Chapter 16
JOHANNA SPENT MOST of the afternoon on the couch in the living room. She felt tired and ill, and her feeble efforts to do some embroidery didn’t come to much. Even Nellie was surprised about it when she came in to bring tea.
She nodded at the work on Johanna’s lap. “That’s an unusual sight, if you don’t mind me saying so, Mistress Johanna.”
“I thought, since it’s my child, I better start taking an interest in the things that an expectant mother is supposed to do.”
“Oh, but myself and the other girls can do all that. Just you keep busy with important things.”
Johanna sighed. “They don’t want me, Nellie. They’re not going to listen to me. Roald is not going to turn up to meetings and help me. I’m tired of fighting these stupid, pompous noblemen.”
“Just have a good rest. Your
