Chapter Eight
AMSTERDAM, 1614
On their way to the Singel market beside the farmers’ quay, Clara held Nico’s arm to step over patches of sky shining in wide puddles. The streets swarmed with townsfolk hurrying about their business now the rain had finally stopped and there was real warmth in the spring sunshine.
‘Will he ever make his move?’ Her paintings were still much in demand. Osias had even found a dealer eager to sell their work abroad and new patrons were showing interest, too.
‘Well, he don’t seem to of acted how we thought. You gets plenty of work still. He’s not messed with that.’
Out of the blue, Fabritius had commissioned another painting himself. Osias, knowing nothing of what had occurred between them months before, had been delighted. Clara, of course, had not. Though t
