Page 21 of Fortress of Snow

“I am not being modest. I am just very honest.” She told thetruth even when it made her look foolish. She couldn’t seem to help it.

“Honesty is a good character trait.”

“One of my father’s servants once told me that I didn’t always have to be so honest, and that when I get married, I should not tell my husband the truth all the time. But that doesn’t sound wise to me.”

“I don’t think your husband will see your honesty as a fault, unless he is very unwise himself.”

“If I ever find a husband.”

“You are fair and lovely, and therefore will have many men vying for your hand in marriage.”

Sir Berenger thought she was fair and lovely?

Mazy’s heart did a flip inside her chest. But he was only being kind, like his sister.

“I think it unlikely that I shall ever marry.”

“I am sure you will marry. And Lord Wexcombe may change his mind about helping you.”

“Do you know whom you shall marry?” Mazy wasn’t sure why she asked that. Was it impertinent? Would he be embarrassed? She wasn’t even sure she wanted to know. She had a sinking feeling in her stomach to think of him marrying.

“I don’t. But I hope, someday, I shall have something to offer a lady.”

That left Mazy out, since she was no longer a lady.

Sir Berenger was a knight, and he no doubt aspired to much more. His father had been an earl, and his older brother, Gerard, had married the Princess of Montciel, a small kingdom on theContinent. Sir Berenger would not be content to live in a small house with a woman who was no one.

What was she thinking? Of course he did not think of her as a possible wife, so how could it matter? He was Lady Delia’s brother and John’s fellow knight. He was someone who let her practice archery with the squires he was training. That was all.

But he was so very noble, and handsome too.

“I suppose we should go get some food.” Sir Berenger got up from the ground and stretched. “It must be well past midday.”

Mazy agreed, and they walked together through the woods toward the castle, chatting about Roger, about caring for his nephew, and about whether a woman could ever be a knight.

It was good that he did not think of her as a possible wife because that made their friendship all the more comfortable, though it did hurt just a bit, deep inside, that Sir Berenger did not think of her that way. And yet, she could hold close the words he had said—“You are fair and lovely, and therefore will have many men vying for your hand in marriage.”

That must mean something. But perhaps he was only being kind.

Seven

Berenger and the duke took two guards with them as they set out on the journey to speak to Baron Wexcombe.

Poor Mazy. She was such an intelligent young woman, not to mention kindhearted, enjoyable to talk to, and fair of face and form. It was a shame she had such selfish brothers as Sir John and Baron Wexcombe, and even more of a shame that her father had died.

The journey would hopefully be a pleasant one, especially if the weather remained good. As his brother-in-law, Strachleigh was more friend than master. He treated Berenger as an equal, even though he was a duke and Berenger might never be more than a knight.

Although Mazy probably did not want to rely on the charity of his sister and Strachleigh, at least she never would have to feel as if she had no place to go.

He truly hoped, for her sake, however, that her brother would decide not to cast her off.

When they reached Castle Wexcombe, they were welcomed with cold formality by the baron and his wife.

“We have come on behalf of your sister, Mazy,” Strachleigh said.

The baron frowned. “My sister who ran away from home with only a common ploughman? Who traveled for two days before reaching you?”

Strachleigh’s mouth tightened but he made no reply.