Page 89 of Fortress of Snow

“A passing fancy? That sounds like quite an insulting and cruel thing to say about a young woman who agreed to marry you.”

“We had a bit of a falling out... That is, we are not to be wed.”

“I see.”

“Dear, sweet Mazy, in your heart you must feel some love for me.” He passionately kissed the back of her hand. “Marry me, please, and put me out of my misery.”

Part of her wanted to chuckle, and another part wanted to jerk her hand away in disgust.

“I am sure you will find someone else just as quickly as you found Harriet.”

“Do not tease me so cruelly. You had told me you would not marry me. Are you saying I should have waited for you? Well, perhaps you are right. But I have realized my error, and my heart wants none but you.”

She almost asked him, “Did you hire a troubadour to teach you these overly sentimental declarations?” But instead she said, “Forgive me, Martin, but my heart belongs to my businesspartners. I must think of them. If I were to marry, I would leave them without a way to care for their families. You would have me betray them. Alas, I cannot be so cruel.”

“I would allow you to keep working in the market if you wished. In fact, I would help you expand to help more women sell their goods in the market. I am considered somewhat wealthy, as I am my father’s heir, and you know that I am starting my own merchant business, importing goods from the East.”

In truth, it was a good offer. A girl like Mazy could hardly hope for more than a man like Martin, who was not poor, could give her a good home, and would no doubt be able to provide the protection her brothers had refused to give her.

As she looked at Martin—he was not bad to look at, he had all his teeth and hair, and he did not seem to have a lot of vices—she tried to imagine herself married to him. Yes, she could probably love him. If he was her husband, she would love him. But she simply could not reconcile herself to marrying him. She could protect herself with her knives. Her business was doing well. And she wanted love, an exceptional love from an exceptional man.

But then she heard herself saying, “Let me think about it, Martin.” Though she still thought about Sir Berenger every time she pondered the idea of marriage.

He narrowed his eyes at her. “I will see this as an opportunity.”

“An opportunity?”

“Yes, an opportunity to convince you that I will make a good husband and you will not be sorry to say yes.”

“I’m afraid I must work now, Martin.”

Juliana was eating a fruit pasty, cherry juice dripping from herchin, while a customer chose some of the fruit that had come in from the countryside that morning from one of Mazy’s suppliers.

The woman who manned the booth next to Mazy’s cackled. She must have been listening to their conversation. “Don’t be an inconsistent lover!”

Martin’s cheeks were tinged red as he stared down at Mazy. “I won’t be inconsistent this time, MissMazy. You shall see. I shall be as constant as the sun and moon and stars.”

He kissed her hand again and slowly walked away.

While Mazy helped the customer, weighing her cherries on the scale, her heart smote her. Was she leading poor Martin on a fool’s path, only to ultimately say no to his proposal? Wouldn’t it be kinder to tell him he had no chance now rather than later?

But no one she had ever met could compare to Sir Berenger’s good humor, good character, and ability to make her want to tell him everything that was in her heart. He was kind and compassionate, not just to her but to everyone, whether humble or noble. And he felt... safe.

A pain went through her chest. Sir Berenger didn’t want her. He wanted to treat her like a friend, to hire someone to watch over her, notbethe one to watch over her.

Well, she didn’t need him. She had friends already, and she had her knives.

Berenger gave Giles enough money for six months’ worth of wages.

“Look after her, but don’t let her know you are doing so.”

“Yes, sir.” Giles went toward the market to find Mazy, staring down at the heavy bag of coins in his hand.

Giles was a good man. Even if Berenger had to flee the country or, God forbid, the king arrested him and had him beheaded for whatever lies Lady Bristow was telling him, Giles would do as he had asked. He would protect Mazy.

But what would happen to her after six months?

His heart sank. He had been forced into considering marriage to Lady Bristow, and because he would not follow the king’s wishes, he had possibly let his family down... again. Hadn’t he let Edwin down when he failed to prevent him from losing his arm and nearly being killed? Falling out of favor with the king had been the cause of nearly losing his brothers and his own life. He’d been determined not to let that happen again. But all his efforts had led to just that—losing favor with the king.