Royal Ransom by Susan Kearney

Author:Susan Kearney
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2002-06-30T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Hunter had been delighted to see that someone had traced Sophia’s call. Since the beginning of his impersonation of Prince Alexander, Hunter had been forced to react instead of taking action and going on the offensive. But now that he knew someone wanted to pinpoint their location, Hunter could take charge. Whoever showed up would have a nasty surprise waiting for them.

However, first he had to get the princess off the roof. The sooner the better. Dawn was only minutes away.

He pointed to their first goal, a thin branch that arched from the roof edge back to a massive trunk. “Are you strong enough to swing arm-over-arm until you reach that lower and thicker branch with your feet?”

“I can try.”

She didn’t sound confident. He couldn’t help admiring her for recognizing her own weaknesses and being brave enough to try to overcome them.

“Okay.” He unfurled a rope he’d taken from his duffel. Quickly he fashioned a makeshift harness around her hips and feet. “There’s no need to worry—”

“Yeah, right.”

“If you fall, I’ll catch you.”

“Why can’t you just lower me to the ground with the rope?” she asked reasonably.

“Because…this rope isn’t long enough.” A fifteen-foot drop probably wouldn’t kill them, but they could easily break bones.

Hunter reached into his pocket and handed her an earpiece with a miniature microphone/receiver. “Place this in your ear. The mike will pick up a whisper, and I’ll talk you through it.”

Without hesitation, she placed the tiny piece into her right ear. With a deep sigh, she then faced the branch. She would have to lean over the roof edge just to reach the slender handhold, then swing arm-over-arm, a total of maybe four or five times to reach the relative safety of the thick branch with her feet. And she would have to do it quietly.

Hunter couldn’t go with her. The thin branch wouldn’t hold both their weights. He secured the free end of the rope harness to his belt, then wrapped a firm arm around her waist. “I won’t let go until you have your hands set.”

“Give me a little push, okay?”

He leaned forward with her as far as he could, but didn’t dare push her. “Go for it.”

She jumped. Her hands caught the branch. Her feet kicked and the leaves rustled.

“You’re doing great. Wait until your feet stop rocking, then let go with one hand and swing forward. Do it fast.”

She didn’t move. He heard her breathing heavily, and he wondered if he had misjudged her determination and strength. But wouldn’t she have protested if she thought this was beyond her ability? Maybe not. She was one determined lady. He hadn’t even bothered to ask if she had a fear of heights. Now certainly was not the time.

“Don’t look down, Princess.”

“Okay.”

She released one hand, swung and regrasped the branch.

“Great. You’re doing fine. Don’t rest too long.”

Hunter unfastened the extra rope from his belt and let out more of the line attached to her harness. If she fell now, he could hold her weight.

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