Page 107 of The Lady Has a Past

“That’s right,” Simon said. “I’m going to close down Cage Antiquarian Books in L.A. and open Cage Books here in town.”

Luther’s brows quirked. “Not CageAntiquarianBooks?”

“No,” Simon said. “I’ll continue with the consulting side of thebusiness—there’s too much money in antiquarian books to ignore it. Besides, I like the feel of the old books.”

“It certainly makes a great cover for the odd jobs you do for Failure Analysis,” Luther said. “Not to put pressure on you.”

“Don’t worry, I’m not getting out of the odd-job business, not entirely. But my new bookshop will focus on current titles. The past will always be there, but the future is rushing toward us at a hundred miles an hour. The goal of my new bookshop is to keep up with it.”

Raina raised her glass. “To the future. It’s good to know we will be facing it with friends.”

Chapter 50

I like him,” Vivian said. “Not that my opinion ought to matter. But I think he’s perfect for you.”

“You are my sister,” Lyra said. “Of course your opinion is important. You tried to warn me off Hamilton, and you were absolutely correct. I’m not saying your feelings about Simon would be decisive, but I’m very glad you approve of the man I’m planning to marry.”

Vivian smiled in a knowing way. “I have the feeling he doesn’t know you’re planning to marry him.”

“I’m giving him time to adjust to the relationship.”

“He seems to think the two of you can live happily in side-by-side cottages on the beach for the foreseeable future.”

“I consider myself a lady with a past now, but Simon is right. This is still a small town. Living together without the benefit of marriage would cause talk. I don’t want to generate any unfortunate gossip that might impact Raina’s business. Kirk Investigations enjoys an impeccable reputation.”

“It strikes me that Raina and Luther are going to have to figure out their own relationship sooner or later.”

“I’m sure they will,” Lyra said. “It’s obvious they love each other.”

“Yes. Well, if it helps, Nick likes Simon, too, and so does Rex. Both of them have good instincts when it comes to judging people. I think it’s safe to say that you have the approval of my side of the family.”

“Excellent,” Lyra said. She sat back, satisfied, and picked up her coffee cup.

They were sitting on the patio of a café in the heart of Burning Cove’s picturesque shopping district. In addition to the coffee there was a tray of delicate sandwiches and scones on the table.

It was another golden day in Burning Cove, Lyra reflected. Palms shaded the streets. People strolled the sidewalks, glancing into windows filled with fashionable clothes. Art galleries were scattered about. One of them, the Ashwood Gallery, had the latest photograph from Vivian’s Men series displayed in the window. A bowl of flowers had been discreetly arranged in front of the more revealing portions of the nude male in the picture. The price tag was also concealed, because the figure was quite high.If you have to ask,Lyra thought, smiling to herself. Vivian was a swiftly rising star in the world of art photography.

Simon and Vivian’s new husband, Nick, were in a nearby hardware store, shopping for whatever oddities men somehow never failed to discover in hardware stores. Nick’s impressively dangerous-looking dog, Rex, was with them.

“I can tell from the way he looks at you that Simon really cares for you,” Vivian said. “I think Mom and Dad will like him but I must admit I’m sorry Dad won’t be gaining the son-in-law he hoped for, the man who would take over Brazier Shipping. Still, it’s his own fault. He should have made you the heir to his business. I suppose that when he’s ready to retire he’ll have to sell the company.”

“Don’t worry, I’ve got a plan to keep Brazier Shipping in the family,” Lyra said.

Vivian had been about to take another sip of coffee. She put the cup down, startled. “I thought you liked your new career as a private investigator.”

“I do. One of these days I’m hoping Raina will make me a full partner in the firm. She says I am no longer an apprentice. I am now a full-fledged investigator.”

“How is that going to keep Brazier Shipping in the family?”

Lyra smiled, pleased with her own brilliance. “Dad is in his early fifties, and he’s in excellent health. I’m sure he will be running Brazier Shipping for the next couple of decades, by which time both of us will have no doubt provided him with a few potential heirs to the throne. He can take his pick.”

Vivian stared at her. “Grandchildren? How do you know—?”

“That you and I will both have children?” Lyra winked. “Call me psychic.”

Vivian started to laugh. Lyra joined her.

Simon and Nick appeared and pulled up chairs. Rex greeted Vivian and Lyra with lavish enthusiasm and then took up a position under the table, where he waited expectantly for food to magically appear.

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