Page 39 of Christmas Secrets

“There is nothing you need to say. This is all my fault.”

“Holly, I’m so sorry that today is such a horrible day for you, being your birthday and also Christmas. I really wanted to make it a special time for you, but everything turned to hell.”

“It’s all right, Percival. You were so kind and did so many things for me and Noel and I can never thank you enough. You are a good man.”

“Mayhap not as good as you think. You see, I haven’t been totally honest with you, either.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean... I was imprisoned for a while. My entire family was, actually.”

“Imprisoned? For what? Did you murder someone?”

“Nay. Of course not.”

“Were you trying to kill the king like your father was?”

“No! And to clarify things, he was falsely accused. I can tell you more about it at a later date. I just wanted you to know I was in prison. Oh, and my brother, Bedivere was an assassin too.”

“Is this all real?” she asked with a small grin. “Or are you saying this just trying to make me feel better? Because it is one hell of a story.”

“Nay, it’s true. I can tell you all about it.”

“Nay, no need,” she said, holding up a hand. “Someday, mayhap, but right now, I don’t even care about any of that.”

“You don’t?”

“Nay, Percival. I like you for who you are now. I also like your entire family very much. I know in my heart you are all good, fair people. You see, I don’t care who or what you used to be. All that matters is what is happening right now, in the precious present.”

“I like you for the wonderful woman you are as well, Holly.”

“Even though I’m naught but a serf?” Her eyes filled with tears.

“Especially since you are a serf,” he told her, kissing her hands.

“Percival, you make no sense at all.” With a half-smile she wiped the tears from her eyes.

“Holly, you showed me that I was living in a world of doom because I couldn’t move on from the past. I hated Christmas because it reminded me of my father being killed on that day.”

“And now you have a new reason to hate it even more, don’t you? And it is all because of me.”

“No, just the opposite, actually.”

“Huh?” She blinked several times in succession, trying to understand him.

“My sweet Holly, because of you I found the joy and spirit of Christmas again. I discovered by being with you and Noel what’s important and what is not. What really matters. Because of you, I realize I don’t need to be so bitter and hateful. You find joy in the smallest things, and I love that about you. I also love your strong sense of the importance of family and your love of family traditions. I want to do that too, from now on.”

“Well, you have a large family and can certainly do that even without me.”

“Not without you, I can’t.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I-I think I love you, Holly. I never thought I’d say this to any woman, but I really think I have fallen in love with you.”

“Oh, Percival.” She started to cry. “I think I love you, too.”

He chuckled. “Then why are you crying? That’s a good thing, isn’t it?”

“If I were a noble, or you were a serf, then mayhap it would be. But we can never be together and you know that is the truth. Now, let’s go inside and try to get some sleep. God knows you need it more than anyone.”

Percival didn’t like the way they left off, but needed to think about this more, and with a clear head. Holly was right. Mayhap after some sleep he could come up with a solution that would make both of them happy for the rest of their lives.