Page 20 of Christmas Secrets

“We’re making Christmas wreaths after dinner to hang on the door and put in the windows,” said Noel. “Will you help us?”

“Nay,” he grunted, scooping vegetables onto his plate. “I don’t do things like that. I told you I don’t like anything to do with Christmas.”

“Why not?” asked Noel. He held up his plate, wanting Percival to scoop vegetables onto it. His eyes were big and round.

Percival never helped children in this manner. He didn’t really want to do it, but decided it might make Holly happy, so he did. “Christmas is a horrible time. A time of death. I don’t need to be reminded.” He scooped food onto the boy’s plate and then continued eating.

“His father died on Christmas,” Holly explained to Noel in a soft voice.

“Oh,” said Noel, using his fingers to pick up some cabbage. He pretended to feed some to his toy horse. “We always liked Christmas at home,” said the boy. “Holly’s birthday is on Christmas, and my birthday was a couple of days ago. I’m five now.”

“Really?” Percival stopped chewing and looked over at Holly. Was he being insensitive since this was a special day for her, even if he hated it? “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“It’s nothing but just another day,” she said, looking down. He was sure she was pretending not to care even though she did. “Noel, use your spoon, not your fingers.”

For a woman who wasn’t a noble, she certainly had manners. He’d never seen anything like it.

“I can’t feed Henry if I use a spoon,” complained Noel.

“Henry?” asked Percival, pouring wine from the bottle into his cup.

“It’s what he named his horse,” explained Holly.

“Why did you name him Henry?” Percival was curious.

“That was the name of the nice man who came to see Mother,” said the boy.

“What?” Percival looked over at Holly.

“It was a friend. From back home,” was all Holly said.

“Henry misses Alba and Trevor.” Noel looked as if he were about to cry.

“And who are they?” asked Percival, lifting the cup to his mouth. He saw Holly looking at him and realized he’d served himself but not her. He put down the cup and scooted it over to her and then took Noel’s cup and poured some in.

“That’s enough,” Holly stopped him. “I usually mix Noel’s wine with water. I’ll melt some more snow.” She started to get up, but Percival stopped her.

“Sit and eat,” he told her. “The boy is five now and can handle a little wine.” He poured some for himself next.

“Holly, can we go back home and get Henry’s friends? They’re going to be scared there all alone.” Noel petted his toy horse as he spoke.

“Put your horse down and eat your food,” Holly told him.

“I’ll take you home to get them,” offered Percival. “Where is your home? Is it far?” He hoped to find out more about these two and figured this was a good way to do it.

“This is our home now,” said Holly. “Noel, you will get more toys eventually. You shouldn’t fret over the past. Now, finish eating and drink your wine.”

Percival thought Holly was being a little harsh with the child. He almost felt sorry for the little boy. He also didn’t understand why Holly wouldn’t tell him where her home was. Maira was correct in saying the woman was hiding something.

The day went fast and little Noel, tired from the wine, ended up going to bed very early. Percival never should have insisted the boy drink the wine without it being watered down first. But all the children at the castle drank wine and ale. Fresh water was hard to come by, and only babies drank cow’s milk. Noel’s head was down on the table, his eyes closed and his horse clutched in his little hand.

“I told you not to give him straight wine.” Holly got up from the table. “Well, he’ll be sleeping for the rest of the night. I need to get him into bed.”

“I’ll do it,” offered Percival, feeling responsible for the boy’s situation. He jumped up and picked up Noel and his horse, carefully laying him in bed and pulling the covers up around him. “He really likes his horse and was so disappointed that you said he couldn’t go home to get the rest of his toys.” He stared down at the boy sleeping, slowly reaching out to brush a lock of Noel’s dark hair out of his eyes. Why hadn’t he ever noticed before the innocence of a child sleeping? He had younger siblings, but never had they looked this sweet.

“This is our home now. He just needs to learn to let go of things that don’t matter.” Holly started collecting the dirty dishes, bringing them over to the wash basin to clean them.

“It matters to him,” said Percival.