Taken By Storm Part 41

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 whenit came to protecting the people he loved. And d.a.m.n 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 b.u.t.tons, 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 d.a.m.ned 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 a.s.sistance. 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 la.s.s 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 b.a.s.t.a.r.d."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'sfreedom."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 doorsbefore and he hoped it would now."I can promise you more than sufficient rest.i.tution 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 totread 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 tooappealing to turn down. "Besides, I'm willing to offer you full ownership of a gold mine in America inexchange 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 twoweeks 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. Hehad 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.