To Steal a Highlander's Heart(4)

And she wanted a chance to escape again but she wouldn’t mention that part. Ach, her first taste of freedom in years and she’d been kidnapped. She certainly wasn’t going to let herself be taken prisoner. The MacRaes hated the Campbells. Who knew what was in store for her? But for the moment her head hurt too much to put up a real fight and she really did not want to fall from the mount again. Let him think she would cooperate for the moment. Mayhap he would let down his guard and give her a chance to escape.

Fat heavy drops began to fall, pattering against the grey rocks strewn across the hills and soaking through her clothing. Morgann cursed into her hair but continued to push his mount on through the valley as the leaden clouds converged about the mountains, washing the scenery with ominous shadows.

In the distance the heavy rumble of thunder sounded, making Alana shiver. The steady rainfall leached through to her skin, increasing the quaking of her body until her teeth chattered and Morgann cursed once more and eased her into his torso.

His chest provided some warmth. More than she wanted to think about really. She’d always admired him when they were younger but she did not need to be nursing an attraction to him while he kidnapped her. If he succeeded in taking her back to Glencolum Keep, the tension between the two clans would ignite and Highland blood would paint the hills red.

Nay, that could not be allowed to happen. Her father suffered with his health. No longer a great Highland warrior, war surely meant death for him. Alana loved him dearly, in spite of his flaws. Da was determined to still be seen as a man of great strength and power and who could blame him? But his warmongering ways spelled trouble for their entire clan. Since that day eight summers ago, life had been fraught with danger and she’d been confined to the keep.

A shudder wracked her again and she acquiesced to the warm strength of Morgann’s body. She needed to try and retain her strength if she wanted to escape his clutches. And of course she wanted to.

She tensed. Did he just hiss? She squeezed her eyes shut and tore them open once more, hoping the strange fog of—of need?—had gone. Concentrate. Taut muscles rippled against her back as he guided the horse skilfully between the rock-strewn hills. Not on that, Alana! She blew out a heavy breath. She needed to think of anything other than the sensation of a powerful male body flattened against her.

Well, she had taken a hit to the head. And it had been a while since she’d spent time in the company of any man other than her kinsmen. None were as handsome as Morgann to be sure.

Ach, handsome as he was, he was still abducting her.

She stole a peek over her shoulder. Of course, he’d always been attractive but she had never envisaged him turning into this… this beast of a man. Had the years changed everything? He’d certainly lost his playful countenance she remembered from their time together. Was it just hidden or gone? His dark eyes now had a haunted look to them. But what did she expect after what her father had done to him? She still regretted not being able to speak with him afterwards. Still regretted not getting the chance to tell him that she believed in him.

The heavy boom of thunder grew closer, echoing across the valley and Alana shrank back into Morgann’s hold.

“Ach, we must stop,” Morgann muttered in her ear, making her jolt as his breath whispered over her. “The ground is soaked. I risk hurting Caraid.”

Alana sniffed. Wonderful. He cared more for the horse’s welfare than hers. Still, she’d not complain. Mayhap she could at least talk him out of taking her to his keep. Or just escape. Morgann did seem very determined and that brooding look in his eyes made her stomach twist in apprehension.

They approached a jutting rock at the base of a mountain and he directed Caraid over and slid from the saddle. Alana prepared to jump down but before she made a move his large hands were upon her, gliding her down his body. A rush of blood pounded through her head and their gazes connected for the merest moment. As slight as it was, the instant made her stomach flutter and she suspected those eyes would haunt her dreams for many nights.

“Rest awhile under that rock while I—”

As Morgann turned from her to grab the mount’s reins, Alana slipped past. She hadn’t even planned the move, but now seemed as good a time as any. She made to run but something snagged her gown and she slipped on the wet ground, landing face first into the mud. She rolled and fought to come to her feet, but it was Morgann that had a hold of her skirts.

He cursed as she wriggled and struck out at him with a foot. “Be still,” he commanded as he attempted to seize her leg.

“Nay!” she shouted as she planted her foot in his middle and scrabbled away. “I’ll no’ let ye take me.”