Authors: Donna Fletcher
He agreed with a nod, and tucked the idea of contacting the Earl of Balford in the back of his mind in case it should prove necessary.
“I
don’t understand it,” Storm said, walking alongside Tanin through the camp. “It’s been a week or more and we haven’t gotten any closer to finding out where the prisoner was sent after leaving Mewers.”
“It is strange,” Tanin agreed. “First he’s moved around and then he can’t be found. You know what that can mean when a prisoner simply vanishes.”
Storm hadn’t wanted to voice her concerns, but with no news of the prisoner’s whereabouts, it was growing more likely that he had been disposed of, his body never to be found.
“We should have heard something by now,” Tanin said. “Philip and William have talked with people who have consistently provided us with accurate information and yet none of them know anything.”
“Either that or they’re not talking.”
“What are you thinking?” Tanin asked.
“That people might be afraid to speak of the matter. But why would the imprisonment of a man accused of theft cause such fear? I believe there’s more to this than we know.”
“What do we do?” Tanin asked. “The American grows more impatient by the day. He looks about ready to take matters into his own hands.”
“Which will not help us or him in the least.”
“We also need to consider who will take Burke to St. Andrew Harbor where he claims his ship with the money should have arrived by now,” Tannin said. “He insists that you go with him. I don’t think he realizes just how infamous an outlaw you are and how dangerous such an excursion can be for you.”
“The trip at least would distract him from the matter of his brother and provide us more time to hunt down his whereabouts.”
Tanin scrunched his brow. “You’re not thinking of going with Burke, are you?”
“Going where with me and why not?” Burke asked, stepping from behind a tree Tanin and Storm passed by.
Storm halted and shook her head. “You must stop lurking.”
“I’m not lurking. Now what about going where with me?” Burke asked.
Tanin answered him. “To the harbor to get your money.”
Burke smiled. “Yes, you must come with me. I’ll
have it no other way. You deserve time away from here and a day of fun.”
Storm had often thought about the day of fun he promised. It was a foolish idea, and besides, if she tasted such a pleasant day, wouldn’t she want more of it?
“She can’t do that,” Tanin insisted firmly.
“Why not?” Burke challenged just as firmly. “She deserves a break from this place.”
Tanin was blunt. “She’s a wanted outlaw with a high price on her head. She’s sure to be caught and imprisoned.”
“Tanin is right,” Storm agreed, though she hated admitting it. It would have been nice to spend a day as an ordinary person, doing ordinary things. “I’d risk not only my life but the safety and well-being of this camp. I cannot do that.”
“There must be a way,” Burke demanded.
“There isn’t,” Storm confirmed. “One of the men will go with you.”
“What if I devise a way for you to go without the chance of being caught?”
“That’s not possible,” Tanin said.
“But if I do,” Burke said, his eyes fixed on Storm. “Will you go with me?”
“Why not?” she said, confident he wouldn’t be able to guarantee her safety.
“You heard her, Tanin. She’s agreed to go with me.”
“If there’s no chance of her being caught,” Tanin added. “Which there isn’t, so it doesn’t look like she’ll be going with you.”
“But she did agree and you heard her,” Burke said. “Now about my brother.”
A gust of wind swirled the dirt and leaves around their feet and fat raindrops followed.
“My quarters,” Storm said to Burke and told Tanin she’d speak with him later.
In minutes they were safely tucked away in Storm’s room while the rain beat down on the pine thatched roof.
Storm removed her worn brown jacket, slipped her stocking cap off her head, and shook her dark hair free. She settled both items on the bed then joined Burke at the small table. He had removed his gray wool jacket, and his white shirt was rolled up at the sleeves, which seemed to be a habit of his. She rarely saw him with his sleeves down.
“Haven’t found out anything new, have you?” he claimed more than asked.
“Unfortunately, no,” she admitted reluctantly.
“Why do you think that is?”
Storm folded her arms on the table. “You aren’t a fool, Mr. Longton. I imagine you have assumed the same as I have.”
“That my brother could very well be dead?”
“Precisely, though for some reason I think someone wants more than death for him.”
“And what would that be?” he asked.
“Possibly revenge. Remember Henry told us that the man had claimed to have stolen something of great value that could never be replaced. That certainly would be a motive for revenge.”
“What could be irreplaceable?”
“That’s what we need to find out,” Storm said. “And if it is true, then no amount of money offered would save your brother’s life.”
“How do we find out what was stolen?”
He paid no regard to her warning, though she knew well enough he understood the severity of such actions. He wasn’t a foolish man, but then wise men could be pushed to foolishness when feeling helpless. And right now, she knew Burke felt helpless to assist his brother. She felt his pain and empathized, for she had been there once herself.
“I’m not sure,” she said, feeling helpless herself with the situation. “Nothing new has been found and we seem to have hit a dead end.”
“One thing I discovered that is the same in all cultures is that people love to gossip. It seems in this case no one dares open his or her mouth. Which means they fear to, so it would lead me to believe that the person who holds my brother prisoner has the power to make people fear him. Who would be the logical candidate for that?”
Storm admired his intelligence. He was much like her in thinking things through and reaching a conclusion that made sense, though he wasn’t as patient as she was.
“Logic would follow that it would be the Earl of Balford. His connection to the king is known. He asks and gets what he wants,” Storm informed him.
“Then we can go with the idea that Cullen stole something irreplaceable from the earl and he now seeks revenge.”
“It would be reasonable to surmise and a new starting point for us.”
Burke rubbed his chin. “Everything has a price, even a priceless object. Perhaps Cullen tried to sell the object, in which case, where would he go to do that?”
“It depends on the object,” Storm said, a crack of thunder making her jump.
“Afraid of storms, Storm?” Burke smiled. “Is that your true name or do you hide your real identity?
“It is who I am now,” she said, not wanting to recall her birth name, not wanting memories to haunt her. Stormy nights had always proved disastrous for her.
Burke leaned his arms on the table. “Tell me how Storm was born.”
She would tell him, but only so much. “She was born out of necessity. I was unable to tend the farm myself and so I lost it and found myself homeless.”
“There was no one who would help you?” he asked.
That he sounded offended reminded her he was a caring man. She enjoyed gazing on his handsome, rugged features. There was strength in his square jaw and chiseled cheekbones, and though his lips were narrow, they were potent. His kisses attested to that.
She nodded. “Of course, but the price was too steep.”
“Damn,” he said, and pounded the table with his fist. “Men took advantage of you in your time of mourning?”
“What better time to do it? I had nothing. They offered food, a roof over my head.”
“Yet you refused.”
“There were times I thought myself a fool for my decision,” she admitted on a soft laugh. “But I knew it was the only decision I could have made. Besides, I began meeting other people in the same predicament and we joined forces. We began to forage on the landlords’ precious estates and steal from wealthy travelers along the roads. One rescue led to another, then another. That started my career as an outlaw.”
“And that’s when Storm was born.”
“Exactly. I arrived on a stormy night, an avenging angel to free the innocent, and I will probably leave this world on a stormy night defending the innocent.”
He reached out and grabbed hold of her hand. “You will not.”
“It isn’t your decision.”
“You will not sacrifice yourself senselessly.”
She yanked her hand away and stood, nearly tumbling the chair over. “Perhaps you should tell that to Henry or Peter, that what I did for them was senseless.”
Burke stood slowly. “I did not mean—”
“What you said? It was clear to me.” She folded her arms firmly across her chest, waiting for him to explain, though why she would even give him a chance to redeem himself was beyond her.
He approached her with cautious steps. “There will always be the less fortunate, those who need defending. Every society has them.”
“And there will always be those who choose to defend them.”
“You didn’t choose,” he reminded. “It was forced on you out of necessity.”
“I accepted my role freely.”
“It doesn’t mean you have to continue it for the rest of your life.”
He stood directly in front of her, and she thought for a moment, a sheer moment, she heard the beating of his heart, solid, strong, and steadfast.
“I have no choice,” she said softly and with regret.
He reached out and gently unfolded her arms. “There’s always a choice, Storm.” He drew her to him. “Like now. You have a choice to walk away, or a choice to let me hold you. It’s up to you.”
Her breath caught as he stilled all movement and waited for her decision.
It wasn’t a difficult one to make. She stepped into his arms without hesitation.
Storm sighed and rested her head on his solid chest and this time heard the strong beat of his heart. She sighed again when he wrapped his arms around her and cuddled her close to him. He then rested his chin on the top of her head.
She relished the feel of his arms snugly around her, the heat of his warm body seeping into hers, the safety of his embrace. She felt content.
“Life changes, Storm,” he advised gently.
“Not for me,” she said regretfully.
“For everyone,” he insisted. “It never remains the same, and for that we should all be grateful.”
She sighed. “For me life will only get worse.”
“You have a choice, Storm in which way your life will change.”
“I wish I could believe that, but I think fate waits for me and there is no way I can avoid her.”
“Perhaps fate sent me here to intervene,” he said.
“You certainly have done that.” She chuckled.
He lifted her chin and stroked her bottom lip, sending tingles racing through her entire body.
“You are a good person, you do good work, but sacrificing yourself serves no purpose. Living is what makes the difference.”
She thought at first to argue, but her tingling body advised otherwise and she whispered, “Kiss me.”
“With pleasure,” Burke said and claimed her lips.
Her arms swept up around his neck and she pressed her body firmly against his while his lips worked their magic. She was soon lost in a haze of passion that escalated as the kiss deepened.
She didn’t protest when he lifted her off the ground and lowered them to the bed together. They remained locked in each other’s arms and locked in a kiss. Storm didn’t want it to end.
His hand stroked her back and slipped down over her backside, which he gently squeezed and moved her up more firmly against him.
She felt all of him and she relished the thought of his strength penetrating her, filling her, bringing her pleasure.
She moved against him in a provocative invitation.
His lips drifted to her ear in kisses along her cheek. “This is your choice?”
“It is,” she said.
“You are sure?”
“I have not a doubt.”
His hand moved to her waist, working to free her shirt, while his lips returned to hers. This time Storm was the impatient one and her hand joined his pulling her shirt out of her trousers.
“Storm!”
The shout broke them apart and had them jumping off the bed. Storm shoved her shirt back in her trousers as she ran out of the room. She looked down from the walkway high in the trees.
Tanin looked up at her. “Philip has returned with information concerning the prisoner.”
B
urke, Storm, and Tanin joined Philip at the campfire. He sat stuffing his mouth with roasted venison and looked exhausted.
Burke would have given the man time to digest his food, but not Storm. She plopped down across from him and wanted to know what he had learned.
Her lovely face was flushed with the heat of passion, her lips rosy and plump from their endless kisses, and Burke wondered if the men noticed. He sat beside her wishing that the news could have waited for a few moments more. But moments wouldn’t have been sufficient time to make love to Storm. He would have preferred hours.
Philip shook his head. “You’re not going to like the information, though I can’t confirm it as truth or gossip,” Philip told them.
“Either way we need to hear it, so tell us,” Storm said.
“Someone heard that the prisoner was moved to Weighton.”
Burke felt the stunned silence descend around him like a heavy burden that would be hard to lift, and he grew anxious.
“Why does this disturb all of you?” he asked.
Storm responded bluntly. “There is only one way out of Weighton—death.”
Burke felt as if he’d been punched in the gut and the blow silenced him.
“It makes no sense,” Tanin said. “Only those accused of crimes against the king and country go to Weighton. Why would this man be sent there for being a thief?”
“It would depend on what he stole,” Storm said.
“It could involve treason,” Philip offered.
“You weren’t able to learn any more?” Storm asked.
Philip shook his head. “I heard even that tidbit secondhand.”
“Then we can’t be certain it’s true,” Burke said, hoping the information would prove wrong. “Where is Weighton?”
“Not far from St. Andrew Harbor where your ship is docked,” Tanin informed him. “But make no mistake, it’s the most highly guarded prison in all of Scotland. No one has ever escaped its confines.”
“We still need to determine if the man we chase after is Burke’s brother, Cullen,” Storm reminded. “Philip, did anyone know the prisoner’s name?”
“No, I could find no one with that information.”
“It’s as if his identity is purposely being guarded,” Tanin said.
“Of course. Then he can’t be tracked and found,” Storm concluded.
“Would he have reached Weighton by now, or is there a chance we could intercept?” Burke asked.
Philip shook his head. “Too late for that; he’d have reached the prison by now.”
Burke didn’t like feeling helpless, and he felt that way too often of late. He had followed Storm’s orders since arriving, but things weren’t going as he had hoped. He needed to move things along, and sitting here without funds wasn’t doing that.
Burke stood. “I’d like to get to the harbor as soon as possible.”
“Money isn’t going to solve this problem,” Storm said firmly.
“Presently, nothing is solving this problem,” Burke snapped.
“We need to confirm the identity of the prisoner before we do anything,” Storm reminded.
“We haven’t been very successful at that, have we?” Burke asked as if he was waiting to hear a different response.
Philip cleared his throat, and everyone looked at him. “Actually money may be the very thing that can help us.”
Burke sat down again. “Tell me.”
“The man I learned the information from secondhand advised me that I could probably learn more for a steep price, since he felt that the fellow was
taking his life into his hands by divulging more.”
“What if it’s a ruse?” Tanin asked.
“Scam or not, it’s the only lead we have,” Burke said. “I’m willing to take the chance.”
Tanin and Philip looked to Storm.
“It makes sense,” Burke said, turning to her. “We have no other lead or prospect of a lead. I’m willing to pay the price and see what we learn.”
Storm shook her head slowly. “It doesn’t sound right to me. It could be more than a scam. It could be a setup, the law looking for anyone connected to this man. Anyone who might make a fuss over his disappearance.”
“But his identity isn’t even known,” Burke argued.
“Yet we look for him,” Storm said.
Burke was adamant. “I say we take the chance.”
“Since it’s our only lead, I must agree,” Storm said, “though reluctantly.”
“Noted. You and I leave for the harbor tomorrow,” Burke said to Storm.
“No!” shouted Tanin and Philip in unison.
“She’ll be safe with me, I promise,” Burke said. “I have a plan.”
“We hear the plan and then see if we agree,” Tanin informed him curtly.
Burke stretched his shoulders back and his chin went up. “I intend to make it known that Storm is my wife and that we arrived together on my ship on business.”
“What of her Scottish burr?” Tanin asked.
“I will explain that she suffered an ailment on the journey and has temporarily lost her voice. Believe me, she’ll be dressed in such finery that no one will question me. They will be more interested in what money I have to spend.”
Philip nodded. “That could work.”
Tanin chuckled. “If Storm could remain silent.”
Philip laughed. “Tanin’s got a point. She’s used to having her say.”
The two men quieted as soon as they glanced at their leader. She wasn’t smiling.
Storm dismissed both of them, then turned to Burke. “Why is it necessary for me to go with you?”
“I promised you a rescue and this is it. Don’t deny yourself a short reprieve,” he urged, when she looked ready to protest. “Besides, who knows what we can find out while at the harbor? Gossip always flies freely around a port.”
He leaned his face next to hers. “And we’d have a night on my ship together, in my cabin, in a very comfortable bed.”
Her expression softened to a teasing smile. “I’m not sure which offer is more promising.”
“Then you have no choice but to find out.”
“Ah, but didn’t you tell me I have a choice?”
Burke brushed his lips over hers ever so lightly. “What do you choose?”
She sighed. “To be rescued.”
“You won’t regret it,” he murmured. “I promise.”
“I know I won’t.”
He wondered if she did so to ease her own doubts
rather than to appease him. “We leave tomorrow.”
She agreed. “The sooner the better. If this prisoner isn’t your brother, we’d have wasted all this time.”
“I don’t know,” Burke said with a shake of his head. “Peter thought the man resembled me, only larger. I’m almost sure it’s Cullen, and the longer I hesitate, the worst his situation grows.”
“Again I agree, but tell me,” she asked with a scrunch of her eyes. “What is your ship doing in St. Andrew Harbor?”
“My father started many lucrative businesses, an import business being one of them, and Longton ships dock at St. Andrew. I made certain that the ship was stocked with specific cargo for my use.”
“Ladies’ dresses?” she queried with a crooked grin.
For a moment she resembled a young, carefree lass ready to be adventurous, and he wanted to give her that—give her joy, good memories, and love, if only for a day or two.
“My warehouses are stocked with a wealth of items for export, ladies’ items included. I’m sure we can find you something suitable to wear.” He intended to make certain of it. She would have a day of fun she would never forget and a night of memories that would linger long after he was gone.
“A fine skirt and blouse will do,” Storm said.
Burke near laughed; instead he kept it to a generous smile. “My wife would wear finer garments than a mere skirt and blouse while visiting a foreign port. You’ll be wearing silks, linens, and fine wool.”
“But only the manor ladies wear such finery.”
Burke stretched out his arms. “I am a wealthy American and my wife will dress accordingly. No one will even consider you the infamous outlaw Storm, and since I can’t call you that, what would my wife’s name be?”
“Let’s keep it simple,” Storm said. “Call me Mary.”
“Is that your given name?” he asked, curious.
“My true name was buried along with my husband and there it shall remain.” She stood. “I must talk with Tanin and Philip. I want Philip to arrange a meeting with that man who, for a handsome fee, will provide us with further information. This way we can meet them on our way home.”
“Will it take us long to reach the harbor?”
“We’ll walk to Barkell, about three villages from the harbor. There we’ll meet with friends to get horses and ride the remainder of the way, saving us time. Then we’ll need to sneak aboard your ship—”
“Where we’ll depart the ship as Mr. Longton and his wife, Mary.”
Burke stood and Storm walked over to him. “While your wife, I will remain silent for the sake of our mission, but be aware that if necessary I will speak up.”
“At the
appropriate
time,” he teased.
“Do you prefer a wife who is seen and not heard, Mr. Longton?”
“My wife will have her own mind and speak it. I want no delicate flower that wilts on the vine. She will need strength to survive the wilderness and respect its beauty.”
“Your homeland sounds similar to Scotland. I can understand why you wish to return to it.”
“I could live no other place,” he admitted.
“I feel the same.”
He thought how unfortunate that was for both of them. There could be nothing between them but a brief interlude, and for some reason the idea terribly disturbed him.
They parted, and Burke returned to sit by the fire. A strong breeze swept through the camp, chilling the late afternoon air even more. The fire kept him warm enough, and besides, he had too much on his mind to even consider the dip in temperature.
He’d need to see to the ship’s business while there, and though the ship was due to leave port shortly, he had a feeling it would be better to delay its departure. He might have to make a hasty exit from Scotland once he found Cullen, and his ship would give him that ability.
He didn’t know how Cullen would feel about leaving, but given the circumstances, he might not have a choice.
Choice.
He had told Storm she had a choice and she did. She would choose to remain in her homeland and fight her crusade no matter how difficult her life. She stubbornly refused to see that she fought an endless battle that would never know victory.
He wished he could get her to understand the uselessness of her cause. That what she did would change nothing and affect only a few lives, and in the end, was it really worth the sacrifice?
To those she had saved it most certainly had been, but on a larger scale, what did she really accomplish? And none of this should make a difference to him, so why did it?
He shook his head and held his hands out to the fire, rubbing them together to warm them.
Storm was much too beautiful and much too intelligent to be wasting her life away in the woods, a wanted outlaw. She should have a home and children and a husband to look after her and protect her.
If she were his wife, he’d protect her with his life and provide generously for her and their children.
He smiled at the thought of a dark-haired little girl as obstinate as her mother running into his arms to be scooped up and hugged.
He gave his head a good shake this time. Was he crazy for thinking of having children with Storm? They came from different worlds. Worlds separated by a vast ocean and love of homeland. He couldn’t afford to fall in love with her.
It would cost him dearly to love her and then be forced to leave her here in Scotland. He wouldn’t be able to do it. And he didn’t see Storm leaving her beloved home.
Another shake of his head warned that his musings were just that, thoughts that meant nothing and would amount to nothing. He and Storm understood each other. They each had an agenda to keep and the stubbornness to stick to it.
He would love Storm for the time he was here but he would not
fall in love
with her. He couldn’t, for love was a commitment he took seriously. When he
loved, it would be forever, and that would mean that he couldn’t leave Storm behind in Scotland. She would have to return to America with him whether she liked it or not.
In that, she would have no choice.