‘Is your business in trouble? Must I stop purchasing almonds or the pheasant you so love? What am I to cook if I cannot have my preferred ingredients? Will the girls get new dresses this winter? How will we host a wedding celebration?’

Vincenzio jumped up. ‘Enough, Lucrezia!’ He took her by the shoulders and pressed firmly. She flinched a little at the pressure of his fingers. ‘You have nothing to worry about, I assure you.’

‘Then can you explain to me why Signore Palagio spoke otherwise? Am I to be gossiped about in town now?’

‘He is a frivolous man who listens to every little peep without the mind for context or discernment. Do you understand?’

‘I suppose you mean he believes everything he hears, much as all of Florence does, husband, which is why I am distressed.’

Vincenzio sat down. ‘I will not justify my business to my wife.’

‘I ask no such thing, only tell me if the wool shipment is in your warehouse or in the docks still.’

‘Damn it! These things are delicate and complicated and I do not expect you to understand.’

‘Will we still have friends left to grace us with their society when Maria’s wedding day arrives?’

‘Why ever wouldn’t we?’

‘Because if you lose your business we lose our position and the society of good people with it. Mark me, husband, for I have lived the life of a poor widow before, with only a small stipend left me after my husband’s debts were paid, relegated to renting rooms, fearful of losing even that level of security. Were it not for you, I’d be there still and I have no wish to return.’

‘Nor shall you. Now give me peace, woman, and find me something to eat.’

Vincenzio made sure Lucrezia did not stay a moment longer. He’d had enough of her badgering. He glowered at the window where she’d stood and brayed rudely into the emptiness of her shadow. She got inside his mind like none other with her needling comments. Just when he’d found some modicum of peace too.

He turned to the lion statue beside his desk and kicked it. It resisted, so he kicked it again and again till the tip of the lion’s nose broke off. He stomped it to dust. Then he shook out his leg and refilled his cup before sitting again. It took longer than usual to control his breathing. He focused on the unlit candle taper. The women in his life were causing him more pain than pleasure these days; only young Maria gave him solace. It was when a girl grew to a woman that her spirit changed.