Chapter Fifteen
AMSTERDAM, 1622
‘Well, I like Jakob.’ Nico narrowed his eyes against a misty blade of morning sun, slicing in through the high window.
‘You like everyone.’ Clara considered, for a moment, whether she envied him it when she sometimes found it rather difficult to like people at all. It sounded easier … more comfortable, at least. Particularly when he knew it would be reciprocated. It was definitely difficult without that. She frowned for a moment, thinking. Could it be her reticence came from fear she would not be liked? She shook her head, trying to gather her thoughts and crossed to the two easels, removing the covers from the canvases. ‘Jakob reminds you of you at that age. But Pieter is the better artist.’
‘Not so.’
‘Hmm,’ Clara said, as he joined her to view the pup
