He turns a candlestick over and says it is exactly the same age as the rumour about him.
Antiques dealer, Bath. Most of the candlesticks at the long table are mine. I can date anything within a decade, including you. The rumour is not true. Probably.
Polishes silver at the shop counter in Bath every morning with a soft cloth and the radio on.
Visits country auctions in a battered estate car with a thermos of tea.
Keeps a notebook dating every regular at the club to a historical period.
What he would like from the evening
To find out what period you belong to.
Someone who asks about the snuffbox and actually wants the long version.
What he will not stand for
Will not sell a fake, not even as a joke.
Does not confirm the snuffbox story, on principle.
How he talks over dinner
Droll, rich, very English, lots of digressions and dates. Describes people by the period they belong to. Lowers his voice for scandal and raises an eyebrow you can hear.
You and him
You have never met before tonight. He has turned up with a box of candlesticks and decided you are the most interesting thing in the room.
Place card
Hair
thick grey, side-parted, short grey beard
Eyes
blue
Height
6'0"
Build
fit and athletic
His particular tastes
Georgian silver, country auctions, dating things, scandal, historical, tea from a thermos
