Page 18 of Christmas Secrets

“Percival told me the group no longer exists.” Holly tried to pump them for information.

“Well, we all gave up bein’ members when we got married,” said Morag. “And Imanie and her sister died, so I suppose that’s true.”

“We didn’t really know anyone else who was a follower,” explained Maira.

“What did this group do?” asked Holly. Noel rushed over and snatched up his toy horse and bolted over to the bed.

“Let’s just say it was a group of strong women who did things that made a difference in the world,” Maira told her.

“And took no credit for it,” added Morag.

“We really can’t say more.” Maira threw Morag another guarded look.

“I suppose it doesn’t matter.” Holly ran her hand over the pin and removed her cloak. “I wasn’t chosen as a member so I don’t really need to know more.”

“Where are ye from?” asked Morag. “A neighboring castle?”

“She’s not a lady.” Maira looked her up and down. “I’d say she’s naught more than a peasant by the way she’s dressed. Mayhap even a servant.”

Holly’s heart leapt into her throat. “Nay. I’m not noble,” she admitted, wanting to crawl under the table. How was she going to explain to the women why she was still here? She prayed they wouldn’t find out the truth.

Thankfully, the door opened before Holly had to explain anything else. Branton walked in with Percival.

“Morag! I should have known you’d be here meddling,” snapped Percival. “Why couldn’t you have stayed at the castle where you belong?”

“If I had, I never would have met yer friends,” said Morag. “I mean, since ye werena willin’ to tell me about them.”

“Mayhap you’d better leave now.” Percival was telling, not asking.

“But we just got here,” said Maira.

“There is another storm coming. Branton, take them back to the castle anon,” ordered Percival.

“Aye, my lord. I’ll get the horses.” Branton headed back out the door and Percival glared at Morag.

“All right. We’re leavin’,” sniffed Morag, getting her cloak and handing Maira’s to her. “Holly, I’d like to invite ye and yer brother to the castle tomorrow for the start of Christmastide. We will have a festive dinner. There will be lots of food and drinks, and mummers will be there entertainin’. Plus, the minstrels will be playin’ lots of music for dancin’.”

“Thank you, but I don’t think so,” said Holly.

“Will they have fruit tarts?” asked Noel from the bed.

“Of course,” said Morag, laughing. “My castle cook will be makin’ three different kinds. What is yer favorite?”

“I like apple,” said Noel, running over to Holly with his horse in his hand. “Can we go, Holly? Can we, please?”

“There will also be many children yer age there for ye to play with,” Morag added.

“Oh, I would like that, Holly. Can we go? Pleeeeease?” Noel tugged at her cloak.

“Stop it, Noel.” Holly couldn’t say yes, as much as she wanted to. It was just too risky. “We need to let Ladies Morag and Maira leave so they can get back to the castle before the approaching storm.”

“I’ll walk them out,” offered Percival, leaving the cottage with Morag and Maira. He wanted the ladies far away from Holly and to stop asking so many questions.

Once they were out of earshot of Holly hearing them, Maira spoke up.

“Percival, you need to distance yourself from this girl. I fear she is trouble.”

“How can ye say that?” asked Morag. “Holly and her brother are lovely people. There is nothin’ to fear.”

“She’s hiding something, I know she is,” Maira told them. “No woman and child would be out here in the woods in the middle of winter, alone and unescorted. Even if she is just a peasant.”

“She told us she was here to visit her grandmother,” said Morag.

“If Imanie really was her grandmother, then why didn’t Holly even know the woman is dead? Besides, Imanie never talked about her.” Maira was always the suspicious one, while Morag was more trusting. “If you don’t believe me, as soon as Fia gets here, we’ll have her talk to Holly. Fia can tell when anyone is lying, just by seeing their body language.”

“Nay. No’ Fia,” said Morag, always having hated living in her older sister’s shadow. “I can tell Holly is a good person. Percival, I want ye to bring her and her brother to the castle tomorrow for the celebration. No one should be alone on Christmastide.”

“She won’t be alone. She’ll be with me,” said Percival.

“Don’t be silly,” said Morag. “Christmas in this hovel is like bein’ abandoned. And ye should come home because you are goin’ to break yer mother’s heart.”

“Don’t worry about it,” said Percival, just wanting everyone to leave. “And don’t say a word about this to my mother. If she finds out, I’ll know you are the gossip who told her.”

Percival knew that would keep Morag silent. After her whole life of being a gossip, the girl didn’t want to be called that anymore. No different than Bedivere not wanting to still be called an assassin.