The love she saw burning in his gaze was the sort she had only dreamt of—a love that could last forever.
Tears welled in her eyes as she reached out to take his hand.
“Oh Gazda,” she said, huskily. “Thank you.”
“Ginny cry?” he said sympathetically, dabbing at her tears with his fingertips.
She squeezed his hand with both of hers, and Gazda smiled a fearsome, toothy smile, and the governess trembled, rendered breathless by the naked desire that burned in his face.
He bowed deeply and pressed his full lips against the backs of her hands.
“Oh, Gazda, please,” she said breathlessly as the wild man rose to his full height. She reached up to gently nudge his muscular shoulder and chide him.
“You were born a gentleman, that I trust,” Virginia chuckled to herself imagining this lovely man in a tuxedo, with cummerbund and cape.
A voice echoed across the clearing and Gazda’s eyes shifted towards it—lit suddenly by a dangerous scarlet light. His upright stature bent some small degree further then, and with mighty shoulders spread and muscles rippling he continued with her toward Dr. Van Resen who stood below the tree house helping Mr. Quarrie down the ladder.
The door to the structure was closed.
A low, uncertain hoot came from the wild man, but Virginia caught his attention with a smile.
“They are friends, Gazda,” she said, gesturing to the two men, before her hand came up to her mouth. “Oh I cannot wait to see my dear Lilly. You must meet her! She’ll be thrilled to see one of us has found a man of her dreams!”
“How interesting...” Van Resen remarked, walking with Mr. Quarrie toward Virginia James who approached hand in hand with a tall, unknown savage. The rest of the party had remained in the yurt where Phillip Holmes had elected to stay and to “protect” the women.
“Good God—a white Indian!” Mr. Quarrie rasped beside him, face going red as he looked the stranger up and down. Both men had slipped their butcher knives away but remained on guard.
“I think not,” Van Resen said, grinning as he caught Miss James’ eye. The big savage loomed protectively at the woman’s side.
“This fellow can’t come around Mrs. Quarrie,” Mr. Quarrie said, clearing his throat. “Abby hasn’t the constitution for such casual undress.”
“Of course,” Van Resen answered as Miss James jogged the last few feet and jumped into Mr. Quarrie’s arms.
The scientist took that opportunity to greet her companion.
“I am Dr. Joseph Van Resen,” he said, throwing a hand out to the muscular giant.
He was startled when the great savage displayed a flashing white smile and reached out with fingertips to brush the offered palm.
“Gazda,” he said in a deep and even voice—patting his chest as he bent to snuffle at the scientist’s hand.
“Fascinating...” Van Resen said.
The wild man grunted reassuringly before dropping to all fours and creeping over to Mr. Quarrie where he quickly brushed the old fellow’s offered hand with his knuckles, and rose to embrace him warmly.
The strange man then settled down into a crouch and shifted back onto his haunches where he nosed the air and chewed the end of a long lock of hair.
“Forgive Gazda...” Miss James said. “He lives in the jungle.”
“Gazda!” Van Resen said, lifting his hand to sniff at it as he turned to the governess.
“He saved me,” Miss James said breathlessly. “A hideous ape carried me off, but Gazda came and killed it bare-handed.”
She moved to Van Resen and hugged him as Mr. Quarrie returned the wild man’s quizzical stare.
During their embrace, the scientist got a whiff of something interesting in the governess’ hair. She noticed his unusual action and stepped away self-consciously, smoothing her locks.
“Sorry. I caught a scent...” Van Resen said, glancing at Gazda and back at the governess who blushed. “...of the jungle.” He nodded slowly, smiling. “And trees.”
Gazda crept toward Van Resen, and crouching there reached out to feel the scientist’s pant leg.
“The material’s rather worn, I’m afraid,” Van Resen explained, but the wild man only nodded and pointed up at the yurt. “You say Gazda fought an ape?”
“Yes. After the beast disarmed him, too! It was incredible,” Miss James said, absently reaching out to stroke Gazda’s thick locks before she snatched her hand away, blushing. “Gazda fought the monstrous thing until they closed face to face, and being weaponless, what could he do but tear the creature’s head off...” Virginia saw the distaste on her friends’ faces. “It wasn’t as savage as that sounds...brutish, I admit, but...the ape that kidnapped me was a disfigured demon—a horror! There was no other recourse for poor Gazda...”
“Poor Gazda?” Van Resen noted, with eyebrows raised.
“He is a fit looking fellow,” Mr. Quarrie said, appraising the man.
“Impossible. Even had he kept his knife, sir.” The scientist turned. “No man is a match for an ape.”
“Gazda was fearless.” Miss James pressed her sleeve against her nose as tears started.
“Is he a wrestler?” Mr. Quarrie said, eyeing the man. “He’s got the look.”
“Never!” Van Resen stamped his foot. “An ape has the strength of ten or more.”
“Please don’t make me think of that monster!” Miss James believed the scientist was scolding her. Tears burst from her eyes as she fell into Van Resen’s arms.
“There, there, Miss James,” the scientist said, patting her back as she wept. “You’re safe now.”
Gazda had risen up to tower over them where he set a great hand on the governess’ shoulder.
“Ginny cry,” he said, shaking his head sadly.
“Ah!” Van Resen laughed as the wild man shifted his hand and gently pulled his whiskers.
Gazda frowned, looked up at the yurt, and pointed again, making repetitive barking sounds.
“Is this your home, Gazda?” the scientist asked, stroking Miss James’ hair as she wept.
The wild man pulled the scientist’s goatee again.
“Did you build it, man?” Mr.
