Konung 2 question

I can't seem to hire additional party members. I can hire craftsmen (healers, blacksmiths, but I would like to keep them in town as productive citizens). When a mercenary offers to join me, he is automatically turned down (the dialog says "I don't need them right now"… but I do!). A bigger party would make the battles easier.

I'm hoping someone here might tell me what I am doing wrong. My current party is myself and one other member. I have a charisma of 51 (base 36). I have the money the mercenaries are asking for. How can I hire the mercenaries that keep offering to join me?

Thanks in advance…