Taken By Storm Part 32

"You can't mean that," Philip said, he and William joining them.

They held two fish cleaned and speared with sticks for roasting, which they set to the flames, and sat on the opposite side of the fire from Burke and Storm.

"Aye, you can't," William agreed. "It's foolishness to think we can rescue anyone from Weighton."

"You yourself insisted that if you were ever captured and taken to Weighton, no one was to attempt a

rescue," Philip said. "The American should know the truth. There is no escape from Weighton. His

brother's fate has been sealed.""I can't accept that," Burke said adamantly. "There must be something that can be done, even if I have togo to the Earl of Balford and buy my brother's freedom."

"That might work," William said, turning the fish over the flames. "Maybe if you can convince the earl thatyour brother has some fancy t.i.tle back in America, he might consider letting his daughter marry him.""That's a good point, William," Burke said. It just might prove to be the solution to his problem."You can't be serious," Storm said. "And besides, you told me there were no t.i.tled people in America.""I am a land baron," Burke said with a grin.

"Baron Longton." William smiled. "Sounds like a t.i.tle to me."

"I don't know," Philip said, shaking his head. "That fellow mentioned something about the earl having plans for his daughter."

"Plans change all the time," William said. "Just think of all the times Storm changed rescue plans."

"Necessary changes," Storm argued.

"I'd say these were necessary changes," Burke said. "And there's only one way to find out if it will work.

I need to talk with the Earl of Balford."

He had expected a resounding no from Storm, so her silence surprised him.

"It might be worth a try," Philip said.

Still Storm said nothing, and he wondered what she thought. "What's your opinion, Storm?"

"The Earl of Balford is not a man to be trusted," she said. "I would feel better knowing what plans he

intends for his daughter before rus.h.i.+ng into this. But I can understand your reluctance to wait any longer

in securing your brother's release. Weighton is not known for its hospitality."Burke respected her opinion. She had proven time and again to be right in her approach to difficultsituations, and given enough time, he wouldn't be surprised if she devised a rescue plan for his brother.Time, however, was limited, and so was his patience.

"If that weasel of a fellow whose sister works at the Balford manor house didn't know the earl's plansfor his daughter, how will we find out?" Burke asked.Silence answered him."That's what I thought," Burke confirmed with a nod. "I have no other choice."

"Perhaps you do," Storm said, and all eyes stared at her.

"I'm listening," Burke said, focusing on her deep blue eyes. He could tell much from the s.h.i.+fting blue colors of her eyes, and right now the deep color told him she was concerned for his plight.

"You have the advantage of having already met Lady Alaina. If there was some way you could speak

with her privately and tell her that you're Cullen's brother, perhaps she would then confide in you. She

could also possibly tell you whether her father would be agreeable to your offer."

"That is an excellent suggestion," Burke said, suddenly feeling that Cullen's rescue could be closer at hand than he had thought.

"Storm's a wise leader," William boasted, and Philip agreed with an affirmative nod.Later that evening, with William and Philip retired, Burke sat with Storm on her watch."You're not upset with me?" Storm asked, leaning against him.He slipped his arm around her, knowing she had to be chilled from the cold night air and pleased that she sought warmth from him without hesitation. He had intended to wrap his arms around her anyway. He had grown accustomed to holding her and missed her when she was gone too long from his arms.

"Why would I be upset with you?"

"I thought perhaps you felt that you wasted time by not speaking further with Lady Alaina when you had the opportunity."

"No, it's better this way. I'm now armed with more information that will probably prove helpful when Imeet with her. I would have never known to ask of her father's plans. I would have focused entirely onmy brother and possibly ruined my chances of securing his release."

"I do hope this proves successful for you and especially for your brother.""You don't sound hopeful," Burke said.She gave a sad laugh. "Don't mind me. My encounter with the Earl of Balford has left a bitter taste in my mouth. Perhaps it will be different for you."

He snuggled her closer to him, wanting to protect her from her own painful memories. "You know what I wish?"

"That all goes well and you free your brother," she said with a smile.

He shook his head before faintly brus.h.i.+ng his lips across hers. "No, I wish you and I were on my s.h.i.+p in

my cabin making love."

He felt her reaction; her body startled in his arms.

"I want to make love to you, Storm. Actually, I ache to make love to you. The choice of course is yours,

but I had hoped you would not delay your decision or deny your desire."

"I won't deny that I want you," she admitted softly.

"Then there is no reason to delay." He kissed her quick and sharp, stinging both their senses.

She s.h.i.+vered. "That you excite me is undeniable. It is the consequences I give thought to."

"What consequences?"

She hesitated for more than a moment. "What if I fall in love with you?"

Her words were a direct hit to his gut and if he wasn't sitting, he'd have fallen over from the sharp

impact.

"You told me you would never love again."

"You said that I might not love the same way but love was still possible," she reminded him.

"I also said that fate would have the deciding hand in it."

"My fate has been sealed," she said sadly.

"If you are so certain, then why worry about falling in love with me?"

Her blue eyes glazed over with tears he was certain she would not shed. Her slight cough to clear her

throat confirmed for him her battle to contain them.

"Because..." She hesitated and looked away from Burke. "Because if I did fall in love with you, I fear the pain of bidding you farewell when all of this is over."

Chapter 25.

S torm pushed away from Burke and fought back the tears that threatened to ravish her. She would not cry in front of this man. Tears only served to demonstrate weakness, and she didn't intend to have Burke see her as weak.

Burke leaned forward and took hold of her shoulders, turning her to face him. "If we should, by chance,

by fate, fall in love, why do you think I would ever bid farewell to you?"

"What choice would you have?" she asked bravely and maybe with an ounce of hope. Would he possibly consider remaining in Scotland and making his home there with her?

"I want to take you home to America with me where you'd be safe."Hope vanished in a flash and she made herself clear once again. "I will never leave Scotland.""You are an outlaw here with no hope of a normal life.""Exactly," she said, his words confirming her future."In America you wouldn't be an outlaw. You'd be a free woman with no fear of being hunted, imprisoned, and executed."

"You forgot torture," she reminded caustically.

"No, I didn't. I couldn't bring myself to even consider such a heinous fate for you. However, it would be

all the more reason for you to leave Scotland and make a new home in America."

"My home is and always will be Scotland." She didn't bother to suggest he remain in Scotland with her.

He would just continue to argue that America offered her freedom. If she chose to have an interlude with

him, she would have no choice but to keep her heart out of it. Could she do that? Of late, it was a question that haunted her.

He cupped her face in his hands. "When you love, home is where that love resides."

"It's not that easy."

"It is. America is a safer place for you, and therefore the wisest choice."

Reluctantly she pulled away from him, his hands falling away from her face. "The wisest choice would be for me not to fall in love with you."

"Love, my dear stubborn Storm, is not left to us mere mortals."

"We shall see about that," she challenged.

Burke grinned. "I wouldn't tempt fate if I were you. It's my experience that fate is always the victor."

Storm didn't respond. She simply resumed her position against the rock, Burke joining her. Without preamble he took her in his arms once again. She didn't object. She settled against him as before, comfortable in his embrace.