Page 25 of Christmas Secrets

The courtyard bustled with servants, merchants, alewives, tradesmen, and nobles. Serving girls brought ale and spiced wine to the occupants, while children ran in circles chasing a dog. The merchants were selling their wares today, ranging from fresh fish to shoes to even fancy headpieces made for the noblewomen. Everyone seemed to be there, even the villagers, townsfolk, and those who looked like serfs, just like herself. Lord Bedivere seemed to want to include everyone in the Christmas celebrations. He even gave the people a chance to sell their wares and make money for their family. Lord Bedivere seemed to be a good, fair man.

Holly admired that. Lord Neville never invited a serf into his courtyard unless they were delivering crops they grew for him. And instead of allowing the people to make money, he just kept raising his taxes, demanding more money from them instead.

Percival picked up a wreath from a table, inspecting it and making a face. “Ah. I see what I did wrong now. I needed more greens. And if I used smaller grapevines, I would have been able to bend them easier.”

“Would you like to buy a wreath for your lady?” asked the peasant from behind the table.

“My lady?” He looked up in surprise, and then glanced at Holly. “Oh, he means you,” he said.

Holly blushed. Surely, just by seeing her simple clothes the man must have realized she wasn’t a noble. She felt embarrassed by this, because she wished she was a lady. Percival’s lady. Which she wasn’t and neither could she ever be.

“Nay, nay,” said Percival shaking his head and putting the wreath back on the table. “I know how to make these myself now, so I don’t need to spend coin on buying them.” He took Holly by the arm and led her away, with Noel following. “Holly, I think I can improve the wreath I made. I know what I did wrong now just by looking at the vendor’s wreaths. I’ll fix it up later and it’ll be better, I promise.”

“I was fine with the one you already gave me,” said Holly, smiling and holding on to his arm. It was refreshing to see a lord take such interest in something that usually only peasants, servants, and women did. He was doing it all for her. She was sure of it. His actions touched her heart.

“Percival! Holly! Ye came.” Lady Morag pushed through the crowd with two noblewomen right behind her. “And Noel is here too. Oh, good. I am so happy you decided to join us for Christmastide.”

“Lady Morag,” said Percival, not sounding happy to see her.

“Who is this, Morag?” asked one of the women with long, red hair.

“Och, silly of me no’ to tell ye. Fia, this is Holly and Noel. They are Percival’s friends. Holly and Noel, this is my sister, Lady Fia, and my cousin, Lady Willow,” she told them pointing to each of the women in turn. The one named Fia wore a Highland plaid of purple, blue and green. Morag’s cousin, Willow was a vision of beauty. Her long, dark hair was pulled up and her head encircled with a jeweled headpiece. Her gown was burgundy velvet, etched with lots of lace. Just being in their presence made Holly feel so out of place. Still, she was happy to meet them.

“Are you here for the Christmas celebration and festivities?” asked the dark-haired woman named Willow.

“Yes. Yes, we are,” said Holly.

“I dinna remember hearin’ about ye. Where did ye and Percival meet?” asked Fia, the Scottish sister of Morag.

This took her by surprise and she didn’t know how to answer.

“Holly is the granddaughter of Imanie,” Percival broke in. “She came to stay with her for the holidays but didn’t know of Imanie’s passing.”

“Oh. I’m so sorry,” said Fia, eyeing up the heart pin. “I see you have a heart brooch.”

“It was my mother’s.” Holly’s finger covered the brooch and she fingered it nervously. “She gave it to me on her deathbed a few days ago.”

“Blethers, this is all so depressin’,” said Morag.

Holly needed to change the subject quickly. When Fia opened her cloak, Holly saw the big bump of her stomach.

“Oh, are you pregnant, Fia?” asked Holly.

“Aye,” she answered.

“She’s not usually that fat,” said Percival with a chuckle, getting a nasty glare from each of the girls.

“I am due any day now,” said Fia, rubbing her belly and smiling. “This is my second child.”

“Congratulations,” Holly told her.

“My sister was born on Christmas and that is why our mother named her Holly,” said Noel. “My birthday was a few days ago.”

“Well, how nice,” said Fia. “Mayhap my bairn will be born on Christmas too. I’d like that.”

“I’m sure Bedivere wouldn’t.” Percival spoke up again. “He won’t want anything ruining the Christmastide celebrations.”

“Percival!” said Holly in shock. “That would add to the happiness, not ruin a thing.”