Page 92 of Fortress of Snow
When Juliana had eaten a little bit, she fell asleep in Mazy’s lap.
“Let me take her to bed.”
Ro hurried to her side before she could get up. “I’ll take her so you and Sir Berenger can talk a bit longer. I’ll put her in my bed until you come and get her.”
Mazy started to object, then relented.
They talked until Ro returned. “She’s sleeping soundly. You can leave her all night if you wish, or you can go and take her when you’re ready.”
“Thank you, Ro.” Mazy gave her friend’s arm a brief squeeze.
“You’ve had a long day,” Berenger said. “I will accompany you to your room.”
He and Mazy made their way to the small storage room at the back of the Swan. They were alone now. He wanted to tell her how he felt, but he wasn’t sure if that was wise. Had he done something that might be keeping her from returning his feelings? He remembered how upset she’d been on their way back to London.
“Forgive me for upsetting you when I offered to hire someone to watch over you.”
“There is nothing to forgive. I don’t know why I was so angry.”
“I have a confession to make.” Berenger knew he might makeher angry again, but he didn’t want to be deceptive. She would no doubt discover it on her own eventually. “I hired Giles to watch over you. He is paid up for the next six months.”
As they stood facing each other, Mazy gazed at him but said nothing. Finally, after several moments, she said, “I know you did it because you want to be helpful.”
“I just want you to be safe.”
“You are very kind. Thank you.” But her eyes had clouded over. She was thanking him, but she was not altogether pleased. Something was bothering her, and he needed to discover what it was.
“I don’t know what will happen if King Richard decides Lady Bristow is telling the truth. I wanted to make sure you were safe as long as possible.”
“Do you truly think the king will believe Lady Bristow over you?” She wrapped her arms around herself.
Her brown hair fell down around her shoulders, a lovely, wavy curtain that only enhanced her beauty. One strand was lying against her cheek, drawing his attention to the smoothness of her skin. His heart clenched as he suddenly wanted to touch her, to feel how soft her hair was and how silky her cheek.
“I don’t know what will happen, but we must trust that all will be well.” His mind was numb. He felt as if he was only saying what he should say, what he should feel and believe, when in actuality he was grieved at what the king had said, afraid he might never be able to have the one thing he now realized he wanted.
“If the worst happens,” she said, gazing intently at him, “I want you to go into hiding, to save yourself. Promise me youwill.” Mazy leaned close and put out her hand, placing her palm against his chest as if to steady herself.
“Hiding is not befitting of a knight.”
“Is it better to let an evil woman cause your death? Please. Tell me you will not let the king arrest you.”
The anguish in her expression and in her strained voice made him lose his breath for a moment. Did she care so much for him? Was this why she had never accepted a marriage proposal? For he was sure she had had many, as beautiful and confident as she was.
“Do not worry about me. The king undoubtedly will have realized who is in the right by tomorrow morning and will send for me.”
“I can see that you do not believe that.” Mazy’s eyes filled with tears and she lowered her head, resting her forehead against his chest.
Berenger encircled her shoulders with his arms, pulling her close. She slipped her arms around his back and stood very still. After a few moments, she lifted a hand to wipe her eyes, but still she did not look up at him.
“Don’t cry, Mazy.” His heart was breaking, a pain shooting through his chest. “There is no reason to think the worst. All may turn out well.”
“You are the best man I know,” she said softly against his shirt.
“And you are the best and most beautiful woman I know.”
She laughed, a short, gentle expulsion of air. “I know that cannot be true.”
“Do you not know how beautiful you are? Look at me.”
