“We need to keep moving,” Storm advised. “We don’t want to take any chances. We’ll talk when we stop for the night.”
All agreed with a nod and set a good pace through the woods. Burke was growing familiar with the area and knew that by tomorrow midday they’d reach the camp.
He would do anything to free Cullen. He had made a promise to his father, and he intended to keep it no matter what it took. He often wondered if his father had amassed his wealth just in case he would need it someday to help Cullen. And if that was necessary, he’d spend his last coin to see his brother free.
They found shelter for the night behind a large rock formation, and Storm deemed it safe for a small fire. William and Philip went to see if they could catch a fish or two from the nearby creek while dusk still provided a trace of light, and Burke and Storm got the fire going.
The dry, broken twigs had the fire burning fast enough, and it wasn’t long before Burke and Storm sat beside it warming their hands.
“The air holds an extra crispness tonight,” Storm said.
Burke nodded and rubbed his hands. “Don’t avoid it, Storm, tell me about Weighton.”
“It’s not penetrable,” she said.
He didn’t like the sound of defeat in her voice and he wasn’t ready to accept defeat. “There must be another way.”
“Possibly, but we’ll have to give it thought.”
“I’ve given it thought and look where it’s gotten my brother,” he argued and released a gruff sigh. “I want Cullen safe and in front of me. I want to claim him as my brother and tell him all about our father and how hard he had searched for him all these years. I want him to know he has a home in America and money enough to ease his life. I want—” He shook his head. “I want this all to be done with.”
Storm reached out and covered his hand with hers. “I know how you feel.”
He was about to snap that she didn’t, how could she? Then he remembered her husband and knew that she understood exactly how he felt. Suddenly he was grateful she sat beside him.
“What do I do?” he asked, not only needing her help butwantingher help as well.
“I don’t know, but we’ll find a way to get Cullen out. I promise.”
“You can’t mean that,” Philip said, he and William joining them.
They held two fish cleaned and speared with sticks for roasting, which they set to the flames, and sat on the opposite side of the fire from Burke and Storm.
“Aye, you can’t,” William agreed. “It’s foolishness to think we can rescue anyone from Weighton.”
“You yourself insisted that if you were ever captured and taken to Weighton, no one was to attempt a rescue,” Philip said. “The American should know the truth. There is no escape from Weighton. His brother’s fate has been sealed.”
“I can’t accept that,” Burke said adamantly. “There must be something that can be done, even if I have to go to the Earl of Balford and buy my brother’s freedom.”
“That might work,” William said, turning the fish over the flames. “Maybe if you can convince the earl that your brother has some fancy title back in America, he might consider letting his daughter marry him.”
“That’s a good point, William,” Burke said. It just might prove to be the solution to his problem.
“You can’t be serious,” Storm said. “And besides, you told me there were no titled people in America.”
“I am a land baron,” Burke said with a grin.
“Baron Longton.” William smiled. “Sounds like a title to me.”
“I don’t know,” Philip said, shaking his head. “That fellow mentioned something about the earl having plans for his daughter.”
“Plans change all the time,” William said. “Just think of all the times Storm changed rescue plans.”
“Necessary changes,” Storm argued.
“I’d say these were necessary changes,” Burke said. “And there’s only one way to find out if it will work. I need to talk with the Earl of Balford.”
He had expected a resounding no from Storm, so her silence surprised him.
