To Steal a Highlander's Heart by Samantha Holt

the end.
    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