Peggy didn’t speak until she has reduced the level in Bette’s bottle of scotch by an inch. Bette took a bottle of water from her private fridge and watched the older woman – she was just staring at the picture. Bette decided to give her speech about Emma and Helena a rest – it was clear that Peggy had been really floored by seeing a painting of her late husband’s boat. She sipped her scotch and just looked at the piece of paper
“Can you find out who is selling this ?”
“I am doing that now ”
“Find out and contact them – whatever it takes Bette – I want this painting – you will not find me unappreciative “
“I don’t want a finders fee Peggy “
“You will get a fee Bette – you are running a business “
“You are not business Peggy “
“Just get me this painting Bette -we will argue about the rest afterwards”
“Fair enough – I have made a couple of calls to dealers I know down there “
“If you have to fly down there you take my plane “
“I am waiting for calls – after that I will have a better idea about what we are dealing with”
“Whatever it takes “
“You know that I will do whatever it takes “
“I know that Bette – you really are a sweetheart – even if being in love with Tina has made you soft in the head””
“Yeah but I like being soft in the head because of her “
Peggy looked into the amber liquid of the scotch – finally she looked up
“If I accept Helena and Emma I lose out on something that I have long wanted “
“What’s that ?”
“Grandchildren – I can hardly see Emma wanting to have a family at her age can you ?”
“Grandchildren ! “ Bette had never thought in a million years that Peggy was disappointed because a Helena and Emma relationship would mean no children for Helena
“Yes – is that really such a shock to you Bette ?”
“Yes “ Bette replied honestly
“The Peabody name means a great deal to me and I would like the company – all of them to go to Helena when I retire “
“You will never retire Peggy “
“Maybe – maybe not. I had hoped that I could think about retiring because Helena was ready to take over the business and the name. Helena needs an heir – I do not want my hard work and that of my family and my husband’s to go to waste and the firm to go to some foppy British twat in London – MY business stays on this side of the Atlantic “
“I have met some of Helena’s English cousins “
“They make Bertie Wooster look like an American quarter back – inbred upper class idiots”
Peggy sipped her scotch
“Do you think that Emma would want a child ?”
“I don’t know “
“Honestly Bette – at her age ?”
“After five weeks I don’t suppose it’s a conversation they have had “
“Probably not “ Peggy smiled “I am not being a difficult old cow for the sake of it Bette. I do know that Helena is happy. I have heard reports of them being seen at the Ritz and riding in a carriage through Central Park – I know that you have avoided saying a certain word Bette but they are in love arent they ?”
“That’s for them to decide to announce “ Bette said feebly “But – I would say as a Helena watcher – yes – she’s in love with Emma and its two way “
“I cannot risk Helena getting involved with an older woman for any length of time – she needs to settle down with someone who can be a good wife and mother to her – Emma Kennard is not that woman”