Secrets in Mourning by Janelle Daniels Page B

that’s right,” Elizabeth said, pausing to gather a new sheet. “You’re going into half mourning soon aren’t you?”
    “Yes. I can’t believe so much time has already passed. To wear something other than black, even if it is gray or lavender will be wonderful.”
    It was sad for the Duke’s family that he passed away, but Victoria still couldn’t bring herself to grieve for a man who had a full life, especially since she hadn’t really known him, hadn’t had any real affection for him. But she would be dutiful. She would follow the mourning ritual and pay him the respect that he desreved. He had provided her with a wonderful future and it was the least she could do.
    “Perhaps you will be able to find a brooch. Something in jet, of course,” Molly offered.
    Victoria chuckled. “Perhaps.” She briefly wondered if Connor would enjoy seeing her in another color, perhaps a piece of jewelry to adorn the new dress, but snuffed out the thought. It shouldn’t matter what Connor thought. In her opinion, finding a piece of jewelry might be nice, but it wasn’t high up on her priorities. Her number one goal was to find help, to fully staff the manor.
    The next day passed quickly, everyone so excited about the festival that they finished their work early.
    “Did you hear that there will be a performing group? I even heard one can juggle ten objects at once!” Molly had exclaimed that same afternoon, making Victoria promise that she would take time to see the juggler with her.
    “Of course,” Victoria had said happily, still a little shocked that the woman wanted to spend time with her. While improper, Molly was quickly becoming the best friend Victoria had ever had. Certainly the most sincere.
    Making sure to leave early, Victoria was there a little bit before the hiring fair began at the beginning of the festival. With wooden coins in hand to seal their employment, she was ready to hire as many servants as needed.
    The sun was still out as Victoria wandered the lines of people looking for work, each of them holding an item that proclaimed their profession— a cook held a spoon, a maid held a mop, and so forth, making it easy to discern whom to approach.
    After hiring three more housemaids, two footmen holding trays, and another kitchen girl and helper, Victoria sighed in relief. Handing out a wooden coin to each of them, she told them to stop by the manor tomorrow and they would handle the specifics of their employment.
    Each party seemed pleased with the deal. But Victoria felt as if she were getting the better end of the bargain. It would be so much easier to run the house with extra help, and she would finally be able to give both Elizabeth and Molly a break.
    “Lady Victoria! Over here!” Victoria recognized the voice, but couldn’t find Molly in the crowd. Finally locating the slender woman, Victoria smiled in greeting as she wove through the crowd to get to her. “The juggler starts the show,” Molly said, her eyes bright with excitement. “He should begin any minute. We should stay here so as to see it best.”
    Victoria laughed at the girl’s excitement. She herself had seen far grander things when she lived in London, but after being away from the glitter so long, a juggler sounded like enthralling entertainment. “I can’t wait to see him. Think he can truly juggle ten items at once?”
    Molly nodded seriously. “I even heard that one of the items is a sword. Another is a torch.” She paused dramatically. “A lit one.”
    “Is that so?” Victoria couldn’t hold the disbelief from her voice. Even in London such an entertainer would find a captive audience.
    “This is so exciting,” Molly said, scanning the crowd. “I heard there will be dancing later.”
    “Oh.” Victoria’s heart dropped slightly. Dancing was one of the things that she missed most. But the fact that she was in mourning prevented her from taking part in those festivities. “That will be wonderful to