Papa grunted approval.

‘Then I must beg an increase in the household coin. I stretched it this month but only because I charmed the butcher into giving me five birds for the price of four.’ Mamma Lucrezia took up her wine and sipped. Luna watched her father. ‘Would it be such a bad thing to side with those in power?’ Mamma Lucrezia shrugged.

‘Do I now take political advice from my wife?’

‘Of course not. I wait for your direction.’

‘I would finish my meal in peace,’ Papa said.

Luna noticed her step-mamma rub the fading bruise then she nodded and turned to where Filippo was making a noise beside her. She ripped off small portions of the bird’s white flesh to feed to her son.

‘May we learn of what you speak?’ Luna asked her father.

Mamma Lucrezia cocked her head towards Papa. She had a flush of colour in her cheeks.

Papa took some time wiping his hands clean. Luna shuffled in her seat.

‘I have received an offer of marriage,’ he said eventually and waved Maria to stand. ‘Though I warn you all against an outbreak of women’s nerves, especially since I have not accepted it.’

Maria exclaimed softly and cast a dismayed eye at Luna before she pushed back her chair and went to stand by their father. Luna felt her heart begin to race.

Papa kissed Maria’s forehead and smiled. ‘I will petition other offers now the first has been received. The game is afoot.’

‘We will not need any other offers, husband, for I can tell you now that none will outrank the Palagio family in wealth and honour. I have known them since I was married in my younger years, and my dear departed Marco always admired the pious nature of Signore Palagio.’

Papa made a noise like a snorting bull and Mamma Lucrezia was forced to sit back in silence. He took Maria’s delicate hand and kissed it.

‘How long till I am wed?’ she asked him, and Luna marvelled at her sister’s composure even as her question belied her childish ignorance, for she must bleed before her marriage bed could be laid in. Maria viewed the world through a child’s eyes and why should it be any other way, for she was still a child and deserved to trust.

‘Your betrothal will be settled as soon as your papa sees sense and accepts Signore Palagio’s offer,’ Mamma Lucrezia answered hurriedly.

They all looked to Papa. There was a long moment of silence then he took up his wine, ignoring his wife, which Luna could see from her step-mamma’s fiery expression infuriated her even more. ‘You will be promised when I receive an acceptable offer, though the marriage must wait until your womanhood.’

Luna smiled at Maria as she came back to her seat, though she knew it was a weak attempt at reassurance. At least Maria would not be wed for years.