Page 81 of Fortress of Snow

“It is good to see you too.” Mazy looked relieved and happy, and his heart did a strange flip inside his chest.

“I must be frightful to look at after riding for four long days.” She looked down at herself.

“On the contrary, you look beautiful.” He said it with a smile, hoping his words did not make her uncomfortable, his breath a white fog in the cold evening air.

They were standing in the bailey between the castle and the gatehouse, but a small stand of trees would block them from view of the castle if anyone was looking out.

“I know you must be exhausted. Forgive me, but it’s safer to talk out here.” Perhaps he shouldn’t have said “safer.” He didn’t want to alarm Mazy.

“That is good. I shall tell you quickly why I came and pray you don’t get angry with me.”

What could Mazy ever say that would make him angry with her? “You may always speak freely with me.”

“Very well.” She lowered her voice, forcing him to lean down to hear her. “I have heard from a reliable source that Lady Bristow’s child ward is not her cousin but the deceased Lord Bristow’s brother’s child, a child who would inherit this estate if her parentage were known.”

This was an important revelation indeed. If it was true, Juliana could be free from Lady Bristow!

“It is good of you to come here and tell me this.” Truly, it was more than good. His heart ached at the self-sacrifice of her actions, traveling in the dead of winter.

“I wanted to warn you about her character,” she whispered. “There is more. There are also rumors that she poisoned her husband, that he died at her hands. There is no proof and it is only a rumor, but I wanted to tell you to be cautious. Even John said she was dangerous.”

Had she really killed her husband? Rumors weren’t always true, of course, but they usually had at least an element of truth.

“Thank you, Mazy. I am grateful. Where is your guard, so that I may thank him too?”

“He will probably stay the night in the stable with the horses or the grooms.”

“I will pay him for his service.”

“There is no need, as I am paying him.”

Berenger took her hand between both of his. “You are so brave and capable.”

Again, his heart was beating out of his chest. He’d saved Mazy once, and now she was here to save him. Truly, she scrambled his thoughts until he could think of nothing but taking her in his arms and kissing her.

But that thought brought him back to where they were and who was nearby.

“We must take great care. Lady Bristow is inside the castle.”

“Should I stay in the village tonight? Lady Bristow will find my presence suspicious.”

“We will tell her that you are on your way to Strachleigh to visit my sister. Besides, I want to keep you close so I can be sure you’re safe. Come.” He started to lead her toward the castle and stopped. “Mazy? Thank you.”

“Of course.” The way she gazed up at him... those innocent but courageous eyes...

He had to think clearly, to keep her safe and to get Juliana out of the castle, and soon.

They proceeded toward the castle, still not encountering anyone until they were inside.

“Sir Berenger? Is that you?” Lady Bristow was coming down the stairs. Her face was red and her eyes were wet. “The guards say that a strange man asked to put up two horses in the stable and—oh. Who is this?”

The way she approached them put him in mind of a wild cat he had once seen stalking a rabbit.

“Lady Bristow, this is Mazy, the daughter of Baron Wexcombe. She is on her way to visit my sister in Strachleigh and stopped here with her guard to rest their horses.”

“Oh.” Lady Bristow tilted her head to one side. “And how does she know you?”

“I stayed with Lady Strachleigh for a short time when I was younger, after my father died,” Mazy answered.