She gave me a long hard stare. “One never knows what tomorrow might bring,” she said.

I finished my shopping, found a little pot of cyclamens at the market and came back to the flat feeling quite pleased with myself. It was going to be a jolly Christmas with Angelo now old enough to participate. The room was unusually quiet when I entered the flat.

“Francesca?” I called. “Is Angelo sleeping?”

She came out of the kitchen, her face a stoic mask. “They came for him,” she said.

“What? Who came for him?”

“They didn’t say. They just took him, and when I tried to intervene, one man said, ‘Stand aside, woman.’”

The world stood still. My heart was thumping so loudly that I was sure she must hear it.

“Were they police? Army?”

She shook her head. “I think they were men who work for the Da Rossi family.”

“They had no right!” The words spilled out. “They can’t take my son. I’m going to get him back right now.”

“You can’t. They are powerful people, signorina. I tried. I tried to stop them.”

“I don’t care if they are powerful. I’m going to get him back.”

I ran all the way down the stairs, trying to control my racing thoughts. Did this mean that Leo was safely back home and had taken his son? If not, who would have ordered this outrage? Leo’s father, who wanted a grandson and heir? Surely not Bianca, the unmaternal one. I was usually careful about crossing the city by the main thoroughfares during daylight because I had no identity card, but today I didn’t care. Past the accademia building and over the bridge to the Da Rossi palazzo. I didn’t even hesitate as I went up those austere steps, past the stone lions on either side, and hammered on that enormous front door.

A male servant opened it. “Is Signor Leonardo Da Rossi returned?”

“No, signora,” he said. “He has not. It has been many months since we have seen him.”

“Then I need to speak with Signora Da Rossi,” I said.

“May I tell her who is calling?”

“You may. It is Angelo’s mother. I have come about my son.”

I waited, gasping for breath because I had run all the way, my heart still thumping in my chest.

He returned. “The signora is not available for visitors right now.”

“Rubbish!” I said and pushed past him before he could grab me. I had no idea where I might find anyone in a house this size. I blundered forward through a marble foyer, hearing the footman shouting after me.

A maid came out. “Where is Signora Da Rossi?”

“In her bedroom, signora, but she doesn’t . . .”