‘There is no need for apologies.’ Elisabetta smiled and offered her a cup of wine. ‘I only hope that your time with us is a relief from the path you have already travelled and due preparation for the journey ahead.’

‘Thank you, signora.’ The wine warmed her throat and settled in her belly. She felt her composure return and the remnants of her dream dilute. ‘I have taken much pleasure in walking through your estate and watching the winter settle over the fields. I didn’t imagine I would gain such relief from physical exercise but my whole person has benefited.’ She pulled at a piece of bread.

‘I would have thought you’d be more conscious of the benefits,’ said the professor. ‘Anyone who’s familiar with Hippocrates knows that the body in harmony makes us healthy. Exercise draws on the body’s materials whilst food and drink restore them.’

‘I apologise for my professor. Domenico tends to assume everyone is as well read as he,’ Nicolaus interjected good-humouredly.

Luna smiled but didn’t reply.

‘This young woman’s education could match your own, Nicolaus,’ the professor said.

The table fell silent. Luna knew the professor expected her to join in their discussion but she did not want the attention that expressing her opinion invited. The presence of the professor’s student had turned the table into a forum of debate. Why did men harbour such a need to impress each other? The thought reminded Luna of her papa’s humanist circles when it had been she who stood and argued prosaically. It was good she’d sent the note to Livia.

The professor broke the silence. ‘Nicolaus lost his own father when he was just a boy. His uncle has been his guardian ever since.’ He spoke matter-of-factly. Again, Luna sensed a kinder approach in his words. ‘He too is an orphan.’

‘I am sorry to hear that.’ Luna busied herself with choosing a fig. The professor might be kindly but this was too familiar and she wouldn’t be drawn into conversation of her family.

Nicolaus shrugged his shoulders. ‘It has been many years since I thought about my past. I choose to live for the future. What say you?’

Luna looked up with surprise. ‘I have not thought on this question,’ she answered honestly. ‘I will soon be joining the Sisters of St Clare, so my future is set.’

‘Whereas I am a student at the University of Bologna.’ He held his wine glass up as though in salute. ‘Though my studies often bring me here,’ he added and smiled at the professor.

‘Do you not like the university?’ Luna asked.

‘Indeed I do! I confess I prefer the lectures of Filippo Beroaldo and Alessandro Achillini to the dry legal discussions, but I most enjoy the benefits of practical learning in the field with Domenico.’