Given to the Highlander (Highlander Bride Series Book 1) by Veronica Touse

Author:Veronica Touse [Touse, Veronica]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-05-26T18:30:00+00:00

“Faither, ah know ye are waiting on the McLeods, but ah need ye to listen to me about this.” Malmuira talked to her father during supper and had tried to warm him up to the idea discussing trade agreements with the Murrays before the McLeods were able to chime in.

“My nighean, ye must understand, ah have to do what is best for the clan. Ah know ye want to help yer husband’s clan, but ah have to make trades with whomever will be most profitable to us. Ah raised ye to know a good trade and to care for yer people, so ye must respect my opinion.”

“Aye, Faither. Ah do. Please let me explain to ye what ah mean.” She waited for his response, knowing that if she held her silence until he agreed to listen, he would be more receptive to what she had to say.

“Alright Mal, ah’ll listen. But ah’ll make my choice for the clan and ye’ll abide it.”

She nodded her understanding to him, knowing that when he made a decision it was final, and she had no further way to persuade him.

“Faither, ye’ve been at war with the Murrays for a decade now. They are poor from it. We’ve had our share of hardships as well. Our clans both benefit and profit from peace. The Murrays will do whatever they can to ensure peace in order to prosper. Faither, the McLeods have no such interest in our peace. When we were at war with the Murrays, they benefited from our increased trade.”

“Lass, ye’re making assumptions about McLeod’s character that ah don’t care to hear.”

“Nay, Faither. No assumptions about character, just observation. The McLeods have no stake in our peace. If we choose to do a large amount of trades with the Murrays, it ties us together. We have to maintain peace. The McLeods will see that and it could stir them up. They will lose profit from our peace.”

“If this be the case, then there isn’t a good option. Ah’ll not provoke the McLeods to satisfy the Murrays.”

“Ah’ve thought on that too, Faither. Forgive me for my assumptions, and ah’m but a woman, but ah thought perhaps this may work. Trade with the Murrays for less than half of yer needs and with the McLeods for the majority. The McLeods will see a decrease in profit, but not enough to start a war over, and the Murrays see an increase in profit, which makes them wish to keep war at bay.”

Her father leaned back in his chair, taking a long draught of ale and twirling a strand of his beard over and over. He often did this when deep in thought.

“Ah’ll let ye know what ah decide in the morning. Ah need to think on it. And ah may be open to talking to the Murrays earlier, as ye suggested, but ah don’t want to solidify any trade agreements before the McLeods get here. ‘Twould be an insult to them. ”

Malmuira took a deep breath and let it out.

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