Author’s note

Prologue

… I can’t remember dying

Chapter 1… Venice 1765

Chapter 2The oar dipped and splashed

Chapter 3… Bridgette climbed the marble steps

Chapter 4… Our small kitchen

Chapter 5There are no mistakes

Chapter 6Antonio’s eyes followed me

Chapter 7… London 1766

Chapter 8… The butler stood inside

Chapter 9Honored to meet you

Chapter 10My studio became my refuge

Chapter 11I was in my studio

Chapter 12… I couldn’t figure out

Chapter 13… My dearest Papa

Chapter 14I awoke early the next morning

Chapter 15… Often that winter I was tempted

Chapter 16… The royal summons came

Chapter 17… I found myself more than a bit curious

Chapter 18… The old grey trunk

Chapter 19It was the evening of the masqued ball

Chapter 20… At Mass the next morning

Chapter 21… I stared at him

Chapter 22… Colors swirled

Chapter 23The wedding at Saint James not withstanding

Chapter 24One thing was clear: I had failed my husband

Chapter 25… When I arrived at Golden Square

Chapter 26… I’m so relieved to have my daughter back

Chapter 27I did my best to concentrate

Chapter 28… Nor did I see him again

Chapter 29… Whatever might be happening at midnight

Chapter 30… London 1781

Chapter 31… Asleep on the boat

Chapter 32… Rome 1786

Chapter 33… When I entered the Sistine Chapel

Chapter 34… On Christmas Eve

Chapter 35… Now I see why

Chapter 36… So thrilled was I

Chapter 37… It was Sunday

Chapter 38… Heeding Antonio’s advice

Chapter 39… After Wolfgang left

Chapter 40… Marriage and motherhood

Chapter 41… Never having been

Chapter 42… Although it seemed

Chapter 43… More than a week passed

Chapter 44… When will you finish

Chapter 45… Shortly after I arrived

Chapter 46… We had only been back

Chapter 47… On the afternoon of April 23rd

Chapter 48… I excused myself

Chapter 49… Each day stretched into the next

Chapter 50

… By the following spring

Epilogue… Rome 1807

Acknowledgments