Her silence told him that she weighed the impact of his words and knew them to be the truth.
“In my zeal to free your brother, I had not given the consequences thought. You are right. I will be hunted viciously, as will anyone associated with me. No place will be safe.”
“Give it thought now,” he said. “And while you’re thinking on that, think on this.” He brought her hand to his mouth for a kiss. “Storm, will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?”
She stared at him.
“The choice is yours. I do not want you to feel that you must marry me in order to go to America. If you don’t wish to marry me, I will see you safely to America and I will provide for you until you get on your own feet. However, you do love me, so it would seem reasonable that you would want to marry me. Would you? Marry me, that is.”
She smiled.
“A smile is a good sign. Let me remind you again of how very wealthy I am, how much you adore my sense of humor and how deeply I am in love with you.”
Her smile grew. “You forgot your leadership qualities.”
“See what a good catch I am.” He grinned.
“There is only one thing that matters,” she said softly.
“What is that?” he asked and leaned his face down near hers.
“Love, that you love me and I love you. Nothing, absolutely nothing else matters. Foolishly, I thought it did.” She shook her head. “I thought rescuing people was my fate, but I realize it’s not forever. Life changes. It always does whether we’re ready for it or not. I admit I’m not ready. I don’t believe I ever would be, but it looks like fate has decided that my life is about to change.” She kissed him.
The kiss was gentle and Burke favored it for it sealed their future, their fate.
She rested her cheek against his. “I can’t believe I am agreeing to this. What will happen to my men, my group of people who depend on me? There’s so much to consider. Is this really a wise choice?”
“I will offer passage to America for all those who choose to go, and for those who do not, I will give them sufficient coin to go elsewhere.”
“You would do that?”
“I would do that for you, for I know you would worry over their fate and I want you to leave Scotland free of worry for those who choose to remain behind.”
She shivered, and he took her in his arms.
“This has been the only home I’ve known. I had never thought to leave it. It will not be easy.”
“There is nothing left for you here. We will build a new life together in America and you will have friends there to share it with. I would bet that most all of your men and people would go with you to America. In a way, you will be taking part of Scotland with you. I have no doubt Tanin would go.”
“I agree,” Storm said, snuggling against him. “I know he and Ellie yearn for a real home, land to work, children to raise, and of course Janelle would go with them. They are her only family.”
“All of your group is family, and I doubt if any want to be left behind.”
Storm poked his chest. “I never intended to fall in love with you.”
“You couldn’t help yourself. I’m just too wonderful.”
She laughed. “I will not lack laughter being married to you.”
He took hold of her hand and kissed it. “You will never lack love, for I will love you always.”
“You are generous with people and you are generous with your love. I truly am a lucky woman.”
“I keep telling you that.”
She giggled and poked him with her free hand. “Modest you are not.”
“No, I am not,” he said and took hold of her other hand, holding them both together. “You can always count on me speaking the truth, always count on me admiring you, respecting you, and loving you. And always, always being there for you, no matter the circumstances.” He gave her shoulder a gentle shove with his. “We can always discuss your faults in private.”
