Savage called for all his overseers and banyans that same afternoon. John Bull stood at the front door like a sergeant major, ordering them to remove their shoes before they entered the bungalow. They stood respectfully in the master’s office, listening to his every word.
“Very soon now, before the next full moon, I shall be returning to England. There will be a new sahib come in a few days. I want you to work as hard for him as you have for me. I am not selling Leopard’s Leap. It will still be my plantation, but it is doomed to failure unless you give your loyalty to the new man. This is the only place in all Ceylon where tea and rubber are grown. I brought the seedlings from China and Burma as an experiment almost ten years ago and I have you to thank that Leopard’s Leap has flourished. Only now are tea and rubber plantations being cultivated across the water in India. You know what needs to be done in times of drought and in times of flooding. The pruners know the rotation, the cattle keepers know when the manuring must begin. In fact, you will know far better than the new sahib how to keep the plantation running smoothly. My great ship will carry your tea crops to me in London. My nose will tell me if you fail to produce top quality.” The harsher planes of his face relaxed and he allowed himself a rare smile.
The Tamils did not smile, however. It was a terrible day for them to learn that the master was departing for his homeland. Leopard’s Leap lay in the foothills of Adam’s Peak, the holiest mountain in the world. Legend told how Adam had been hurled from the Seventh Heaven of Paradise for his sin with the woman. It had been expiated for one thousand years. He had landed on one foot upon Adam’s Peak and had left his footprint there in stone. There was not one worker at Leopard’s Leap who did not believe that Adam Savage was the Adam of legend. His size, his strength, and his abilities, to say nothing of his piercing blue eyes, were a gift from the gods. If they shirked their duties he would know all the way from Londontown across the seven seas. They hurried off to spread the word to their workers.
Savage took out the journals that held the tallies and accounts of the plantation to bring them up to the minute, but he was distracted by John Bull’s authoritative voice.
“When we are in England, His Excellency will expect you to dress in the English manner. You will shame him by looking like a foreigner. There is no need what-somehowever to take all your heathen clothes and possessions.”
Adam Savage always tried to be diplomatic when he interceded in his servants’ altercations. Kirinda was Sinhalese and of a higher caste than his Tamil manservant. On the other hand John Bull was his majordomo and a man must have dominion over a woman or lose face.
“John Bull, it seldom happens, but this time you are wrong,” Savage said tactfully. “Lotus Blossom is most beautiful in her native dress. She knows that exotic, brilliant silks suit her best. Please see that she has as many trunks as she needs for her clothes and personal possessions.”
Kirinda gave John Bull a smug little smile from behind the Leopard’s back.
“She will, however, need English shoes and slippers. Get her some immediately so she can practice walking in them. The floors in England are far too cold to go barefoot.”
Kirinda’s face fell and John Bull smiled at her with condescending satisfaction.
At dusk Adam was surprised to learn that Lady Lamb had arrived; yet not surprised. He realized he had been half expecting her. The first thing he noticed was that she had abandoned her mourning. She wore a low-cut gown of finest Indian muslin with a rare blue lotus tucked between her breasts. Her blond hair, without the combs, fell to her shoulders in waves. The effect softened her beauty. Tonight she did not look cool at all; in the lamplight she looked quite warm, almost vulnerable.
When they were alone she came to him and placed her hands upon his chest. She looked up at him in supplication. “Oh, Adam, please forgive me?” she murmured softly.
Savage was aware that she had come to seduce him. The irony wasn’t lost on him. Though Eve was sexually frigid she was willing to play the whore for the sake of his money and jewels. Adam was curious to see how far she would go.
Adam pretended to succumb to Eve’s temptation. His head dipped to capture her lips and he murmured, “I don’t want you tainted … by anything other than me.”
Eve shuddered. It was an effect he often had on women. She wondered wildly how in the world she would be able to lie naked upon the divan while John Bull and her own sepoy guard waited in the adjoining room.
Adam’s blue eyes crinkled with amusement. “I prefer theladyto thewhore,”he murmured, then proceeded to render her mindless with his kisses. The moment he felt her begin to respond, he took his arms from her. She might loathe his ability to dominate her, but he was determined to leave her wanting more.
Finally she gathered her courage to ask, “What will you do with the opium?”
“Ship it to England,” he said tersely.
She raised her head to look into his eyes. “What’s the difference between England and China?”
Annoyance nibbled at him. He wasn’t in the habit of explaining himself. “In England I can control what happens to it. It will go into laudanum to kill the pain of having a limb removed or the pain of childbirth.” He took a deep breath. “Eve, when theRed Dragonsails I shall be aboard.” He watched her face intently. He saw her eyes widen with shocked surprise. She thought that because she had allowed him a few intimate kisses she would have a say in everything he did, every decision. He was glad he had disabused her immediately.
“So soon?” she asked, but he could not tell if the note of panic he heard was at the thought of losing him. “Have you sold Leopard’s Leap?”
“No. I’m only leasing it to the Company.”
He caressed her pale shoulder. “Evelyn, why don’t you come with me?”
She did not dare to assume he offered anything more than transportation. Silence stretched between them until she finally broke it.
“Adam, Lamb Hall belongs to my son now.” Had she been subtle enough? Would he offer her marriage? She wanted his wealth and knew the only way she could get it was by marrying him. Marriage would mean losing her title and she was greedy enough to want it all. Still unsure of him, she continued, “Here I have a palatial home filled with servants.”
“Edenwood will be palatial and filled with servants,” he said quietly.
Eve felt weak with relief. She had been clever enough after all. “I cannot seriously consider marriage until my period of mourning is over and done with. Go and see your Edenwood. Buy yourself that title we spoke of, then come back for me.”
“I don’t want you to worry about money while I’m gone. I’ve arranged for you to draw on my bank in Colombo.” He saw her eyes light, then she veiled them with her lashes.
Eve felt compelled to protest. She never wanted him to know how important wealth was to her, and he was a shrewd man. “Adam, you needn’t think you have to buy me.”
“If my money insults you, I’ll give you jewels,” he teased, seeing through her as if she were transparent Venetian crystal.