“It might be worth a try,” Philip said.
Still Storm said nothing, and he wondered what she thought. “What’s your opinion, Storm?”
“The Earl of Balford is not a man to be trusted,” she said. “I would feel better knowing what plans he intends for his daughter before rushing into this. But I can understand your reluctance to wait any longer in securing your brother’s release. Weighton is not known for its hospitality.”
Burke respected her opinion. She had proven time and again to be right in her approach to difficult situations, and given enough time, he wouldn’t be surprised if she devised a rescue plan for his brother. Time, however, was limited, and so was his patience.
“If that weasel of a fellow whose sister works at the Balford manor house didn’t know the earl’s plans for his daughter, how will we find out?” Burke asked.
Silence answered him.
“That’s what I thought,” Burke confirmed with a nod. “I have no other choice.”
“Perhaps you do,” Storm said, and all eyes stared at her.
“I’m listening,” Burke said, focusing on her deep blue eyes. He could tell much from the shifting blue colors of her eyes, and right now the deep color told him she was concerned for his plight.
“You have the advantage of having already met Lady Alaina. If there was some way you could speak with her privately and tell her that you’re Cullen’s brother, perhaps she would then confide in you. She could also possibly tell you whether her father would be agreeable to your offer.”
“That is an excellent suggestion,” Burke said, suddenly feeling that Cullen’s rescue could be closer at hand than he had thought.
“Storm’s a wise leader,” William boasted, and Philip agreed with an affirmative nod.
Later that evening, with William and Philip retired, Burke sat with Storm on her watch.
“You’re not upset with me?” Storm asked, leaning against him.
He slipped his arm around her, knowing she had to be chilled from the cold night air and pleased that she sought warmth from him without hesitation. He had intended to wrap his arms around her anyway. He had grown accustomed to holding her and missed her when she was gone too long from his arms.
“Why would I be upset with you?”
“I thought perhaps you felt that you wasted time by not speaking further with Lady Alaina when you had the opportunity.”
“No, it’s better this way. I’m now armed with more information that will probably prove helpful when I meet with her. I would have never known to ask of her father’s plans. I would have focused entirely on my brother and possibly ruined my chances of securing his release.”
“I do hope this proves successful for you and especially for your brother.”
“You don’t sound hopeful,” Burke said.
She gave a sad laugh. “Don’t mind me. My encounter with the Earl of Balford has left a bitter taste in my mouth. Perhaps it will be different for you.”
He snuggled her closer to him, wanting to protect her from her own painful memories. “You know what I wish?”
“That all goes well and you free your brother,” she said with a smile.
He shook his head before faintly brushing his lips across hers. “No, I wish you and I were on my ship in my cabin making love.”
He felt her reaction; her body startled in his arms.
“I want to make love to you, Storm. Actually, I ache to make love to you. The choice of course is yours, but I had hoped you would not delay your decision or deny your desire.”
“I won’t deny that I want you,” she admitted softly.
“Then there is no reason to delay.” He kissed her quick and sharp, stinging both their senses.
She shivered. “That you excite me is undeniable. It is the consequences I give thought to.”
“What consequences?”
