Chapter Ten
AMSTERDAM, 1615
At last arrived at the docks, Clara judged the worst of the weather behind them when sunshine began to c***k through the grey slab of cloud where gulls wheeled and cried, drab ghosts against it. Then, as the boatman poled them along the Singel – past straining, jostling roped lines of merchant boats – she could not help but recall this journey first taken with Osias four years before.
The fine spell had broken as they sailed out of Antwerp on the morning tide three days after deciding to return to Amsterdam. She had not seen Henri during their preparations and understood he had been equally vigilant in avoiding her, though he had slipped a formal note of condolence for the loss of her mentor under her chamber door. That they could not share their childhood me
