Part 41 (2/2)

The room's garish furnis.h.i.+ngs shouted wealth and gave Burke hope. Since the earl favored money, he just might favor releasing Cullen for a goodly amount that would fatten his coffers considerably.

”Mr. Longton.”

Burke turned from admiring a painting of a young la.s.s with a small dog on her lap to greet the Earl of Balford.

”My lord,” he said with a respectful bow of his head. He had no idea if he was addressing him correctly but instinct told him it wouldn't hurt. And the way the tall, slim man held himself so rigid and with his garments matching the style of the room, he could tell the earl was a man who deemed himself important.

The earl walked over to a white, ornately designed chair trimmed in gold and sat, then pointed to a less garish chair and with a careless wave ordered Burke to sit.

Burke sat on the edge of the chair.

”My daughter mentioned something about a business proposition,” the earl said as if not at all interested.

Burke couldn't help but notice that there was no resemblance between the earl and his daughter, not even the slightest. Their natures even seemed opposite since Lady Alaina appeared a caring soul and the earl...

Burke took a good look at him and knew right away he was a cold-hearted b.a.s.t.a.r.d.”I have a proposition that would award you substantial financial gain,” Burke said.”I'm listening.”Burke didn't waste a minute; he did as Storm had advised. He got right to the point. ”You hold my brother prisoner and I wish to pay for his release.”

The earl's posture grew even more rigid and his face brightened with interest. And why not? Releasing a

prisoner was an easy way for him to make money and an easy way for Burke to gain his brother'sfreedom.”Your brother's name?” the earl asked casually.”Cullen.”The earl's demeanor changed in a flash, his eyes narrowed, his lips pinched tight, and his slim hands gripped the arms of the chair. ”That man is charged with a grievous crime and must suffer his

punishment.”

”What was my brother's crime?” Burke asked, knowing full well it was forbidden love that had imprisoned Cullen, but knowing he could never acknowledge that to the irate man.

”Treason!”

Burke tensed. Treason wasn't dealt with lightly in any country, but money had opened prison doorsbefore and he hoped it would now.”I can promise you more than sufficient rest.i.tution for my brother's bad judgment.”

”Nothing, absolutely nothing, could redeem your brother's foolish actions.”

Burke remained calm. ”True, foolishness can brand a man forever, but why let him rot in a jail cell when you can exchange him for a sizable amount of money and a guarantee that the man will never set foot in Scotland again.”

”Money cannot make right the horrendous wrong that this man did.”

Burke could have sworn the man hissed like a snake getting ready to attack, and he knew he had totread very lightly. If he wasn't able to secure Cullen's release, what alternative was there?Storm's capture.He didn't want to give it thought. He had to make this work.”Of course not,” Burke agreed. ”But exiling him from his homeland is a death sentence in itself.””This man would never leave Scotland,” the earl argued.”What choice would he have? He'd be tied and secured in a cabin and not released until far enough out at sea, where he could do nothing about it.” Burke knew this was the time to make the proposition tooappealing to turn down. ”Besides, I'm willing to offer you full owners.h.i.+p of a gold mine in America inexchange for my brother's freedom.”

The earl couldn't hide his surprise or pleasure. ”A producing gold mine?””A powerfully producing gold mine,” Burke confirmed.”That is an interesting proposition,” the earl said and eased back in his chair.”I can have the papers drawn up immediately, and by the end of the week we can make the exchange.”The earl gave it thought, and Burke waited anxiously for his answer. He didn't believe he'd be turned down; few if any men could refuse a gold mine dropped in their lap. To Burke it was a small price to pay

for his brother's freedom.”I think we could work this out,” the earl said. ”See to the paperwork and we'll meet at Weighton in twoweeks to make the exchange. I have business that will take me away and I won't be available until then.”

Burke wasn't happy with the delay, but he had little choice but to agree. ”Agreed, I will meet you at Weighton two weeks to the day to make the exchange.”

”Joseph will see you out,” he said, pointing to the door where the manservant stood.

The earl never even stood or shook hands with Burke. Burke did not trust a man who did not shake on an agreement, and he wasn't pleased with being dismissed like a peasant who had annoyed the mighty lord.

He also wasn't pleased with the two-week delay, but there was nothing he could do to change that. Hehad waited this long to find his brother, so another two weeks shouldn't matter. He hoped.

Storm had been right that the earl couldn't be trusted, but then Burke would sign no papers until his

brother stood in front of him, a free man.

Storm and Tanin stepped out of the woods, signaling Burke to their position. Malcolm appeared when he brought the horse to a stop, and took the reins from him.

”He accepted,” Burke said, jumping down from the carriage.

Tanin and Malcolm smiled and nodded. Storm remained silent.

”I'll see to the carriage with Malcolm,” Tanin said and walked off with the other man.

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