The baby snuffled and squirmed and Livia rocked the small bundle, shaking her head as she watched her mistress, but she said no more. The door closed quietly behind her as she left.

Giulia lay back. She would bear other children for her husband, of this she was sure, and the firstborn must be strong and healthy: a son and heir whose looks would rival those of the Medici princes. She must pray.

In the next room, the baby squirmed with longing for her mother’s familiar feel and smell. The wet nurse, believing there was no immediate urgency to depart for the convent, settled herself comfortably against the bolster of her bed and opened her blouse. ‘Eat, little one, hush now,’ she crooned softly, rocking herself back and forth as she pressed the baby’s face into her bosom. It was a relief to feel the pressure of her milk ease and she sang a lullaby as the baby drank. The tune was one she’d sung to her own darling babe. Had it already been one moon? This baby girl sucked much more strongly and Livia cursed the heartlessness of her mistress. Still, her husband would be angry as the Devil himself if she came home without a wage and she would need this lady’s good word if she was to find another position.

In her chamber, Giulia crossed the floor on all fours to kneel in front of the image of the Virgin and Child that rested in a gilded frame atop the wooden dresser. She supposed that most women suffered this crippling tiredness after the birthing and sucked in another lungful of air. The hard floor pressed uncomfortably into her knees, a poor distraction from the belt of pain that tightened in her belly again and again.

‘Hail Mary, full of grace, our Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.’ Then she added her own prayer: ‘Heavenly Mother, forgive me my sins, so that I may bear children in your perfect image. I ask this not out of pride, but for my most cherished husband.’ She sat back on her haunches and cradled the weight of her empty belly. Blood droplets filled the cracks in the wood. ‘I ask this in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.’ She did not rise until the final supplication was fulfilled then crept back to her bed, whispering incantations. ‘May God give me a child without fatigue or danger, a baby boy who makes urine of silver and gold.’