Ransom by Julie Garwood Read Free Book Online Page A

not attending the festival, I assure you it would take months before everyone had voted. We would have to wait until next year to compete.”
    â€œBut we cannot wait that long for a decision,” Otis said.
    â€œI will be completely honest with you and tell you I wouldn’t give the matter to my clan to decide anyway. The mere suggestion is obscene. The Sinclair name is sacred. However, since you say you wish only to save your soldiers’ pride, if I decide on this union, then I will also suggest they compete for positions within my ranks under my commander. Those MacPherson soldiers who show strength and courage against my soldiers will be personally trained by Gideon.”
    Otis nodded. “We’ll return then in three hours to hear your answer,” he said.
    â€œGod guide you in making this momentous decision,” Brisbane added as he followed his friend outside.
    Ramsey laughed softly. “We’ve just been led down a crooked path,” he remarked. “Otis believes the MacPherson soldiers could beat us and then he would have it all. Our protection and his name.”
    Gideon wasn’t amused. “They come to you with hat in hand, begging, but then they have the audacity to put conditions on you at the same time. They are outrageous.”
    â€œWhat say you, Anthony?” he asked Gideon’s second in command.
    â€œI’m against this union,” the yellow-haired soldier muttered. “Any man who would willingly give up his name disgusts me.”
    â€œI feel the same,” Faudron interjected, his hawk-like face red with anger. “Brisbane and Otis are despicable.”
    â€œNay, they’re simply cunning old men who want the best for their clan. I’ve known for some time now that they were going to come to me, and I’ve had time to contemplate the matter. Tell me, Gideon, are you in favor of such a union?”
    â€œI know you are,” he replied. “Your heart is too soft, Laird. It’s a troubling flaw, that. I see the problems involved in such a union.”
    â€œSo do I,” Ramsey said. “But Otis is right; they have much to offer in return. More important is their cry for help, Gideon. Can you turn your back on them?”
    His commander shook his head. “Nay, the Boswells would slaughter them. However, I’m most concerned about Proster and the other dissenters.”
    â€œThey’ve had time to come to terms with this union,” Ramsey reminded him. “You heard what Otis said. They first voted four months ago. Besides, we’ll keep a close eye on them.”
    â€œYour mind’s made up, isn’t it?”
    â€œYes, I’ll welcome them into our clan.”
    â€œThere’ll be problems with our soldiers . . .”
    Ramsey slapped Gideon’s shoulder. “Then we’ll deal with them,” he said. “Don’t look so bleak. Let’s put the matter aside for now and join the festivities. Iain and Judith Maitland have been here since yesterday afternoon and I’ve still not spoken to them. Let’s hunt them down.”
    â€œThere is one more pressing matter you must attend to first,” he said.
    Ramsey dismissed Anthony and Faudron and then said to Gideon, “I can see from your grin the matter isn’t serious.”
    â€œTo your faithful soldier, Dunstan Forbes, the matter is very serious. You might as well sit down, Laird, for Dunstan has requested permission to marry Bridgid KirkConnell.”
    Ramsey was suddenly weary. “How many does this make now?”
    Gideon laughed. “Including me, I count seven proposals in all, but Douglas swears there have been eight.”
    Ramsey sat down and stretched his long legs out in front of him. “Does Bridgid know about this latest suitor?”
    â€œNot yet,” he answered. “But I have taken the liberty of sending for her. She’s waiting outside, and you will at last meet the thorn