Esmé’s voice called softly to her. “Put one hand above the other. Wrap your ankles about the rope. That will help.”
Shame engulfed Davina, but she followed Esmé’s instructions and immediately felt she had more control of the rope. Hand over hand, she made her way down. It seemed to take an eternity. Blood pounded in her ears so that she barely heard the words of encouragement from below.
More than once she was tempted to let herself fall. Perhaps she would merely float to the ground, like gossamer! Anything, anything rather than this strain! Her arms would surely be pulled out of their sockets!
Exhausted, she paused, releasing one hand to wipe her brow. The other hand, red and stinging from the coarse rope, was not strong enough to hold her. With a cry, she fell, with no idea of how muc
