Joy for Mourning

Dorothy Clark

In a move that shocks nineteenth-century Philadelphia society, wealthy widow Laina Brighton turns her grand house into an orphanage for homeless children. Staid and stuffy teas quickly give way to peals of happy laughter echoing through the stately halls.With the support of handsome doctor Thaddeous Allen, Laina is determined to give these waifs a better life, despite the malicious gossip that surrounds them. As these two crusaders, bound by honor and courage, create a future for the forgotten, they change the course of their own futures in ways they never imagined. Along the way, they make a felicitous discovery: that sometimes people become a family in their hearts.

PRAISE FOR DOROTHY CLARK AND HER NOVELS

“A dynamic story of two lonely people in a desperate search for love…riveting and fast-paced…a fabulous story. Top Pick. 4? stars.”

—Romantic Times on Beauty for Ashes

“In Hosea’s Bride, Dorothy Clark skillfully lends a modern twist to the Biblical story of Hosea. A powerful faith message is deftly interwoven with a wrenching tale of a woman who doesn’t believe she is worthy of love. Top Pick. 4? stars.”

—Romantic Times

“Dorothy Clark has woven a beautiful, compelling story of God’s mercy and healing.”

—ChristianBookPreviews.com on Hosea’s Bride

“This debut novel…is one that will keep you turning page after page until you all-too-soon reach the end. The forgiveness and love [the heroine] finds when she becomes a Christian is truly inspiring.”

—RomanceJunkies.com on Hosea’s Bride

Joy for Mourning

Dorothy Clark

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

This book is dedicated with deep appreciation to my talented writing friends and critique partners, Debby Dill and Nancy Toback, who have been with me from the beginning on this book.

Thanks for your unfailing graciousness and encouragement.

You two are the best!

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Discussion Questions

Chapter One

New York, 1822

She couldn’t stand it! Not for another minute! She had to go someplace where there were people, laughter, life. Laina Brighton swept her gaze around her beautiful, richly furnished drawing room, and the despair she now lived with on a daily basis gripped her anew. It was so elegant, so perfect, so empty. She missed Stanford. Oh, how she missed him! If only they could have had children, perhaps—

Laina wrenched her mind from her heartrending thoughts, blinked away the tears that sprang so readily to her eyes these days and walked swiftly to the doorway. Her reflection flashed in the gilt-framed mirror as she hurried past. Her steps faltered. She turned and went back to stare into the mirror. The sorrow was still there, but so was a look of determination she hadn’t seen on her face since Stanford had died so unexpectedly nine months ago. She whirled and yanked open the door.

“Beaumont?”

The impeccably garbed butler materialized as if from thin air.

Laina frowned. And that was another thing—the servants hovered. They were so solicitous it was smothering her!

“Yes, madam?”

“I’m going to Philadelphia, Beaumont.” She ignored the quickly stifled look of shocked disapproval in his eyes—Beaumont was a stickler for convention. “Tell Carlson to prepare the carriage immediately. I wish to leave within the hour.”

“Within the hour? But madam, that’s imposs—” He stopped short as Laina stiffened her spine. He gave her a small bow. “Yes, madam—within the hour. Will there be anything else?”

“Yes. Send Tilly to my room to help Annette with the packing.” With a swish of her long black skirts, Laina spun about and headed for the ornately carved stairway that spiraled upward to the third floor. She glanced back over her shoulder at her butler as she began to climb. “And tell Hannah