Scandal's Daughter by Carola Dunn

Author:Carola Dunn [Dunn, Carola]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Regency Romance
Publisher: Belgrave House
Published: 1996-08-16T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

“It’s a glorious day,” declared Father Josif. “I trust your little brother is well enough to travel?”

“Yes, indeed!” James sagged against the cell door in his relief. “She...He has completely recovered, thanks to Father Nikola’s tonic.”

The priest’s eyes twinkled. “I shall tell the good father he has effected a marvelous cure. We shall leave as soon as we have broken our fast, for the going will not be easy.”

Their departure from the monastery was an ominous portent of the difficulties ahead. The wind had piled snow against the gates almost to the arch above, and when the porter opened them, he was knocked down by a minor avalanche.

Father Josif was undeterred.

Monks with shovels cleared a way for them through the monstrous drift. As they emerged at the top of the track, a vast white panorama spread before them, mountain beyond mountain dazzling in the sun, beneath a clear blue sky. Surprised at the warmth of the sun, James reminded himself he was in southern climes in spite of the wintry view.

The track proved steep enough to have shed most of its burden of snow, but the footing was decidedly slippery, with a sheer fall of several hundred feet to one side. Even the intrepid Father Josif, in the lead again, crept downwards with extreme caution. Dido and Aeneas did not care a bit for the descent, though Achates took it in his stride with his usual patient aplomb.

With several anxious moments but no mishaps, they reached the main track along the ravine. This was less dangerous—easy it was not. In places the snow was over the animals’ heads, but Father Josif bulled his way through the drifts with inexhaustible energy and good cheer. Well-rested and well-fed, Cordelia tramped along happily behind him leading Dido. Luck had truly been on their side for once when they met the priest.

Behind her, James echoed her thoughts. “It was our lucky day when Father Josif found us. Without him we’d never have reached the next village. I could not march through snowdrifts without turning a hair as he does, loath though I am to admit myself bested.”

He sounded so disconsolate, she had to comfort him. “He knows the path, and he is big as an ox, besides. I daresay it would have taken us longer without him, but you would have contrived somehow. You always do.”

“My thanks for your confidence in me, though not all of our escapes have been my doing.” He laughed. “One way or another, we have always succeeded in scraping through by the skin of our teeth, have we not?”

“More often than I care to recall!” Cordelia said tartly. “We have had more than our fair share of adventures.”

“Just think of the tales we’ll have to tell when we get back to England. That is...Oh Lord, I hadn’t thought.”

“Thought of what?”

“I’m not going to be able to tell any tales which involve you, and you are going to have to keep quiet about this journey altogether. Otherwise your reputation will be in shreds.

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