‘Do you leave for your country villa soon?’ Mamma Lucrezia asked.

‘My husband insists we remain in our city home for at least another month, though I am keen to remove to cooler surrounds. The dirt is so much worse when it’s hot, on my skin and on my clothes, and the smells.’ Her mouth turned down as she spoke.

‘We usually retire to Careggi, but not this summer.’

The lady raised her eyebrows. ‘It must be worrying to be so closely aligned to that family in exile. I’m surprised you still speak of the Medici and their palaces.’

Mamma Lucrezia turned to a servant and Luna saw how her cheeks flushed. ‘More wine,’ she ordered.

Luna and Maria still stood awkwardly, for they had not been asked to sit. Luna gave her step-mamma a pointed stare but got no reaction.

‘The Medicis were your benefactors, I believe? Disappointing to lose that support. I hear the Fusili shop on Via Tuargo has little stock these days. A sign of difficult times? How are you managing?’

‘I’m sure we do not listen to gossip.’

‘Lucrezia.’ Mistress Palagio touched her step-mamma’s arm as a close friend would do. ‘We have known each other many years. There’s no shame.’

‘I assure you, I am quite content. We want for nothing.’ Here she turned to Luna and Maria. ‘Sit, my daughters, and let us share some delicacies.’

‘Perhaps the gossip I hear is wrong,’ the lady answered. She reached out her hand again to Mamma Lucrezia, who took it willingly.

Margherita Palagio then turned her attention to Luna and Maria. Mamma Lucrezia beckoned to Maria and Luna watched her move closer to the ladies. Their guest lifted Maria’s chin so she could better inspect her face.

‘Your daughter is a pretty thing.’ Signora Palagio nodded to Luna next. No one spoke so that the click and clack of Luna’s crutch sounded loud.

‘This is your other daughter?’ she asked Mamma Lucrezia, although she already knew the answer. Luna’s face grew hot under the scrutiny.

‘This is Leonarda Lunetta, my husband’s firstborn.’

‘Yes, of course; I recall the story of the cripple.’ Her eyes lingered on Luna’s leg. ‘You are a good woman, Lucrezia, I remember that of you, but I caution against allowing her out in public. The sign of the Devil is upon this one.’

Luna’s fingers closed tight around her crutch. She would not give this horrible woman the satisfaction of seeing her wobble.