This is a sumptious tale of young girl who was forced by family circumstances to work as a wash up maid in the household of a reclusive perfectionist artist. We are captured by the rich detail and superbly wrought characters in this marvelous 17th century setting in Holland. A fantastic journey full of emotion and adventure touched by the hint of eroticism. Great for the coming cold weather and snuggling up with an occaisional GODIVA chocolate !!! I'm going to read it again.