Whence Came a Prince (74 page)

The evocative image of Cairnholy on the back cover was captured
by Allen Wright, a gifted photographer whose Galloway calendars decorate my writing study. You’ll find more of his work at
www.LyricalScotland.co.uk
.

I wouldn’t dream of writing a Scottish novel without the help of Benny Gillies—bookseller, cartographer, proofreader, and friend—who, along with his wonderful wife, Lyn, welcomed me into his Kirkpatrick-Durham home and shop, fed me magnificently, and sent me home with my suitcase packed with books. Visit his bookshop online at
www.bennygillies.co.uk
. Benny informed me that in all his years in Galloway he had never seen the northern lights. But since Jacob of old saw angels in the heavens, I thought Jamie miraculously seeing the merry dancers in Galloway was only fitting. Then, just weeks before this novel went to print, Benny had his first sighting!

For my sheepish scenes, I am indebted to Tony Dempster of Castlehill Farm near Lockerbie and Barbara Wiedenbeck of Sonsie Farm, who, along with Benny Gillies, made certain my lambs were properly cared for. Ian Niall’s
The Galloway Shepherd
(1970) was also a fine resource. Since I’m no more adept at fishing than I am at herding sheep, I’m thankful to have found a recent reprint of Izaak Walton’s
The Compleat Angler
(1653) and am especially glad to count fisherman Stephen Tweed among my helpful friends. Ginia Hairston kindly offered her horse sense, for which Walloch and Hastings neigh their appreciation. Bill Holland, the minister for New Abbey parish, and his dear wife, Helen, made me feel at home in the manse parlor not once but
three
times over the years, offering valuable historic information with a plateful of fine Galloway cheeses and crisp oatcakes.

Tromping about the old kirk at Anwoth, I met Carrie Peto, who owns both the newer church next door—built in 1826 and only recently vacated—and the former manse. Not only did this generous woman give me a tour of the sanctuary, but she also put me in touch with Mrs. Katharine McCulloch, who lives in “the Big House,” as they say in the UK. Her famous family’s ties to Anwoth parish go back at least six centuries. A timeless treasure, Mrs. McCulloch.

More helpful information awaited me when I reached the old Ferrytown of Cree. Heartfelt thanks go to Rosemarie Stephenson at the Gem
Rock Museum and my trio of experts at the Creetown Heritage Museum and Exhibition Centre—Andrew Macdonald, Val Johnson, and John Cutland, local historian and author of
The Story of Ferrytown of Cree and Kirkmabreck Parish.
These folk are the true gems of Creetown. I pray they will forgive me for having the bridge over the Moneypool Burn collapse twenty years after the fact—1790, rather than 1770—though I’m told it was 1809 before the span was fully restored.

Why not join me on a virtual tour of the Scottish countryside featured in
Whence Came a Prince
, including all the kirks where Rose deposits her pilfered coins, by visiting my Web site:
www.LizCurtisHiggs.com
. You’ll also find a free Bible study guide examining the source material on which this novel was based—Genesis 31–33, 35—as well as a listing of my Scottish resource books, additional historical notes, readers’ comments, links to my favorite Scottish Web sites, a discography of Celtic music and soundtracks that inspire me as I write, and some delicious Scottish recipes.

Few things delight me more than staying in touch with readers. If you would enjoy receiving my free newsletter,
The Graceful Heart,
printed and mailed just once a year, or would like a free bookplate for this novel, please contact me by post:

Or visit my Web site:

Thanks to your support, many more Scottish historical novels are in progress. Do join me on the misty isle of Arran for Davina’s story in
Grace in Thine Eyes
, coming to stores in spring 2006. Until then, dear reader, you are a blissin!

1. Though Jamie McKie appears on the cover, Leana McBride begins our story. What are your hopes for Leana by the end of the first chapter of
   Whence Came a Prince
   ? And by the end of the tenth chapter? How might this story have unfolded if Leana had remained at Auchengray all along, rather than fleeing to Twyneholm? What if she’d stayed at Burnside Cottage instead of going home?
   
2. Though Jamie McKie’s affections are captured first by one sister, then by the other, he takes his time shifting allegiances. Do you sympathize with his struggles or find him fickle? Does Leana’s written entreaty—“Love my sister”—justify his actions? How would you explain Jamie’s turning his heart toward Rose once more?
   
3. Though wee Ian can only babble and wave his arms about, he is integral to this family’s story. How would you describe Leana’s relationship with her son? What of Rose’s bond with Ian? And Jamie’s, father to son? Did you find yourself wanting to care for Ian—or perhaps for your own child—while reading
   Whence Came a Prince
   ? At what points in the story did your mothering urges surface?
   
4. How do marriage and impending motherhood help Rose mature? Leana tells her, “ ’Tis Jamie’s love for you and yours for him that make you fearless.” Do you agree? What else might make Rose fearless? If you’ve read
   Fair Is the Rose
   , how have your feelings toward her changed after reading this novel? From your viewpoint does Rose become a true heroine at the last?
   
5. In what way is Rose like her father, and how is she different? If Rose were
   your
   daughter, how might you have counseled her at the pivotal moment she is alone in the spence with Lachlan’s money box? What do you think of Rose’s solution for distributing the stolen gold? What would you have done with it? How might things have been different if Rose had told Jamie from the beginning?
   
6. The epigraphs that begin each chapter are meant to link the previous scene with the current one or to hint at what’s to come. In what ways do Sir Walter Scott’s words at the start of
   chapter 42
   epitomize Jamie’s dilemma? Choose an epigraph that you especially like. How does that quote foreshadow the scene it introduces?
   
7. True to this period in Scottish history, religion plays a major role in the day-to-day lives of these Lowlanders. How would you define Leana’s relationship with God? What of Jamie’s faith? and Rose’s? Which one of the three most closely parallels your own spiritual journey? God promises, “I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” What evidence do you find of his steadfastness in this story?
   
8. Throughout much of the novel Leana finds herself in a very difficult situation, offering her sister loving support even as she, too, carries Jamie’s child. How would you characterize Leana—a role model? a martyr? a righteous woman? a fool? Do you empathize with her plight? What other options appropriate to the late eighteenth century might Leana have explored?
   
9. Scottish folklore is replete with kelpies—water spirits that assume the form of a horse. John Mactaggart, in his
   Scottish Gallovidian Encyclopedia
   (1824), calls them “evil-disposed beings of the supernatural stamp.” On that fateful night in Moneypool Burn, was Jamie indeed wrestling with a kelpie? with mud and sand? with God? with his brother? with himself? How did the experience change him, and why?
   
10. Were you prepared for the story to take a tragic turn in Monnigaff? What feelings did those scenes with Rose evoke? Was anyone truly
    at fault for what happened? Did the emotional aftermath ring true to your own life experiences?
    
11. How would you define Jamie’s character at the start of this novel? Through his trials and tests in Gatehouse of Fleet, Ferrytown of Cree, and Monnigaff? And at the end of the story in Glentrool? Jamie sees in his wife’s eyes “a love he would spend the rest of his life trying to deserve.” Does Jamie in fact deserve her love? When all is said and done, has Jamie McKie earned the title of “prince,” of hero?
    
12. This reader’s guide opens with a quote from Sir John Denham, an Irish poet of the seventeenth century. Do you agree that books should lead to one of four ends: wisdom, piety, delight, or use? In reading
    Whence Came a Prince
    , what wisdom did you glean? Was there anything of spiritual significance for you? What engaged you most in the story? And how might you apply the lessons you’ve learned? If you were describing this series of three novels to a friend who enjoys fiction, what would you tell her?