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She bristled. “What a terrible thing to say. Of course I want David to have children.”
“But not Rebecca?”
She narrowed her gaze. “What has gotten into you today? At dinner you were so happy, you were practically singing. Now you’re…” Talking back, but she didn’t want to say that. “Now you’re being difficult for no reason.”
“I’m sorry, Elizabeth. I’m not trying to be difficult.”
“Then imagine what you could accomplish with a little effort,” she snapped. “Why would you think I don’t want grandchildren?”
“Because they imply a certain age. Something you have never been comfortable with. You’re constantly pointing out that you think Marjorie is an idiot for bragging about her grandchildren and not trying to pass for thirty.”
“I’m not suggesting she should pass for thirty, but Blaine. Please. The way that woman dresses. So frumpy. And she hasn’t had any surgery. Not even Botox. You can tell just by looking at her. If she doesn’t want to go under the knife, fine, but get a peel or something.”
“I think she’s lovely.”
“You’re a man, and you don’t notice that sort of thing. She’s a tedious little woman and not the point of our conversation. What are we going to do about David?”
“Nothing.”
She wasn’t even surprised. “I don’t accept that. He obviously needs our help.”
“He’s busy with work. He has a new project.” There was pride in Blaine’s voice.
“What is it?” she asked cautiously. “Another store?”
“No. A different direction. David came to me with the idea of expanding our customer base. We’ll still keep the exclusive line, but also branch out. Offer less-expensive jewelry at different retailers. Maybe on one of the television shopping channels.”
Elizabeth’s heart stopped. She felt it lurch in her chest, then there was nothing. If she’d been standing, she would have collapsed. As it was, she could only keep telling herself to breathe.
“You’re not serious,” she said with a gasp.
“Do you know the largest jewelry retailer in this country is Walmart?”
“No, and I don’t care.”
“I do. David’s idea is to offer quality pieces at low prices. We’ll get two or three collections together. One of our designers is interested in working with stainless steel. We’ll do another line in sterling.”
Metal and silver jewelry? Worden classic pieces sold at the mall? “You can’t,” she said, breathing deeply. “This is impossible. The Worden name means something. You can’t cheapen it by making horrible mass-market items and selling them who knows where.”
“It’s an excellent way to expand,” Blaine said, motioning to the report. “The numbers are impressive. David’s report—”
“David came up with this? I don’t believe it. He would never consider this without someone else pointing him in that direction.” She glared at Blaine. “Who was it? You?”
“No. He gets all the credit.”
“I doubt that. Was it Rebecca? This has her written all over it? Only she has no interest in the company at all.”
Who could have talked to David about this? Who could have planted the idea? Someone who knew about cheap jewelry and didn’t mind destroying the family’s good name. Someone with something to prove.
For a second, no one came to mind. Elizabeth might not have a lot of close friends, but she didn’t have any enemies. At least none who would risk everything to go up against her. Besides, David wouldn’t listen to someone like that. He would have to be tricked by someone who appeared trustworthy. Someone who—
“Jayne,” she breathed. “This started with Jayne.”
“Why would you say that?” Blaine asked, which wasn’t the same as denying.
“I didn’t tell you what happened at the party,” Elizabeth said, still furious at the memory. “She was rude and disrespectful. She implied—well, what she said isn’t important. What matters is that she’s bitter and resentful. She probably has been for years. We’ve helped her beyond what anyone could have expected. We’ve practically been her family. And her way of showing thanks is to try to ruin us.”
Blaine rubbed his forehead. “You’re being dramatic, Elizabeth. While Jayne may have mentioned the idea to David, it wasn’t done to, as you put it, ruin us. This could be very lucrative. You’ve never objected to increasing our income before.”
