13Florence, April 1475
«You do not like women Messer Filippino, do you?»
Simonetta’s voice startles me and the chalk slips from my fingers falling onto the rough paper with a dull thud, in the absolute silence of the room. Botticelli had been called away by a very important client to discuss compelling business and, albeit reluctantly, he had to leave. Therefore, it was up to me to welcome her when she arrived at the workshop and accompany her to the back room reserved for her. It is a spacious and cosy room looking out onto the courtyard, furnished sparsely with simple furniture. Of the apprentices I am the only one with permission to enter this room. Here, Simonetta is free to pose away from prying eyes and the Master can concentrate on her beauty without being disturbed by the noise o
