“Between us, the Oliphants, and the Sinclairs, we doona have enough men to spare to guard the coastline properly. We need more ships, Alex. More men. More outposts.”
“Is that what ye considerSands Airgid? A mere outpost?”
“Nay. I want it to be more. But it is an important start to what ye need to do to make yer legacy last for young John and Rebecca.”
“Alex?” Keely said.
“Aye?”
“Jamie speaks wisely.”
Alex sat forward and rubbed the back of his neck. “I know, sweet wife. The already existing branches of MacKays occupy the southern regions. We are blessed and cursed with the largest holdings, with the wildest and most inhospitable land.”
“Our gardens have a high yield, Alex,” she said, shifting Ramsey to her other knee. “Think what Jamie could do as a chieftain. Expand the crops, the herds, and build new ships. Together, the two of ye make an indomitable pair.”
“If I consider it…” Alex began.
Jamie quickly went to his cousin and knelt before him. “I will safeguard ye and yer family forever.”
“And what of yer son?”
“I am Ramsey’s father. His place is with me.”
“He needs a mother. And ye need a wife and heir.”
“Ramsey is my firstborn.”
“He will never inherit the laird’s chair, Jamie. He can’t. Though he is a Highlander by birth, half of his blood comes from…”
“Doona say it,” Jamie warned.
“I willna. But if I allow this, make ye a laird, ye will sign a contract with me. One of the conditions will be that Ramsey will never be permitted to become laird, even if ye fail to sire more sons.”
Jamie rose to his feet with mixed emotions. Did Alex have the right to set such conditions? To target his son because his mother came from another country? “Will ye pick my wife for me, too?”
“Do ye think it is easy for me to look upon the child in such a way, my own flesh and blood?” Alex asked.
“I think ye should answer my question.”
“Nay, take what wife ye choose. But she must be from the Highlands.”
“What other stipulations do ye plan?”
“A tax.”
“Tax?”
“Aye,” Alex said. “A third of yer annual profits on the wool I know ye will sell in foreign markets.”
“All right. Does this mean…”
“Doona jump ahead of things yet, Jamie. I promised to seriously consider it. I will let ye know what I decide.”
Jamie gazed at Keely. His son was fast asleep in her arms, his round, cherub face a precious reminder of how important starting a family was to Jamie. Especially now that he knew Alex would likely rule in his favor.
“What of a wife?” Alex asked. “Do ye have a lass in mind?”
“Helen Sutherland.”
