Page 80 of Fortress of Snow

“I think it best for both you and the child.”

“I shall write to the king and tell him how you are trying to steal the child for your own purposes.”

“Do as you please, but I will be leaving with Juliana.”

She glared at him. Finally, she stood up slowly, then regallywalked toward the stairs. He heard her footsteps as she went up to her room.

Berenger quickly left the table as well, going to talk to his men about being ready to leave the next day and warning them that there might be trouble.

“We are leaving in the morning,” Berenger said, making sure to speak to them outside the guards’ barracks. “The lady has been treating the child cruelly, so we will take her to Strachleigh until I figure out what to do.”

“Yes, sir. We will be ready.” They both looked resolved, and he left them.

Finally, just after dark on the fourth day, Mazy and Giles rode up the hill toward Bristow Castle.

Soon, perhaps within minutes, she would see Sir Berenger.

Her heart beat fast. What would she say to him? He would think she had lost her mind, but she would tell him what she had heard from Reginald Worsley.

Would he be offended? Would he believe her? Would he be embarrassed at her coming all this way to warn him? Or would he be grateful for the information? If he tried to embrace her, would she jerk back in fear? She would soon find out.

The road was dark, lit by only a small bit of moonlight. Giles led the way.

When they reached the top of the hill, she could see the massive castle, with its multiple levels and towers. This waswhat Sir Berenger could expect to be master of, could pass down to his children, if he were to marry Lady Bristow.

Perhaps he had already married her.

The thought sent a cold chill through her.

Mazy and Giles dismounted near the entrance to the castle, as no one had been guarding the gatehouse. Giles took their horses to the stable and Mazy approached the front door.

As she reached out to grasp the brass knocker, the door opened. Sir Berenger stood holding a candle.

“Good evening.” Mazy gave him her best smile and waited.

“Mazy?” His mouth fell open, then he quickly put his arms around her, pulling her into his chest.

She didn’t shrink back. Instead, she embraced him. All too soon, though, he pulled away.

“How did you get here? Did you come all this way alone?” He looked behind her, then motioned for her to come inside.

“I was accompanied by a guard. His name is Giles. He’s taking the horses to the stable now, as we have ridden hard for four days.” She said abruptly, “I have something important to tell you.”

This was not how she had intended to greet him, her words tumbling out in this way.

She wanted to say,“You look so handsome.” The breath went out of her and her hands started to shake. Why had she come here? Was it truly for his safety? Or was she so in love with him that she could not bear for him to marry another woman?God, tell me what to say.

When Berenger got back to the castle, coming in from the back, he heard someone at the front door and opened it.

Mazy.How could it be that she was here in Suffolk? Had his thoughts conjured her up? He’d been thinking about her all day, how glad he would be to go back to London and see her.

He stared at her beautiful face, her earnest expression, and his heart seemed to beat out of his chest. He brought his attention back to what she was saying when he heard, “I have something important to tell you.”

Steps on the stairs. Was Lady Bristow coming down?

“Come with me,” he said, hurrying her out. “It is so good to see you.”

As soon as he’d closed the door and was sure no one could see them, he embraced her again. Oh, how he had missed her, and how good it was to have her in his arms. But not wishing to make her uncomfortable, he soon let her go, much sooner than he would have liked.