Luna stood with Maria behind her parents and waited for their guests to arrive. Filippo hung off Livia’s arm, impatient with being made to stand still. Luna watched the easy freedom with which he scuffed the flagstones with his boots. Then footsteps sounded and Signore Palagio and his wife appeared. Up close the man was short and he carried himself angrily. Luna remembered Signora Palagio’s arrogance and composure and saw that she was taller than her husband. Tonight she held back and waited behind him, her head dipped in dutiful politeness. Their son followed next. He cast around the company and his wide-set eyes settled on Luna. She gasped uncontrollably and had to press a hand against the wall to steady herself; here was her tormentor. How could she not have thought to ask her step-mamma anything about Signore Palagio’s son before now? His reaction to her behaviour at Mass made sense; it was his son she’d insulted.

‘My daughters, come forward.’ Her father held out his hand and beckoned them to him. His voice was calm and his eyes spoke only of the pride of introducing his children. Luna forced herself to move with Maria, though she remained a step behind her younger sister.

‘This is Maria Benedetta, who will fulfil her duties as a wife and mother in the house of Palagio.’

Signore Palagio nodded formally as Maria made a curtsey.

‘Guido Michelangelo.’ Signore Palagio spoke and his son stepped forward and took Maria’s hand. Her little fingers clung to his. Luna wanted to rip them away and pull Maria back to her. He was so much bigger than her sister.

‘Hello.’

Luna heard Maria’s politest attempt at a greeting and her jaw clenched at her sister’s childish desire to please this wretch of a man.

Guido nodded as he dropped his forehead to touch the back of her hand. He remained bowed in silence. Luna saw Maria’s skirts quiver as she smiled and waited. Her own legs threatened to give way. After a respectable few seconds, Maria’s suitor let go of her hand and stepped back in line with his father. Luna took a deep breath, readying herself.

‘And my eldest child, Leonarda Lunetta.’

Luna heard her name like the echo of a stone Pippo might drop into the well just to hear the novelty of its splash. She stepped forward. The ease with which she moved was surprising, for she’d thought perhaps her legs might betray her. She curtseyed as best she could and was rewarded by a nod from Signore Palagio. Thankfully that was all the acknowledgement it appeared she’d get, and she moved into the background once more. After acknowledging Filippo, the two gentlemen led the way through to the main hall where the table was laid with a feast of dishes. As they moved off, Luna felt the eyes of Guido Palagio upon her.