“I watched my Daniel grow thinner and thinner from hunger, the little food I snuck to him not sufficient to maintain his abused body.”
“Was there no one who could help you?”
“Tanin,” she said on a tear and wiped it away. “His Ellie had been imprisoned simply because the landlord had taken a fancy to her, and he was not about to let her spend one night in that cell.”
“He helped you?”
“I found out his intentions to free his wife and asked if I could join him.” She choked on her laughter. “He thought me a fool. What could a pint-sized woman do?”
“I guess he found out fast enough,” Burke said with a grin.
“I did surprise him, freeing his Ellie with ease and then…” She swallowed the lump in her throat and tried without success to quell the vivid memories that rushed through her mind. “Daniel took his last breath in my arms.” Storm bit at her lip to stop it from quivering. “His—” She choked back the sobs that wanted to rip from her throat. “His last words to me were—” She paused to regain control. “‘I knew you’d come for me. I knew you wouldn’t let me die here.’”
Tears flooded her eyes but she contained them. “Tanin carried Daniel out of the prison and into the woods. He carried Daniel all the way to the ruins of the old church and he helped me bury him there. A fitting place to say good-bye, since it was our second anniversary.”
“I’m so very sorry,” Burke said.
“If I had been a day or two sooner, perhaps I could have saved him. I would have tended him day and night until he was well. I would have never left his side. I would have—”
“Shhh, Storm,” Burke said, placing his hand gently on her cheek. “You did what you could.”
“I didn’t do enough. I let my husband die.” Tears rolled down her cheek, and before she could wipe them away, Burke stopped her and gently eased them off her face with his thumb.
“You did all that you possibly could and Daniel knew that. He told you so himself before he died.”
“He didn’t have to die.”
“No, he didn’t, but it wasn’t your fault that he did. It was the landlord’s greed and brutality that killed Daniel,” Burke said.
“Tanin has told me as much many times and though I know it is so, it doesn’t help ease the pain in my heart.”
A knock at the cabin door broke them apart, and Burke bid the caller to enter.
“Supper will be ready shortly, sir,” Douglas said. “May I see to preparing the cabin?”
“I could use some fresh air,” Storm said and grabbed her bonnet and jacket.
Twilight was claiming the horizon as Storm emerged on the deck of the ship. She wanted a brief distance between her and Burke, but he would have none of that, reaching out and hooking her arm in his.
“You don’t run from me, Storm. It’s your memories that chase you.”
She grew annoyed and tried to yank her arm free, but his grip was too strong.
“Get mad if you wish, but you’re not going anywhere. You’ll stay here beside me.”
“Is that a command?”
“Must it be? I offer my friendship, my concern, my empathy for your plight. I do not wish to see you go off alone to suffer your memories. Share them with me so that your pain is eased.”
No one had so bluntly offered such friendship to her. Her men cared for and respected her, but none dared speak so boldly to her. Burke spoke his mind and made no excuses for it. He wore his honesty as boldly as he spoke it, and, strangely enough, his direct manner comforted her.
“I have not shared memories of my husband with anyone since his death.”
“Then I say it is about time you do. It is good for the soul to release its burden now and again, and I daresay your burden has been a heavy one to bear.”
The twilight glistened off his dark brown eyes and highlighted the few wrinkles that fanned the corners of his eyes. She favored the thin lines, for they spoke of a man who had weathered the elements and survived, a man strong in nature and conviction.
“Daniel would have liked you.” Her remark surprised her for it was the truth.
“I believe I would have liked Daniel. Tell me more of him.”
Storm had shared laughter and tears with Burke by the time they returned to the cabin for supper. He had been right—speaking of her husband had served as a catharsis for her, finally allowing her to shed some of her pent-up pain.
She was enthralled by the lavish display that had been prepared. Pewter plates and goblets dressed a table draped in fine white linen while a white china tureen was the centerpiece of the table. The smell of fresh fish stew permeated the air along with freshly baked bread, and an array of cheeses and fruits.