He would love Storm for the time he was here but he would not fall in love with her. He couldn’t, for love was a commitment he took seriously. When he loved, it would be forever, and that would mean that he couldn’t leave Storm behind in Scotland. She would have to return to America with him whether she liked it or not.
In that, she would have no choice.
Chapter 19
Their journey went smoothly, and Storm and Burke arrived at St. Andrew Harbor early in the morning. Not a good time to sneak aboard a ship, but there was no time to waste. Philip and William had left camp the same time, and had probably already contacted the mysterious man who possessed the information they required. If all went well they would meet in four days to exchange money for information.
Therefore, they had to get to the ship as soon as possible, see to their business, and leave within two days’ time.
“We can’t be seen together,” Storm said, concealed by a stack of crates at the end of the harbor. Burke could tell she was impressed by the massive ship, the gangplank bustling with men unloading crate after crate.
“Agreed,” he said with a nod. “I need to get on board, give orders to my crew, and change clothes so that it looks as if I’ve arrived with the ship. Then we need to get you on board as well.”
“We may have to wait until evening when there is less activity and the cover of darkness.”
“Not an option,” Burke said. “I won’t have you here alone along the harbor. You resemble a lad, and with three ships anchored in the harbor, I guarantee in no time you’d be a crew member ready to set sail on one of them.”
Storm resented the idea that he felt her incapable of looking after herself, when by now he knew otherwise.
“You forget who I am,” she reminded.
Burke was quick to disagree. “It is exactly who you are that makes me worry over your safety. I gave my word you’d be safe and I intend to keep it. Besides, today is to be a day of fun for you.”
“Then what do you propose?” she asked, the day of fun beckoning her to play.
“You remain hidden until I return for you. Then we’ll make it appear as if I’ve taken you on as a cabin boy, and make sure to keep your face smudged. We don’t want anyone discovering what a lovely face you have, at least not until you’re my wife.”
Wife.
While it was nothing more than a charade they played, the title still startled her. It had been three years since her husband had called her wife, and Daniel had an endearingly proud way of using the title on occasion. It had filled her heart with joy. Not so this time.
This time it unsettled her.
“I’ll be right here waiting,” she said.
“I won’t be long,” he reassured her.
He mingled easily with the crowd of people along the dock. Storm followed him with her eyes as he maneuvered his way to his ship without hesitation, walked up the gangplank, and was gone from sight.
Had she given this decision time or had she been too quick to agree to a day of fun? Did she truly wish to spend time alone with the American? Did she ache to feel a man’s arms around her once again and to share intimacies without ties that bind?
She leaned her back against the crates and slid down until she sat on the hard ground, arms resting on her raised knees.
What was it that attracted her to the American? He was a man much in charge of himself and accustomed to being in charge of others. He wasn’t a man who followed but who led, and he did it with honor.
She respected an honorable man, one who when he gave his word lived by it, even if it proved difficult. And Burke refused to give his word unless he felt he could keep it. Such a man was not only to be admired, but also to be trusted.
She found these qualities much more appealing in a man than his features, not that Burke wasn’t attractive. He pleased her eyes well enough, but his defined character pleased her more.
“What are you doing? Stealing from my crates?”
Storm jumped at the harsh grumble and spun around to find a large barrel of a man, fingers thick as sausages, waving a coiled whip in the air.
“No, sir,” she said, keeping her head respectfully bowed and his eyes distracted from her face. “Resting, that’s all, sir.”
“Don’t lie to me,” he yelled and reached out.
Storm ducked and took off past him hoping to get lost in the bustle of the busy dock.
Burke hurried to change clothes, not wanting to leave Storm alone too long. He had promised Tanin and Philip and the rest of the group that he would keep her safe, and he couldn’t hold firm to his word if she wasn’t with him. She’d be safe enough for a short time hidden behind the crates, but there was always a chance she’d be found.