Chapter Thirty-One
AMSTERDAM, 1629
Clara waited in the voorhuis for Henri’s coach to arrive – hers was not large enough to carry five – checking her appearance in the mirror. Simple black gown, white linen ruff, and a plain white coif concealing all her hair. ‘I look like a servant. I don’t see the point of this.’ She gestured at herself. ‘Hogerbeets has seen me before and I certainly wasn’t dressed like this then.’
The order to attend the synod court had finally arrived early in November. She felt only relief now to see it over, at last.
‘That cloth is too fine for a servant,’ Nico said.
‘You look quite sombre, for you.’
His blue velvet coat was discreetly embroidered with fine silver thread and his beeches were plain. He placed his hat upon his head before the mirror. ‘The red plum
