Page 13 of Christmas Secrets

“I don’t believe I ever made the promise in the first place.” His eyes were on her lips now.

“Nay,” she answered in a breathy tone. “I guess you didn’t.”

You are a very beautiful woman, Holly.” He ran a hand over her braid that was tossed over one shoulder, trailing down the front of her. She swore she felt a tingle of excitement wash through her when the tips of his fingers gently grazed one breast. Then he kissed her again, and she let him. Her hands raised up and rested on his sturdy chest. His lips felt surprisingly soft, and warm. And then to her astonishment, the kiss deepened and she felt his tongue slip in between her lips.

“Oh!” She broke the kiss, holding a hand over her mouth, quickly stepping away.

“What’s the matter?” he asked. “Didn’t you like that?”

“I did,” she admitted. “But it surprised me.”

“Oh, you haven’t been kissed by a man before, I understand.”

“Not in that manner.” It was the truth. Her experience with men ended with a few kisses from one of the peasant boys where she lived when he decided to try to put his hand down her bodice. Her little brother had been watching, so she slapped the boy and he never tried anything with her again. Even so, those kisses were hard and cold and fast. They were nothing at all like what she’d just experienced with Lord Percival. His kisses made her feel special. His words made her feel pretty.

“Well, that’s that,” he said, quickly removing the rest of the nails and looking around. “I don’t have the supplies I need to fix this. The horse needs to run, so I’ll take a ride back to the castle to get what I need.”

“You’re leaving?” she asked, feeling her heart speeding up. She didn’t want him to go. Not now. Not when he’d just kissed her. He couldn’t leave now!

“You and the boy can join me. Go get him, but hurry. I want to get back before it starts snowing again.”

“Go with you? To the castle?” Sudden fear overtook her. What if Lord Neville showed up asking questions and looking for her and Noel? As much as she’d love to spend Christmastide at the castle, she couldn’t. It was much too risky. She needed to keep Noel safe. It was crucial they remain hidden.

“Sure. I will introduce you to my family,” he offered, his invitation sounding so nice that she wished she could oblige.

“Oh, so you have a big family then?” she asked, stalling for time. She wasn’t sure how to say no without telling him her reasoning. “Do you have more brothers besides Bedivere?”

“Bedivere is the eldest, and our twin brothers, Luther and Avery, are the youngest. They are a few years older than Noel.”

“Oh, twins. That’s nice. Four boys.”

“And five girls,” he added, preparing his horse to go.

“Five... more? Really?”

“Yes. Elizabeth, Avalina, Sarah, Claire, and Rhoslyn.”

“That’s a big family!”

“And there’s my mother Ada, of course.” He looked up in the air in thought. “As well as Aunt Joan and Uncle Theobald, who is half blind and some say crazy.” He chuckled and pulled the straps tighter that secured the saddle.

“Is that all?” she asked in a jesting manner.

“Well, there is my sister-by-marriage, her baby, and her sister and cousins and their husbands and families, but I won’t bore you with that.”

“You mentioned everyone but your father it seems. What about him?”

Suddenly, his smile faded and he didn’t look happy anymore. He fussed with the saddle, not looking at her when he spoke.

“My father is dead. He died on Christmas.”

“Oh, nay. I’m so sorry,” she told him, walking over and resting her hand on his arm. “How did he die?”

Dead silence. This was no doubt a sore spot, so she decided not to push him. “My mother just died too. From a breathing ailment.”

“I’m sorry.” He finally looked up. “What about your father?”

“He died in an accident plowing a field when I was only five.”