Ransom by Julie Garwood Read Free Book Online

all of them are young, very young,” Otis said.
    â€œPride has colored their judgment,” Brisbane volunteered.
    â€œThey’re led by a stubborn-headed rebel named Proster, but all the others were in favor of the union, and the majority rules.”
    â€œWill the dissenters go along with the decision?” Ramsey asked.
    â€œYes, but grudgingly,” Otis admitted. “If Proster can be won over, the others will come with him. There is a simple way to gain their loyalty . . . a very simple way.”
    â€œAnd what might that be?”
    â€œMarry Meggan MacPherson,” Brisbane blurted out. “And unite us by marriage.”
    â€œMen have married for far less than what we offer you,” Otis interjected.
    â€œAnd if I choose not to marry Meggan?”
    â€œI would still plead with you if that is what it will take to get your agreement to let our clan unite with yours. Marriage to a MacPherson would only make the union stronger. My clan . . . my children . . . need your protection. Just two weeks ago, David and Lucy Douglas were murdered, and their only sin was that they ventured too close to the border. They were newly wed.”
    â€œWe cannot lose any more of our good people, and if you do not take us in, one by one we will be hunted down. Whatwill happen to our children?” Brisbane asked. “We have boys your brother’s age,” he added in an attempt to sway the laird.
    Ramsey couldn’t turn his back on their cry for help. He knew the lengths the Boswells would go to in order to claim more land. None of their soldiers would think twice about killing a child.
    â€œThe Boswells are jackals,” he muttered.
    Gideon knew his laird well and had already guessed what his answer was going to be. “Ramsey, will you put this matter to our clan before you give these men your decision?”
    â€œI will not,” he answered. “The matter isn’t open for discussion.”
    Gideon held his frustration. “But will you think about this before you decide?”
    Knowing his commander was trying to caution him to wait and was wanting a private discussion before any commitment was made, Ramsey gave Gideon a brisk nod before addressing the MacPhersons again.
    â€œGentlemen, you will have my answer in three hours’ time. Does that suit you?”
    Otis nodded as he stood. “With your permission, we will return then to hear your answer.”
    Brisbane latched onto his friend’s arm. “You’ve forgotten to tell him about the competition,” he whispered loudly.
    â€œWhat competition?” Gideon asked.
    Otis visibly colored. “We thought . . . to save our soldiers’ pride, that you would agree to compete in a series of games. We can’t possibly win, but it would be easier to give up our name and take the Sinclair name if we were soundly beaten in games of strength.”
    Gideon stepped forward. “And if you should win?”
    â€œBut we wouldn’t,” Otis insisted.
    â€œBut if you did?”
    â€œThen the Sinclairs give up their name. You would still rule as laird, Ramsey, but you would become a MacPherson, and the man who bested you would become your first in command.”
    Gideon was outraged, but Ramsey had the opposite reaction. So absurd was the request, he felt like laughing. He forced himself to maintain his stern expression as he said, “I have a commander and am well pleased with him.”
    â€œBut, Laird, we thought only—” Otis began.
    Ramsey cut him off. “My commander stands before you, gentlemen, and you insult him mightily with your proposal.”
    â€œWhat if you were to put the question to your clan?” Brisbane asked. “The games have only just started and there are still two full weeks. You could compete at the end of the games.”
    â€œThen I, like you, would want every man and woman to have a say, and since most are