Lady Alaina accepted it gratefully and took a few minutes to collect herself.
“Lady Alaina has learned vital information concerning Burke’s agreement,” Philip offered as an explanation.
“So soon?” Burke asked, surprised.
Lady Alaina nodded, then took another swallow of water.
“Tell us, Philip,” Storm said.
“Lady Alaina did not share the news with me. She insisted that I bring her directly to Burke.”
Lady Alaina finally regained her composure. “I had to speak with you myself, Mr. Longton.”
“Please call me Burke. After all, you will soon be my sister-in-law.”
Lady Alaina pressed both hands to her chest. “How I wish that were true. Unfortunately, my father intends to see Cullen and you dead.”
“He never planned to honor our agreement?” Burke asked.
Lady Alaina shook her head. “After you left I made certain to remain near my father, though he didn’t know I lurked about. I learned when I was very young to become invisible to my father while watching his every move. It kept me safe.”
She paused a moment and stared at Storm. “I know you and yet…”
“My wife,” Burke reminded.
Lady Alaina shook her head. “No, you’re the infamous Storm. If I remember correctly, my father was instrumental in starting your career.”
“He was,” Storm said and, wanting to spare the woman any more obvious discomfort, added, “but it is the news you have we wish to hear.”
Lady Alaina nodded. “Yes. Yes, it is important. My father has no intentions of releasing Cullen and no intentions of giving up the gold mine you offer him. He intends for neither of you to live.”
Chapter 33
Burke maintained his composure though he would have much preferred to repeatedly punch something. He was a fool for even thinking the earl would play fair. Now what choice was left to him?
“That leaves us only one choice,” Storm said.
“Absolutely not. You’re not going into Weighton,” Burke said sternly, and the other men nodded in agreement.
Lady Alaina hurried to Storm’s side, grabbing hold of her hand. “Do you think it could work? Do you think you can really rescue Cullen?”
“I believe that we’d have a fair chance with someone on the inside. Once contact could be made with Cullen, there’d be two who could work together on the escape. The others could secure the outside area so that when we made our break, there’d be no one to stop us.”
“It sounds as if it could work,” Lady Alaina said hopefully.
“It’s too much of a risk,” Burke said, refusing to even give the idea thought and yet knowing that there was no other choice. But how could he condone sending the woman he loved into harm’s way?
“It may be the only way,” Tanin agreed reluctantly.
“Finally, someone who realizes the dire straits of our situation,” Storm said.
“Sending you into Weighton could mean sending you to your death,” Burke said angrily. He couldn’t help it. He was so frustrated with the circumstances. He couldn’t see how he would find the strength to stand by and let Storm be captured and dragged off to prison. He’d want to kill any man who dared lay a hand on her.
“Your brother faces certain death if we don’t. At least with me going in he has a chance, which is more than he has now.”
Reason certainly was her forte, not that the plan made sense, or made it any easier for him.
Burke suddenly got an idea. “There’s no need for you to go into Weighton. I’ll be going in to ransom my brother and that will put me right where I need to be to help expedite the escape.”
Lady Alaina shook her head. “No, my father does not plan for you to ever reach Weighton. He actually took great pleasure in knowing he’d prevent a reunion between you and Cullen.”
“That’s it. I go in,” Storm said emphatically.
“What can I do to help?” Lady Alaina asked eagerly.
Burke stood silent, though he felt the urge to shout out his anger. He didn’t want this. He didn’t want to chance losing the woman he loved to save his brother, and yet he knew without a doubt that Storm would advise him that it wasn’t his choice. It was hers.
“Keep listening,” Storm advised. “Let us know of anything you think is of importance. Philip will remain nearby and stay in contact with you. He will also let you know when it is time to join us. You need to make certain your father believes that you are going away to visit friends or something so that he does not become suspicious.”
“I will make a plausible excuse that he will not doubt since he keeps a watchful eye on me, which is why I must return now before he suspects something. Good luck to you all,” Lady Alaina said and walked over to Burke. “I cannot wait to see the look on Cullen’s face when he lays eyes on his brother for the first time.”