Part 3 (2/2)

The happy smile vanished, and Emily's face dropped. ”But why, Grandy?” she asked in a crushed voice. ”I thought you were pleased with the way I handled things in Paris all last summer and through the autumn.”

”I was. Very pleased in fact and proud of you. Your performance has nothing to do with my decision. No, that's not strictly true. One of the reasons I've formulated new plans for you is because of the way you performed over there.” Emma's eyes did not leave her granddaughter's face as she explained carefully, ”Plans for your future. Which, in my considered opinion, is with Harte Enterprises.”

”Harte Enterprises!” Emily cried, her voice rising incredulously.

She froze on the sofa, staring at her grandmother dumbfounded. ”Where would I fit in there? Alexander, Sarah, and Jonathan are working in that company, and I'd just be a spare wheel! A dog's body, with nothing to do. Anyway, I've always worked for you. In the stores. I love retailing, and you know that, Gran. I'd just hate, positively hate and detest, being pushed into that organization,” Emily protested with uncommon fierceness, flus.h.i.+ng bright pink. Breathlessly she rushed on, ”I really mean it. You ve always said it's important to enjoy one's work. Well, I certainly wouldn't enjoy working at Harte Enterprises. Oh please let me go to Paris. I really love that store, and I want to continue to help you get it properly on its feet. Please change your mind. Please, oh please, Gran darling. I'll just be miserable if you don't,” she wailed, and her face was as woebegone as her voice as she clenched her hands together in her lap.

Emma made an irritated clucking noise and shook her head reprovingly. ”Now, now, Emily, don't be so dramatic,” she exclaimed with unusual sharpness. ”And do stop trying to cajole me. I know all about your wheedling. Sometimes it works; other times, like right now, I am quite impervious to it. And incidentally, the Paris store is on its feet, thanks in no small measure to you. So you're not needed there anymore. Very frankly, I need you here.”

This remark, although uttered mildly, caused Emily to sit up swiftly, and she frowned, further taken aback. ”You need me, Grandy. What for? What do you mean?” Emily's eyes widened and filled with worry. She wondered if her grandmother had a serious problem within Harte Enterprises. Hardly. Her health? That seemed unlikely too. But obviously something was amiss.

”What's wrong, Grandma?” she asked, giving words to her spiraling anxiety, all ideas about Paris swept completely out of her head.

”There is nothing wrong, dear,” Emma said with a bright smile, detecting the girl's concern. ”Before I explain my reasons for wanting you here, I'would like to clarify my remark about your future. Naturally I realize you like working at the stores, but you can't get much further at Harte's. Paula and your Uncle David have the real power there these days, and Paula will inherit all of my shares one day. Paula respects your ability, and she would love to keep you by her side, but Emily, you'd always be a salaried employee, with no financial interest whatsoever. I do-”

”I know that,” Emily interjected. ”But-”

”Don't interrupt me,” Emma snapped, cutting her off. ”As you learned last spring, I have left you sixteen percent of Harte Enterprises, and that's a'huge interest, since the company is so very rich. And solid. As solid as the Bank of England, in my opinion. Your wealth, your future security will come from your shares in Harte Enterprises, and I have felt for the longest time that you must have a hand in running it. After all, it will belong in part to you one day.”

Emma could not fail to miss the worried expression now settling on Emily's face, and she reached across the table and squeezed her arm affectionately. ”Don't look so distressed.

I'm not implying that I lack confidence in your brother. You must know that I don't. Alexander will guide and guard Harte Enterprises with all of his strength and ability, and with great devotion, I've no fear. Nevertheless I want you to be active there, along with Sandy and your cousins. 1 really believe that you must direct that considerable energy of yours, and your many talents into the company in which you have such a major stake, and from which you will reap so many benefits.”

Emily was quiet, mulling over her grandmother's words, and after a longish pause, she said slowly, ”Yes, I see what you mean, and I know you have my interests at heart, but there's nothing about the company that appeals to me. Anyway, Sarah has always enjoyed running the clothing end, and she'd resent it if you shoved me in there with her. As for Jonathan, he'd really get on that high horse of his, if you foist me on him. He considers the real estate division to be his little kingdom and his alone. He'd be in revolt if I started poking around there. So what would I do at H.E.? The only thing I understand is retailing.” Her voice faltered, for she was on the verge of tears, and she looked away swiftly, staring out the window, her expression exceedingly glum.

The prospect of leaving the Harte chain of stores and Paula, whom she wors.h.i.+ped, was depressing and distressing to Emily. And she would have to leave. That had already been decided, she,had the good sense to recognize. Her opinion wasn't being sought. She was being told what to do, told what was expected of her, and her grandmother's authority was una.s.sailable. Besides that cold and stubborn look was now engraved on her grandmother's face, and it was a look they were all familiar with, one which left nothing to the imagination. It said in no uncertain language that Emma Harte would have her own way no matter what. Emily felt the p.r.i.c.k of tears behind her eyes as she contemplated her miserable future. Mortified, she blinked them back and swallowed, endeavoring to hold on to her diminis.h.i.+ng composure. Tears, emotion, and any other sign of weakness in business were anathema to her grandmother.

Emma, observing the girl closely, saw how troubled and upset she was growing, and realized immediately that she must allay Emily's worries. Adopting her most sympathetic manner, Emma said, ”Don't take this so hard, dear. It's not half as bad as you imagine. And I certainly had no intention of putting you in either of the divisions run by your cousins.

That wouldn't be fair to any of you. Nor am I considering making you Sandy's a.s.sistant-if that idea has entered your agile little brain. No, no, nothing like that. When I said I needed you here,-1 did mean here. In Yorks.h.i.+re. I would like you to work at General Retail Trading and learn everything there is to know about that division of Harte Enterprises. You see, Emily, I want you to run it for me eventually.”

For a moment Emily thought she had misheard. She was so surprised she was speechless. She gaped at her grandmother and then finally managed to ask, ”Are you serious?”

”Really, Emily, that's a stupid question. Do you honestly think / would joke about my business?”

”No, Grandy.” Emily bit her lip, trying to digest her grandmother's words. The General Retail Trading Company, known within the family as Genret, was one of Harte Enterprises' most important a.s.sets and an enormous money maker. As the implications behind her grandmother's announcement began to sink in, she was a.s.saulted by a mixture of emotions: She was flattered, overwhelmed, worried, and scared all at once. But these feelings were almost instantaneously overshadowed by genuine bafflement.

Sitting forward with a jerk, she asked in a puzzled voice, ”But why do you suddenly need me? You have Leonard Harvey. He's been running Genret for years and brilliantly. Or so you've always said.”

”And I meant what I said.” Emma picked up her drink, took a sip, sat nursing it in her hands. ”However, Len reminded me several weeks ago that he will be retiring in three years. I'd hoped he would stay on, but he insists on going when it's time. He wants a chance to enjoy life, do a few of the things he's always wanted to do, like take a trip around the world, for one thing.” Emma laughed softly. ”I can certainly understand his point of view. That man's worked for me for over thirty-five years, and I don't remember him ever taking a day off, except for his annual summer holidays in August. Naturally, I'd no option but to agree, albeit reluctantly.”

Emma put down her drink, rose, and went to stand with her back to the fireplace. She stared down at Emily and continued matter-of factly, ”Len brought up his retirement because he thought it was high time I started to think about his successor. It occurred to me at once that here was the perfect opening for you. I've been racking my brains for months, wondering how to get you situated within Harte Enterprises in a division you would enjoy. I believe I've found it, Emily, and I'm also convinced Genret could well use your special talents.”

Emily said nothing. She, who had an opinion about everything which she usually had no qualms expressing, was now oddly at a loss for words.

Emma stood waiting, giving Emily a chance to catch her breath and marshal her thoughts. She understood perfectly the girl's unprecedented reticence. She had just dropped a bombsh.e.l.l on her..But as the silence grew, Emma, always in a hurry to settle matters and move on, announced peremptorily, ”I need you to start working at'Genret immediately. Len wants to begin his training program at once. Three years may seem like a long time to you, but it isn't really. Genret is a large company, and you will have a great deal to absorb and understand. So what do you say?”

Still Emily was mute, and Emma threw her a sharper look. Then she scowled at her. ”Come along, dear, you must have some comment to make. I can't believe that the cat's got your tongue permanently.”

Pulling herself together, Emily gave her grandmother an uncertain smile. ”Are you sure? Really sure about me going into Genret?”

”I wouldn't have suggested it, if I'd had any doubts,” Emma retorted crossly.

”But what about the group at Genret?” Emily asked quickly. ”I mean, will they sit still for it? For me?”

”I am Genret, Emily. Or had you forgotten that?”

”No, no, of course I hadn't. Grandmother. What I meant was, will Len and the top management team accept me? I know you can appoint anybody you want, since it's your company, but surely Len must have a protege', somebody he would like to follow in his footsteps, who knows the inner workings of Genret.”

”He doesn't. Furthermore he thinks you're the ideal choice. And he's not just pandering to me. Len's too shrewd and outspoken to fall into that trap. And, while he realizes I would like a member of the family inside Genret once he goes, he would tell me point-blank if there was no suitable candidate. He would insist we look outside the family. It just so happens that he thinks you're ideally suited to head up a wholesale supply company. For several reasons, all of them excellent. Your experience with the stores, your considerable knowledge of retailing, not to mention merchandise, plus your natural business abilities. That you also happen to be my granddaughter is simply fortuitous. It didn't influence him one iota, I can a.s.sure you of that. Besides, you're a quick study, Emily, and you've learned a lot in the last five years.”

”I'm glad to have Len's vote of confidence as well as yours, Grandy.” Emily started to relax, and as her depression also began to lift, she discovered she was excited about the sudden turn of events. She asked, ”And Alexander? Have you discussed it with him?”

”Naturally. He thinks you'll be marvelous.”

”What does Paula say?”

”She's delighted too. She's going to miss you at the stores, but she recognizes the good sense behind my plans for you.”

”Then it's settled!” Emily beamed and allowed her natural enthusiasm to surface. ”Genret is a big responsibility, but now that I've recovered from my initial surprise, I'm looking forward to it, I really am. I'll try very hard, and I'll do my best not to let you down.”

”I know you will, dear.” Emma returned her smile, delighted to finally witness Emily's eagerness and her excitement. Not that she had had any doubts about her offer being accepted. Emily was far too clever to thwart her, or to pa.s.s up the opportunity to head a division. Besides Emily loved a challenge. This last thought prompted Emma to add, ”I'm quite certain you'll enjoy this new venture as much as you did your sojourn in Paris last year. It's going to be equally as challenging and ultimately very' rewarding.”

”Yes, I know it will be.” With a sudden flush of embarra.s.sment, Emily recalled her outburst of earlier. Looking extremely shamefaced, she apologized, ”I'm sorry I behaved in such a childish way, when you said I couldn't go back to Paris, Grandy. It was ridiculous of me to act like that.”

”I -understand. You were disappointed. In any case, you'll be going to Paris quite a lot for Genret and traveling all over the world on your buying trips. That's certainly something to look forward to, Emily.”

”Oh it is, Grandy. And thank you for your faith in me and for this wonderful opportunity.” Emily jumped up and hugged Emma tightly. With a happy little laugh, she said, ”Oh Grandy, you re such an inspiration! You make everything seem possible-and attainable. And exciting as well. Do you know what? I feel like rus.h.i.+ng down to the Genret offices in Leeds right now and getting stuck into the work with Len immediately.”

”Len and Genret have managed to exist without you until now, Emily, so I think they'll survive for another few days,” Emma replied, her mouth twitching with hidden laughter. ”In the meantime I have a much better idea. I think you should come downstairs with me and have lunch instead. -I don't know about you, but I'm famished.”

Chapter Five.

Emma sat at the table in her splendidly appointed Adam dining room, sipping a cup of coffee after lunch, smiling and nodding occasionally, enjoying Emily's natural joie de vivre and bubbling enthusiasm for everything. Earlier, when they had been eating, Emily had bombarded her with questions about Genret. Each one had been probing and not without a certain shrewdness, and this had pleased Emma.

Now, the twenty-two-year-old was entertaining her with tidbits of gossip about the family, and as usual Emma found her pithy comments hilarious. Robin and Kit were most often the b.u.t.ts of her barbed wit, and she had already managed to get in a few sharp digs about her uncles.

But here her sarcasm stopped, for she never made astringent or unkind remarks about anyone else. Although Emily tended to be something of a chatterbox, she was not malicious, nor was she a talebearer intent on stirring up trouble. In point of fact, she was anything but this, and Emma was well aware that her granddaughter's predilection for chattering was harmless enough, especially since she knew herself to be the girl's only confidante. To Emma's considerable relief, Emily was not only discreet but extremely close-mouthed with everyone else in the family, and even Paula and Alexander, with whom she was on very intimate terms, were no exceptions to this rule.

Unexpectedly Emily veered away from her discourse on the family and launched into glowing descriptions of the outfits she had chosen for the fifteen-year-old twins to wear the next day. Recently Emily had elected to play a motherly big-sister role with Amanda and Francesca, and Emma had a.s.signed to her the task of selecting their clothes and looking after similar details.

But it was not very long before Emma found her attention straying, her mind forever preoccupied with business, and specifically Paula's meeting with the Crosses. She could not help speculating on the outcome, wondering how Paula had fared. If the negotiations had gone well, she was facing a fair amount of work. Not that this troubled Emma unduly. She had always thrived on honest:to-goodness toil and still did, and Paula had laid out foolproof plans for the takeover.

Emma and Paula wanted Aire Communications for its three most important a.s.sets: its magazine division, its local radio stations, its huge, modem building in the Headrow. Following Paula's advice, she fully intended to make Aire Communications a subsidiary of the Yorks.h.i.+re Consolidated Newspaper Company. Once she had relocated the entire staff of Aire in the offices of the Yorks.h.i.+re Morning Gazette, her newspaper headquartered in Leeds, she would sell the Aire Communications building. This would enable her to cut down on Aire's staggering overhead, and at the same time she would cleverly recoup part of the purchase price, possibly a good half of her two-million-pound investment. Yes, that building's worth at least a million, Emma reflected, whatever Jonathan says to the contrary. She would have to have a little talk with her trandson tomorrow, a very serious talk. He was dragging his jet with his second evaluation of Aire's prime bit of real estate. She had asked him for it days ago, and he had not yet responded. Once again she wondered why, and her mouth tightened.

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