His lips curled as he spoke. ‘Now we are ruled by one man alone, who claims to take instruction directly from the mouth of Jesus Christ our Lord no less, and who has beguiled the city into believing his is the only truth. I am a man of God, I dedicate my soul to His work on this Earth, and I do not question another’s private contract with the Lord, but this preacher goes too far.’

Luna frowned. It seemed he’d forgotten she was there. Her friend was breathing heavily. His cheeks were red and his eyes flicked about. She’d not meant to cause this dark humour. It worried her. ‘No one is listening, friar,’ she said.

‘Hush, now! Your loose tongue will be your downfall. You are no longer a child and the city is a changed place. You may match any man in argument, yes, but your sex discredits anything you say. We must tread carefully; the preacher Savonarola looks harshly upon any woman who, by using her mind as you do, questions the very essence of her purpose. For God created woman for procreation. Friar Savonarola preached this only yesterday. You are an aberration in his eyes.’

‘What of the book I carry with me? The work of Isotta Nogarola is held in high esteem.’

‘Isotta Nogarola lived a life of seclusion devoted entirely to God. That is why she was allowed to write such books, and she did not boast about her intellect.’ He looked at Luna pointedly. ‘She overcame her own nature and embraced a book-lined cell, a praiseworthy resolution, to be sure.’

‘I wonder if you use this argument merely as an excuse to silence me because you know I am right.’

The friar shook his head. ‘I do not jest. Your woman’s body is as clear as the Sun’s roundness in the sky; no longer can age protect you.’ He slapped the mule’s hide and whistled it into step once more. They re-joined the busy thoroughfare.

After a while, Luna spoke again. ‘Isotta Nogarola needed a father like mine.’

‘I advise you to read further on the life of this lady you so admire.’

‘Do you not think she was the model of a good citizen?’