Glancing down, she spied the sheets tied around her hands and groaned. A dream. It had all been a dream. And the unfamiliar red fabric was the canopy of Morgann’s bed. At least she assumed it was his bed. She’d never been in these chambers before but a masculine scent lingered on the sheets.
She remained a prisoner of Morgann MacRae.
Sweet Mary, but that dream had been vivid. She blew her tangled hair from her face, hoping to cool her skin a little. Ach, dreaming of her captor was no good thing. She needed to remain detached if she was to find a way out. And she had very little time. With only a day’s ride between the castles, her father could well be on his way now. Though she imagined he would want to gather his men first.
Footsteps sounded outside her door and came to a stop. She bolted upright and attempted to comb back her hair from her face with bound hands. Her heart sank as Finn stepped into the room, a huge smile on his face.
“Good morrow, my lady.”
Alana raised a brow and went to fold her arms over her chest, only for her bindings to prevent her from doing so. “Ye need not play the chivalrous nobleman with me, Finn. I know ye are as discourteous as they come.”
“Ach, Alana, ye wound me.” He gave her an injured look.
She studied the fair giant of a man, trying to resist the twitching of her lips. He’d changed little over the years, still tall and broad with long hair and a slightly bent nose. Not that it marred his strong features. Men like Finn took pride in their battle wounds and women seemed to admire them just as much. He was indeed handsome, so how was it Finn didn’t inspire imaginings like Morgann did?
“Are ye going to behave yerself now, lass?” He stepped forward and drew a hand from behind his back, revealing a bundle of clothing. “I have a clean gown and plaid for ye. Thought ye might need them after yer adventures yester eve seeing as ye never had a chance to change.”
Taken aback by his thoughtfulness, Alana opened her mouth and clamped it shut. Finn always had been tender hearted, even when she’d known him as a boy. Why couldn’t she hunger after him instead of the inconsiderate, brutish laird?
"Aye, well, I thank ye," she muttered and, realising how petulant she sounded, she offered a reluctant smile. "'Tis thoughtful of ye."
Finn placed the garments into her hands and sat on the end of the bed. "If I release ye, ye'll no' try to escape will ye?"
Alana glanced at the slightly ajar door then at Finn and finally at her wrists. She couldn't see herself getting very far past the large warrior. Mayhap she could appeal to his soft side once she was dressed. And she longed to remove her grimy gown. It had been soaked and caked in mud and dragged against the stone of the castle. No wonder her bit to seduce Morgann had failed.
"Aye, I'll no' attempt anything."
Nodding with satisfaction, Finn placed her wrists in his lap and began tugging apart the sheets. "God's blood, Morgann really didnae want ye escaping, did he?" he exclaimed as he battled with the knot.
"I think I made it tighter when I tried to wriggle out of them."
Cursing, Finn brought the bonds to his mouth, using his teeth to pry the knots apart.
Alana jumped as the door swung back suddenly, thudding on its hinges, and Morgann stepped in, his expression dark. "What the devil is going on here?"
Finn dropped her wrists. "Just seeing to the lass, my laird."
Alana gulped but Finn showed no sign of nervousness at Morgann's ferocious expression. Instead, his smile widened.
"Get out!" Morgann barked. "I'll see to her."
"Ye willnae!" Alana exclaimed, a tremor of apprehension making her limbs weak.
She did not want to be left alone with Morgann, not when he looked ready to tear her, or mayhap Finn, apart. And certainly not after that all too real dream. Would she even be able to look at his mouth without picturing it on hers?
Finn patted her hands and removed them carefully from his lap. "All will be well, lass. Will it not, laird?"
Morgann's scowl deepened, eyes blazing. "'Twill be once ye get back to yer duties.”
Hands held up in surrender, Finn chuckled and came to his feet. "Aye, aye, I'll be gone. Though ye'll remember ye told me to watch over her."
Arms folded across his chest, Morgann glowered. "Well I'm here now so yer relieved. And I didnae tell ye to bloody undress her."
"I wasnae undressing her. But I can see there's no arguing with ye, Morgann." Finn dipped his head briefly to Alana. "Good day to ye, lass."
Finn closed the door carefully behind him and Alana watched Morgann warily. Strange how the daggered look he sent her caused a tumult of sensations, stretching from fear to excitement. Dark hair grazed his eyes as he narrowed them, lips pulled into a grim smile. Part of her longed to reach out to him, pull him down and remove that expression. And the only way she could think of doing that was by kissing him. The need burned through her as she studied his mouth.