Taken By Storm Part 23

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."

Chapter 18.

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 pa.s.sion, her lips rosy and plump from their endless kisses, and Burke wondered if the men noticed. He sat beside her wis.h.i.+ng 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 s.h.i.+p is docked," Tanin informed him. "But make nomistake, 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 ident.i.ty 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 herewithout 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 ident.i.ty 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 hisdisappearance.""But his ident.i.ty 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 s.h.i.+p 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 s.h.i.+p 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 s.h.i.+p doing in St.

Andrew Harbor?"

"My father started many lucrative businesses, an import business being one of them, and Longton s.h.i.+ps

dock at St. Andrew. I made certain that the s.h.i.+p was stocked with specific cargo for my use."

"Ladies' dresses?" she queried with a crooked grin.

For a moment she resembled a young, carefree la.s.s 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'sname 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."