Good book. After her father's death, Josefina left her home in Venice to escape an unwanted suitor's attentions and fulfill a promise to her father. She will travel and paint the wonders of the world that he missed out on. After painting her way across Europe, she came to England and set up as a street artist to earn more traveling money. At the end of the previous book, Revealing the True Miss Stansfield, Artemisia chose Josefina as the street artist to train as part of a wager with a member of the Royal Academy. Josefina has been living at the art school and learning the techniques she needs to paint the agreed-upon portrait of oyster businessman Owen Gann.

Josefina is talented, headstrong, and frequently reckless. As the book opens, Josefina returns from a run with the local smugglers filled with the excitement of another successful trip. On the way back to the school, she encounters Owen, who warns her of the danger to herself and the school if she continues her reckless behavior. Josefina blows him off, telling him no one will dictate to her, but something about him draws her.

Owen is a self-made man. He began life as an oysterman before using his keen intelligence to create a successful business from it. Owen is pragmatic and serious, focusing his attention on growing his business. He feels a deep-seated responsibility toward the people of the village and, unknown to them, watches over them. Lately, Josefina holds most of his attention and an intense but unwelcome attraction.

I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Owen and Josefina. As Josefina prepares to paint his portrait, she needs to spend time with him and get to know him. Owen is a very private man, and he doesn't share himself with many people. Their first portrait prep meeting was painful to watch as Owen did everything possible to foil Josefina's attempts to learn more about him. Her frustration was evident in her later complaint to Artemisia, prompting some advice from her and her husband. I loved seeing Josefina take that advice to heart and put it to use the next day.

This began a new chapter in the lives of Owen and Josefina. I loved seeing her wiggle her way into Owen's trip to check the oyster beds and finally find a window into Owen's true self. I loved watching the change in him as he explained the oystering process and again as he met with the oystermen. This Owen fascinated Josefina and inspired her to keep digging into his life. The more time they spent together, the stronger the attraction between them grew, as did feelings neither wanted to admit. Owen had been burned in the past by a woman who couldn't accept him for who he was, so he resists risking his heart again. Josefina focuses on her promise to her father and her plans to continue her travels when her commitment to Artemisia is over.

I ached for both Owen and Josefina as they fought their feelings. Owen reached the point where he wanted more but was afraid to go after it. Josefina struggled with her feelings for Owen and her need to fulfill her promise to her father. To complicate matters, Josefina hadn't given up her activities with the smugglers. She began to feel guilty about her part in an upcoming run, one that could cause problems for Owen. Sure enough, something went wrong, creating an awkward and dangerous situation for Owen. Owen's feelings of betrayal made him pull away, while Josefina finally understood her feelings for Owen too late.

But love finds a way, and I liked seeing them brought back together. The judging of Josefina's portrait is the catalyst and isn't without drama of its own. I loved seeing Josefina stand up to the intrusion of her past and Owen find a way to make both their dreams come true. The epilogue was excellent, with a delightful surprise at the end. ( )