As everyone settled into the carriage, I noticed we’d attracted the attention of various villagers going about their daily business in the courtyard. A man pushing a large wooden wagon overflowing with fruit stopped and stared at me. As I returned his gaze, his eyes widened and he hastily made the sign of the cross before rushing away, dumping half the contents of the cart in his wake. One of the overturned apples rolled past the feet of a guy our age wearing what looked to be a butcher’s apron. He stopped to pick up the apple, and then turned toward me with a huge smile. Lifting the fruit as if in salute, he took a bite before continuing on his way.
Confused and a little saddened by what the men’s behavior indicated, I glanced at the stiff set of Jamie’s shoulders. Winning over the people seemed like the first logical step in earning the prince’s confidence. What else could I do or say to change his mind about us when he didn’t seem to believe anything I said?
Obsessing as I was over Jamie MacCrae, I couldn’t help but overhear his low voice as he questioned Fergus. “Any news on Roddie MacPhee?”
“Naught a word. His wife hasn’t seen him since yesterday eve. Search parties were dispatched this morn’ per yer instruction.”
Jamie nodded and then flicked the reigns, jolting the carriage into motion. Someone had gone missing? I hoped the man would be found soon—not only for his sake, but with many people in Doon believing the worst about us, I feared Kenna and I would become prime suspects.
Leaving the busy courtyard behind, we drove through the arched main gates and onto a cobblestone road. The views were breathtaking as we wound our way through the trees, catching glimpses of the sparkling lake—or loch, as Fiona called it—to our left and rolling green hills far off to the right.
Fiona served as our official Doon tour guide, sharing interesting facts and stories about the sights we passed. Unfortunately, I just couldn’t keep my mind focused on what she was saying. Being this close to Jamie, even with his back turned, was messing with my head. The deep sounds he made when directing the horses melted through me like rich hot chocolate on a cold day.
I rolled my shoulders, trying to dispel the viseral connection I seemed to share with the elder prince. What I really needed was a yoga class. Forcing myself to relax, I shut my eyes, tilted my head to the sky, and let the sun warm my face. Poses danced through my mind, Warrior, the Bridge, Downward Dog …
“I feel bad about taking you away from your dad when he’s so sick,” Kenna said, breaking the silence.
I cracked open an eye briefly and watched Duncan give Kenna a sweet smile before responding.
“Father’s been ill for a very long time. He’s requested that my brother and I live our lives as normally as possible. Not only for ourselves, but the health o’ the kingdom.”
It made sense that the royal family would set the tone for the people. If they walked around in a cloud of grief, everyone in Doon would feel it.
“Are we keeping you awake, Vee?”
Slowly, I opened my eyes fully and gave Kenna a serene smile. “Not at all.”
Duncan’s dark eyes sparkled with mischief. “I can tell ye a story guaranteed to keep sleep at bay.”
“Please do,” Kenna said with mock affront. “I’d hate for my friend to be sent to the gallows for falling asleep during the royal tour of the kingdom.”
I straightened in my seat, too calm to be baited.
“A story it is, then,” Duncan declared, hitching his thumb over his shoulder. “Through yon trees lies the ruin of an ancient witches’ cottage.” He deliberately deepened his voice, sounding like the voice-over for a Scottish horror movie trailer. “A hive of such pure evil that even the land is barren. To this very day not a single weed nor blade of grass dares to grow on that defiled ground.”
“Wait,” I interrupted. “How can there be evil here? Isn’t Doon under an enchantment?”
“What you say is true … but ye see, the witches’ dwelling isn’t in Doon precisely.”