Authors: Donna Fletcher
W
illiam and Philip entered the camp, forcing Burke to release Storm, for which she was grateful. For an instant, though, she thought perhaps it would have been best for him to continue to hold on to her, since she feared her trembling legs might fail her and she’d collapse, so weak did she feel.
Burke’s remark had hit her hard. Did he really presume that she would wed him? He had yet to claim to love her, and here he stated that she would be his wife. The man certainly was a fool, or was he hopeful?
He was an idiot.
She spoke with William and Philip and spent a few moments with Tanin before she wandered off to find a secluded spot in the forest. She needed time alone to think.
Burke was making a mistake that he would surely
regret, and yet she could not convince him of it. He was so intent on rescuing his brother that he couldn’t see that he was making the wrong choice.
How did she convince him not to keep that meeting tomorrow?
How did she make him realize that he was about to do his brother more harm than good?
How did she let him know that she would never be his wife and that she would never go to America with him? And why did the thought upset her?
Hope.
There was no hope for the likes of her. Burke did not understand that and foolishly wasted time and thought on an impossible notion. She, however, was practical, and already a plan had begun to form in her mind. It was a dangerous one for sure, but if it proved successful, Cullen would be free, and she wanted that for Burke. She wanted to see him set sail for America with his brother at his side.
It would break her heart to say good-bye to him, but she had no other choice. Whether she loved him or not didn’t matter.
Love
.
Lord, she didn’t think she’d ever love again. She really didn’t think it was possible. Yet Burke had made her feel things long buried, not to mention new feelings that crept in and confused her even more.
She smiled and hugged herself. She so enjoyed making love with him. He was so very attentive and so gentle and so…
Her smile faded and her arms fell from around her. She couldn’t dwell on Burke, couldn’t even
consider that she loved him. It would only make their parting more difficult.
“You forever try to run away from me.”
Storm startled and shook her head at Burke. “You should have warned me of your approach, and I don’t run from you. I seek solitude.”
“You run out of fear,” he argued.
“Fear of what?” she asked, and then thought it too late to retract her answer for she was sure of his response.
“Fear of my love, fear of being my wife.”
She threw her hands out in front of her. “This cannot be and I will not discuss it.”
“Why? Because it might make sense?” he asked and eased closer to her. “Because the very reason we enjoy making love is that we are in love?”
“There are more important matters to discuss,” she insisted, attempting to dissuade him.
“Nothing is more important than love,” he said adamantly. “Which means nothing is more important than you.”
“Your brother?”
“Would my brother put me before Alaina? I know he would not. His love for her would come first, and rightfully so.”
She held her hand in front of her to guard against him, or was she guarding against herself? Was she preventing her own feelings from surfacing?
“There is too much to presently consider. This must wait for another time,” she said.
“No! Why do you refuse to acknowledge what you feel?”
“You do not know what I feel,” she accused.
Burke stared speechless at her until finally he spoke. “How can you believe that, when every time we make love we feel each other’s need, each other’s love? It is there in our touch, in our kiss, and when we join. It cannot be denied, ignored, or dismissed. You will have to face it eventually. You love me, Storm, and you fight it. I, however, do not fight my love for you. I cherish it, embrace it, and welcome it. I love you, Storm, and there’s no changing it or denying it. I love you!”
“Don’t love me,” she shouted at him.
He laughed. “You can’t command my love.”
“It can never be,” she said, shaking her head.
“It is,” he said, reaching out and drawing her into his arms.
She didn’t have the strength or the will to fight him. For the moment, his arms seemed like the perfect place to be, for she knew they offered comfort and security, and she presently needed both.
She drifted gratefully into his embrace, and when he wrapped his strong arms around her, she near sighed with relief. She rested her head on his chest and listened to his steady heartbeat. It always reassured her, though she couldn’t say why. She only knew that the strong beat gave her strength and comfort.
She would allow herself this short reprieve before having to return as a leader. For now, she was simply a woman who cared deeply for a man. As far as love, she couldn’t consider that. She wouldn’t. It would only worsen matters.
It would only serve to break her heart—and his.
They remained in an embrace for several minutes until finally Storm realized that it could go on no more. The situation had to be faced, decisions finalized, and hopefully commands obeyed.
She eased out of his arms reluctantly and stepped away from him. “Tell me you will not go meet with the earl tomorrow.”
His hesitation warned her of his response and her body grew taut, prepared to battle.
“I must take the chance, even if it is a slim one, and meet with the earl.”
“And if I command you not to do this?” she asked with an ache in her heart, for she feared she knew the answer.
Burke shook his head. “You know I must do this. You know you would do the same in my place.”
“I’m not in your place. I lead this group, so the decisions are mine.”
“That’s right. The decisions are yours, which means you can respect my choice, even though you disagree, and allow me this.”
He had replied with respect to her position and asked the same of her. He could have simply told her he’d do what he wanted but he hadn’t. He left the decision to her as to whether this would cause a problem.
“I think you’re making a mistake, but—” She stared at him, concern for his safety welling up inside her and squeezing at her heart. “It is your mistake to make.”
“That’s encouraging,” he said.
“I should encourage you to be a fool?”
“I have no other choice,” he argued.
“Perhaps there is.”
“I don’t agree and neither do the others,” Tanin said sharply, causing them both to turn and face him.
“What’s going on?” Burke asked, looking from one to the other.
“Tell him,” Tanin said accusingly.
“It could work but plans would need to be strictly adhered to,” Storm said calmly.
Tanin shook his head. “She wants to attempt to rescue Cullen from Weighton.”
Burke looked to Storm. “I thought you said Weighton was impregnable?”
“It is,” Tanin said.
“It might not be,” Storm advised, and both men shot wide eyes at her.
“How so?” Burke asked.
“I have an idea that might work, but I need to give it more thought before sharing it with you.”
“I don’t like it,” Tanin said.
“It may not matter one way or the other,” Burke said. “If the earl accepts my proposal, then this is a moot point. I don’t think we should worry about it until then.”
“She won’t stop thinking about it,” Tanin argued, pointing to Storm.
“It may be necessary for me to think about it. If I don’t, valuable time can be lost and a man’s life may
be forfeited. I prefer being prepared just in case.”
“It’s unthinkable,” Tanin warned. “There’s no way it can be done. It’s certain death.”
“For Cullen,” Storm confirmed.
Burke stepped between the pair. “At the moment it is merely a consideration that tomorrow may prove nothing. There’s no point in arguing over something that may never see fruition.”
“Tell him, Storm, or I will,” Tanin threatened.
“I gave you an order to keep what we discussed to yourself,” Storm said.
“Not this time,” Tanin said, shaking his head. “Not what you proposed. It’s damned foolish and can mean death.”
Burke turned an anxious glance on Storm. “What’s Tanin talking about?”
“I told you, it’s an idea that needs further investigation and preparation.”
“It needs no consideration. It needs ignoring, forgetting, burying,” Tanin insisted.
“Storm,” Burke said firmly. “Tell me now.”
Storm thought to ignore them both. She was the leader and her word was law, though it seemed Tanin had chosen to ignore her order. She couldn’t, however, carry out her plan if she didn’t have the support and determination of her men. It would take a concentrated effort from all of them to succeed.
“Keep in mind that it is a fermenting thought that needs further consideration,” she advised before continuing. “The one reason it is so hard to rescue anyone from Weighton is because no one knows the inner workings of the place. Every prison rescue we’re made
was successful largely due to the knowledge we obtained about the prison itself.”
Burke nodded. “When you rescued me I remember that you knew of the cells at the end of the corridor.”
Storm nodded. “We learned of that from people who had been held prisoner there and had been released. Then there were the greedy guards who were willing to exchange information for coins.”
“So we find ourselves some greedy guards,” Burke said.
Tanin shook his head. “The man who tried now rots in Weighton. No guard there would dare take such a chance. He’s only too aware of his fate, and no amount of coins would be worth the chance of being condemned to Weighton.”
“The only other way is for someone to enter Weighton as a prisoner, learn what they could for a few days, and be prepared when the others make the rescue attempt,” Storm said.
“That’s not a bad idea,” Burke said. “The fellow could learn the workings of the place and possibly even locate Cullen’s cell. He can even see if there’s a good escape route.”
Tanin rubbed the back of his neck. “Yes, this
fellow
could do all that in between being tortured, beaten, and starved.”
“It’s a gamble, and the fellow would need to volunteer. I could do it. I wouldn’t expect someone to place his life on the line for my brother.”
“Wouldn’t work,” Tanin said. “Weighton is for special prisoners, mainly ones who have committed
crimes against king and country. You’re a foreigner, and it would take time to make a case against you, and until then you would be held in another prison.”
Burke shrugged. “Then there is no one—”
Tanin nodded. “Now you understand.”
Storm kept her chin high and her stance firm while Burke rushed at her.
“You will not—
will not
—be a pawn to save my brother.”
B
urke turned to Tanin. “Leave us, and rest assured this plan will never see fruition.”
“I’m relieved to hear that,” Tanin said and walked away.
Burke had to calm himself or else he would grab Storm and shake the foolishness out of her. The idea that she would surrender herself to free his brother, while heroic, was simply foolhardy.
He turned with a shake of his head to face her. “You didn’t really believe that I would let you do this, did you?”
“
Let
me? Since when did you become the leader of this group?”
“Since the leader lost her mind.” He spit out a frustrated sigh. “It’s inconceivable to me that you would think I would allow you to purposely place your life in danger.”
Storm tapped her chin. “Let me think. You presently made a decision that I think is foolish but I do not stop you. I, however, devise a plan that could very well work and what do you do?”
“It is far different and you know it,” he said, not believing this conversation could even be taking place. There was no way in the world that he would ever allow her to be taken prisoner. He’d die defending her.
He grabbed hold of her, his grip strong as if he feared losing her. “Promise me you will think no more on this.”
“It is a viable plan that may prove necessary.”
“Never,” he near shouted. “Never would I allow it.”
“
Never
is a strong word,” Storm advised softly.
The blue of her eyes was as calm as the sky on a beautiful summer’s day, and that worried him. She wasn’t taking him seriously, and he wanted her to take him very seriously and know for certain her plan ended right here, right now.
“Get this plan out of your head and keep it out of your head,” he insisted. “It will not be discussed again.”
“You will see your brother die rather than consider a feasible plan?”
“A feasible plan does not trade one life for another,” he argued. “I will not chance losing you to save my brother.”
She eased his hands off her and placed a gentle hand to his face. “This really is my choice.”
Burke took her hand and kissed her palm. “No, it isn’t.”
“I’m the leader—”
“No. You’re the woman I love, who I want to marry, have children with, and grow old with. We’ll find another way to rescue my brother.”
“If there is none?”
“Your plan is not an option,” he said firmly, then wrapped her in his arms. “I can’t lose you, Storm. I love you too much.”
He felt her tense and understood. To her way of thinking, they had no future. He would return to America and she would remain behind in Scotland. But she wasn’t aware of his tenacity, especially when it came to protecting the people he loved. And damn if he didn’t love her with all his heart.
“We’ll work this out, don’t worry,” he said, hoping to ease her concern and his own, for he worried that Storm was just as tenacious as he.
Burke often wondered how Storm secured some of the things she needed, and now, seeing the horse and carriage waiting on the road when he emerged from the forest, he wondered even more.
“Don’t ask,” she cautioned before he could question her. “Don’t worry, it isn’t stolen.”
He liked when she fussed with his shirt or jacket, as she did now, her tiny hands smoothing down his collar and toying with his buttons, until finally coming to rest on his chest. It was as if she wanted
to touch him but needed to take a roundabout way of doing it.
“Be careful,” she ordered. “And remember the earl is a deceitful man. Do not trust him. Keep to business. Do not waste pleasantries on him, get right to the heart of the matter.”
“Do I look presentable?” he teased, wanting to see her smile. He had already changed into suitable garments that Philip had retrieved from his cabin.
She shook her head and smiled, and he felt a stab to his gut. Stocking cap, smudges, and all, she still was beautiful and her smile confirmed it.
“Your tailored black wool suit speaks of wealth as does that diamond ring on your finger.”
“It was my father’s,” he said, holding his hand up. “I hope to give it to Cullen.”
“I’m sure he will treasure it.”
He leaned down and stole a quick kiss. “I will free my brother. I am sure of it.”
“I am too,” she encouraged, though it gave him a start.
He feared she kept her plan in mind, even worked on it, allowing it to grow, and he’d be damned if he’d see it given birth.
“You be good,” he ordered teasingly.
She grinned. “I’m very good.”
He nuzzled near her ear. “That you are, my love.”
“Tanin and I will wait here for you to return. The others will spread out around the manor house in case you should need assistance. Remember someone is close by at all times.”
“I am grateful and I am confident,” he said and
gave her a hug before climbing into the single horse-drawn carriage.
She reached out and took hold of his hand that held the reins. “Take no chances. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
He leaned down close and whispered, “Love me, do you?”
She laughed softly. “How can I help it?”
Her words reverberated in his head as the carriage bounced down the rutted road. In her own way, she had admitted she loved him, and the joy of it overwhelmed him. He was going to make everything work—from freeing his brother, to reuniting Cullen with Lady Alaina, to marrying Storm, to taking them all back to America with him.
They’d be family, all of them, and his father and mother would have been pleased knowing that the ranch they had worked so hard to build would see family grow and prosper on it.
Burke entered the Earl of Balford’s manor house with strength and determination, ready to do what he had to, to protect the people he loved.
He had expected Lady Alaina to greet him, but a manservant escorted him to an ornately decorated parlor, where he was told the earl would be with him shortly.
The room’s garish furnishings shouted wealth and gave Burke hope. Since the earl favored money, he just might favor releasing Cullen for a goodly amount that would fatten his coffers considerably.
“Mr. Longton.”
Burke turned from admiring a painting of a young
lass with a small dog on her lap to greet the Earl of Balford.
“My lord,” he said with a respectful bow of his head. He had no idea if he was addressing him correctly but instinct told him it wouldn’t hurt. And the way the tall, slim man held himself so rigid and with his garments matching the style of the room, he could tell the earl was a man who deemed himself important.
The earl walked over to a white, ornately designed chair trimmed in gold and sat, then pointed to a less garish chair and with a careless wave ordered Burke to sit.
Burke sat on the edge of the chair.
“My daughter mentioned something about a business proposition,” the earl said as if not at all interested.
Burke couldn’t help but notice that there was no resemblance between the earl and his daughter, not even the slightest. Their natures even seemed opposite since Lady Alaina appeared a caring soul and the earl…
Burke took a good look at him and knew right away he was a cold-hearted bastard.
“I have a proposition that would award you substantial financial gain,” Burke said.
“I’m listening.”
Burke didn’t waste a minute; he did as Storm had advised. He got right to the point. “You hold my brother prisoner and I wish to pay for his release.”
The earl’s posture grew even more rigid and his
face brightened with interest. And why not? Releasing a prisoner was an easy way for him to make money and an easy way for Burke to gain his brother’s freedom.
“Your brother’s name?” the earl asked casually.
“Cullen.”
The earl’s demeanor changed in a flash, his eyes narrowed, his lips pinched tight, and his slim hands gripped the arms of the chair. “That man is charged with a grievous crime and must suffer his punishment.”
“What was my brother’s crime?” Burke asked, knowing full well it was forbidden love that had imprisoned Cullen, but knowing he could never acknowledge that to the irate man.
“Treason!”
Burke tensed. Treason wasn’t dealt with lightly in any country, but money had opened prison doors before and he hoped it would now.
“I can promise you more than sufficient restitution for my brother’s bad judgment.”
“Nothing, absolutely nothing, could redeem your brother’s foolish actions.”
Burke remained calm. “True, foolishness can brand a man forever, but why let him rot in a jail cell when you can exchange him for a sizable amount of money and a guarantee that the man will never set foot in Scotland again.”
“Money cannot make right the horrendous wrong that this man did.”
Burke could have sworn the man hissed like a
snake getting ready to attack, and he knew he had to tread very lightly. If he wasn’t able to secure Cullen’s release, what alternative was there?
Storm’s capture
.
He didn’t want to give it thought. He had to make this work.
“Of course not,” Burke agreed. “But exiling him from his homeland is a death sentence in itself.”
“This man would never leave Scotland,” the earl argued.
“What choice would he have? He’d be tied and secured in a cabin and not released until far enough out at sea, where he could do nothing about it.” Burke knew this was the time to make the proposition too appealing to turn down. “Besides, I’m willing to offer you full ownership of a gold mine in America in exchange for my brother’s freedom.”
The earl couldn’t hide his surprise or pleasure. “A producing gold mine?”
“A powerfully producing gold mine,” Burke confirmed.
“That is an interesting proposition,” the earl said and eased back in his chair.
“I can have the papers drawn up immediately, and by the end of the week we can make the exchange.”
The earl gave it thought, and Burke waited anxiously for his answer. He didn’t believe he’d be turned down; few if any men could refuse a gold mine dropped in their lap. To Burke it was a small price to pay for his brother’s freedom.
“I think we could work this out,” the earl said. “See to the paperwork and we’ll meet at Weighton in two
weeks to make the exchange. I have business that will take me away and I won’t be available until then.”
Burke wasn’t happy with the delay, but he had little choice but to agree. “Agreed, I will meet you at Weighton two weeks to the day to make the exchange.”
“Joseph will see you out,” he said, pointing to the door where the manservant stood.
The earl never even stood or shook hands with Burke. Burke did not trust a man who did not shake on an agreement, and he wasn’t pleased with being dismissed like a peasant who had annoyed the mighty lord.
He also wasn’t pleased with the two-week delay, but there was nothing he could do to change that. He had waited this long to find his brother, so another two weeks shouldn’t matter. He hoped.
Storm had been right that the earl couldn’t be trusted, but then Burke would sign no papers until his brother stood in front of him, a free man.
Storm and Tanin stepped out of the woods, signaling Burke to their position. Malcolm appeared when he brought the horse to a stop, and took the reins from him.
“He accepted,” Burke said, jumping down from the carriage.
Tanin and Malcolm smiled and nodded. Storm remained silent.
“I’ll see to the carriage with Malcolm,” Tanin said and walked off with the other man.
Storm walked into the forest and Burke followed. He knew she wanted to talk with him and he knew
she would caution him. However, it was over and done. His brother would be free, and now all that was left for him to do was to convince her to go to America with him.
He reached out, took hold of her arm, spun her around, and hugged her close before kissing her as if he’d just returned from a long journey.
When he finished, he rested his forehead against hers. “I missed you.”
“You weren’t gone that long.” She sighed and brushed her lips over his.
“You missed me too.” He laughed knowingly, then kissed her again.
She playfully pushed at his chest. “You are foolish.”
He hugged her tighter and rocked back and forth with her secure in his arms. “Foolishly in love.”
She laughed and shook her head. “This is no time to be talking of us. We—”
“Aha, you admit there is an
us
.”
He let her wiggle out of his arms.
“I want to hear about the earl. Did he accept easily or did you need to convince him?”
Soon she would need to face the fact there was an us. For now she was right. This needed to be discussed and Storm put at ease. He didn’t want her wasting another minute on a plan that no longer proved necessary.
“He wasn’t receptive at first, but the gold mine changed his mind.”
“Gold mine?” Storm asked, stunned. “You offered him a gold mine?”
Burke shrugged. “It had to be an offer he couldn’t refuse, and I can’t think of a soul who would refuse a gold mine.”
Storm shook her head and paced in front of Burke. “This isn’t good.”
“Why? The earl gets more than he should in exchange for my brother’s freedom.”
Storm stopped and glared at him. “Only a fool would refuse a gold mine and the earl is no fool. But he is also a man determined to have his revenge. I do not trust this arrangement he has made with you.”
“I don’t either. I know the earl is deceitful, so no papers will be signed until my brother is standing in front of me. I also do not intend to arrive alone at the meeting. I shall have the captain of my ship with me and several sailors.”
Storm shook her head. “I still don’t like it. I don’t believe the earl will release Cullen. He wants him dead and he will see him dead.”
Burke tried to ease her trepidation. “It will go well. We will plan and see that it does.” He reached out and stroked her arm. “I know you were unable to save your husband from the earl, but we will save Cullen.”
Storm stepped away from him. “You think I worry that your brother faces the same fate as Daniel?”
“It’s all right that you do,” Burke said. “I appreciate your concern.”