To Steal a Highlander's Heart(15)

If he survived the climb that was.

Peering up, he realised he was close. Alana’s bare feet dangled not far from his face, flashes of leg peeking from under her skirts. His heart pounded with exertion and horror as her grip slipped and she cried out.

Now she hung from one arm, Morgann knew he had to get to her fast. Disregarding the cramping pain in his hands, he edged up the wall until he was at her side.

She stared at him, eyes wide with fear. “M-Morgann, I cannae hold on.”

“Just a wee bit longer, m'eudail. I’m here. I’ll no’ let ye fall.”

He reached for the sheets, curled a hand gratefully around them and gave them a tug. Aye, it would hold his weight. He inched upward and swung over, snatching the line in both hands so that he hung from it just above Alana. Her grasp on the rope slipped and Morgann seized her hand, gripping her tight before she fell.

“Hold on, Alana. I’ve got ye.”

Looking down, Morgann realised just how high up they were. God’s blood, his hands hurt. But he kept his hold strong around Alana’s.

“Ye cannae hold on to me forever,” she exclaimed, voice wavering.

“I dinnae need to hold ye forever,” he grunted.

A thud against the wall dragged his attention from her and he blew out a long breath. Finn climbed carefully up the ladder now propped against the castle wall. Morgann’s arm shook as he waited for what felt like an eternity for Finn to reach them. The top of the ladder didn’t quite reach Alana’s feet and Morgann knew he’d have to trust Finn to catch Alana.

Letting go of her was the hardest thing he would ever do.

“Alana, ye need to let go of me. Finn will catch ye.”

She glanced down and then back up at him, alarm clear in her gaze. “I’ll fall.”

“I’ll not let that happen. Trust me.”

Alana peered down again and nodded slowly. “A-aye. I trust ye.”

“Finn?” Morgann called to him. “Are ye ready?”

“Aye, my laird. I’m ready.”

Giving Alana a nod, he waited for her grip to loosen. Ensuring she was perfectly lined up with the ladder, he sucked in a breath and let go. Alana screamed as she dropped and Finn hooked an arm around her waist, pinning her to the ladder. They both wavered for a moment but the men at the bottom held the ladder firm.

Morgann almost let go of the sheet as relief made him sag. Jolting, he grabbed the fabric with his other hand and waited until Alana was safely on the ground.

“Laird? What are ye going to do?” Finn shouted.

He glanced up at the window and then at the distance between him and the top of the ladder, he smirked to himself. “Looks like I’m climbing, Finn,” he yelled back.

His shoulders wrenched as he hauled himself up the line of sheets but by some miracle he made it to the top and clambered in through the window. Dropping to the floor, he gathered his breath. Sweat dripped from him.

The door to the chamber swung open with a crash and Alana dashed to his side and wrapped an arm around him. “Morgann, thank the Lord yer alive!”

“Aye, no thanks to ye, ye daft lass,” he grumbled as he came to his knees and she flung her arms around him.

Morgann allowed himself a moment to savour the press of her face against the side of his neck and a slight shudder coursed through her. He caressed her hair roughly, reassuring himself she was all right.

Finally finding the strength to come to his feet, he hooked his hands under her arms and hauled her up with him before setting her away.

She clasped her hands in front of her and offered him an apologetic look. “Forgive me, I never meant to put ye in danger.”

“Nay, ye just intended to escape. Yer plan was a terrible one, Alana. Yer lucky ye didnae end up dead.”

Chin thrusting up, she propped her hands on hips. “‘Twas nae terrible. ‘Twould have worked had ye given me enough bedding.”

“Oh, aye, so ‘twas my fault for not providing ample bedding so ye could make yer escape.” He swiped a hand across his damp brow, fear slowly replaced with disbelief and anger. Did she not realise how terrified he’d been for her?

“Well…nay, but ye cannae say ‘twas a terrible plan. And I wouldnae have had to resort to such things had ye no’ brought me here against my will.”

Morgann shook his head and began drawing in the sheets. “Ye know, Alana Campbell, I’ll be glad when ye are returned to yer father. Yer more hassle than yer worth.”

A hurt expression crossed her face as he closed the shutters and dumped the length of bedding on the floor. It shouldn’t have bothered him that he’d upset her. She was his prisoner after all. But it did.

Forcing his own expression to harden, he stepped sharply toward her. “No more foolish escapades, ye understand?”