“Daniel would have liked you.” Her remark surprised her for it was the truth.
“I believe I would have liked Daniel. Tell me more of him.”
Storm had shared laughter and tears with Burke by the time they returned to the cabin for supper. He had been right—speaking of her husband had served as a catharsis for her, finally allowing her to shed some of her pent-up pain.
She was enthralled by the lavish display that had been prepared. Pewter plates and goblets dressed a table draped in fine white linen while a white china tureen was the centerpiece of the table. The smell of fresh fish stew permeated the air along with freshly baked bread, and an array of cheeses and fruits.
It was enough food to feed her entire camp for a whole day.
She shed her bonnet and jacket and took the seat Burke held out for her.
“I know your thoughts and I will see that your camp is adequately supplied with food for the coming winter. Tonight, however, you will enjoy this meal without guilt.”
She smiled. “You know me well, Mr. Longton.”
“Of course I do, Mrs. Longton.”
Her hand squeezed the linen napkin in her lap, the title sending a quiver racing through her stomach. Today she had had a small taste of what it would be like to be Burke’s wife and she found it too much to her liking.
“There is one thing I’ve wanted to ask you, though I think I have my answer.”
“What is that?” she asked as he emptied a ladle of stew into her bowl.
“We had started talking of Lady Alaina and how she might know you when you began to speak of your husband. I can only assume—”
Storm interrupted. “Lady Alaina saw me now and again when I visited with my husband. It was mostly from a distance, though once up close when I was leaving after a visit and crying terribly. She attempted to console me, but I wanted nothing to do with her and brushed past her.”
“I don’t blame you. How could you when her father was responsible for imprisoning your husband.”
“Now you understand why I do not want you going to the Earl of Balford to bargain for your brother’s release. I will not lose another man I care for.”
Chapter 22
Silence ensued, and Burke admired Storm’s courage. After sharing the heart-wrenching story of how she lost her husband, she had the courage to admit that she cared for another man.
Cared enough that she would not see him suffer the same fate.
“I have given thought tous, Mr. Longton,” she said calmly.
He had done the same, but he hadn’t admitted that he cared for her as well, or that his caring might go deeper than he had expected. A strange thought but one that plagued him lately.
“What about us?”
She pushed the spoon around in her bowl. “I am an outlaw. I have no future to offer a man. There can be no future for us since you will return to America and I will remain in Scotland and fight for the rights of the less fortunate.”
“Which means?”
“We have a brief moment in time to enjoy each other. I propose that we do just that until it is time for you to leave.”
“What if I want more?” he asked, finding himself annoyed that she would think that a quick roll in the hay was all he wanted from her. But hadn’t he? At first, possibly, but now? He wasn’t certain what he wanted from her, and that irritated him even more.
She gave a soft laugh and shook her head. “There is nomorefor us. There is only now and good-byes.”
“And I am to accept this?” Why he suddenly thought her idea ludicrous astounded him since he had thought the same as she. They would share a brief interlude and then he’d be gone. Now, however, the idea disturbed him.
“It is all we have.”
Her sadness showed in her deep blue eyes that normally stormed like a raging sea but now appeared serene and ever so beautiful.
