Livia sat on the bed. ‘They grow a few fruits and vegetables to feed themselves, so you will likely work in the garden. In the summertime they sell herbal medicines and bread when it is too hot for anyone else to bake. I suggest you offer your services for cooking. To be sure, it will be a different life, but hardship is what brings us closer to God. They have accepted you without a family and such good fortune is a sign of your calling.’ She bent to lift the pail of water set aside for Luna to wash. ‘This is the last time I will serve a Fusili.’

Luna rose to take the pail from her and Livia took the chance to grasp her hand.

‘You will be safe at the monastery, do not forget that.’ There was intent in the pressure of her hold. ‘For that reason I am content to leave you there, though it will not be easy. I had hoped to see you with a husband and babes of your own before we parted ways.’

‘I’m sorry I can’t give you that.’

‘God’s set a path for you and we must accept it willingly.’

‘Livia …’ She struggled to control her voice. ‘What do you know of the day I was born, the real story?’

The maid shrank a little. There were creases where her mouth pressed into a firm line. ‘I suppose Mistress Elisabetta could not keep it to herself. She was always very opinionated. I told the friar it was a mistake to send you here of all places, but he did not understand why, and unlike these gentry, I can keep a promise.’ She paused and crossed herself, whispering, ‘God rest his soul.’ Then she raised her voice and said, ‘Why would you want to know any more? I’m sure she told you what happened.’

‘But you did not tell me what happened. In all our years together you did not think that I deserved to know the truth?’ Luna put down the bucket and waited with crossed arms.

‘Nothing I could have said to you would have changed anything.’

‘Yet I would still have preferred the truth.’

‘I promised the master, and I kept that promise to his dying day.’

Luna’s shoulders dropped. ‘I understand. My father demanded loyalty.’

‘What did you think you’d gain by digging into the past like this?’ Livia’s voice was less indignant now. ‘Your father was a fine gentleman of Florence. Did Signora di Novara tell you how on the day of your birth, still damp from the flush of your mother’s waters, Giulia ordered me to take you to the convent and leave you there as an orphan? Her own baby! She was afeared your father would blame her for your deformity and cast her out. He saved you from that fate at least, Leonarda.’

So Luna knew the truth now. Her mother had not wanted her either.