Taken By Storm Part 38

"Tell me of my brother, please."

"He is a wonderful man with a good sense of humor."

Burke grinned. "Like our father."

"He's taller than you and broader in the shoulders and chest. He is so very gentle and loving."

"You fell in love with him?"

She nodded.

"How is that possible?"

"Cullen is an easy man to love."

"No, I mean how did you two meet? How was it possible for you to even get a chance to fall in love?"

"Cullen is a master with a bow and arrow. My father hired him to school the guards in his techniques. My friends and I expressed interest in learning and my father, after objecting and then realizing we simply thought of it as entertainment, agreed."

She turned silent, and Burke could see her eyes clouding with tears. It was obvious the memories caused her pain, and he felt compelled to offer comfort while learning what he could of his brother.

"I am sorry to upset you. I know this must hurt terribly, but it is very important for me to find out whatever I can of Cullen if I'm to free him."

Her hand flew to her chest and she gasped. "You will free Cullen?"

"I don't intend on leaving Scotland without my brother."

Her eyes turned sad and her shoulders sagged. "You will take him away."

"Along with you if you so choose," he offered and smiled. "I have a lady of my own I wish to return with

to America. We can all be family together."

"That sounds delightful, but my father would never permit it. I am to wed a t.i.tled man of my father'schoosing, one who will financially benefit my family.""If my brother is anything like me, he'd never allow that to happen."She smiled and wiped at a single tear that spilled down her cheek. "You are right, which is what caused Cullen's plight."

"Tell me," Burke urged, time running out.

"Cullen and I decided to run off together once we realized how much we loved each other. We planned

to forge a life high up in the Highlands where no one would find us. As long as we were together, nothing else mattered to me. Before we could implement our plan, I took ill." She paused and fought back tears. "My father sent me away and Cullen searched for me, though it was my father who found him and imprisoned him."

"How long has he been imprisoned?"

"About six months. My father has moved Cullen from prison to prison in an attempt to keep me from him, but I have found ways to visit with him. Now my father has sent him someplace I dare not visit."

"Weighton."

Alaina nodded slowly. "My father does not realize that he not only condemns Cullen to death but his

daughter as well, for I will die a little each day along with Cullen."

"That's not necessary," Burke informed her emphatically. "I intend to free my brother and you will bothcome to America with me. Cullen is a rich man and will provide you with a good life.""As long as I am with Cullen nothing else matters, but I don't see how you'll be able to free him from Weighton. It is impregnable."

"So I've heard, but what if I made your father a substantial offer for my brother's freedom andguaranteed he'd never set foot on Scottish soil again?"Alaina sighed. "I don't know. He's adamant about making Cullen suffer."

"I could offer him a sizable amount of money."

"I would hope that he would accept it, but knowing my father's arrogance and pride, he might just enjoy refusing your offer and seeing that you suffer, as he feels he was made to do."

"You are here alive and well. He suffers no loss."

Alaina glanced to the ground and spoke in a near whisper. "I gave to your brother what belonged to my

future husband."

Burke raised her chin with his finger. "You gave my brother your love and he gave his in return. There is no shame in that. The shame is that your father refuses to allow his daughter happiness."

Alaina smiled. "Yes, you are much like your brother."

Burke was pleased to hear that he and Cullen shared identical traits, and it made him even more

determined to free him and meet him for himself. They had many years to catch up on and the rest of their

lives to finally do it.

"Since Weighton seems impregnable, my only choice is to speak with your father and make him an offer."

"If he refuses?"

Alaina's shudder informed Burke of her expectations of the plan, and while it concerned him, it was hisonly option for the moment. Which meant he had no choice; he had to give it a try."Could you arrange a meeting with your father tomorrow for me? Tell him I'm only in the area for the day and would like to discuss business with him."

She nodded. "I will explain how I met you and your request for a meeting."

"Will he ask what it is in regard to?"

"No, business is left to men and he would not expect you to have discussed it with me."

"I must go," Burke said, regretful he couldn't spend more time with her and learn more about his brother.

"One more thing. When did you last see Cullen, and how was he?"

"Before he was moved from Mewers-" She stopped suddenly. "I saw you at Mewers. I had learned

that Cullen was to be moved and hoped to see him before then, but he was already gone when I got there. You were there in search of him that day?"

"My group freed the young lad hoping he'd provide us with information. I had wondered why you stared

at me."

She smiled. "When I first saw you I thought my eyes played tricks on me and that Cullen walked free.

Then I realized it was my heart that had played tricks on me."

Burke took her hand and squeezed gently. "Cullen will walk free, and perhaps I can be persuasive

enough to convince your father that I'm a land baron, which makes Cullen one. Would he consider

agreeing to his daughter marrying a land baron?"

Alaina crossed her arms over her heart. "With all my heart I pray he would, but my father is a stubborn and vindictive man, and the man he wishes me to wed is a very powerful duke."

"It's worth a try," Burke said. "I will see you tomorrow at-"

"Just before noon. I will convince my father of the importance of the meeting, telling him how wealthy youare.""I'm glad my brother found love with you and glad I'll have you as family."Alaina squeezed his hand before releasing it. "I'm so very glad you're here to help your brother. Until tomorrow."

She hurried off, and Burke made his way back into the forest where Storm and Tanin waited for him while William and Philip continued to keep watch.

"Lady Alaina was receptive to my questions," Burke explained once they returned to their campsite.

"She and Cullen fell in love and planned to run off together. She took ill and her father found Cullen and

now makes him pay for loving his daughter while the earl intends to wed her off to a duke."Storm shook her head while pacing in front of Burke. "He's looking to make powerful connectionsthrough marriage. I wouldn't be surprised if the duke helped him to get Cullen imprisoned in Weighton."

"I'm meeting with the earl tomorrow," Burke said, standing firm in antic.i.p.ation of Storm's objection.

"It will be a waste of time," Storm said and sank to the ground to sit.

"I agree," Tanin said, resting against an old rotting stump.

Burke sat beside Storm, the blue of her eyes swirling like an impending storm and warning of her

concern. "Why?"

"The earl is looking for power and the only way of obtaining it is through the marriage of his daughter. No amount of money will match that."

"She's right," Tanin said. "I fear you waste your time."

"What other choice do I have?" Burke asked, and watched as Tanin sat straight up and stared with wide