Page 31 of Christmas Secrets

“Are you having fun with your new friends?” Holly asked her brother.

“I am,” he told her. “I never want to leave.”

Mayhap Noel never wanted to leave, but all she wanted to do was to get out of here. Still, how could she do so when Percival was sleeping? She couldn’t just leave him here. Could she?

They were on their way back from the garderobe, descending the stairs from the upper floor, when Holly heard a voice that stopped her in her tracks and almost stilled her heart as well.

“I’m looking for a woman named Holly Wakefielde and her young brother, Noel. Have you seen them?” It was Lord Neville, standing at the door to the great hall with several of his men from Kestwick. He was talking to one of Lord Bedivere’s castle guards.

“I’m not sure, my lord. There are a lot of people here for the Christmastide celebration,” the guard told him. “Are you here visiting as well?”

“Nay, I am not visiting and I am not interested in any silly Christmas celebration. I am Lord Neville Winfield from Castle Kestwick. Two of my serfs have escaped and I am trying to find them.”

“Well, I suppose they could be here.” The guard looked back at the great hall. “However, since I don’t know them, I really couldn’t tell you. But you are welcome to take a look for yourself.”

“Don’t think I won’t,” he spat. “And when I find them, I will collect them and bring them back, giving them the punishment they deserve.” He turned back to his own guards. “Men, spread out and search every corner. We’ve looked everywhere else and couldn’t find them, so I am sure they must be here.”

“Oh, no!” whispered Holly, pulling her brother back into a shadow. She could see into the great hall from their position. Percival’s head was still down and he was not moving. She couldn’t get back to him if she tried, without Lord Neville or one of his guards seeing and catching them.

“I’ll bring you to Lord Bedivere, the lord of the castle,” said the guard. “He might know more about your runaway serfs. Follow me, please.”

“Noel, we have to leave right now, and you need to be very quiet,” Holly told her brother.

“Nay, I don’t want to go without Percival.”

“Percival is sleeping and he can take care of himself.”

“But Holly, I can’t leave Henry and his friends,” he said, speaking about his toys.

“Our lives depend on this, Noel. Now forget about the toys and let’s get out of here.” She held on to his hand and started for the door, keeping an eye open for any of Lord Neville’s guards.

Noel broke away from her, meaning to go back into the great hall for his toys.

“No, you don’t!” Holly darted forward and grabbed his arm, pulling him back the other way. “We’ll get them later. We can’t let Lord Neville see us. Now, come. We must leave.”

“What about Percival? Isn’t he coming with us? He can protect us from Lord Neville.”

“Not now, he can’t,” she said, wishing he was awake because then he might be able to do something in their favor. But as soon as Lord Neville told Lord Bedivere who she really was, she realized there would be no hope for them at all. Once the nobles of Rothbury Castle found out they’d been harboring a serf, they would be eager to turn them in. It was expected of them and there would be no reason to act differently.

Holly felt so alone. What had started out as a wonderful dream was quickly turning into a nightmare. She needed to protect her brother and they needed to leave the castle now. The only thing was, she wasn’t sure where to go or what to do. “Oh, Percival,” she whispered, wanting to feel protected in his arms right now. Then again, once he knew the truth about her, he would probably turn her in as well.

She pulled her crying brother along with her, making her way out into the cold without a cloak and over to the stables. Entering the stables, she saw a horse saddled and ready to ride. She didn’t hesitate. This was her answer and her only way out of here. She didn’t care whose steed it was, she was going to use it for their escape.

“Climb up, Noel,” she said, first helping her brother into the saddle and then pulling herself up after him. It wasn’t easy to do while wearing the long gown. Plus, she sat astride which wasn’t ideal for the way she was dressed either.

“We should wait for Percival,” said Noel. “He’ll bring Henry and his friends for me, I know he will.”

“Percival is not coming, so forget about him.” She grabbed the reins and turned the horse.

“I’m cold, Holly.” The little boy’s body shivered.

“Just snuggle up close to me and I’ll keep you warm,” she told him, using Willow’s warm gown that she was wearing to help protect her brother from the cold.

“Hey, what are you doing?” shouted the stable boy, running toward her. “That is Lord Neville’s horse.”

Of all the horses to take, it had to be his! Well, she didn’t have a choice now. She had to get out of there quickly. Kicking her heels into the horse’s sides, she rode it hard and fast into the dark night. Thoughts filled her head of what Lord Neville would do to them once he caught them. Running away was by far punishable enough to make her cringe. But stealing the lord’s horse on top of that was certainly going to cost her a finger or two.

The snow came down and the wind continue to blow. Holly was chilled to the bone and her little brother shivered uncontrollably in her arms. Her teeth chattered. With nowhere else to go, and being lost in the dark of night, Holly found herself returning to the only place she knew she could find. She rode straight for Imanie’s cottage in the secret garden. She only prayed that no one would tell Lord Neville about this place. Even if it only bought her a little time until the sun rose, she hoped she would be safe here for the night.