Chapter 18
AFTER THE MIDDAY meal, Johanna told Nellie that she wanted to go out.
Nellie had just taken delivery of the first of the dresses that Mistress Dina had made for Johanna. This particular one was dark blue. Being made of velvet, it was also warmer, which was a problem, because the day was sunny and bright, more summer than spring.
Father stood at the door to his quarters when she left. “That dress looks even more ‘proper’ than the grey one.”
“Does it?”
The sleeves were equally long, the neckline equally high and the top equally shape-less.
“I take it you’re going out?” Father said.
“Yes.”
He nodded.
“You’re not even asking where I’m going?”
“I trust it’s some place where you can do important things for the country. You’re big enough to look after yourself now. I trust yo
