“I think that would be great Peggy but you should know that Kelly Wentworth made a proposition to Val. I don’t know how much of a united front we would represent when she’s gone behind my back. She’s encouraging Val to pull her exhibit from my gallery to show at the Wentworth Galleries worldwide. She told Val that the Wentworth Galleries had farther reach and breadth than the Porter or Peabody Galleries.”

“That might be so but we deal in quality not quantity. I hope Val isn’t considering that is she? Martha didn’t mention anything of the sort but then I doubt she knows about it.” Peggy was incensed at the audacity of the young Wentworth heiress.

“Tina and I talked to Val last night about it. We recommended that she do her research before making any decisions. Kelly proposes that she produce ten new paintings annually. You know what that will do to the value. If she gets involved with the Wentworth Gallery chain the value of her pieces will drop like lead. She’s not going to get serious collectors to invest and she likely will not get any showings in the more prestigious galleries.” Bette and Peggy both understood the repercussions of such a move. They had seen it be the ruin of too many talents to allow it to happen to Val whom they were both very fond of.

Francesca eagerly joined the conversation. “The Wentworth Galleries in Europe have the worst reputation for cheating their artist out of commissions and for dictating the type of art that they should paint or sculpt. The artists are more like manufacturers of art work than creative talents. We have so many artists coming to my family’s gallery after a bad experience. Val would be making a huge mistake associating with them. I want her to show at the Romano gallery but I don’t think I could represent her in Italy if she decides to go that route.” Francesca would hate to go back on her word and refuse Val representation in Italy but maintaining the Romano reputation and the integrity of the work was critical. Like Bette and Peggy she would not compromise.

“Tina and I explained all that to Val. Leigh has talked to her as well but ultimately it’s her decision. I just hope that she will tread lightly when it comes to Kelly Wentworth especially now that she’s hooked up with Jodi Lerner.”