“So what you tell me is that my brother Cullen will not leave this land.”
“Would you leave yours?”
Burke shook his head. “No. It is my home. But many are leaving Scotland. There is a chance he may want to emigrate.”
“Many have no choice.”
“Perhaps Cullen won’t have a choice.”
“The wealth you say is his will grant him a choice,” Storm said.
He’d never thought of that. He’d just assumed Cullen would want to return to America with him and claim his share of the inheritance, though his return wasn’t necessary. The money was his whether he lived in Scotland or in America.
Burke rubbed his chin. “You have given me much to think about.”
“It is good to be prepared for all possibilities.”
“Even miracles?” he teased.
She laughed. “Are you promising me a miracle, Mr. Longton?”
“If it were in my power I’d make certain you get one.”
“You are a strange man.”
“Good strange?” he asked with a cautious laugh.
“I believe so. You demand and yet you have a tender heart.”
“Shhh,” he warned, pressing a finger to her lips. “That’s a secret that cannot get out.”
She nodded, assuring her silence.
He stared at her a moment, caught by the beauty in her blue eyes. The color had settled to the bold blue of a sky after an angry storm. He slowly slipped his finger away from her mouth, running it down her petite chin to stroke the gentle flesh beneath.
“You are beautiful.”
Her eyes remained fixed on his as if caught up in their depths, and then suddenly she turned her head away, his finger drifting off. She stood and walked away from him.
He watched her go even though he wanted to run after her and keep her beside him, just a bit longer.
“One,” she called out.
Burke stood but remained where he was. “One what?”
“One man,” she said, continuing to walk. “I’ve seen only one man naked, and he was my husband.”
Chapter 7
Storm woke before dawn’s first light. This was the time she felt most alone. This was the time she missed her husband the most. She pushed the painful memories away. It did no good to dwell on them. He was dead, and nothing would bring him back. No amount of tears would ease her pain, though she had shed them endlessly.
Nothing but time would relieve her suffering. It had been three years since his death, and still at times the hurt felt raw, as if it had been yesterday that she had felt his arms around her, his lips kissing her.
She ran her fingers over her lips, recalling Burke’s kiss. Dare she admit that it actually felt good?
She attempted to dismiss the thought as she quickly jumped out of bed and dressed with equal haste. Unfortunately, the disturbing thought refused to be ignored and lingered in her mind.
She was being ridiculous. So what if she enjoyed Burke’s kiss? What difference did it make? It meant nothing, and there would not be another kiss. It wasn’t worth wasting her thoughts on.
Storm slipped on a brown wool vest over her long-sleeved tan shirt, the morning chill reminding her that autumn had finally arrived. She descended the rope ready and eager for breakfast.
Activity around the campfire alerted her to a possible problem. The mornings were always quiet around the camp. She and Janelle would share the morning meal, Malcolm sometimes joined them, but Tanin was never seen until after sunrise.
He was there now, however, along with Malcolm and Angus, which meant something had happened.
Storm approached them and they all turned quiet. “What’s wrong?”
Tanin answered. “We received word that William and Philip were captured before they could reach Glencurry.”
“Where were they taken?”
“They’re on their way to Mullvane, where I was held,” Malcolm said.
“Probably caught by the soldiers sent to find the escaped prisoners.”
Everyone around the campfire jumped at the sound of Burke’s voice as he stepped out of the darkness.
“I thought you were still sleeping,” Storm said.
“You’ll find I’m an early riser.” Burke tossed a slim stick into the fire. “So what do we do about freeing William and Philip?”
“We see to that,” Storm said. “You remain here.”
“I feel responsible for them.”
“I gave them the order, not you.”
“Still, they went to rescue my brother. I can’t sit by and do nothing,” Burke said emphatically.
“If I order—”
“If you order, which I ask you not to do,” Burke requested firmly. “You are short two men to help with the rescue. You know I’m skilled—”