After finding myself unable to settle to any meaningful work in my studio, I felt the first pain as I crossed the alleyway back to the house. I paused for a moment on the frost-covered cobbles waiting for it to ease, my breath misting the air, before moving inside. I walked past Raphael’s workshop, though he was not there, having gone with his mother to Whitehall to meet with new patrons. Giuseppe glanced up and I gave him a quick smile. In the kitchen parlour, I found Maria – the lady’s maid I shared with Lucia – darning winter stockings. ‘Do you know where Pearl is?’ She would not be with the girls at this hour as they were at lessons with their governess.
‘She at the apothecary, Signora.’
‘Could you ask her to come to me in the drawing room when she gets back?’ I clenched my jaw as an
