“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’s name 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.”
“Will it take us long to reach the harbor?”
“We’ll walk to Barkell, about three villages from the harbor. There we’ll meet with friends to get horses and ride the remainder of the way, saving us time. Then we’ll need to sneak aboard your ship—”
“Where we’ll depart the ship as Mr. Longton and his wife, Mary.”
Burke stood and Storm walked over to him. “While your wife, I will remain silent for the sake of our mission, but be aware that if necessary I will speak up.”
“At the appropriate time,” he teased.
“Do you prefer a wife who is seen and not heard, Mr. Longton?”
“My wife will have her own mind and speak it. I want no delicate flower that wilts on the vine. She will need strength to survive the wilderness and respect its beauty.”
“Your homeland sounds similar to Scotland. I can understand why you wish to return to it.”
“I could live no other place,” he admitted.
“I feel the same.”
He thought how unfortunate that was for both of them. There could be nothing between them but a brief interlude, and for some reason the idea terribly disturbed him.
They parted, and Burke returned to sit by the fire. A strong breeze swept through the camp, chilling the late afternoon air even more. The fire kept him warm enough, and besides, he had too much on his mind to even consider the dip in temperature.
He’d need to see to the ship’s business while there, and though the ship was due to leave port shortly, he had a feeling it would be better to delay its departure. He might have to make a hasty exit from Scotland once he found Cullen, and his ship would give him that ability.
He didn’t know how Cullen would feel about leaving, but given the circumstances, he might not have a choice.
Choice.
He had told Storm she had a choice and she did. She would choose to remain in her homeland and fight her crusade no matter how difficult her life. She stubbornly refused to see that she fought an endless battle that would never know victory.
He wished he could get her to understand the uselessness of her cause. That what she did would change nothing and affect only a few lives, and in the end, was it really worth the sacrifice?
To those she had saved it most certainly had been, but on a larger scale, what did she really accomplish? And none of this should make a difference to him, so why did it?
He shook his head and held his hands out to the fire, rubbing them together to warm them.
Storm was much too beautiful and much too intelligent to be wasting her life away in the woods, a wanted outlaw. She should have a home and children and a husband to look after her and protect her.
If she were his wife, he’d protect her with his life and provide generously for her and their children.
He smiled at the thought of a dark-haired little girl as obstinate as her mother running into his arms to be scooped up and hugged.
He gave his head a good shake this time. Was he crazy for thinking of having children with Storm? They came from different worlds. Worlds separated by a vast ocean and love of homeland. He couldn’t afford to fall in love with her.
It would cost him dearly to love her and then be forced to leave her here in Scotland. He wouldn’t be able to do it. And he didn’t see Storm leaving her beloved home.
Another shake of his head warned that his musings were just that, thoughts that meant nothing and would amount to nothing. He and Storm understood each other. They each had an agenda to keep and the stubbornness to stick to it.