Some Like It Scot Read Free

no’, that’s all the support I need to continue on and be done with this wild goose chase.”
    â€œIt’s no’ just a consensus, Graham,” Shay told him. “It has to be one hundred percent. They all have to say aye.”
    Graham spun back around. “Really? So there is a solution! Why didn’t you say so? I’m certain I can and will have that. Who would say nay?”
    â€œI can think of a few,” Roan said. “Like Dougal. And auld Branan, for certain.”
    â€œThey’re not the only elders who will hold out,” Shay agreed. “They love you, no doubt, but they’ll stick with tradition.”
    â€œEven over what’s best for the island? If we let someone else, an outsider no less, come here and begin making decisions regarding our well-being—surely even the oldest resident wouldn’t chance that.”
    Roan shrugged. “Perhaps they think you’ll persevere with your crop management whether you’re laird or no’.”
    â€œWhat if I have no say in the matter? What if this”—he turned to Shay—“what’s the bloke’s name?”
    â€œIain McAuley.”
    Graham turned back to Roan. “Iain. What if this Iain has other ideas about our little island industry? He’s never so much as set foot on our soil much less worked it with his own hands. Who knows what he’d decide to do. We can’t risk that.”
    â€œHe may not even want it,” Roan reminded him. “In fact, he probably won’t. Who would?” He looked to Shay and grinned. “We’re no’ exactly the Fortune 500 of inheritances, you know.”
    â€œHe’ll probably be begging you to take it over.” Shay agreed, then leaned back in his seat and folded his arms. “Besides, if he wants to be laird, he’ll have to honor the marriage pact law as well.”
    Graham pumped an air fist. “Right! He’ll have to marry a MacLeod! I’m betting he won’t be any more enthusiastic about that than I am. Hell, for all we know, he’s already married.”
    Shay shook his head. “He’s no’. He’s thirty-two, unwed, living in Edinburgh. Works for an investment firm. Quite the bright and shiny diamond, too, from what I’ve dug up.”
    â€œStill—”
    â€œThere is a much longer list of eligible MacLeod lasses,” Roan pointed out. He shrugged when Graham shot him a dark look. “I’m only stating the truth here. I mean, aye, he could find the whole thing tiresome and a waste of his time, but what do we know? Maybe he’ll think it quite the lark. Shay said he already has more money than Croesus—from his job, as well as a few trusts and such from his mum’s side of the tree.”
    â€œHe could marry just to lay claim to the property and the title,” Shay said. “The wealthy generally don’t mind accruing more things.”
    â€œThis would hardly be a feather in his asset list.”
    Shay shrugged, and Roan said, “I don’t think we should chance it,” before going back to his search.
    Graham turned to Shay, who merely lifted a brow. “He’s right,” he added, as Graham began swearing under his breath.
    â€œI’m still calling the island tribunal,” Graham insisted. “If I get the damn law overturned, there will be no title inheritance. Kinloch will remain under my governance as long as her people wish me to lead.”
    â€œYou’ll have forty days to campaign, get them all to agree,” Shay reminded him.
    â€œAnd that’s the same forty days you’d also have to find a bride,” Roan added. “I dinnae think it’s a wise bet to divide your energies.”
    â€œI need to try. Especially given that even if I was willing to follow the law, there doesn’t seem to be anyone eligible to marry anyway.”
    Both of his friends sighed, then nodded, knowing, as