Page 34 of Christmas Secrets

“What the hell does that mean?” Percival stopped pacing.

“Branton, did you do something?” asked Maira.

“Please tell me you didn’t.” Percival held his breath waiting for Branton to answer.

“I didn’t realize it was them, I swear. But when the man asked me if there was anywhere around here for runaway serfs to hide, I told him the only place possible that I could think of, which was the cottage at the secret garden. I told him where to find it, and he and his men left, heading in that direction.”

“Nay, you fool!” screamed Percival, lunging at the squire, but Bedivere stepped in to block him from killing the boy.

“Stop it, Percival. He didn’t know,” said Bedivere in a deep voice.

“He did know! He saw them there,” snarled Percival. “And that is probably right where Holly took Noel. She wouldn’t know where else to go in the cold and the dark. God’s eyes, how can this be happening?”

“I’m truly sorry. I was never introduced to them and I didn’t know they meant something to you,” apologized Branton.

“He’s going to find them and kill them.” Percival ran a hand through his hair, trying harder than ever to think straight, but it wasn’t easy after having had little sleep and too much Mountain Magic. “Why didn’t someone wake me last night when this first happened?”

“We tried,” said Morag. “But we couldn’t.”

“You were dead to the world,” said Bedivere with a nod.

“I’ve got to find her before that bastard does.” Percival scooped up Noel’s toys from the table and stuck them into his pouch. “I fear I might already be too late.”

“Percival, what can you really do?” asked his mother. “They are runaway serfs and belong to Lord Neville.”

“He’s right,” said Willow. “You can’t get involved.”

“If you do, it might bring upon a battle between Kestwick and us,” added Bedivere. “God’s eyes, why did you have to fall for someone who is only a serf?”

“Bedivere! How can ye say that?” scolded Morag. “I fell in love with ye and I knew ye were an assassin. This isna as bad as that at all. Holly and Noel are scared and all alone. Ye’ve got to help Percival find them.”

“I agree,” said Fia. “Holly and Noel might be serfs, but they are still good people. We’ve all got to help them.”

“Thank you,” said Percival, grateful for his family’s offer to help. “However, I can’t ask any of you to do that. It is too risky for you. I will take the fall for this. Only I will be punished for harboring runaway serfs, and that is the way it is going to be.”

“Why does anyone need to punished for it?” asked Maira.

“It’s the rules. You know that,” answered Willow.

“She’s right, but if anyone can break the rules and walk away as victors, it is this family,” Branton spoke up. “I, for one, want to help Percival find and protect them.”

“He’s right about our family breaking rules and still living a good life,” said Percival with a nod. “I intend to not only find Holly and Noel, but will do so much more than that. Excuse me.” He pushed past the others, hearing his brother call out from behind.

“Percival? What are you going to do? Percival!”

He didn’t stop and neither did he turn around. Instead, he rushed out to the stable to get his horse and to do whatever the hell it took to make sure Holly and Noel would never have to answer to the wicked Lord of Kestwick again.

* * *

“Holly,wake up. I hear hoofbeats. I think Percival is back.”

Holly heard her brother and sprang out of bed, not even realizing she had fallen asleep. She’d hugged Noel throughout the night, never even starting a fire or lighting a candle for fear they’d be spotted.

“Percival?” She ran over to the window where Noel had already opened the shutters and was looking out. She hoped to see Percival, but instead she saw Lord Neville and two of his guards heading toward the stable. A third guard was already inside the barn and came running out.

“Your horse is inside the stable, my lord,” the guard shouted.

“Good. Good,” chuckled Lord Neville. “That means they must be in the house. Let’s go get them, shall we?”