The Baroness Viktoriya sat down on the couch with a sigh. She had accompanied Johanna to a garden room with doors and windows along one side. The flowers in the castle garden outside looked bedraggled from the rain.
“Unfortunately, my husband is not at home, so I will help you, right?”
She was wearing a dark green dress today and a black vest, a sombre ensemble without lace, which, apart from the rather low neckline, would not look out of place in church in Saardam. The only spot of brightness was a gold and jade brooch that held her shawl in place. Her dark hair was piled on top of her head, held in place by a hair net with tiny glass beads.
They were both silent while a maid brought some tea and a plate with dainty little cakes. She set a cup on a little table next to Johanna. The bre
