He held his hand to his chest, feeling for the beat of his heart. It thudded deep within its hollow chamber. Vincenzio breathed slowly, letting the notion sink into his bones. He was not going to be arrested. The Great Council did not know of his efforts to buy soldiers for a Medici army. If he dealt with this Palagio problem swiftly, he’d be home in time to join his family to sup. He had a strong desire to sit at the head of his table, with Lucrezia to his right and his children spread around him, and most of all to see his son revived and back to his usual mischievous self.

*

It was well past curfew when Vincenzio slipped through the doors of his home for the second time that night. Any man would have chosen the quiet of a tavern after the disrespect he’d endured around his own table. After Mass, he’d convinced Tommaso Palagio with a honeyed tongue to sign the marriage contract, accepting the conditions Tommaso had added. Then, when all he had wanted was to eat in peace surrounded by his family, he’d been rudely challenged by Leonarda. It was a delicate and exhausting dance, this parlaying of his daughters’ futures to keep his own and that of his business alive, as well as holding faith in the Medici exiles whilst showing loyalty to his city. He’d needed to escape after enduring such an unpleasant meal, just for a few hours’ relief from the constant pressure of being the head of this family. This day had very nearly undone him.

He’d not meant to stay out past the ringing of the bells, but he’d drunk too much to care and, in truth, he’d enjoyed skulking home in the shadows. It made him feel like a young buck again. Only now he needed his bed. He trod lightly as he could across the courtyard and made his way upstairs, conscious he was late and a little over-indulged. The stone was slippery, though, and he stumbled on the steps. The noise it made felt like Apollonius’s hooves were pummelling his head. That brought Lucrezia out.

‘Don’t judge me, woman.’ Even to his own ears, his words sounded slurred.

‘Indeed I do not. I know what a challenging day you’ve had and I forgive you the libation.’ She took his arm and helped him up the stairs.

‘How is my son?’

‘Well enough. He sleeps now quite calmly and I hope he will wake in the morn no less active from his mishap today.’

Vincenzio grumbled at the uncomfortable pinch of her fingers as his wife guided him to his chamber and began to undo the buttons on his vest.

‘It was no mishap,’ he said. ‘That was a direct warning to me.’

‘What say you?’ Lucrezia stared at him in confusion.