Page 35 of Fortress of Snow

Almost immediately, a young woman caught his eye as she threw her head back and laughed. He knew that face, and he knew that laugh. Delia had told him she had gone to London with Sir John not long after he left for Prussia, but could it really be her?

“Mazy!”

He called out to her and she turned her face toward him. Her eyes went wide and a smile spread over her entire countenance.

Mazy hurried out of the stall and threw her arms around him. But only for a moment. She stepped back, and Berenger saw her blush, as if the impulsive embrace embarrassed her.

“Sir Berenger. You are back from Prussia.”

“I am. And you are in London.”

“It is so good to see you. I prayed for you many times. Because of the fighting. Your battles with the Teutonic Knights, of course.”

“Thank you for your prayers.”

“I am so glad you are well. Let me introduce you to my friend, Roesia Sadler.” She turned and waved her hand at the red-haired woman selling two loaves of bread to a woman.

“Is this Sir Berenger?” Roesia said, looking from him to Mazy and back to him.

“Yes, this is John’s friend, Sir Berenger of Dericott.”

“I am pleased to make your acquaintance, miss.”

“You may call me Ro.” She was smiling from ear to ear, while her eyes examined him from head to toe.

“Delia said Sir John is now a guard captain at the Tower of London.” He could hardly take his eyes off Mazy. It had been two years, and she was pretty as ever, even more so now that she possessed a bit more maturity in her expressions and confidence in her manner.

“John was a guard captain at the Tower, but now he is one of the king’s personal guards. He follows the king wherever he goes.”

“And you?” He leaned closer to Mazy so no one else passing by might hear. “Are you staying somewhere safe, with safe people?”

Mazy smiled, showing white teeth, her eyes sparkling. He’d never noticed before how delicate her brows were. Had her eyelashes always been so thick and dark?

“I am living on the top floor of Ro’s father’s alehouse, the Swan. I am quite safe.”

Berenger nodded. “I am glad.”

“Have you been to visit your sister in Strachleigh? I know she missed you very much. We send each other letters, and she writes of you often.”

“I did. I went there as well to see my brother at Dericott. Delia is well. Did you know she is having her second child soon?”

“Yes, she wrote to tell me. She is such a good mother. Her children are so very blessed.”

“I quite agree. And she told me that you are well, but she did not say what you were doing.”

“Oh yes, Ro and I started out baking bread and selling it here, but now we sell many other things, as you can see.” She stepped back and showed him fruit pasties, various kinds of bread, goat-hair scarves, woven hoods, embroidered belts, and even wrought leather shoes.

“Did you make all this?”

“No, we get most of our wares from women who live outside of London and who entrust us to sell them, then we give them most of the money. We can get a better price for them here in London, so everyone benefits.”

“I am very impressed.”

She was not the shy young woman he had known at Strachleigh. But even then, she had been eager to help, to learn, and to be independent.

Sir John must have to stay alert to protect such a beautiful, sweet-tempered sister as Mazy.

Mazy could hardly believe Sir Berenger was right there in front of her. He had changed a bit, as his face was fuller, he had a short beard now, and his brown hair was longer. But he was just as handsome as ever, and more so, and the gentle expression on his face gave her the same warm feeling inside.