Signore Palagio laughed at that. It was weighted with derision. ‘If a woman throws her arms around whilst speaking, or if she increases the volume of her speech with greater forcefulness, she will appear threateningly insane and requiring restraint.’ He looked at Luna as though he’d just defined her.

‘You quote Leonardo Bruni d’Arezzo,’ her father commented.

Luna felt the eyes of everyone around the table on her and hated it. Worst was Guido, who sat between his mother and her dear Maria. Papa was still speaking but she couldn’t make out what he said for the pounding that had started in her head. She could quote Leonardo Bruni just as well if that’s what she had to do to quiet this arrogant little man.

‘Proficiency in any form’—she adapted the quote for in fact Bruni spoke of literature—‘when not accompanied by broad acquaintance with facts and truths, is a barren attainment; Leonardo Bruni could just as well have been speaking to you, sir.’ The fierceness of her voice surprised Luna and she saw from the others’ faces that they were taken aback.

‘Be quiet, Leonarda.’ There was thunder in her father’s eyes. He flicked a glance at Signore Palagio then across to Mamma Lucrezia. ‘You must be silent and dutiful. That is all the world can know of my daughter.’ Her father’s voice was resolute.

‘Of course she is,’ Mamma Lucrezia echoed her husband with a cheeriness that belied her fury. ‘My girls are good daughters of Florence.’

For the rest of the dinner, Luna sat as she’d been instructed, silent and dutiful, but her mind rushed furiously through her plan. She would write the treatise on a Sun-centred universe forthwith. She pictured Signore Palagio hearing of it; that ignorant man would instantly dismiss her as a madwoman. He’d waste no time in circulating the news amongst the good families of Florence; he’d not be able to keep it to himself. When Signore Palagio realised the parchment was writ by her, he’d make sure that all of Florence society knew of her impudence. Her papa would assuredly have to curtail any notion of her marriageability after that. Luna was relying on it.

‘There are excellent dishes still to come out,’ Mamma Lucrezia spoke hurriedly as she picked up a plate of roast woodcock and walked round to where the gentlemen sat. She served Signore Palagio. ‘We are most excited about our children’s betrothal.’

He nodded in acknowledgement and then again to encourage her to drop another bird onto his bread.

‘May God bless their union.’ Signore Palagio turned his attention to Papa. ‘Though it did take much convincing for me to overlook the faults of the sister.’

Papa nodded and took a slug of wine.

‘We are forever in your debt,’ Mamma Lucrezia said.