Chad lifted his glass. “To us and the fun ahead.” The others lifted theirs and sipped the mellow red liquid.
The seatings were the same as before because Jace couldn’t figure a way to split up the couples without it looking curious. He wanted to be with Leigh, but that wasn’t possible. He knew his time with her was limited if his sly plan failed. If it did, when the safari ended, they would be parted until November, at which time she would be free to return to him. Those would be hard and long months of separation and secrecy. But, he had already taken action and was committed. Once the daring scheme was in motion, surely she would agree to it. He was already in trouble, so what was a little more? The results were worth any risk.
“Can we bathe tomorrow?”
“The small lake isn’t healthy, Miss Jennings. I’ll locate a nice area at the river. We don’t want anyone getting sick or injured, do we?”
“That will be fine, but it has to be tomorrow. I can’t stand this awful feeling a day longer.”
“I’m sure you feel the same,” Jace hinted to Leigh.
“I’m not complaining, but it would be wonderful to be rid of this perspiration and dirt, Mr. Elliott.”
He teased, “You women and your vanities.”
“You want us to look good for the men in our lives, don’t you?” Cynthia quipped, sounding a little testy. “It’s so hot and stuffy here.”
“It’ll be cooler tonight. You’ll be glad you have a tent, clothes, covers, and … someone to keep you warm. It can get rather chilly.”
“Inside or outside?” Cynthia purred, glaring at Reid, who had refused to give her the information Louisa wanted about Chad and Jace.
Everyone thought it best to ignore that remark.
“Turn off that music, Chad. You’ll scare every animal out of the area. I want a good trophy tomorrow.”
“What’s bitten your behind?” Chad asked.
The brunette stood, glared at the handsome male, and said, “I’m just exhausted, sweaty, and sore. Those insects have eaten on me all day. I itch all over. I’m going to bed.” She left.
Chad met Reid’s gaze. “Something wrong?”
“She’s a spoiled and vain woman. You know how those creatures get when they have to endure a little hardship. She wants to be pampered as she is back home. Hot baths, soft beds, teatime, clean clothes.”
“I agreed with Jace not to halt for tea at four. It would have taken too much time and work. We needed to reach camp before dark. What did she expect on the trail in the wilds?” Chad scoffed.
Reid shrugged. “I doubt she gave it much thought.”
“If she’s going to be an annoyance, you want to send her back?”
“I doubt that’s necessary. She’ll adjust. If not, we’ll spank her.”
“If not, she’s going to Mombasa to await us there.”
Louisa spoke up. “Don’t be mean or hasty, Chad. She’ll be fine. I’ll go talk to her. She’s probably just scared and doesn’t want us to know. That episode with those water beasts was dreadful for her.”
Leigh and the men watched the redhead disappear into Cynthia’s tent. “Louisa could be right,” Leigh remarked. “It was scary for a while. Our lives were in danger, weren’t they, Mr. Elliott?”
Jace grasped her innuendo about his breaking rule two. “Everything here can be perilous, Miss Webster, if you’re careless. Itwasdangerous, but you weren’t in any danger of losing your life.”
She heard hyenas in the distance, a sort of mingled laugh and bark. A lion roared in another direction. An elephant sent forth a trumpeting threat to something infringing on his territory. The wood crackled in the fire. Nocturnal birds and insects had awakened to begin their rituals. Frogs croaked in the river, their pitches varying with their sizes and kinds. Crickets rubbed their hind legs together to make their own special music. The moon was like a tiny slice of silver, and many stars were obscured by clouds. The night was inky black, and the jungle was impenetrable. Lantern and fire light flickered on the faces of the group and on nearby objects, creating eerie shadows. Everything seemed so different at night, so mysterious and slightly intimidating. Objects took on strange shapes, as in bad dreams. Death lurked in the wilderness. She was glad Jace was near her.
As they were turning in, Jace managed to ask Leigh, “Do you want me to sneak over tonight?”
“Unless you want to break your rule one by being too tired and weak, I’ll see you when it’s safe.”
~*~
Leigh leaned against Jace’s virile frame and returned his ardent kisses. It felt wonderful to be in his arms again, and heady to be alone. They embraced tightly, pressing their eager bodies together. Flames consumed them. Their kisses and caresses became urgent and stimulating, intoxicating. But as he was about to remove her shirt, danger approached the tent …