Page 37 of Fortress of Snow

“I can.”

“Have you ever had any trouble?”

“Nothing I couldn’t take care of myself.”

“Truly?”

“Truly.” She rather liked that he worried about her. She wouldn’t want him to worry overmuch, but knowing he was a little bit worried was oddly comforting.

Mazy smiled at him. And sighed, as he talked to Ro about their wares. He was so handsome, and even after war, he had not lost his humble and easy manner of talking and behaving.

He stayed a bit longer, buying several items from her stall, even things she was sure he did not need. And that was how she knew: he was the same kind, generous, good-hearted Sir Berenger that she remembered. Battle had given him a few extra scars on his hands and one faint scar on his cheekbone, but it had not taken the goodness out of him.

“Fare well, MissMazy,” he said with a gentle smile. “I shall not leave London without coming back for a visit.”

“You had better not. We are old friends, are we not?”

“Of course. And I shall bring Sir John with me, if I’m able.”

“Fare well, Sir Berenger.”

When he had walked away, Ro grabbed her arm and squeezed it so hard Mazy gave a weak cry, making her loosen her grip.

“Mazy, he is the best-looking man I’ve ever seen.” She was still staring after him as he walked away. “Oh heavens.” She let go of Mazy’s arm and fanned herself with her hands.

He was very handsome, but something inside Mazy wanted to tell Ro to stop looking at him like that. He was not just good-looking; he was good. And that was far more important and desirable than his outward appearance.

“Now I understand why you talked about him so much.” Ro patted her heart. “He belongs to you, of course, but if he didn’t...”

“He doesn’tbelongto me.”

“I don’t know. He seemed very happy to see you and very concerned for your safety. And he didn’t exactly push you away when you threw your arms around him.”

“Was that bad? I am so impulsive sometimes.” Mazy put her hands to her cheeks, which were hot as she remembered how she had reacted to seeing him. They’d never embraced like that before. Had she embarrassed herself?

“He didn’t seem to mind.”

“But he doesn’t think about me in a romantic way, I know he doesn’t. He thinks of me only as John’s little sister and as a friend.”

“Well, things can change. You’re beautiful, Mazy. I’m sure he noticed.”

“But he’s a knight and I’m no one.”

Ro’s expression changed from flighty excitement to a more somber look. She even sighed as she raised her brows at Mazy. “There is still hope. I know knights usually marry women from titled families, but perhaps the king might force the baron to give you a dowry, if you asked him.”

“No, that’s not even a possibility. And don’t let me stir up hope for something that can never be. Sir Berenger will have much higher ambitions than marrying me. He is the son of an earl, a knight who went to fight battles and will have found great favor with powerful men, including the king. I must be content with being Sir Berenger’s friend.”

Certainly she wanted what was best for him, and if that was for him to marry someone who would give him wealth and power, then may God make it happen.

Berenger made his way to the Tower of London, where he had been told to meet the king at the king’s apartments.

His heart was full at seeing Mazy looking so well and prosperous, but a moment later his stomach churned at the thought that Sir John did not seem to be looking after his sister. Thankfully she had her friend’s father living in the same house. He must surely provide a measure of protection for her.

At least, Berenger hoped so. He suspected things had not always been smooth and easy since she’d come to London. Strangely, he felt sorrow and guilt over not being there for her,wishing he could have saved her from whatever dangers or loneliness she may have faced.

He’d thought about Mazy many times since he’d left Strachleigh. He was grateful that his sister gave him occasional updates on her, saying she was in London and that she was well. Though he had known her for only two months at Strachleigh, she was his friend, and he felt as if he had let her down.

Perhaps that was only his boyish longing to rescue a damsel in distress, since he hadn’t exactly rescued any damsels in Prussia.