Page 79 of Surrendering to her Highland Captor
“Ye have doomed us all.”
James vied for control once more, but the naysayers grew louder and louder, until finally Lachlan and Aila made it to the scaffold and climbed atop. Lachlan threw a hand into the air, gaining everyone’s attention, while Aila pulled Taryn away from James and into a tight squeeze.
“Och, Taryn,” Aila greeted.
Returning the enthusiastic welcome, Taryn hugged her friend close, not noticing the way Aila had twisted them around so that her body was between Taryn and the crowd until Taryn picked her head up. Both James and Lachlan had also shiftedtheir stance, blocking their women almost entirely from the agitated crowd.
“I ken that ye fear what the Baron will do to us.” James’ tone had transformed to something softer and more understanding, yet still just as certain. “And for good reason. He is the man responsible for the near complete annihilation of the Kincaid clan. Baron Dudley has been gaining ground and expanding his reach ever since. This is why I have allied with the Kincaid and McKenzie clans. I am asking that ye join me.”
“My clan was decimated because we were nae prepared for an English invasion,” Lachlan explained. “But that does nae have to be the case for the McGregor Clan. I am here to see that things turn out differently for ye. We must remember who we are. We must fight together as one.”
The disgruntled rumblings from the crowd were slowly shifting to murmurings of agreement.
“We have allies,” James assured them. “The McKenzies, the Frasers, and what is left of the Kincaids have all agreed to help us protect our lands, to stop the Baron from taking any more from us. And all thanks to Taryn McGregor—not this abomination of a Laird. Her bravery and kindness secured these alliances for us.”
He paused, letting this new information settle in. Taryn felt a streak of smugness at the shock plastered across her parents’ faces. Laird McGregor couldn’t bother to do anything but look tired.
“I dinnae ken about ye, but I am tired of allowing an English lord dictate what our homes look like. I am tired of him stealing from us, robbing us of our rightful things. He has made enough demands. He has pushed too far. And now it is time that we stand up and fight back!”
Cheers erupted, scattered throughout the crowd.
“Those of ye who wish to fight,” James told them, “follow me. I will lead ye to honor and the knowledge that ye have done theright thing. The rest of ye can stay here with yer coward of a Laird.”
“Taryn!”
Her mother’s sharp voice cut through the growing groanings of the crowd. A lifetime of heeding that voice made something inside Taryn stand a little straighter, paying more attention to her mother.
“Ye will nae move from where ye stand,” Rowena ordered.
