Chapter 32
Storm wasn’t interested in reliving the night her husband died, but she wanted Burke to understand the Earl of Balford’s true nature. He was a man who cared for no one but himself and would do anything to get what he wanted, at any cost.
She couldn’t let that cost be Burke. She had foolishly allowed the American to steal her heart, and she realized just how much when she caught sight of him in the carriage safely returning to her.
She had barely taken a breath while he was gone. She had worried every minute of his absence and had already had a rescue plan formulated in case it became necessary.
Under no circumstances would she allow Burke to remain a prisoner of the earl for even one day and chance his being carted off to Weighton like his brother.
“Storm,” Burke said softly.
She stared at him for a moment. She loved looking upon his face. His features defined a man of strength and honor, while his quick smile warned of his humor, and his dark eyes betrayed the depth of his feelings.
He was a man easy to love and one who loved her with the same ease. Love had found them both or as Burke would remind her—it was fate.
Storm cleared her head with a shake. “I had a rescue plan ready when I approached Tanin. Naturally, he thought his plan better until he heard mine and then he realized mine was the one more likely to succeed.”
“It involved the earl, didn’t it?” Burke accused.
“It couldn’t help but involve him,” Storm admitted. “If the earl’s life was in danger, then the guards wouldn’t dare stop a rescue.”
“How did you manage to get hold of the earl?”
“I didn’t have to. I knew my husband was close to death and I knew the earl would offer to release him if I submitted to him.”
Burke shook his head. “What? He would free your husband in exchange for sex?”
“Only when he knew the prisoner lay close to death. He wasn’t about to really let him free, regardless of what money he had collected or promises he had made. He had done it many times before to other prisoners’ wives, so I knew I could count on him to do it again, especially since he was casting overtures in that direction the last few times he had spoken with me.”
“I’m going to kill the bastard,” Burke snarled.
“I wish I had, but I needed him to free my husband in hopes that I was not too late. The earl was shocked when I pulled a knife on him.”
“How did you ever get him from the manor house down to the prison without anyone seeing you?”
“We were already in the prison,” Storm said. “You see, the earl liked to take a prisoner’s wife in front of him.”
“Damn, now the man really has to die.”
“I made the guard free Ellie and she trussed up the two guards, and then with me pressing the point of the knife to the earl’s neck and drawing enough blood to frighten him to remain still, Ellie tied him up. We secured them, and Tanin saw to the guard outside and was waiting for us when we came out. He helped me with Daniel and we all took off.”
Storm took a breath and fought back tears. She would not cry and she would not linger on the sad memories. She told Burke this story for a reason and she hoped it served the purpose she intended.
“You understand now why you should not trust the earl?”
“I understand even more, and believe me, I don’t trust him. Once the papers are signed, Cullen and I will leave Weighton immediately—”
“Weighton? The earl wants the exchange to take place at Weighton?” she asked, shaking her head. “The earl doesn’t intend for your brother or you to leave the prison.”
“My captain and several sailors will be with me.”
“He won’t let them in the prison. Rules, he will claim, and in your zeal to free your brother you will imprison yourself.”
“Not so, I know what I do.”
“Didn’t you hear what I just told you? The earl will have his way. He will have your gold mine, your brother, and you. This will never work. We need another plan.”
“There is no other plan,” Burke warned.
