Chapter 14
It didn’t take long to determine that the market would pose no problem for them. The amount of activity kept everyone busy, with children laughing and running around the tables. A sleight of hand could easily go on unnoticed, and in no time the group would have the few items they needed.
Burke made his way through the market stalls, taking note of areas that were more private and therefore more conducive to a successful theft.
He wandered along slowly, taking in everything he could, when out of the corner of his eye he caught a woman staring at him.
She quickly turned away when he looked in her direction.
She certainly was no peasant, dressed as she was in silks and brocade and accompanied by a slew of servants. She was stunning, her auburn hair in a pile of ringlets atop her head with a string of pearls weaving through the mass of curls.
Though her features were sharp, she was a beauty, with milky white, flawless skin, and she stood a good seven inches over five feet. The servants followed her like an army of guards protecting her from anyone who came too close.
“Lady Alaina, I have a lovely silk for—” one of the merchants said drawing her attention.
Burke watched as she examined the rich purple material. She looked to be studying it, when actually she glanced out of the corner of her eye at Burke.
“Lady Alaina likes what she sees,” Malcolm teased quietly behind Burke.
“It’s my good looks. The women can’t resist me,” Burke shot back.
Malcolm laughed and slapped him on the back. “You wish.”
“Why else would she stare at me?” Burke asked with a smug grin.
“Maybe she thinks she knows you,” Angus offered, joining them.
Burke glanced again at the woman.
She was now staring after him and suddenly started to wave. A servant followed her line of interest, changing direction once she began waving.
“Let’s go. Storm’s waiting,” Malcolm said, picking up the pace.
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.”
“Hour or two is more like it,” Angus said.
“Neither will really make a difference,” Burke said and went after her. Her anger disturbed him. She might resort to sudden anger when on a mission, but he had never seen her grow so militant when planning or discussing a mission. Something else had to have disturbed her.
“Wait,” he called out to her since it didn’t look as if she planned on slowing down or stopping any time soon.
Storm spun around. “Stop following me. I prefer to be alone right now.”
He caught up with her. “Too bad, I’m coming with you.”
“You are a persistent annoyance.”
“And you are angry. Why?”
She looked ready to lash out at him when suddenly she shook her head, turned, and walked over to a large spruce, its branches mushrooming out and creating a haven beneath, which she sneaked under to sit.
Burke joined her, noticing she had drawn her legs up near to her chin and wrapped her arms around them as if huddled in protection. He wanted to reach out and pry her arms loose and tell her not to be afraid, that he wouldn’t hurt her. He wouldn’t let anyone hurt her.
“Talk to me, Storm. I’m a good listener.”
She rested her head on her raised knees, her glance directed at him. “I didn’t mean to get angry.”
“I know. You weigh your decisions carefully, even decisions made with no time to spare. You still give thought to each and every one of them, no matter how brief, though never unwisely.”
“You make me sound like a sage.”
“I believe at times you are,” he said. “It’s the mark of a good leader.”
Her head came up. “You’re right. A good leader must always see to the safety of her men, even the foolish ones.”
Burke nodded and grinned. “You’re referring to me.”
“I don’t wish to see you added to the list of those needing rescue.”
“Don’t worry, you won’t have to rescue me,” he said with confidence.
“Funny,” she said with a tap to her chin. “I recall rescuing you once already.”
He slapped his hand to his chest. “Must you wound my manly pride and remind me of that?”
Storm scoffed. “Somehow I don’t think your manly pride wounds that easily.”
This time he thumped his chest. “That’s because I’m a confident man.”
“Arrogant too.”
“That does help,” he admitted without remorse.
“Are all Americans like you?”
He smiled. “Only the lucky ones.”
Storm laughed, stretching her legs out and relaxing back against the thick tree trunk.
Relieved that he had eased her tension, he joined her relaxing against the tree.
He had questions concerning the lad they were to rescue and the Lady Alaina, but they would have to wait.
She looked so lovely sitting there, even dressed in lad’s garments.
There was softness to her every curve and a defined beauty to her features.
It could steal the breath if one gazed too long, or rob the senses, or make a man think on things that women deemed wicked.
Damn if he didn’t want to be wicked with Storm.
He wondered if perhaps she felt the same.
Hadn’t there been a spark between them on first meeting? Had he imagined it, or was it a clash between their need to take command? How would that work when making love? Who would take the lead?
The thought excited him and made him anxious to discover the answer.
“Nothing to say, Burke?”
He had plenty to say but time was needed to court the lovely lass and see if she was as willing as he was eager.
“I didn’t want to disturb your peace.”
“Peace is relative, Burke,” she said. “I have found it in the strangest of places.”
“We share a common interest, for I have done the same myself and know the serenity such places can bring.”
Her gaze locked with his. He loved her eyes, could get lost in them, could swirl in their stormy blue depths and never care if he were rescued. He had to clear his mind of her or the next thing he knew he’d be kissing her, and now was not the time or place.
“I’ve been thinking of the lad we will rescue,” he said to distract himself.
“I expected you to speak of him to me,” she said, her posture turning rigid.
He regretted disturbing her peace, but then it was necessary in more ways than one. “You claim to know my mind?”
“No, but I know what I would think if it were my brother we searched for.”
“And that would be?”
“I would think that if the lad could not provide me with sufficient information concerning my brother, then perhaps Lady Alaina could. I would want to know all I could about her and possibly find a way of talking with her, though not personally. I wouldn’t want to take the chance that my resemblance could in any way harm my brother. ”
“Good, you agree with me,” he said, pleased.
“Yes, but that doesn’t mean we will be contacting Lady Alaina.”
“Why not?” he asked, attempting to keep the irritation out of his tone.
“Our first concern is finding out if this man we’ve followed from prison to prison is your brother.
If he is, then we must find out why he is being moved so frequently and where he goes next.
Once these questions are answered I have a feeling we’ll learn what part Lady Alaina plays in it all, and then we can decide if talking with her is necessary. ”
“That will take time.”
“Much will depend on what information we learn from the lad tomorrow.”
He let out a frustrated breath. “I’m impatient.”
“Which is why it is better that I am in command.”
Burke smiled. “You really like reminding me of that.”
Her smile matched his. “A little reminding is good now and again.”
“You know, you’re right.”
He grabbed hold of her chin and planted a kiss on her lips that just about curled both their toes. His tongue went deep, his taste hungry and his passion strong.
He yanked himself away, his body responding much too strongly.
“Just a reminder,” he said on labored breath and jumped to his feet and walked away.