Page 36 of Fortress of Snow

Ro’s eyes were wide and so was her smile as she stared at him.

Ro had once asked her, “Is there any man alive that you would marry? If you had to get married tomorrow, who would you choose?”

Sir Berenger instantly came to her mind. In fact, there was no man in the world she would marry—no one except Sir Berenger. Unfortunately, she admitted this to Ro, and now Ro would probably say something to embarrass her.

But Mazy knew she was foolish to think of Sir Berenger. He only saw her as John’s little sister, and he would marry a lady of noble birth. He would never want to marry her.

Truly, she had not realized how rare he was—a good man who was brave but kindhearted and thoughtful—until she had come to London and seen that most men were nothing like SirBerenger. The men she encountered every day were many things, but kind and generous, gentle and helpful were not usually qualities they possessed. Sir Berenger was all those things, and the longer his absence, the more she felt it. In fact, she had begun to think she was probably remembering him as better than he actually was.

“Lady Delia told me that your army was victorious.”

“We were. I am on my way now to see the king. He summoned me to the Tower of London.”

“Oh! That sounds very promising. He will reward you for your service.”

“I am not sure what he intends. We shall see.”

She wanted to ask him more intimate questions about how he felt during his first time fighting a battle. He must have many thoughts and feelings about it, and she wanted to know them all. But it had been two years since they’d seen each other, and she felt a bit of awkwardness between them that had not been there when he left.

“Are you in London to stay?” Ro asked, leaning forward eagerly.

“I am not sure. It depends on what the king wishes and where he sends me.”

“I hope you can stay a little while,” Mazy said. “Perhaps you and John can come for a meal. I can cook now. I will cook for you.” It might be less awkward if her brother came with him, but John rarely came for a visit, even when she sent word, inviting him.

“Mazy is an excellent cook,” Ro said.

“I am sure she is. But does your brother not live with you?”

“No, he sleeps at the knights’ barracks. I see him only occasionally.”

“So you live with your friend and her family?”

Mazy exchanged a glance with Ro. Then she leaned close to Sir Berenger and whispered, “I live alone.”

His eyes widened. He opened his mouth, and she was sure he was about to tell her that it was too dangerous for a young woman to live alone, so she quickly added, “But Ro and her father live below me.”

“You are sure you’re safe?” he asked.

“You know how capable I am with a knife,” Mazy said, giving him an arch look.

Oh no.Was she flirting? She’d be mortified if she thought he saw her as a flirtatious woman.

“I know you are, but... a young woman living alone? It is unheard of. I can’t imagine why Sir John would... That is...”

He was trying not to criticize her brother, she could tell.

If she were being completely honest, she did not wish to live alone. But it was not so bad. She enjoyed some time by herself after being around people all day. She could do what she wanted with her evenings, and she did not enjoy her brother’s company. When he did come for a visit, he was often drunk and irritable. Sometimes he yelled at her or accused her of being the reason he had not gone to Prussia with Sir Berenger and the others, and therefore he’d probably never have an opportunity to distinguish himself and be rewarded with an estate or a title.

When he said this to her, she felt horrible, her stomach sinking to her toes. But after she thought about it, after he had gone,she realized his decision not to go to Prussia had nothing to do with her.

No, Mazy did not wish her brother to live with her. She was better off by herself.

“I suppose I will see Sir John today when I go to the Tower.”

“I think you will. He is always with the king.”

He nodded, then stared thoughtfully at the ground for a moment before saying, “And if you are ever in trouble, you can send for your brother, I suppose?”