The Words In My Hand

I read The Words In My Hand by Guinevere Glasfurd which is set in 17th century Amsterdam (sound familiar?).  A young woman, Helena, moves from the country to a job as a maid to Mr Sergeant who has a French lodger, Rene Descartes.  Helena and Descartes come to know each other very well and when the inevitable happens she is forced to move to a place where she is not known.  For a while after the birth of her baby girl, Descartes lives with her.  The author has based her story around what is known about these two people and their relationship.  31/2/5