‘Then, pray tell me, husband, what is it about, if not your misguided fascination with her talents? For I predict further trouble to come from your tomfoolery. Maria’s betrothal is not so secure as to be beyond disaster.’ Luna heard the exasperation in her tone. ‘You say Signore Palagio was at Palazzo Venturi Ginori. Did he witness Leonarda’s unveiling?’

‘Do not speak to your master with such contempt.’

A chair scraped back and Luna heard a slap and a thud. Silence. Her father’s anger was never easy to predict. She crossed herself. Next she heard the ting of glass against glass; Mamma Lucrezia must be pouring wine. Luna pictured her father downing the wine and more than likely demanding another. She waited to hear him loosed by the drink but her step-mamma’s voice came again.

‘Listen to me, Vincenzio. No man seeks out a clever girl to wife and we cannot afford to keep Luna nor can we afford to let her damage Maria’s future. Her only place is as a wife and mother in some other home. I want her gone.’

Luna’s heart throbbed loud in her ears. She knew her step-mamma’s first loves were Filippo and Maria, but she’d thought she had a small place in her heart too.

Then her papa spoke.

‘I have made arrangements for Luna to join the Sisters of St Clare in Arcetri.’

Had her father gone mad? Luna swayed dangerously and leant into the wall for support.

There was a brief silence, broken by her step-mamma’s exclamations of delight and relief. ‘Why did you not tell me sooner? This will put an end to any gossip. A most welcome outcome.’

‘Let this be a lesson to you, mistress.’

‘Most assuredly, my husband, you do solve the worries of this family. When does Leonarda leave us?’

‘After the feast of St Francis.’

‘It will be fortuitous to have a nun in the family. God bless you, Vincenzio.’

Luna’s head swam. Days earlier, Papa had made her dress as a boy; today he’d have her a nun! Five weeks, that was all the time she had left with her family. She felt her heart tearing apart and all her papa’s love draining out, yet still the blood burned hot within her veins. This home was where she belonged. She would not be silenced.

There was shocked surprise on both their faces when she swung open the door and stormed through to interrupt her parents’ conversation. She steadied her peg-leg and took a deep breath.

‘I would speak with you both.’

‘Good morrow to you too, Leonarda! Where are your manners?’ Mamma Lucrezia said.

Luna bowed but would not be abashed. ‘I overheard you discussing my future and I cannot remain silent.’