“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.”
She nodded. “I will explain how I met you and your request for a meeting.”
“Will he ask what it is in regard to?”
“No, business is left to men and he would not expect you to have discussed it with me.”
“I must go,” Burke said, regretful he couldn’t spend more time with her and learn more about his brother. “One more thing. When did you last see Cullen, and how was he?”
“Before he was moved from Mewers—” She stopped suddenly. “I saw you at Mewers. I had learned that Cullen was to be moved and hoped to see him before then, but he was already gone when I got there. You were there in search of him that day?”
“My group freed the young lad hoping he’d provide us with information. I had wondered why you stared at me.”
She smiled. “When I first saw you I thought my eyes played tricks on me and that Cullen walked free. Then I realized it was my heart that had played tricks on me.”
Burke took her hand and squeezed gently. “Cullen will walk free, and perhaps I can be persuasive enough to convince your father that I’m a land baron, which makes Cullen one. Would he consider agreeing to his daughter marrying a land baron?”
Alaina crossed her arms over her heart. “With all my heart I pray he would, but my father is a stubborn and vindictive man, and the man he wishes me to wed is a very powerful duke.”
“It’s worth a try,” Burke said. “I will see you tomorrow at—”
“Just before noon. I will convince my father of the importance of the meeting, telling him how wealthy you are.”
