Everyone turned their focus to the spread before us but I continued to glare at the prince. In the space of a heartbeat, Duncan’s mirth vanished. Calling Fergus aside, he said in a soft, bone-chilling voice, “Ye know what to do, man.” Refusing to analyze the lethal look that passed between the two men, I turned my attention toward the food.
As Vee and I topped off our lamb and arugula sandwiches with blueberry puff pastries, Fergus beckoned Fiona to the opposite end of the room. I knew it was rude to eavesdrop, but I couldn’t help myself. I’d watched enough BBC to know the help always had the best intel, and some scheme was definitely afoot.
Fergus cleared his throat, his voice projecting louder than a stage whisper in the confined space. “I think the lasses would do well with a wee nap.”
“That they would, Fergus, but a summons is forthcoming. And they’d best be alert.”
From the corner of my eye, I glanced at the girl who was our court-appointed babysitter. I figured she was about our age, or the Doonian equivalent. Maybe there was a way to calculate the difference—like you do with dog years?
Although taller than Vee, she looked like a child next to Fergus. Though a very attractive and strong-willed one. The reddish-blonde wisps of hair that had escaped her cap grazed the tops of her shoulders, and she had rosy cheeks and a dusting of pale freckles across her button nose. The young guard towered over her, but she stood her ground, hands clamped onto her hips, determined to get her way.
The rest of the exchange was lost, thanks to Vee murmuring into my ear, “What do you think she means by summons?”
“Shhh.”
Whatever I’d missed caused Fergus to exclaim in a much louder voice, “Ye have no way o’ knowin’ that, wench.”
“Fergus Lockhart! I’ll no’ have ye callin’ me disrespectful names in front o’ our guests.” She jabbed her finger in Fergus’s barrel-like chest. “Ye have no right ta tell me what I can and canna say or do!”
“Can I not?” Fergus searched her pretty face until her frown shifted. And as soon as she cracked, the big guy turned every imaginable shade of pink. Obviously, there was more to their relationship than met the eye.
Almost shyly, Fiona turned from the colossal guard and walked to the door. For a fraction of a second, we all stared in anticipation. Then three succinct knocks shattered the silence, causing Vee and I to gasp and jump up from the table. Fergus muttered a curse followed by a hasty apology for swearing.
Another round of knocks reverberated through the room. After receiving Fergus’s go-ahead nod, Fiona opened the door to reveal a waiting messenger flanked by half a dozen heavily armed soldiers. Turning her grave face toward Fergus, she asked, “This proof enough for ye?”
Unable to contain her dismay, Vee scampered to Fiona’s side. “Please. What did you mean by a summons?”
To me, the goon squad made it pretty clear. Vee’s dream boy wanted to rake us over the coals again. I walked over and pointed to the soldiers, but lowered my voice as a precaution. “It means Prince Not-So-Charming wants to interrogate us some more.”
Fiona laid a hand on each of us, her clear hazel eyes compassionate and sincere. “Well, I believe it be the auld laird ye’ll have to face this time.”
Vee cleared her throat. “Do you mean Jamie and Duncan’s father?”
“Aye. He only involves himself in matters which impact the future o’ the kingdom.” Fiona paused, first searching my face and then Vee’s before ushering us out the chamber door. “Remember ta speak the truth that’s in your heart and all will finish right.”
Easy for her to say. Since coming to Doon, everything from my mouth seemed to come from some place other than my heart—or my brain, for that matter. As I trailed Fergus down the one hundred and seventeen steps, I vowed to hold my tongue and play mute. From here on out I would reenact The Miracle Worker and leave all the talking to Vee.
CHAPTER 11
Veronica