Page 20 of Fortress of Snow

“Strachleigh and I are planning to pay a visit to your brother, the Baron Wexcombe, in the next day or two.”

Mazy’s chest and shoulders felt heavy as she stared out at the river. She let out a long breath. “Lady Delia told me. I do appreciate your help, but I don’t have much hope that he will listen.”

“Perhaps he will give you a dowry at least, since you are staying here at Strachleigh. He must know that your honor is safe here.”

“Perhaps he will. If anyone can persuade him to change his mind, I’m sure it is you and the Duke of Strachleigh.” Mazy stood up and brushed off her skirt. “I should go finish my walk. I don’t want to intrude.”

“You’re not intruding,” Sir Berenger said. “You can stay.”

“Thank you, but I’ll be back this way.”

“Come back and see how many fish we’ve caught,” Roger said.

“I will.”

How good it was to see the boy looking happy. Sir Berenger was so kind.

Mazy went on her way, talking to God and telling Him both the sad things that were on her mind as well as the things she was thankful for. It made her feel better to shed a few tears and to remember her many blessings.

After an hour or so, she turned to go back to the riverbank. Just thinking of seeing Sir Berenger again lifted her spirits.

Berenger thought about how sad Mazy had looked when he mentioned trying to get the baron to change his mind. She certainlydid not have the protective and loving brothers she deserved. Sir John was not a particularly kind or generous man, but his main failing was his angry temperament. And Lord Wexcombe had proved himself to be selfish and cruel.

As he leaned down to check the fish trap, he saw her returning along the river’s edge.

“Mazy, I caught a fish! Look!” Roger held up his pole to show the fish dangling from the end. “And we caught two more in the basket trap.” He turned to Berenger. “Can I go show the boys? James said he would help me clean them.”

“Go and show off your fish.” Berenger ruffled the boy’s hair.

Roger took his catch and ran away.

“You have made him very happy today,” Mazy said. “It’s so kind of you to teach him to fish.”

Berenger smiled at her praise and lay back against a folded-up cloak. “He’s a good boy. I’m glad I had time today to spend with him. Can you sit and talk with me?” He squinted up at her against the light that came through the trees.

Mazy sat on the grass and started picking the tiny wildflowers that were all around her.

“Who were you talking to when Roger and I first saw you?” He couldn’t resist asking.

“No one.” She stared at the flower between her fingers. “That is, I was praying. I like to pray out loud when I walk. You probably think that is strange.”

“Not at all. Everyone prays. I pray out loud, too, sometimes.”

They sat quietly for a few moments, then Berenger started telling her a funny story about what had happened duringsword-fighting practice the day before. And that led to Mazy telling him about when she first learned how to throw knives.

He was so comfortable talking to Mazy. She may have been old enough to marry, but she had such an innocence about her. At the same time, she could speak intelligently about so many subjects. He found himself enjoying their conversation and wishing they could talk for the rest of the day. She was so different from her brothers. Delia had already grown quite fond of her, and he had as well, truth be told.

“The sun is so high, it’s probably past noon,” Mazy said as they lounged on the ground by the river. She wanted to give him a way out, to go back to the castle if he didn’t want to stay there talking to her.

“Looks like it.”

He didn’t seem eager to go anywhere. His head was propped on his arms as he gazed up at the leaves on the tree above them.

“My sister says you’re very good with my nephew. She says you have helped her a lot.”

“She is being kind.” Mazy felt herself blushing. “Truthfully, I know only a little about babies. Sometimes I rock him in my arms to get him to go to sleep. It doesn’t usually work.” Mazy laughed and Sir Berenger smiled.

“Are you always so modest?”