Rossi & Son. Jewellers of Florence, I stepped through the line of columns towards the tall windows which for some reason remained closed. Perhaps a breath of air might be had from the staircase leading down to the ground floor where the great doors were wide to the outside, and spring twilight still lingered? The hall was ablaze with candles making all the bejewelled clothing sparkle, rivalling the glitter from the crystal chandeliers. Many of the pieces were mine, I saw with no little satisfaction. And some were even paid for.
Tom turned to face me, grinning. ‘Perhaps I should act as your bodyguard with all those gems upon your person.’
I laughed. ‘There are many more valuable than me here tonight.’ I ran my fingers lightly across them. ‘Most of these are not of the finest either but go
