Burke reluctantly turned away and followed the men into the woods. They reached the campsite, the others already there and waiting for them so that plans could be formulated for a combined rescue and theft.
It was determined fast enough that the mission didn’t seem difficult and that if all went as planned, they could be on their way home by noon tomorrow.
“We’ll just have to keep Burke away from the market,” Malcolm said with a laugh.
“Why is that?” Storm asked with curious concern.
Malcolm continued his teasing. “Lady Alaina found him appealing.”
Angus disagreed. “No, she stared at him as if she thought she recognized him, but wasn’t certain.”
“Your opinion, Burke?” Storm asked.
“That Lady Alaina isn’t as beautiful as you.”
The men snickered and laughed and made fun of the bold American.
“Tell me why you think Lady Alaina found you interesting,” Storm asked, ignoring her men.
“Who is Lady Alaina?” Burke asked, needing to settle that bit of information before he pursued a thought that had been simmering.
“The Earl of Balford’s daughter,” Angus answered.
“The man possibly responsible for my brother’s capture.”
“I get it,” Malcolm said, excited. “If you and your brother resemble each other, then it’s possible that Lady Alaina had seen your brother Cullen and then was surprised when she caught sight of you.”
Burke nodded. “She may have information that could prove helpful.”
“You’ll stay away from her,” Storm ordered so sharply that all the men turned wide eyes on her.
“She could be of help,” Burke suggested.
Storm maintained her authority. “I can’t have you jeopardizing the lad’s rescue.”
“I won’t—”
“That’s right, you won’t,” Storm said. “You won’t go near Lady Alaina, for the lad’s safety and your own.”
He could tell she was angry; her blue eyes blazed like a storming sea. God, he loved seeing the color of her eyes rage like a tempest; the startling blue always set his blood to boiling and his heart to pumping.
Storm continued, “If the Earl of Balford is responsible for your brother’s capture, then he’s also responsible for moving him from prison to prison, which means he has an intense dislike for Cullen. If Cullen’s brother should suddenly appear, do you really think that the earl will welcome him with open arms?”
Damn if he didn’t find her intelligence just as attractive as her gorgeous eyes.
She did not give him a chance to respond. “You’d put not only yourself in danger but my men as well.”
“Your men?”
“That’s right, my men.” Storm stood with a shout. “They would be the ones who would risk their lives to rescue you.” She pointed a finger in his face. “You, Mr. Longton, will do nothing without my permission.”
Burke stood, grabbing hold of her finger. “You think so?”
She yanked her finger free. “It’s an order; you have no choice.” She marched off.
The men coughed from the cloud of dirt she’d kicked up as she stomped away.
Burke started to go after her, but Tanin grabbed his arm. “I’d give her a minute or two.”
