Regency Christmas Courtship by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

In her dream, she was being chased by a big black bear whose gaping jaws stretched into an uncanny resemblance of her uncle's smile. Snap. Snap. The teeth were coming ever closer, threatening to swallow her into a maw of darkness.

Shrinking back with a small cry, Anna found herself sheltered inside something reassuringly warm and solid. Her lashes fluttered and she was vaguely aware of a dark shape swooping in to ward off the danger.

"No need to be alarmed." Nicholas brushed another tangled curl from her cheek. "The howl is just the sound of the wind picking up."

Now fully awake, Anna sat up. "How long have we been sitting here? It looks dark as midnight outside."

"Not more than an hour, but I am afraid the storm has come back with a vengeance." The wood paneling shivered as another gust slammed into the coach. "I don't think we can expect a rescue party anytime soon. We are going to have to fend for ourselves."

Even with her nose pressed up against the glass, she could make out naught but an impenetrable white shroud surrounding them. "Lud, the temperature is dropping as well. If it gets much colder, we will have to consider abandoning the vehicle and digging a snow cave."

"A snow cave?"

"In Russia, it is a common practice when travelers are stranded in a storm. The snow provides much more insulation than a drafty vehicle. It is actually quite cozy, and can make the difference between life and death."

"How very interesting." She had half expected Nicholas to dismiss the idea as far too outlandish, but he looked rather intrigued. "Do you speak from experience?"

No doubt it would only add to her image of being a very foreign sort of female. Not that she really cared what Lord Moreton thought of her. She had grown accustomed at school to being considered different from the other girls.

"Yes." Her chin rose a touch, as if to deflect any derision. "My grandmother and I were caught in a snowstorm while traveling from Moscow to her country estate in Obuchovo. I was only fourteen and a bit frightened, but she had braved many a winter and made it seem like a grand adventure." Her tone turned slightly wistful. "She kept me entertained through the night by recounting traditional Russian folk tales, with their fearless bogatyrs, enchanted ice maidens and magical firebirds. I was disappointed come morning, when a search party found us and dug out our sleigh."

"I can well imagine. 'The Feather of Finist the Falcon' was a particular favorite of mine when I was a schoolboy."

"You are familiar with Russian wonder stories?"

"I usually had my nose buried in a book while the other lads were out playing cricket." He made a wry face. "You are not the first one who has thought me a stick in the mud."

Wishing that her tongue had not been so well aimed as her snowball, Anna said as much.

"No need for remorse," came the cheerful reply. "Such boring habits came in

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