Elisabeth is a picture restorer This gives her the solitude and independence she needsliving and working alone in her flat Despite her skills and reliability Elisabeth undercharges for her workvaluing the worth of the paintings rather more than she values herself Her ambitions are modest beauty to look upon unintrusive friendships and complete privacy But when a mysterious and obviously wealthy man commissions her to restore his fabulous collection an uncharacteristic combination of curiosity and financial need prompts her to accept his offer Elisabeth soon realizes her error as the past and the present combine to make privacy her nemesis As she becomes a hostage to her patron her lover and her friend realize they know nothing about her or where she might be.
