Page 70 of Fortress of Snow

The man leaned back, studying Mazy.

“She’s a trustworthy soul, just looking for some information to help a friend. You may not be able to help her, but...” Ro shrugged her shoulder.

“What is it you want to know?” Reginald Worsley looked out of heavy-lidded eyes, and Ro went back to her duties.

“I have a friend,” Mazy began, “a knight named Sir Berenger, who has been asked by the king to marry a widow. There have been some rumors about this widow, and... I’d just like to help him know the truth before he marries her. He is a good man, you see. A very good man.” Tears sprang up out of nowhere. Mazy coughed and cleared her throat to get rid of them.

“The widow of the Earl of Bristow.”

“Yes.” Mazy’s heart leapt. Perhaps he did know something.

The man eyed Mazy a moment before speaking. “I have heard of this knight and the likelihood of marriage to Lady Bristow. I shall—only because I trust Ro—I shall see what I can find out.”

“Thank you. I would be very grateful. Thank you.”

The man nodded, grabbed his spoon, and began to eat his stew.

God, thank You.It was nothing yet, but at least it was the first step toward possibly discovering something that would help Sir Berenger.

***

The next day Mazy was helping serve customers when Reginald Worsley came in and sat down at the same table as the day before. He locked eyes with Mazy.

She hurried toward him.

“Sit.” He nodded at the stool beside him.

She sat and waited.

“What I’m about to tell you can never be tied to me or to my wife. You are never to say that we told you anything.”

“Of course. You have my word. I will not tell.”

“I don’t have facts, only hearsay, you understand.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Though the king refuses to believe it, many say that the lady in question poisoned her husband with death cap mushrooms. The king apparently questioned her over the matter, but she persuaded him after much weeping and protesting that the rumors were lies. She also has misled the king about the little girl who lives with her, saying she is her cousin, but she’s actually the dead earl’s brother’s child. The child is the true heir to Bristow Castle, which is why she keeps her parentage a secret.”

Mazy’s heart pounded sickeningly. “That is so evil.”

“But I never told you any of this.” Reginald stared intently into her eyes.

“No, but I am so grateful to you. Very grateful. If you ever need anything...”

“Ale and stew are all I need today.” His expression lightened a bit. “And I’m glad if it helps save the young knight’s life.”

Mazy fetched the man his ale and stew and whispered to Ro, “Don’t charge Reginald Worsley anything.”

Ro’s eyes brightened. “He helped?”

“Yes.”

Mazy had to warn Sir Berenger, but she could not trust this information to a letter. She would have to tell him in person.

Berenger kept thinking about Lady Bristow’s behavior the night before. He remembered the way she had practically begged him to kiss her, the feel of her lips on his.

She could be crafty and sly. He still wondered why she had likely lied about the shipwreck. He also still felt quite unsettled about the way she treated Juliana, though he’d never seen her mistreat the child, and she often spoke kindly to her. Juliana had warmed up to Berenger but was stiff and untalkative when Lady Bristow was nearby. But he did feel much compassion toward Lady Bristow regarding the way she’d been so wronged by her first husband.