Page 101 of Fortress of Snow

Roger was with Martha and a small group of servants from Strachleigh Castle. Sir Berenger saw the boy first, and he and Mazy waved and called to him. He waved back with a huge smile that made tears spring to Mazy’s eyes. Roger and Martha walked along with Mazy and Sir Berenger, shouting well wishes and streaming ribbons on the ends of sticks, laughing and smiling.

Sir Berenger’s family also walked with them, all six of his brothers, including his oldest two and their wives, and Lady Delia and the Duke of Strachleigh. Sir Berenger waved at them, but most of the time he kept his eyes on her face.

When they were nearly to the church, he leaned down and whispered, “You have made me the happiest man in the world.”

“And I am the happiest woman.” She couldn’t help smiling. In fact, she couldn’t seem to stop smiling.

Mazy wanted to remember every detail of this day—the way the sun looked on Sir Berenger’s hair, his family looking so happy, the way the village church seemed to wink at them as the sun reflected off the colored glass of the windows, and the happy tears in Lady Delia’s eyes. Most of all, she hoped she never forgot how Sir Berenger was looking at her, the way he held on to her arm that was looped through his. The way she felt today should sustain her through whatever trials might come their way.

The priest was waiting for them at the top of the steps. They said their vows before the crowd, then went inside for the rest of the wedding ceremony. And when they made the trek back up the castle mount, they seemed even giddier and more celebratory than they had earlier.

Lord Dericott, who was Berenger’s brother Edwin, along with his lovely wife, Lady Audrey, had set up trestle tables on the grassy area in front of the castle, spread with food and drink to share with the villagers and guests.

The guests all bestowed on them a wedding blessing and wishes for their health, an abundance of children, prosperity, and every happiness. But no matter who came to wish them joy, Berenger kept his hand in Mazy’s.

By the end of the day, after they had feasted and danced for hours, Mazy was ready to give all her attention to her husband, and he was looking at her like she was the only person in the castle.

***

After spending a few nights in a small guesthouse about a hundred yards from Dericott Castle, they set out on their journey with Juliana to visit Bristow Castle, which they would place in the hands of a steward until Juliana was of age. Then they’d be traveling thirty miles north of Bristow to Saynborne Castle, where they would all live together.

When they were still half a day’s ride from Bristow Castle, they saw a man on horseback galloping toward them, a small cloud of dust behind him.

“It’s Lady Bristow’s steward,” Berenger said. They had sent word to him that they were coming, so it was not so strange that the man was coming to meet them, but there was something about the expression on his face that told Berenger something was wrong.

The steward rode straight up to Berenger. “Sir, Bristow Castle has burned. The walls are still standing, but the roof and all inside it are gone.”

Mazy was glad Juliana was asleep in her new nurse’s lap so that she wouldn’t hear anything that might upset her. But just imagining that great and mighty fortress burned to the ground gave her a sick feeling in her stomach.

Berenger sent a few men ahead of them to survey the damage and to see if there was anything that could be salvaged.

He and Mazy exchanged a look. Could Lady Bristow have been responsible for burning down the castle? Mazy would not be surprised if the woman had ordered one of the servants toset fire to the castle in retaliation. She couldn’t have it, and she wouldn’t want anyone else to have it either.

When they were nearing the castle in the late afternoon, Mazy could smell the smoke. Juliana was waking up, and she whimpered and reached out for Mazy. She took the child and placed her on her horse in front of her. Juliana hid her face in Mazy’s chest.

“Please don’t let Lady Bristow take me away,” Juliana said.

“No, no, we will not let her take you. She’s nowhere near here. The king has arrested her and locked her away. You are safe with us.”

But when they came into sight of the blackened ruins of the castle, Juliana began to sob.

“All is well.” Mazy tried to comfort the child, but her eyes were wild, and she would not stop clinging to Mazy and crying.

“What are you afraid of?” Mazy said.

“Lady Bristow is coming to get me.”

“No, she won’t. She will never hurt you again. She’s gone forever, and you are safe with us.”

“There was a ship and some men. I heard her talking in French, and she slapped me. She said if I ever told anyone, she would strangle me in my sleep.”

“What ship, Juliana?” Mazy was staring, horrified.

“She must mean the French ship that landed in the cove. Probably the same one I saw. But don’t worry, Juliana. Lady Bristow will never hurt you again. You can tell us anything you wish and she cannot harm you.”

Mazy smoothed Juliana’s hair back. Her eyes had a haunted look, and she was obviously still not sure she believed she was safe.

“Why don’t you take Juliana and get back on the road to Saynborne?” Berenger said. “I’ll send most of the guards with you.”