Taken By Storm Part 17

"Yet this land and its people are foreign to you and you must depend on the a.s.sistance of a stranger to help you keep your promise. Which means you have no control over the situation, and that alarms you."

"You are d.a.m.ned perceptive and d.a.m.ned beautiful."

"It surprises you that the two mix so well together?"

"You are quick-witted," Burke said with a smile.

"Part and parcel of being perceptive."

"Your husband must have found you a handful."

Storm smiled with joy. "Daniel claimed he wouldn't have it any other way."

"Neither would I."

Storm felt her heart catch and she quickly stood. "It's best we turn in."

"If you say so," Burke said and stood.

"Good night," Storm said and turned to leave.

Burke took hold of her arm and pulled her to him. "Not so fast, pretty lady."

He leaned down and claimed her lips in a gentle kiss.

His tenderness did her in, or perhaps tenderness was what forced her response. Whatever it was, she

soon found herself lost in a kiss that stirred her long-dormant pa.s.sion. It had been so long since he had kissed her, and she allowed herself the pleasure of enjoying the taste of him.

He knew how to kiss, how to t.i.tillate with his lips and his tongue.

She pulled away suddenly and ran off without a word, her husband's face vivid in her mind and her heart in pain at betraying his memory.

Morning found Storm busy with Tanin and purposely ignoring Burke. She didn't wish to address her sudden departure last night, and least of all did she want to discuss their kiss. It had been a mistake and one she would not make again.

She finished with Tanin and intended to make herself scarce until Burke and Malcolm left, but then she turned to find Burke standing in front of her.

"Was my kiss that bad or that good?" he asked.

"Neither. It was a mistake." She tried to push past him.

He held her in place. "I don't think so.""It doesn't matter what you think. Now let go of me," she ordered him quietly and calmly, not wanting toattract attention.

"Not until I have an answer."

"I gave you one."

"Not good enough," he insisted.

"You need to be going. Malcolm is waiting." She gave a nod to where the young man stood near the

edge of the woods.

"He can wait. I told him I needed to speak with you first."

"This mission is too important to be held up by a kiss," she scolded.

"My sentiments exactly, so give me an answer and be done with it."

"I can order-"

His eyes narrowed. "An answer, Storm, here and now."

She knew he'd go nowhere until she responded and she thought to lie to him, but she had a feeling he'd see through it.

"Like or don't like," he reminded. "It's that simple."

He was right. It was that simple, and she was being foolish. It would be her choice whether he kissed her again. Her answer would make no difference.

"Like," she said, getting it over with quickly.

Burke grinned. "I liked it too."

Her cheeks burned red as he walked away, and she turned so that no one would see her blush. She did not have a problem baring her naked b.r.e.a.s.t.s to this man, and yet knowing that he liked the kiss made her blush like a young la.s.s enamored of a lad.

But then removing her s.h.i.+rt had been her choice and had also been meant to put him in his place. The kiss was entirely different.

I liked it too.

She hadn't considered how he had felt about their encounter, and learning that he had enjoyed it only made her more uneasy. And more apt to think that he would attempt to kiss her again. She would have to speak to him about this and make it clear that he should never kiss her again.

Why not?

The question nudged at her mind. She did not intend to fall in love again and Mr. Longton would return to America when this was over. So what harm would there be in enjoying a few kisses with him now and then? It would be nice to have a man's arms around her once again, share a kiss, a gentle touch.

Storm walked over to lean against the rock she had sat by last night with Burke.

Would it be so wrong for her to think of herself? Hadn't she thought of others for most of her life? She hadn't considered the consequences of her actions when she attempted her first rescue. It was simply necessary, and when it was done she had been marked an outlaw. With little choice left to her and a burning need to fight injustice, she set out to free the helpless with no regard for her own life and no thought of her future.

It didn't matter anymore. Her reputation had grown, and as Peter had warned her, there were plans for her capture. She always thought it would happen someday and she'd be sent to Weighton to await her death.

Weighton housed the most wanted criminals, those whose acts branded them traitors to Scotland. She didn't think of herself as a traitor, and many believed her a savior to the common Scot. However, the ruling cla.s.s thought otherwise and they were the law.

So what was left to her but to enjoy what she could of the life she had left? Perhaps a kiss or two from Burke would brighten her day and lighten her heart, if only for a short time.

She glanced at Tanin, who was speaking with Angus and William. She had advised him long ago that when the day came that she was caught and sent to Weighton, he was to disperse the group and direct the members to make their way out of Scotland. He was not to help her, for they both knew he would die trying. Tanin had objected, but she insisted that she wouldn't see Ellie suffer the pain of being a widow. He had finally agreed and given her his word.Burke would never have agreed. She smiled and whispered. "He would foolishly attempt to rescue me."Her smile faded and she recalled her husband's words.There isn't anything I wouldn't do to save you, I love you that much. She had felt the same, but unfortunately, she had been too late.

Chapter 14.

I t didn't take long to determine that the market would pose no problem for them. The amount of activity kept everyone busy, with children laughing and running around the tables. A sleight of hand could easily go on unnoticed, and in no time the group would have the few items they needed.

Burke made his way through the market stalls, taking note of areas that were more private and therefore more conducive to a successful theft. He wandered along slowly, taking in everything he could, when out of the corner of his eye he caught a woman staring at him. She quickly turned away when he looked in her direction.

She certainly was no peasant, dressed as she was in silks and brocade and accompanied by a slew of servants. She was stunning, her auburn hair in a pile of ringlets atop her head with a string of pearls weaving through the ma.s.s of curls.

Though her features were sharp, she was a beauty, with milky white, flawless skin, and she stood a good seven inches over five feet. The servants followed her like an army of guards protecting her from anyone who came too close.

"Lady Alaina, I have a lovely silk for-" one of the merchants said drawing her attention.

Burke watched as she examined the rich purple material. She looked to be studying it, when actually she glanced out of the corner of her eye at Burke.

"Lady Alaina likes what she sees," Malcolm teased quietly behind Burke.

"It's my good looks. The women can't resist me," Burke shot back.

Malcolm laughed and slapped him on the back. "You wish."

"Why else would she stare at me?" Burke asked with a smug grin.

"Maybe she thinks she knows you," Angus offered, joining them.

Burke glanced again at the woman.

She was now staring after him and suddenly started to wave. A servant followed her line of interest,

changing direction once she began waving.

"Let's go. Storm's waiting," Malcolm said, picking up the pace.

Burke reluctantly turned away and followed the men into the woods. They reached the campsite, the

others already there and waiting for them so that plans could be formulated for a combined rescue and

theft.

It was determined fast enough that the mission didn't seem difficult and that if all went as planned, theycould be on their way home by noon tomorrow."We'll just have to keep Burke away from the market," Malcolm said with a laugh."Why is that?" Storm asked with curious concern.Malcolm continued his teasing. "Lady Alaina found him appealing."Angus disagreed. "No, she stared at him as if she thought she recognized him, but wasn't certain.""Your opinion, Burke?" Storm asked."That Lady Alaina isn't as beautiful as you."The men snickered and laughed and made fun of the bold American."Tell me why you think Lady Alaina found you interesting," Storm asked, ignoring her men."Who is Lady Alaina?" Burke asked, needing to settle that bit of information before he pursued a thought that had been simmering."The Earl of Balford's daughter," Angus answered."The man possibly responsible for my brother's capture.""I get it," Malcolm said, excited. "If you and your brother resemble each other, then it's possible that Lady Alaina had seen your brother Cullen and then was surprised when she caught sight of you."Burke nodded. "She may have information that could prove helpful.""You'll stay away from her," Storm ordered so sharply that all the men turned wide eyes on her."She could be of help," Burke suggested.Storm maintained her authority. "I can't have you jeopardizing the lad's rescue.""I won't-""That's right, you won't," Storm said. "You won't go near Lady Alaina, for the lad's safety and your own."

He could tell she was angry; her blue eyes blazed like a storming sea. G.o.d, he loved seeing the color of her eyes rage like a tempest; the startling blue always set his blood to boiling and his heart to pumping.

Storm continued, "If the Earl of Balford is responsible for your brother's capture, then he's also

responsible for moving him from prison to prison, which means he has an intense dislike for Cullen. If Cullen's brother should suddenly appear, do you really think that the earl will welcome him with open arms?"

d.a.m.n if he didn't find her intelligence just as attractive as her gorgeous eyes.She did not give him a chance to respond. "You'd put not only yourself in danger but my men as well."

"Your men?"

"That's right, my men." Storm stood with a shout. "They would be the ones who would risk their lives to rescue you." She pointed a finger in his face. "You, Mr. Longton, will do nothing without my permission."

Burke stood, grabbing hold of her finger. "You think so?"

She yanked her finger free. "It's an order; you have no choice." She marched off.

The men coughed from the cloud of dirt she'd kicked up as she stomped away.

Burke started to go after her, but Tanin grabbed his arm. "I'd give her a minute or two."

"Hour or two is more like it," Angus said.

"Neither will really make a difference," Burke said and went after her. Her anger disturbed him. She

might resort to sudden anger when on a mission, but he had never seen her grow so militant when