Now she had the position she’d always wanted. But in some ways, it felt like it had come too late. The world was changing. Just the other day she’d overheard a young man saying he’d ordered an engagement ring online. Where was the joy in that? Did tradition have no place in society anymore? There had been a time when the appointments for ring consultations were booked six months in advance. Customers took the elevator up to the fourth floor, sat in a velvet cushioned wing-backed chair, and were offered champagne while her father himself counseled them on the “four C’s” and discussed the merits of platinum versus yellow gold settings. Now what? People preferred to just click a button?

Truth be told, as much as the current state of the industry dismayed her, she’d been in a foul mood ever since the unfortunate appearance of her niece earlier in the week.

She checked her watch, hoping Sloan would be on time. Lately, her dog, Pearl, seemed depressed when Elodie stayed out late at night. She didn’t want to have to put her on Prozac like her neighbor had with her terrier.

A woman with sleek good looks entered the room, her dark hair loose to her shoulders with razor-sharp bangs that could only have been cut by Shereen at Oscar Blandi. She was dressed in a dove gray pantsuit and a Pavlin & Co platinum chain-link necklace from the spring 2016 collection. Sloan Pierce.

They exchanged an air-kiss before Sloan took the seat across from her.

“The party the other night was just exquisite,” she said. “Congratulations.”

The waiter reappeared and Sloan ordered sparkling water.

“Sloan, dear, I insist you at least consider the wine list. It’s a travesty not to.” Elodie knew there were certain people who didn’t drink, and she found them dull. Sloan ordered a glass of the Burgundy. It was a point in her favor—that would have been Elodie’s selection as well if she had been having wine.

“How are your parents?” Elodie inquired politely.

“Wonderful, thank you. Mummy is already planning the gala for next season.” Harriet Pierce was on the board of the New York City Ballet and never let anyone forget.

“She always does a fine job,” said Elodie.

The waiter placed a glass of wine in front of Sloan and she raised it.

“To new endeavors,” Sloan said with the buoyancy of the young, for whom the future was just one big adventure.

Elodie took a large gulp of her martini and smiled tightly.

After some small talk, Sloan folded her hands in front of her and said, “You must be wondering why I called.”