Bea swiped her hands on her trousers, as if ridding herself of any remaining emotion. “Right. Well then, shall we?”
He hesitated, confused and unsure if he wanted to know what she meant. “Shall we what?”
She nodded toward the elephant. “Shall we climb atop?”
He laughed. “Climb? You can’t be serious.”
But she wasn’t listening to him. Bea moved toward the animal as if she wasn’t afraid in the least. Hell, maybe she wasn’t afraid. Before she could escape, he reached out, resting his hand on her arm. “Bea.”
She paused and glanced back at him. Her eyes were flat, her bearing still stiff, and her lips set in that hard line. “Well?”
He didn’t want to end things this way. He didn’t like this cold Bea, and suddenly the truth spewed from his mouth. “I wasn’t going to go look for the statue. That wasn’t the plan. I was taking you to Leo and Ella.”
There was a flash of surprise that crossed her eyes, but it was gone as quickly as it came. She smiled, a forced smile. “Colin, please. Raj explained that you asked about Anish. He was the one who’d seen the statue. I know you planned our visit.”
He lifted his hat and raked his hair back in frustration. “Yes, I just asked. I was curious.”
She shrugged. “Well then. Why not look? The temple is on the way. Half a day’s ride south.”
That realization made his heart race. So close. “Really?”
She nodded. “So, shall we?”
Surprise warred with guilt. There was Bea. Pale, delicate Bea who’d never even been out of Britain and now was here. She’d almost died, might again, and what if he didn’t get to her in time to save her? “No. It’s too dangerous. We need to find Leo.”
Bea moved away from him. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
As a sign of respect, she bowed to Raj. His face shining with delight, the boy bowed back. With a flourish, Raj tapped the elephant’s left leg. Immediately, the beast lifted his forearm, creating a natural ladder. Raj didn’t hesitate but scurried up the animal and rested, at ease on the elephant’s neck.
“Up,” he said, glancing at Bea.
Finally, Bea showed some good sense and hesitated. Raj nodded his encouragement, waving her forward.
“Right, then,” Bea whispered.
“Take his ear,” Anish called out.
Exasperated, Colin looked at the old man. Anish shrugged and clasped his hands behind the small of his back, amusement flickering in his dark gaze. Bea couldn’t possibly think she was going to climb onto an elephant. Colin crossed his arms over his chest and waited to see what she’d do next. Sure enough, the woman grasped the animal’s ear and hauled herself up onto his leg. Son of a bitch, she was actually going to climb and he had no doubt it was mostly so she could thumb her nose at him.
“I need to know if the statues are four separate or together,” Colin asked.
Raj leaned down and took Bea’s hand, helping her onto the wooden chair atop the beast. Without the least bit of trouble, she reached her destination. Bea collapsed into the seat, releasing a breath of air that Colin could hear from where he stood. And she wasn’t done. She turned her gaze to him and smiled an arrogant smirk.
Anish nodded. “Yes, four separate, but together.”
Colin sighed. It made no sense.
“Are you coming?” Bea asked.
Anish slapped him on the back and chuckled. “The mahout knows the way to the temple.”
“He’s just a boy.”
“No, he’s been trained. He knows. The elephant knows.”
This wasn’t how it was supposed to be. Just two days ago, he was on his way to see Leo and Ella. Now, his life was suddenly planned out for him and by a pampered English-woman, no less. He was in control, he’d had it mapped out. Drop Bea off with Leo and leave them all to their lives so he could find the statue alone, as it should be. He didn’t need someone else to muck up his plans, to worry about. “Anish, I barely know what I’m looking for.”
“The gods will lead you.”
The gods? It sounded like a damn sound plan to him. He resisted the urge to scoff. “But—”
“Go.” The old man shoved him with more strength than Colin thought possible. He stumbled forward, glaring over his shoulder. Anish merely smiled wider and waved.
Shaking his head, Colin focused on the elephant, surprised to see the animal had moved closer.
“Whoa.” Colin backed up a step and gazed wearily into the elephant’s large, dark eyes. The beast lifted his leg, urging him to climb.
“Well?” Bea asked from above, her gaze mocking him.
Colin sighed. He’d have to do it. There was no other choice. “Don’t you move.”
The beast released a low grumble. He wasn’t sure if the animal was agreeing or laughing. He hoped agreeing. Stealing his resolve, Colin grabbed the massive ear, small hairs pricking his skin. His muscles burned with the movement, his body still exhausted. Gritting his teeth, he pulled himself onto the leathery hide. The animal didn’t even flinch.
Sweat broke out on Colin’s forehead. He wrapped his fingers around a bamboo pole of the chair and pulled himself up. He didn’t look down. Releasing a breath of air, he collapsed into position next to Bea. She was watching him with something that looked decidedly like disappointment in her eyes. Had she been hoping he’d fall on his ass? Probably.
The elephant gave a snort and lumbered forward. The chair wavered back and forth. Bea sucked in a breath and latched on to Colin’s arm. Feeling rather smug, he grinned. Perhaps this wasn’t such a bad idea after all.
“Farewell and good luck, my friends!” Anish called out.
Bea waved to the old man until the trees hid him from view.
Colin waited until she’d turned back around. “Plan on telling me what’s got your bloomers in a knot?”
Bea glanced at him and raised a brow. “Excuse me?”
“Why are you so annoyed, darlin’? What’d I do?”
She crossed her arms over her chest and dared to look him straight in the eyes. “Why do you think it’s about you? That’s a rather arrogant assumption.”
“No, an educated guess. I’ve had the … pleasure of the company of many women, and if they’re annoyed, there’s a pretty good guess it has to do with men.”
Bea laughed. “Well, that says a lot about you then.”
“I’d say it says more about women in general.”
She narrowed her eyes, her anger piercing.
“You could have left, you know. Jumped on the first raft to Bombay. You didn’t have to stay and take care of me. Why did you stay?”
She tilted her chin high, refusing to look at him. “I had no choice, I couldn’t go alone.” There was something in the flush of her cheeks that made him want to question her further.
Colin inched closer. “Raj would have escorted you.”
She folded her arms across her chest, the movement sending her breasts higher. She refused to look at him. “Why, he’s merely a lad.”
Colin’s lips lifted into an arrogant grin. “You like me.”
Her gaze jerked to him, her cheeks a brilliant pink. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
His grin deepened. “Admit it, darlin’, you like me.”
She released a harsh laugh. “Yes, as much as I liked almost dying. As much as I like the heat in India, as much as—”
“I think I’ve got the jist.”
They moved onto a jungle path, the sun filtering through the leaves and sending a pattern of light and shadow across her face. He slipped his arm along the back of their chair and leaned closer, daring to tempt the lioness within. She inched away, but had little room to move and soon was backed against the side of the chair. She was trapped, trapped on the back of an elephant.
He couldn’t ask for a better opportunity. “So then, if you hate me, why are you blushing?”
“It’s the heat,” she snapped. “Makes me flush.”
Her skin was darkening, turning into an unfashi
onable pink thanks to the hot Indian sun. How horrified her English family would be. He picked up a lock of her hair, twining it around his finger. “This doesn’t have to do with our kiss?”
Her face turned bright red, endearing really. “No,” she hissed. “This has to do with the fact that you’ve all been keeping secrets from me.”
He raised a brow. “Secrets?”
“Yes.” She turned her face away, but not before he noticed the flash of hurt in her eyes. “The statue. Whatever it is you’ve concocted.”
His amusement fled, guilt tugging at his heart. He knew what it felt like to be caught unaware, to be lost without a clue as to what was happening. Except he’d been a lad when it had happened. “The statue wasn’t a secret, princess. Just … well, I wasn’t planning on searching for it right now. I promise. Not with you here.”
“Why do you all want it so badly?” She pierced him with her brilliant eyes.
He leaned back, away from her, suddenly not so eager to be close. “You’ll think we’re insane.”
She shrugged. “I already do. Going through all this for a statue. It’s mad. Ridiculous.”
Leave it to her to be blunt. Should he be just as honest? Should he tell her? What would she think? How would she judge him? Belittle him? Laugh? “The statue has powers.”
Her gaze widened. He kept his face serious but it didn’t matter. Bea burst out laughing anyway. “Powers?”
He gritted his teeth as heat settled uncomfortably in his cheeks. “Yes. Leo’s ring and Ella’s necklace will help lead us to the statue. Whether you believe it or not, many in this world do. Why do you think Henry and your grandfather went insane and tried to kill Leo? For the power.”
Bea shook her head, the laughter fading from her eyes. “This … all of this … has to do with a statue that has supposed powers?”
Colin nodded, annoyed she laughed at him, more annoyed she didn’t believe him. “So, darlin’, still eager to visit the temple?”
Chapter 11
Their living quarters were becoming increasingly dire. Bea had gone from a castle, to a tiny stone abode, and now to a tent in the middle of the jungle. She sighed and surveyed their dwelling. The canvas flapped on the small breeze, the material stained and dirty. Positively ghastly. Yet … there was something about the sunset … about the sounds of night insects chirping … about the brilliant pink flowers blooming on the vines … that made it almost worthwhile.
Still, she couldn’t help noting that there was only one tent. One. Where would Colin sleep? She shifted, the trousers much too tight on her hips and backside. Oh, she’d pretended confidence when she’d sashayed across the camp in her men’s clothing and climbed that elephant like she knew what she was doing.
Inside, she was quivering.
Still, as much as she hated her sleeping quarters and manly trousers, she’d grown rather fond of her beastly carriage.
As if sensing the way of her thoughts, she felt a soft shove to her right shoulder. Bea turned. A long, gray snout brushed her arm.
She couldn’t keep the smile from her face. She’d seendrawings and paintings of elephants, but never imagined how amazing they could be. “Why, hello, my love.”
She leaned against the animal’s foreleg, taking comfort in his immense strength and feeling safe against the encroaching darkness. The elephant grunted and reached out for her with his trunk. Bea grinned and smoothed her hands over his soft snout, his large brown eyes on her.
“Why, you’re just like Mac, my terrier back home, aren’t you? Although most definitely a bit larger. No, I don’t believe you’d be able to sit on my lap on cold Scottish evenings.”
He wrapped his trunk around her waist in a tight embrace. For the first time in days, Bea found herself giggling. “I shall call you King Henry.”
King Henry grunted his approval and Bea relaxed enough to survey their surroundings. Her gaze shifted to the tall neem trees that surrounded the site, farther to the millet fields just barely visible through the branches. The sun was gone, gray dusk lingering with the chirp of insects, and with dusk came the mystery of night.
“What say you, King Henry? If I hop on your back, will you take me on an adventure?” She plucked a leaf from a nearby bush. The elephant eagerly took the foliage in his snout. “Perhaps we can find butterflies. I’ve barely seen any since I’ve arrived, you know.”
“Bea, come eat,” Colin called out.
Bea gave the elephant one last pat and reluctantly made her way toward the crackling fire. She wasn’t sure how she’d expected to feel camping at night, but the insatiable thrilling fear wasn’t it. Flames leapt and popped, leering at her through the darkness. A shiver snaked across her spine. It was eerie here, on the outskirts of a jungle where anything could hide. Part of her welcomed the thrill of the unknown.
But with darkness came the animals. Snapping sticks, crunching leaves, and sounds she’d never heard before, sounds that raised the fine hairs on her body. A harsh scream rent the air. Bea sucked in a breath and quickly settled on the log next to Colin.
“I take it you’ve spent little time outside at night?” Colin asked, amusement flickering in his eyes.
Bea shook her head. “Not at night. Only the disreputable went out at night, or so Grandmother said. I feel … watched. Exposed in some way.”
He took a swig of water from the clay jar. “You are.” He leaned closer to her, his breath warm on her ear while his musky scent whispered seductively. “Out there in the darkness, beyond our circle of light, anyone, anything could be watching.”
Instinctively, her gaze widened and Colin laughed.
With a frown, she crossed her arms over her chest. He was teasing her again. As he’d been teasing her when they’d left Anish, asking her horribly uncomfortable questions merely to make her cheeks flush.
“Admit it, darlin’, you like me”
Colin’s words taunted her memory. Ha. As if she’d ever like a man so … so … She slid him a glance, noting the way the firelight highlighted the planes of his face, the way the moonlight made his golden curls shine.
“You’re staring,” he said, not bothering to glance at her. “Do you see something you like?”
Heat shot directly to her cheeks. “So glad you’re feeling better.”
He didn’t respond, merely grinned and glanced at her with those sparkling blue eyes. She couldn’t imagine what he thought; most likely that she was a naïve chit, easily toyed with. How she wanted to be angry at him, yet with the firelight playing across the harsh planes of his face, she found she could think of nothing else but how handsome he looked. She sighed and focused on the fire.
Arrogant oaf.
At least, she’d thought him arrogant. But she wasn’t entirely sure now. When he’d somehow saved Raj’s sister, Bea’s heart had softened toward the man. And then he’d kissed her and she found she could think of little else but him. The way his eyes turned to crescent moons when he laughed. The way he looked almost boyishly endearing when the wind tossed about his curls. The way his gaze drilled into her as if he knew things about her that no one else did.
Who was this man? Oaf or angel? In the two days he’d been unconscious, she’d sat by his bedside, praying he’d wake up, fearing he wouldn’t. She told herself she cared only for Ella’s sake. But he’d saved her life. Somehow the man had taken away her pain. He’d saved her life, and when she’d awoken, only to find him collapsed at her side, something had shifted inside her.
Her feelings toward Colin had shifted. She didn’t understand him, didn’t understand the mystery that surrounded his abilities, and she wasn’t sure she wanted to know. But she did know one thing: Colin Finch was a much more compassionate man than he let on.
He handed her a tin plate of mush and bread. Their fingers brushed and a shiver raced over her skin, her very being startled. Her gaze met his. He watched her, something in his eyes she couldn’t quite identify. She wasn’t sure how long they stared at each other, but she knew she couldn’t
quite breathe the entire time and was rather sure she was close to fainting.
Finally, he pulled back and turned away. Bea let out a breath of air. With hands that trembled, she tore the flat bread in half. Was she supposed to be hurt or relieved that Colin seemed intent on avoiding contact? He’d been distant ever since their kiss. Bea scooped up the brown mush with the bread, as Raj did, and stuffed the food into her mouth. What was Colin thinking?
“No, no,” Raj said, shaking his head and interrupting her thoughts.
Confused, Bea glanced around the site, looking for the culprit, but the boy seemed to be upset with only her. “Pardon?”
“Right hand only. Only eat with right hand. Left hand dirty.”
Her left fingers opened and the food fell to the dish with a thud. “Oh, so sorry.”
Heat shot to her cheeks, horrified and humiliated she’d once again done something wrong and had to be reprimanded by a mere child. How she wished she could slink back into the shadows. Would she ever fit in anywhere?
Using her right hand, she lifted the bread and nibbled, watching Raj through her lashes to make sure she didn’t offend the lad again. But Raj and Colin were deep in discussion, ignoring her once more. She didn’t fit here or in Scotland. She certainly didn’t belong in English drawing rooms. Where did she belong?
“By tomorrow midday?” Colin said.
Raj nodded, stuffing so much bread into his mouth that he would surely choke.
“What?” Bea demanded, tired of being ignored.
“The temple,” Colin said, glancing at her briefly.
Reality sank heavily into her gut. Or was that the bread? They really were traveling to the temple. She set her plate on the hard dirt, completely uncaring if ants would attack her food. She was no longer hungry.
It was her fault. She’d pushed Colin into traveling to the temple, so why then did unease tickle the back of her neck like a whispered warning? Because she hadn’t truly believed there was a temple, or that they would go out of their way to find the sacred place.
The small green leaves of the neem trees directly behind them rustled, yet there wasn’t a breeze to ease the stifling heat. Colin stiffened, and glanced over his shoulder.