‘It’s late. You must be hungry.’ The housekeeper turns to face her. ‘The mistress is already abed. You’ll meet her tomorrow.’

‘And the gentleman? Will I meet him then, too?’

Susanna shakes her head. ‘Master Crispijn was due home yesterday, but he sent a letter ahead to say he’s been detained. You must be hungry. I’ll have some bread and cheese sent up to your room. First, let’s have a look at you.’

She forces Anna to stand before her, where puddles of light cast by her lantern overlap in buttery crescents.

‘Young,’ she mutters, but unlike the woman on the water barge, Anna senses it’s not an insult. ‘You have plenty of years left in you. But a lady’s companion… You’ve no training?’

Anna shakes her head.

Susanna tilts her head. ‘You will be quite the pair, then. My mistress has never had a companion before. An apprentice, yes, but that is a different thing. She never had want of a companion. If she needed anything, she sent for me or Lotte, the kitchen maid. Now she has you.’

Anna wants to ask why the sudden change, but she stays mute. Despite the housekeeper’s kindness, she’s afraid she will embarrass herself by babbling some foolish nonsense. She imagines her voice shattering the glittering illusion, the grand house vanishing in a swirl of candlelight and paintings and porcelain.

‘You need some proper clothes.’ The housekeeper pinches the edge of Anna’s cloak and wrinkles her nose. ‘Give me your measurements. I’ll arrange for the family’s seamstress to make them for you. The fee will be deducted from your wages. You cannot be seen at court and other occasions wearing a pauper’s garments. In the meantime, you’ll find some serviceable bodices and skirts in your room. Other small items, too. Pins and pattens. They belonged to Margriet but you might as well keep them.’

Anna’s head flies up. ‘Why? Isn’t she coming back?’

The housekeeper’s mouth curves into a horseshoe of disapproval.

Ignoring the question, she beckons Anna towards the stairs. They have almost reached the first step when a commanding voice rings out from above. ‘Is that my new companion?’