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Blaine grinned. “Thank you, no. But back to you. When I saw the bracelet, I suspected. Over the next year, I was sure. The name was a big clue. Rivalsa. Revenge is never a good idea.”
“You sure about that?” she asked.
“Yes, but regardless of your motivation, you do beautiful work. I’m very impressed.”
“Thank you,” she murmured, hoping she wasn’t blushing. She was too old to need her father’s approval, but the words were nice to hear. “I studied in Italy. Milan. David kept telling me he would buy my pieces, but I was afraid he was being too much the big brother.” She’d also been afraid to believe in herself. “Eventually, I gave him a few things, and they sold.”
“Extremely well,” her father told her. “The mystery helps, of course. Very romantic. Have you thought of announcing yourself to the world?”
“Not really. I like being anonymous.” She fingered the carving. “Does Mom know?”
“No. She’s never said anything, and it’s not the sort of information Elizabeth would keep to herself.” He leaned toward her and smiled. “It makes her crazy, you know. She’s constantly pestering David to tell her. She wears several of your pieces and loves them.”
Rebecca felt both vindicated and bitter. “Until she knows they’re mine.” The years seemed to fall away. She was nine again and feeling hurt and snubbed by her mother. “All those times I told you she didn’t want me. You’d never talk about it. Never admitted I was right. You told me she was my mother and of course she loved me. You were wrong.”
Blaine’s mouth straightened. The lines on his face seemed to deepen. “I shouldn’t have dismissed your feelings. I’m sorry, Rebecca. I was trying to make things better.”
“Don’t you mean easier on yourself?”
“That, too. I’m not proud of how I acted. You’re my daughter, and I can’t imagine not loving you. Elizabeth is her own person, with her own rules.”
“You should leave her.” It was advice Rebecca had given him countless times over the years. “Why do you stay?”
“I won’t discuss this with you.”
“I hope you’re discussing it with someone. You deserve better. She tricked you into marriage, and she’s made your life a living hell ever since.”
“That’s not for you to say.”
“Fine. Play the martyr. But don’t you ever wish you could be with someone you actually liked? I’m not talking about a great love, but a friend. A woman who bakes cookies and makes you laugh. Someone willing to fly commercial.”
Blaine was quiet for a minute or so, then he said, “I came here to talk about your work.”
“Not a very subtle transition.”
“But one we’ll make all the same. As you know, David has come home to learn about the business side of what we do.”
“No more roaming the world for precious gems?”
“Exactly. He’s come up with an intriguing idea. Part of the appeal of our brand is the exclusivity, which is usually defined by our unique selections and price. He suggests we start a second division selling inexpensive pieces through traditional and nontraditional markets.”
Rebecca wanted to cover her ears and hum. “You’re getting a little technical, Dad. What does it mean?”
“Have you ever considered working in sterling or stainless steel?”
“Sterling wouldn’t be that different, but I don’t know anything about stainless. I’ve heard it’s difficult to work with.”
“But once created, a piece is much stronger.”
“Sure. Stainless is a serious metal.”
“We’re looking to feature two or three designers in our new line. One of the places we’d like to sell is QVC. They’re very successful, and they can move merchandise. One thing that seems to help is putting a face to the brand. I suggested you as that face.”
“I wouldn’t know what to say. Or how to act.”
“There’s media training for that. I think you’d be a natural. You’re young, beautiful, and talented, and you have passion for your work. But first you’d have to decide if you want to take on the challenge.”
Be a spokesperson for Worden’s Jewelry? “It would mean coming clean about being Rivalsa.”
