Malcolm was the first to signal that all was well, and soon they all gathered around once again.
“It’s Philip,” Malcolm said.
“He has Lady Alaina with him,” Angus added.
Gooseflesh rushed over Storm. Something had to have happened for her to come this distance with Philip. And it couldn’t be good.
It took only a few moments for Philip and Lady Alaina to finally appear. She seemed a bit out of breath, and Philip was quick to help her sit on a fallen log, while Malcolm graciously offered her water from the pouch he carried.
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.
