Taken By Storm(75)
“Tell me of my brother, please.”
“He is a wonderful man with a good sense of humor.”
Burke grinned. “Like our father.”
“He’s taller than you and broader in the shoulders and chest. He is so very gentle and loving.”
“You fell in love with him?”
She nodded.
“How is that possible?”
“Cullen is an easy man to love.”
“No, I mean how did you two meet? How was it possible for you to even get a chance to fall in love?”
“Cullen is a master with a bow and arrow. My father hired him to school the guards in his techniques. My friends and I expressed interest in learning and my father, after objecting and then realizing we simply thought of it as entertainment, agreed.”
She turned silent, and Burke could see her eyes clouding with tears. It was obvious the memories caused her pain, and he felt compelled to offer comfort while learning what he could of his brother.
“I am sorry to upset you. I know this must hurt terribly, but it is very important for me to find out whatever I can of Cullen if I’m to free him.”
Her hand flew to her chest and she gasped. “You will free Cullen?”
“I don’t intend on leaving Scotland without my brother.”
Her eyes turned sad and her shoulders sagged. “You will take him away.”
“Along with you if you so choose,” he offered and smiled. “I have a lady of my own I wish to return with to America. We can all be family together.”
“That sounds delightful, but my father would never permit it. I am to wed a titled man of my father’s choosing, one who will financially benefit my family.”
“If my brother is anything like me, he’d never allow that to happen.”
She smiled and wiped at a single tear that spilled down her cheek. “You are right, which is what caused Cullen’s plight.”
“Tell me,” Burke urged, time running out.
“Cullen and I decided to run off together once we realized how much we loved each other. We planned to forge a life high up in the Highlands where no one would find us. As long as we were together, nothing else mattered to me. Before we could implement our plan, I took ill.” She paused and fought back tears. “My father sent me away and Cullen searched for me, though it was my father who found him and imprisoned him.”
“How long has he been imprisoned?”
“About six months. My father has moved Cullen from prison to prison in an attempt to keep me from him, but I have found ways to visit with him. Now my father has sent him someplace I dare not visit.”
“Weighton.”
Alaina nodded slowly. “My father does not realize that he not only condemns Cullen to death but his daughter as well, for I will die a little each day along with Cullen.”
“That’s not necessary,” Burke informed her emphatically. “I intend to free my brother and you will both come to America with me. Cullen is a rich man and will provide you with a good life.”
“As long as I am with Cullen nothing else matters, but I don’t see how you’ll be able to free him from Weighton. It is impregnable.”
“So I’ve heard, but what if I made your father a substantial offer for my brother’s freedom and guaranteed he’d never set foot on Scottish soil again?”
Alaina sighed. “I don’t know. He’s adamant about making Cullen suffer.”
“I could offer him a sizable amount of money.”
“I would hope that he would accept it, but knowing my father’s arrogance and pride, he might just enjoy refusing your offer and seeing that you suffer, as he feels he was made to do.”
“You are here alive and well. He suffers no loss.”
Alaina glanced to the ground and spoke in a near whisper. “I gave to your brother what belonged to my future husband.”
Burke raised her chin with his finger. “You gave my brother your love and he gave his in return. There is no shame in that. The shame is that your father refuses to allow his daughter happiness.”
Alaina smiled. “Yes, you are much like your brother.”
Burke was pleased to hear that he and Cullen shared identical traits, and it made him even more determined to free him and meet him for himself. They had many years to catch up on and the rest of their lives to finally do it.
“Since Weighton seems impregnable, my only choice is to speak with your father and make him an offer.”
“If he refuses?”
Alaina’s shudder informed Burke of her expectations of the plan, and while it concerned him, it was his only option for the moment. Which meant he had no choice; he had to give it a try.
“Could you arrange a meeting with your father tomorrow for me? Tell him I’m only in the area for the day and would like to discuss business with him.”