Luna watched Signore Palagio slowly chew; she wanted to smash that bird’s leg into his mouth and see how well he spoke then. Her step-mamma stopped behind her chair and she felt a warning pinch to her shoulder.

‘It is late in the hunting season to bag wild game.’ Signore Palagio held up a clean bone appreciatively.

‘You can still find them, if you know where to search,’ Mamma Lucrezia answered in her most gracious voice.

‘And where would that be?’

‘Across the river; there are acres still rich with game.’

‘Well I thank you for your generosity in sharing both this meal and its source.’ He threw another bone into the basket and drank deeply from the goblet of wine set before him. ‘I am relieved that fine food and good wine are still to be found in Florence.’

‘We do our best.’ Her father refilled his guest’s empty goblet as he spoke.

‘You will find excellent apothecaries and, of course, cloth merchants, in Florence also,’ Mamma added. ‘I have been most impressed by the quality of offerings in Matteo Palmieri’s shop compared to those I used to favour in Bologna.’

‘Indeed,’ Margherita Palagio replied, with a nod of excitement. ‘I have been meaning to visit the apothecary and replenish my perfumes.’

‘I do not advise you to buy from Palmieri, wife,’ Signore Palagio said. ‘I hear he accepts Medici coin. The shop must be a hotbed of traitors.’

His wife gasped.

‘I visited Master Palmieri only days ago with my daughter. I can assure you it is safe. Nothing untoward was happening there.’ Mamma Lucrezia had clearly only meant to reassure the lady but the glare that Papa gave her made Luna think she’d said something terribly wrong. She waited for her father’s rebuke, but instead he mentioned the order of cloth that was ready for Signora Palagio. Her step-mamma hurried out of the room.

Mamma Lucrezia returned and presented Signora Palagio with a paper package drawn up with string.

‘This is the crimson-coloured wool, as you requested. I am pleased to have it finally ready.’

‘Thank you, though I’m not sure I have any use for it. When I first placed the order, the colour was in fashion, but since then Friar Savonarola has opened my eyes to the decadence of such attire.’ Signora Palagio waved to a servant and handed the parcel over without bothering to open it.

‘We have another shipment of the finest plain wool arriving soon, do we not, husband?’ Mamma Lucrezia said. ‘I would be happy to set aside a quantity for you.’

The lady Palagio looked to her husband with surprise.

Papa coughed awkwardly. ‘Forgive my wife’s impertinence,’ he said. ‘Offer our guests more wine, Lucrezia.’

‘No need to apologise. I know your business woes and admire your wife’s determination and optimism.’