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She snapped out of her thoughts to see Peter approaching, hand raised to catch her attention. She beamed. ‘Hello.’

‘I was just on my way to see you,’ he said, and she could tell he wanted to touch her. She wanted to throw herself into his arms. They both resisted, but shared an intimate smile.

‘Oh. You seem… er, excited.’

‘I am. Listen.’ He pulled her towards a café and they sat down. ‘Er, coffee?’

‘Thank you,’ she said, looking back at him bewildered. ‘What is going on?’

He quickly ordered two coffees with milk from the waitress and returned his attention to her. ‘Do you have a… um, formal frock?’

‘Do you mean a ballgown?’ she asked, in a deeply sarcastic tone.

He laughed. ‘No, I mean a nice day dress.’

‘A couple. I wore one of the two I own yesterday… for you.’

‘Great. It was lovely, but anything without a pattern?’

‘I have a plain blue frock the same shape. Why are you asking?’ Was he going to ask her to run away with him? What would she say?

‘I want you to meet the Queen.’

She swallowed. ‘Pardon me?’

‘I think you should be there in the cathedral the day after tomorrow to welcome Their Majesties. It sounds like they will indeed be coming to see it – and the paintings. You deserve to be. You keep the place spotless. You know every inch of it. And far more to the point, you know as much about Caravaggio as anyone who will be standing there, including myself.’

‘Peter, that’s ridiculous.’

‘Is it? I want you there, by my side. But I want you there feeling equal to anyone else who is present to welcome the Queen and the Duke, if he comes.’

‘But…’

‘Don’t worry, I’ve cleared it with the man in charge. You are my colleague.’

She laughed. ‘All right,’ she said, feeling as if she were accepting a dare.

‘Excellent!’ He squeezed her hand, but pulled away quickly; he clearly understood that no one could see them touching. ‘I’ve thought of nothing else but you. I wish we could⁠—’

Their coffees arrived, and so did Maria.

‘Ah, I see you two have reconnected,’ she said. ‘I haven’t seen you smile like that in years, Leni.’

Valentina stood, feeling the older woman’s eyes on her. ‘Hello, Maria.’ She kissed her cheek.

‘Will you join us?’ Peter asked.

‘No, thank you. I’m on my way to my sister’s place and I’m already late.’

‘Maria, I’m sorry I haven’t seen you in a while,’ Valentina said. ‘I…’

‘No need to apologise. How’s Lawrenz?’ She met Valentina’s gaze firmly, and she sensed the real question behind her words.

‘The same,’ Valentina replied. ‘But he’s away for a few weeks so things are… easier.’ She glanced towards Peter. ‘It’s all right, Maria, Peter knows. I’ve poured my heart out to him as I always did.’ She found a laugh.

Maria looked at Peter. ‘I should have urged you to interfere in that marriage arrangement all those years ago instead of cautioning you. But maybe the angels have guided you back here for more than just the Queen’s visit.’ She grinned, taking them both in with an amused glance. ‘Nice to see you looking happy for once, Leni. I mean it. You look changed somehow…’

Valentina had to stop her. ‘Danjel and I are hoping to have a picnic while Lawrenz is away. Why don’t you join us, Maria? It would be nice to spend some time together.’