The Duchess's Descendants (Jordinia Book 3) by C.K. Brooke

Author:C.K. Brooke [Brooke, C.K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, Adventure, Royalty, New Adult, Fantasy
Publisher: 48fourteen
Published: 2017-06-23T05:00:00+00:00

They hadn’t intended to stay more than an evening. However, one night with the Bonghee turned into two until, by the fifth morning, their party was finally packing to leave. Part of her wished she could stay behind with the friendly mountain dwellers, but Johanna wasn’t about to admit to weakness and arouse suspicion. Therefore, she resigned herself to the prospect of more sleepless nights out in the open, pestered by insects and the sound of men snoring.

The chief’s amicable wives insisted on loading their travois with baskets of beans and maize for their travels. The steer snorted impatiently. That was another prospect Johanna was dreading—inhaling the stench of animals all day long.

Junha and one of the guards had taken the mare for a drink at the stream, and Johanna awaited her equine chariot, lost in thought. It had been a close call when, the evening before, some of the Bonghee children had come upon her bathing. While they splashed and played, she’d kept everything below her shoulders submerged until they left. She’d wondered if they were too young to reckon her condition, but didn’t want to take any chances. It had been a close call.

“You look tired.”

She turned to see Drew approaching, his hair windswept. “Likewise,” she remarked.

“You sure you’re all right?” He held a hand to her forehead, and Johanna involuntarily flinched. “Easy. Your skin feels hot, Joni.”

“I’m wearing deerskin.” She bowed her head, causing his hand to fall away. “It makes me warm.” She folded her hands in front of her, praying he wouldn’t notice the protrusion of her stomach. “How are you feeling?” she asked, eager to evade the topic of her own health.

He looked pensive. “To be honest, nothing about this expedition has gone as expected.”

“You can say that again.” She cocked her chin in the direction of Ludwig and Kya. The couple stood removed from the others, overlooking the gaping valleys below, his arm around her waist. Ludwig’s hair trailed in the breeze and he pushed it out of his face with his free hand, leaning down to kiss her.

“Our Vigo’s a man now.” Somehow, Drew’s voice didn’t carry its characteristic amusement.

“And when do you plan on growing up?” She nudged her brother. “That could’ve been you, you know, had you married her instead.”

“She didn’t want me.” He grinned. “No self-respecting woman does.”

Johanna laughed. “For once in your life, talking sense.”

“Are we ready?” Officer Pearson guided the mare their way. Johanna nodded, and Bram came forth to help her mount.

The journey down the mountain lasted the entire day. Johanna ducked beneath branches and steered the horse as cautiously as she could. She was learning how to handle the reins better. At home, her primary transit was by carriage and locomotive; only local messengers and the bored elite rode horses, as far as she was concerned. But she was coming to learn there was something meditative about riding horseback.

The afternoon was wearing when the land finally began to level, and they reached the mountain’s base. Johanna thought she would become permanently bowlegged if she sat for another minute.

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