Storm reached out and covered his hand with hers. “I know how you feel.”
He was about to snap that she didn’t, how could she? Then he remembered her husband and knew that she understood exactly how he felt. Suddenly he was grateful she sat beside him.
“What do I do?” he asked, not only needing her help but wanting her help as well.
“I don’t know, but we’ll find a way to get Cullen out. I promise.”
“You can’t mean that,” Philip said, he and William joining them.
They held two fish cleaned and speared with sticks for roasting, which they set to the flames, and sat on the opposite side of the fire from Burke and Storm.
“Aye, you can’t,” William agreed. “It’s foolishness to think we can rescue anyone from Weighton.”
“You yourself insisted that if you were ever captured and taken to Weighton, no one was to attempt a rescue,” Philip said. “The American should know the truth. There is no escape from Weighton. His brother’s fate has been sealed.”
“I can’t accept that,” Burke said adamantly. “There must be something that can be done, even if I have to go to the Earl of Balford and buy my brother’s freedom.”
“That might work,” William said, turning the fish over the flames. “Maybe if you can convince the earl that your brother has some fancy title back in America, he might consider letting his daughter marry him.”
“That’s a good point, William,” Burke said. It just might prove to be the solution to his problem.
“You can’t be serious,” Storm said. “And besides, you told me there were no titled people in America.”
“I am a land baron,” Burke said with a grin.
“Baron Longton.” William smiled. “Sounds like a title to me.”
“I don’t know,” Philip said, shaking his head. “That fellow mentioned something about the earl having plans for his daughter.”
“Plans change all the time,” William said. “Just think of all the times Storm changed rescue plans.”
“Necessary changes,” Storm argued.
“I’d say these were necessary changes,” Burke said. “And there’s only one way to find out if it will work. I need to talk with the Earl of Balford.”
He had expected a resounding no from Storm, so her silence surprised him.
“It might be worth a try,” Philip said.
Still Storm said nothing, and he wondered what she thought. “What’s your opinion, Storm?”
“The Earl of Balford is not a man to be trusted,” she said. “I would feel better knowing what plans he intends for his daughter before rushing into this. But I can understand your reluctance to wait any longer in securing your brother’s release. Weighton is not known for its hospitality.”
Burke respected her opinion. She had proven time and again to be right in her approach to difficult situations, and given enough time, he wouldn’t be surprised if she devised a rescue plan for his brother. Time, however, was limited, and so was his patience.
“If that weasel of a fellow whose sister works at the Balford manor house didn’t know the earl’s plans for his daughter, how will we find out?” Burke asked.
Silence answered him.
“That’s what I thought,” Burke confirmed with a nod. “I have no other choice.”
“Perhaps you do,” Storm said, and all eyes stared at her.
“I’m listening,” Burke said, focusing on her deep blue eyes. He could tell much from the shifting blue colors of her eyes, and right now the deep color told him she was concerned for his plight.
“You have the advantage of having already met Lady Alaina. If there was some way you could speak with her privately and tell her that you’re Cullen’s brother, perhaps she would then confide in you. She could also possibly tell you whether her father would be agreeable to your offer.”
“That is an excellent suggestion,” Burke said, suddenly feeling that Cullen’s rescue could be closer at hand than he had thought.
“Storm’s a wise leader,” William boasted, and Philip agreed with an affirmative nod.
Later that evening, with William and Philip retired, Burke sat with Storm on her watch.
“You’re not upset with me?” Storm asked, leaning against him.
He slipped his arm around her, knowing she had to be chilled from the cold night air and pleased that she sought warmth from him without hesitation. He had intended to wrap his arms around her anyway. He had grown accustomed to holding her and missed her when she was gone too long from his arms.
“Why would I be upset with you?”