Tricks for a cavalier bodyguard

So, the following scenario.

It's Kingmaker. The King has a high Charisma (which he should), and because of that he's probably either a paladin, a cavalier himself, or a spellcaster (sorcerer or oracle or bard).

At 7th level, the King takes the Leadership feat, and attracts a Cavalier of the Lion. On the one hand, having a cohort who obeys you without question is really cool, however the cohort has a sick bonus to know all your secrets via the Knowledge (nobility) skill.

Anyway, I was looking at ways a cavalier cohort might act as a bodyguard to a spellcaster, especially at low level. So far I've got

• Combat Reflexes->Stand Still
  
• Tactician class ability->Shielded Caster or Swap Places
  
• Mobility->Combat Patrol (not sure about this one without a polearm)
  
• Saving Shield
  
• Shield Focus->Covering Defense (kinda bad)
  

Any others seem like a reasonable fit?

Also, are there any rules for a 'mountless' cavalier? I know that doesn't make much sense, sorry about that. A bodyguard cavalier has a lot of feats to buy without Mounted Combat, but I guess it can't be helped.

Until a variant is added, there are no unmounted versions of the cavalier. You don't have to build around mounted combat, but you'll get no use from some of the class abilities.

You do get bonus feats through cavalier, but they are few and far between.

I think for a bodyguard type you might want the Stalwart Defender PrC after your first few levels of cavalier.

1) However the cohort has a sick bonus to know all your secrets via the Knowledge (nobility) skill. This work both way To better know you and your court and foreign nobles that come to your court.

2 ) Second this NPC Cohort will quickly fall behind in EXP Points compared to PC. Please read leadership rules they only get 1/2 EXP point for the things that they are in.
( I have many GM/DM give none on story Awards so that advance really slow)

With that being said I like this idea for a build of the bodyguard. Form role play point of view I would not make him big social roll that should be PC. (Personal Opinion) Or Striker or good beater type. But Solid Defender/ Support type

I would Human
1 Cavalier 1 Swap Places, Iron Will, Saving Shield
2 Cavalier 2
3 Ranger 1 Natural Bound Mount( Guild / Urban)
4 Ranger 2 Improved Shield Bash
5 Ranger 3 Toughness, Endurance
6 Ranger 4
7 Fighter 1 Dodge (Shield Fighter or Base Fighter)
8 Stalwart Defender 1
9 Fighter 2 Combat Reflex, Body Guard
10 Stalwart Defender 2
11 Fighter 3 Stand Still
12 Stalwart Defender 3
13 Fighter 4 Two Weapon Fighting, Mobility
14 Stalwart Defender 4
15 Stalwart Defender 5 Shield Focus or Improved DR
16 Stalwart Defender 6
17 Stalwart Defender 7 Combat Expertises or Extra Tactician
18 Stalwart Defender 8
19 Stalwart Defender 9 Covering Defense Or Shield Spell Caster
20 Stalwart Defender 10

This Build give you Full mount till 7th level so it should live most shots good saves. Nice Skill List with 56 base Skill points, 10d10+ 10d12 HP 136 Base HP, Full BaB, Saves Fort +15 Reflex +8 Will +9, Six Bonus Feats in the Build and Trap Finding and DR 5- or DR 7- and 1st level Ranger Spells so he can use Wand of Cure light. 5 Defense powers