“Yeah? Well, I’d give my right butt cheek for one of your knockers.”
She barked out a laugh and spewed a mouthful of tea back into her cup. “I’m thinking we’d both look pretty funny after that exchange.”
With a giggle, I leaned back and patted my full stomach, surprised to find it still flat. “I think I need a nap.”
After recovering her ability to breathe, Kenna poured me another cup of coffee. “Drink up, Buttercup. I can’t stay locked in this tower all day.”
My gaze wandered to the breathtaking view of rolling moors and stately mountains; all of Doon spread out before us just waiting to be explored. After a solid five hours of sleep and a belly full of the best pancakes in the universe, I felt my optimism returning.
Jamie’d used his body to protect me, taking a major-league smack to the head that’d been meant for me. Which, I had to admit, was pretty darn heroic. Regardless of the reasons he’d lashed out afterward, he’d saved my life without concern for his own, which meant that on some level he cared.
The possibility made me sit straight in my chair. I took a gulp of coffee and shook off my food coma. “You’re so right. What should we do today?”
A light tap sounded on the door, announcing Fiona before she swept into the room. “Good morn’, m’ ladies.”
“Morning, Fiona.”
“Hey, girl,” Kenna replied, our greetings overlapping.
“Prince Jamie and Prince Duncan send their regrets tha’ they canna accompany you today, as they’ve urgent business to attend.”
A wave of disappointment rolled through me as she added, “However, they ask that ye stay inside the protective walls o’ the castle. For yer own safety, o’ course.” No surprise that the girl knew about the attack; it seemed nothing happened in this mystic microcosm without her knowledge.
“And …” A brilliant smile lit Fiona’s whole face, causing her hazel eyes to shimmer. “The MacCrae asked me ta give you this, Veronica.”
She removed a small giftwrapped package from her pocket. My hand froze in midair, and then dropped, my coffee mug hitting the table with a thump. The MacCrae, as in Jamie?
Fiona brought the package over to our table and set it in front of me with great care. I stared at the small box wrapped in heavy cream-colored parchment. There was a folded piece of paper tucked beneath a golden raffia bow.
“Well, are you going to open it or should I?” Kenna reached across the table, but I snatched the package away from her grasp. I longed to take it into the bedroom where I could open it in peace without the heavy expectation radiating from Kenna and Fiona. But if I knew my best friend, she would only follow me.
Unhurriedly, I slid the note from under the tie and opened it. I scanned the strong, bold strokes of Jamie’s handwriting as I propped my trembling hands on the edge of the table and read the note aloud.
Dear Miss Welling,
I must apologize for my abruptness last evening. My brother assured me that you were unharmed during the attack, for which I am grateful.
I saw you admiring this trinket in the village yesterday and felt it an appropriate moment to give it to you. Please accept my apology and this gift as a token of my eternal esteem. I hope that you will cherish this small piece of Doon, always.
Jamie MacCrae
Eternal esteem? What the heck did that mean? I hope that you will cherish this small piece of Doon, always. What the …? I read the note again in silence.
“Well, tha’ was verra nice,” Fiona said cheerfully. “So thoughtful of the MacCrae.”
“Nice?” I glanced up, but her encouraging smile didn’t reach her eyes. I read the note again. It was like he was patting me on the head and sending me on my way. Sorry ye couldna be with me Verranica, but here’s a little somethin’ to remember me by. The medieval version of a text breakup!
Not that we were ever really together. I slumped in my chair and threw the note on the table. Kenna placed her hand over mine and squeezed supportively. “Vee, sweetie. Aren’t you going to open the gift?”
My mouth pulled down in a pout, and I shrugged. “You can if you want.” Not caring what consolation prize was inside the box, I stared out the window as sounds of ripping paper filled the room.
“Oh … wow.”
Kenna’s reverent observation prompted me to look in her direction. My heart did a tiny jeté as I stared at the detailed miniature of the Castle MacCrae I’d fallen in love with at the marketplace. How did he know? Then a startling realization hit me. He’d been there—maybe the entire time—watching me.
I met Kenna’s smirk as she handed me the perfect little statue. “I think Kilt Boy likes you.”
Holding the castle in my hand, I couldn’t deny the thoughtfulness of the gift, but that cryptic note was another story. “I’m not so sure.”
Kenna’s scrutiny narrowed in on my face, and in BFF solidarity she changed the subject. “So if we’re on house arrest, what is there to do in this pile of bricks?”
Mentally cringing at her choice of words, I tried for a little counterbalance. “Since you’re stuck with us, what would you like to do today, Fiona?”
“I typically help make baskets fer the community on morns like this. Would ye care to lend a hand?”
“Definitely. If you think we’ll be welcome.” As supposed witches, I knew we couldn’t take anything for granted, including our acceptance by those inside the castle.
“Extra hands are always welcome.” Fiona fluffed her strawberry-blonde hair and smoothed her skirt. “Let’s go see Mags.”
A half hour later, we were in the castle kitchens, being inspected by a thin, elderly woman wearing a pristine chef’s hat and apron. She possessed the slightest trace of a French accent.
“I am Margaret Benoir, though you may call me Mags. In case you wonder—newcomers often do—I am originally from Geneva, but I came to Doon during the last Centennial by way of the Paris Culinary Academy.”
I couldn’t help but blurt, “Are you the one who made our pancakes? It was the most amazing breakfast … ever!”
The chef gave me a small grin. “Thank you. I will be sure to make them for you again.”
We then followed Mags through the bustling kitchen and into a cavernous room where several dozen women of all ages and a handful of men were busy at work. As we entered, activity ceased and smiles melted from what had been carefree faces.
I heard Roddie MacPhee and Millicent Ennis move through the room in a swirl of whispers, and several of the workers crossed themselves superstitiously.
Mags cleared her throat and overlooked the less than welcoming reaction. “This is the Great Hall. It is also where volunteers assemble weekly provisions for the sick and elderly, or anyone else who has need. We can always use extra hands.”
As Mags escorted us across the room, I wondered what the infirmed would say about our hands. Would they care that their basket had been assembled by girls allegedly in league with the Witch o’ Doon? Right on cue, the girl who could read my mind leaned in so that no one would overhear. “Maybe we should curse their cucumbers.”
“Be serious, Ken.” I gently touched her shoulder, just below the deep purple reminder of what some Doonians were capable of.
“These are Mackenna and Veronica—and they have come to help.” Although Mags addressed the table where we’d stopped, she clearly spoke for the benefit of everyone present. She turned to us once more and tilted her head in approval. “On behalf of the castle, I thank you for your service.”
As Mags retreated, a few of the more petrified volunteers slipped away as well. But for every worker that left, two more nodded their approval to remind me that, although the kingdom was divided, our accusers were the minority.
Fiona picked up Mags’ role as our tour guide/goodwill ambassador. She paused to return the wave of a grinning red-cheeked blonde. “That’s Mario’s wife, Sharron, and next ta her are their daughters, Sofia and Gabriella. I expect they’re most anxious ta meet you.”
; Then, like an anxious hostess, Fiona rushed us over and introduced the family. Sharron, with her fair skin, golden hair, and emerald eyes, epitomized Scottish beauty. And Gabriella was a breathtaking sixteen-year-old miniature of her mother. But Sofia captured my attention. She had a riotous mass of black curls and huge ebony eyes, which peered at us curiously through long, silky lashes. She was so tiny that I nearly mistook her for a child, but on closer examination I realized she was my age—which in Doon years was probably somewhere closer to sixty.
As we settled across from Mario’s family, the younger girl, Gabriella—who insisted we call her Gabby—pointed first to Kenna and then me, excitedly. “You must be Mackenna and Veronica. My papà told me all about you.”
Italian pronunciation interspersed her lovely Scottish accent to give her speech an exotic quality. “How nice of you to help assemble baskets for those too infirmed to join us tonight.”
Kenna’s eyebrows lifted toward her hairline as she reached for a basket. “What’s tonight?”
“Tonight is the weekly feast,” Sharron answered. “The evening before the Sabbath, we gather as a kingdom ta celebrate our blessings. ’Tis a great pleasure ta make yer acquaintance, by the way.”
“There’s dancing.” Gabby’s eyes sparkled with the look of one whose dance card was always full.
“And you girls will be most welcome to join us,” Sharron said with a warm smile.
Focusing on the basket in front of me, I managed a casual shrug. “Maybe we should skip it this time.”
“Nonsense.” Fiona’s firm voice told me the matter had already been decided. “Do not bend ta the will o’ fear and ignorance. Are ye really going to let a couple o’ small-minded bullies keep ye from joining us?”
Kenna’s eyes met mine, letting me know this was my call to make. Fiona had a good point. I would never prove we weren’t in league with the witch by hiding in my room. “No. We’re not.”
Gabby clapped her hands in delight. “Excellent! You’ll have a wonderful time, I know. The festivities after the meal are the best part.” She nudged her sister. “I predict that Prince Jamie will ask Sofie for the first dance.” At the mention of Jamie’s name, I fumbled a jar of pickled vegetables, and tried to ignore the fact my stomach had plummeted with it.
Mrs. Rosetti’s proud eyes shone with enthusiasm as she explained, “Jamie’s been paying particular attention ta our wee Sofia.”
Sofia blushed a deep red and lowered her inky lashes until her expression became unreadable. “None of that matters, Mamma, if someone—He’s received a Calling.”
“A Calling?” Gabby gasped. Her eyes darted across my face to focus on Kenna. “Oh. Have either of you had a Calling then?”
From the conversation at the tavern, I knew I’d probably experienced a Calling, but I wasn’t about to fess up to my crazy visitations. Instead, I blinked and feigned incomprehension. “Uh—I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”
Gabby might have inherited her mother’s coloring, but she’d inherited her father’s mannerisms. Her hands started to flail as she explained with great enthusiasm how hearts called across the Brig o’ Doon. “The Calling of true love. The heart calls to its soul mate, who answers back. The lovers actually inhabit one another’s dream space, or in rare cases share a waking vision.” My ears pricked. “It’s usually strongest in the weeks leading up to the Centennial, when the Brig o’ Doon opens and the lovers can be united. My parents dreamt of one another in this way. It was the dreams that brought my papà to the bridge.”
I gripped a loaf of bread so hard my fingers poked holes in its crust. Both Gracie and Cameron, and now Gabby’s parents, had dreamed of each other. But what if the Calling was one sided? Did seeing Jamie in my world—without his apparent knowledge—constitute half a Calling? A predestined condemnation to live a life of unrequited love?
Gabby’s inquisitive eyes shifted between us. “Is a Calling what brought you ta Doon?”
“Nope.” Kenna shook her head and put extra enthusiasm into packing her basket with fresh fruit.
I, on the other hand, panicked. If I told a boldface lie, would they be able to tell? And if I didn’t say something quick, would the hesitation give me away? Kenna gave me a small kick. “Ow! I mean—No! No dreams or anything. Kenna inherited the rings from her aunt. I’m just along for the ride.”
Gabby deflated and reached for an orange, but her mother’s attention only became more focused on me. “No one comes ta Doon unless it is the kingdom’s will. I wouldna dismiss yourself so easily, dear.”
It wasn’t that I’d dismissed myself, but it was hard to believe in your destiny when the boy you thought was in it was intent on dismissing you. I shot Kenna a mental SOS.
She nodded slightly and shifted into Kindly Kenna mode. “Sofia, did you say something about dancing?”
Sofia shook her head. “Yes, there will be some dancing, but with Laird MacCrae being so ill … he will not be able to attend as usual.” She trailed off uncomfortably.
Sharron paused in her work to regard us gravely. “He’s taken a turn for the worse. Doc Benoir does no’ think he will last ‘til the Centennial.”
Before we could lapse into another silence, Gabby spoke in a lowered voice for our benefit. “If Laird MacCrae passes before the Centennial, his successor must be crowned before the Brig o’ Doon opens.”
“So Jamie could be king by next week?” The revelation was shocking. I swallowed my reaction, burying it deep down until I could get away.
“Aye.” Gabby leaned in like a conspirator. “And my sister, Sofie, could be our new queen.”
CHAPTER 16
Veronica
I sat staring at my own empty eyes while Kenna played Extreme Storybook Princess Makeover and curled my hair into dark ringlets with a twisted length of metal she’d heated over the fire—her make-do version of a curling iron. As she chatted about our “costumes”—the flowy calf-length skirts and embroidered peasant blouses Fiona’d brought for us to wear—all I could think about was what we’d learned from the Rosettis: Jamie was practically engaged.
We’d gotten a quick lesson on Doon’s customs by the time we finished our care packages. When the Brig o’ Doon opened for the Centennial, the king had to welcome all who’d been led to his kingdom. If the auld laird died, then Jamie would assume the throne. However, before he could be crowned he had to do this thing called the Completing.
In Doon-speak, he had to choose a fiancée in order to be king. Sharron had said something about the tradition being born from a need for balance and equality, but to me the reasons didn’t justify the end result—Jamie choosing a bride in less than two weeks.
As we made our way down to the feast, I dropped back, only half-listening to Kenna and Fiona’s plan to go shopping the following day. My head spun with dark emotions and I trailed farther and farther behind. Outside the wide double-doors, I stopped, poised to run back to the safety of the turret suite.
Lively music poured from the Great Hall, punctuated by the stomping of feet and the occasional hoot and holler. But for once in my life, I didn’t feel like dancing.
Kenna got halfway into the room before realizing I wasn’t beside her. She turned and pursued me as I backed away from the open door. “I don’t think I can do this.” I spun on my heel, but before I could take a step Ken looped her arm through mine and pulled me back toward the party.
“Relax, scaredy-cat.” We moved through an arched doorway and into the assembly hall at a leisurely pace, though my heart was sprinting at full speed. “Vee, do you remember our first junior high dance?”
I nodded. “I was afraid no one would dance with me.”
“And …”
“And I ended up meeting my first boyfriend.”
“And …” She made a rolling gesture with her hand.
“And what? He forced his tongue into my mouth, which I accidentally bit because I didn’t know what he was doing, and then he dumped me the following week.”
Im
patiently, Kenna finished the story. “And yet you’ve been popular ever since.”
I shrugged. Popular and alone. Since that seventh-grade dance, every one of my relationships had been short-lived and lopsided—either the boy wanting more than I could give or being totally indifferent to my aching heart. Like Jamie.
Kenna squeezed my upper arm and sighed. “I know things aren’t working out like you thought, but this is still the chance of a lifetime. Doon’s a freakin’ medieval kingdom—and we’re stuck here for two weeks. We wanted an epic summer, and it doesn’t get any more epic than this.”
Before she could say anything else, Duncan came barreling across the room and skidded to a stop in front of my friend.
“You’re a right vision, Mackenna Reid. Care to dance?”
“To this?” Kenna gestured to the revolving mass of people on the dance floor. Her eyebrows pinched together above her wrinkled nose to silently declare Think again.
At first glance, it was chaos; people spinning and stomping, couples twirling through the crowd in a vigorous two-step to the raucous tones of a fiddle. Then the sparkling notes of a flute joined in, cranking the tune up even more, and I could see the order in the chaos—the sublime composition in the movement. The beat of drums layered into the song, and my body began to move in time.
I gave Kenna an encouraging smile, which she answered with a head jiggle before answering the hot boy anxiously waiting before her. “Thanks, but I have two left feet.”
Duncan looked vaguely appalled. “Ye have what?”
I chuckled while Kenna explained. “It’s an expression. It means I can’t dance.”
I leaned in toward my friend, infusing fake innocence into my tone. “But you were in all those musicals, Kenna. The video clips you posted online had very complicated dance steps.”
She rolled her eyes in my direction. “Just because you waltzed your way out of the womb doesn’t mean the rest of the world did. Have you ever heard of choreography? I had to learn each step and practice it over and over. Even then, I still managed to mess up something at every performance.”
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