spoiled, Louisa. We’re all enduring the same. Cynthia and Leigh aren’t complaining. You knew what to expect.”
Louisa frowned, suspecting Chad’s remark was meant to point out Leigh’s accomplishments to Jace. “I’m only teasing, Chad.”
“Really?” he taunted with a wide grin.
“How far do we travel tomorrow?”
Jace caught Reid’s ruse to prevent a quarrel. “We’ll reach the river by mid-afternoon. We’ll make good time in boats. You should be hunting in a few days. I suggest we turn in after dinner. The first few days are the hardest, getting into shape and adjusting to the trail.”
“Sounds wonderful to me,” Louisa murmured.