Page 73 of Fortress of Snow

His stomach sank at the thought that Lady Bristow was not all that he hoped she might be. He would have to inform the king as well. Would the king be angry? Would he even believe Berenger?

He certainly had many things to ask God for, not least of which was His protection over himself and Juliana, for Berenger now knew that he could not leave the child to Lady Bristow’s guardianship.

Twenty-One

Winter had wrapped its icy fingers around England, but in spite of foul weather, Mazy would carry the information she had learned to Sir Berenger.

She packed a saddlebag the very night she heard what Reginald had to say about Lady Bristow, and the next morning she went to the Tower of London to ask her brother if he would go with her.

“How long will this trip take?”

“Three or four days there and three or four days back.”

“Can you not ask Ro’s father to go with you?”

“He died.” She had told him that.

Sir John grunted, a squinting look on his face. “Where are you going?”

“To Bristow Castle to see Sir Berenger.”

He flinched when she said Bristow Castle. “I know something of this Lady Bristow. You had better not be thinking of crossing her. She is not a sweet, innocent maiden like you, Mazy, so stay away from her.”

“What do you mean?” Ah, so he hadn’t been forthcoming with her before. Would he reveal what he knew of Lady Bristow? Her heart was in her throat. She was more convinced than ever that she needed to warn Sir Berenger.

After so long a pause she thought he wasn’t going to speak, he said, “Do not go to Bristow Castle.”

“I’m going, with or without you.”

Again, he was silent for several moments, then finally said, “You can’t go by yourself.”

“Then go with me.”

“I can’t.”

Mazy tried not to let herself feel disappointed. After all, she hadn’t really expected him to leave his duties to help her. “Can you recommend someone, a knight or a trustworthy guard who would go for a small amount of money?”

He said nothing for a long time, then, “I know of one guard who might go with you. But I’m telling you, you shouldn’t go. If you go, your fate is in your own hands. I am not responsible for you.”

“I understand. Can we ask him now? I would like to leave today.”

“Today? You’re not asking for much, are you?” He raised his brows and frowned. “I can’t promise I can find him. Wait here.”

She waited as her brother set out across the Tower Green at a rather slow pace. He couldn’t be bothered with hurrying, not for her.

John’s behavior had many times made her realize how little he must care about her, but if he found a trustworthy guard to go with her to warn Sir Berenger, it would be more than he had done for her since her father died.

Once she’d been a baron’s daughter, protected and loved by her father. Now she was alone. She’d learned to trust Ro and her father, and to trust in her own abilities, but her place in the world was precarious at best.

At least she still believed in Sir Berenger’s character. He was a good man, with a good heart, who loved his brothers and sister very much, and he’d always been attentive to her, she who was no actual relation to him. She had to try to protect him.

She saw John coming toward her with a man by his side, a man with gray hair and a gray beard.

“Mazy, this is Giles. Giles, this is my only sister, Mazy.”

Giles bowed to her. “You need my assistance, my lady?”

“If you are willing to accompany me to Suffolk, I need protection for eight days of traveling, possibly nine.” She told him how much she was willing to pay him. “Is it sufficient?”