Page 42 of Christmas Secrets

Bedivere burst out laughing.

“I don’t think it’s funny,” said Percival. “There isn’t enough room here for me to even sleep in the same bed as my wife.”

“Percival, really,” said Holly, feeling a flush wash over her cheeks.

“There would be enough room if you expanded the place,” said Henry from the bed. “There is plenty of room since you’re in the woods.”

“You could even extend the garden,” suggested Ada.

“I’ll pay for the workers to build it and make it larger,” said Henry. “But only if Noel promises to come stay with me sometimes so we can get to know each other.”

“What do you say, Noel?” asked Holly.

“What does he say? How about asking me?” complained Percival.

“Shush, Percival,” his mother told him. “I want to hear my grandson’s answer.”

“Grandson?” asked Noel. “Will you be my new grandmother?”

“I know I’m not really your grandmother, Noel, but I’d love to pretend you were my grandson,” Ada told him with the kindest of smiles.

“All right,” said Noel. Then he held up a finger. “Wait.” He pretended to listen to his horse again. “Henry says only if we can make the barn bigger and get a couple more horses.”

“God’s eyes,” griped Percival. “Next thing I know you’re going to want pigs and chickens and even a dog.”

“A dog?” asked Noel with a big smile. “Yes, I want a dog.”

“You know, Noel, I have almost a dozen dogs in the kennels at the castle,” Henry told him. “Do you think you’d like to see them sometime?”

“I would, I would.”

Henry smiled again. “I would like that also. It is a start, anyway.”

Once more, Noel listened to his wooden horse, “Henry says you both have the same name.”

“Yes. Yes, we do,” said Sir Henry. “I like that you named your horse the same as my name. I gave you that horse, but couldn’t tell you. So your mother gave it to you for me.”

“Oh. Well, Henry doesn’t like that you both have the same name,” said Noel, shaking his head.

“He doesn’t? Why not?” asked Holly.

“Because there can only be one Henry,” Noel told him.

“Well, mayhap you should rename your horse,” suggested Bedivere.

Noel looked like he was going to cry. Percival threw his brother a daggered look.

“What?” asked Bedivere. “I was only trying to help.”

“You can always call me Father instead of Sir Henry.” This time it was Henry’s suggestion.

Holly held her breath, sure her brother would not agree with that. But after bringing his toy horse to his ear again, the little boy smiled.

“Henry said he likes that idea and so do I... Father.”

Holly’s heart swelled with glee. It would take some time, but she was sure things would work themselves out in the end.

“How about some pottage?” asked Morag. “It’s poured out and ready to eat and is gettin’ cold.”

“I’ll bring your bowl over to you, Sir Henry,” said Ada, picking up a bowl and spoon.

“I’ll take it to Father. Let me down, Holly. I want to do it.” Noel ran over to Ada and together they delivered the food to Henry.

“I think this is all going to work out nicely after all,” Holly told Percival, kissing him on the mouth.

“I hope you’re talking about the wedding,” said Percival. “Because I’m still not so sure about living here at the cottage even if it is expanded.”

“Stop squawking, Brother, and sit down and eat,” ordered Bedivere. “I’ll have everyone from Rothbury help with the building as well. Before we’re finished, you’ll have a cottage as big as a manor house. Just wait and see what I can do.”