‘Next I discerned huge Orion, driving wild beasts together over the field of asphodel,’ she whispered—lines from Homer’s tale. Odysseus had come upon Orion in the underworld and Luna saw him now too. ‘Who grasped in his hands a mace of bronze,’ she recited as her eyes found his shape in the stars. There was so much beauty to be found in the study of astronomy, not just the mathematics but poetry and tales of the mythical gods. Luna left the shutters open as she prepared for bed.

Maria’s breathing had settled into a soft pulse that told Luna she was deeply asleep. Even after the distress and trepidation of learning a husband was already being chosen for her, she dreamt easily and Luna hoped for the same restful slumber as she snuggled in beside her.

*

Luna woke with a jolt at the creak of the door. Her father was standing there and she only just managed to stifle a cry as he pressed two fingers to his lips in conspiratorial silence. It was past the midnight hour, in the second sleep of the night, and only the mice scuttled through the scullery nearby. Luna sat up and blinked at the ghostly vision, imagining for a moment she was still dreaming, but Papa’s heavy breathing was of flesh and blood.

‘Follow me. Hurry now,’ he whispered and Luna nodded. She gently eased the covers down and dropped to the floor, tucking the blankets back around Maria’s warm body before turning to the door. She shivered in the silvery light, confused by her father’s request.

‘I’m coming,’ she mouthed silently, pushing through the familiar stab and prickle of pain. She did not stop to attach her peg-leg but hobbled carefully to the door, passing the pile of clothes she’d dropped on the trunk earlier, avoiding the creaky section of floor she knew only too well. When she was close enough she held on to the doorframe to steady her weight. ‘What’s the matter, Papa?’ she hissed.

‘Hush, Luna, don’t wake your sister. I’ll explain outside.’

She followed him to the landing, stopping to close the bedroom door gently. It was as dark as the depths of a well in the corridor and quiet as the still water waiting at the bottom. Luna paused a moment in case the noise had woken Maria, but there was silence. The smell of roast pheasant still lingered and Luna’s stomach twisted with hunger. Her father stood impatiently tapping a toe against the top stair; there’d be no sneaking something to eat from the kitchen this night. She bundled her hair into a knot then felt for the firmness of the staircase.

‘For goodness’ sake, Papa, what on Earth are you up to?’