‘I think I might manage it, just the same.’

She was conscience stricken. ‘If you’re thinking of the black market, the tickets are going for thousands. I shouldn’t have said anything.’

‘I shan’t need to resort to the black market,’ he said, smiling.

She regarded him with something approaching awe. ‘You can get seats for this show, at a moment’s notice?’

‘I can’t afford to fail now, can I?’ he remarked, somewhat wryly. ‘Leave it to me. I’ll collect you here at seven.’

‘Fine. And we can always go to a different show. I really don’t mind.’

‘We shall go to this show and no other,’ he said firmly. ‘Until tonight.’

‘Until tonight,’ she said, a trifle dazed.

He turned to the door, but stopped as though something had just occurred to him.

‘By the way, I believe in mixing business with pleasure. Perhaps you would look at this and value it for me.’

From his bag he drew a package which he unwrapped before her eager eyes, revealing a fabulously beautiful ornate necklace in sold gold. She took it gently and carried it to a desk, switching on a brilliant light.

‘I have a friend in Rome who specialises in these things,’ Marco said smoothly. ‘He thinks this is one of the best Greek pieces he’s ever seen.’

‘Greek?’ she said, not raising her eyes. ‘Oh, no, Etruscan.’

She’d passed the first test, but he concealed his pleasure and pressed her further.

‘Are you sure? My friend is a real expert.’

‘Well it can be difficult to tell them apart,’ she conceded. ‘Etruscan goldsmiths of the archaic and classical periods…’

She was away and there was no stopping her, he recognised. Words poured out. ‘Their jewellery of the third to first centuries BC often closely resembles Greek works but-Celtic influence-’

He listened with growing satisfaction. She might be a little strange but here was the educated lady he’d hoped for. This fabulous piece had been in his family’s possession for two centuries. It was pure Etruscan. And she’d spotted it.