Page 102 of Close Up

“But now I’ve changed my mind.”

Lyra smiled again. “Nick Sundridge.”

It was not a question.

Vivian felt the heat rise in her cheeks. “Is it that obvious?”

“Only to your sister, who has known you her entire life. If it makes you feel any better, I’m pretty sure he feels the same way about you.”

“What are you going to do, Lyra? After you tell the parents that you won’t be marrying Hamilton, that is?”

“I don’t know,” Lyra admitted, “but I’m sure of one thing: I’m not going back to San Francisco. After I’ve explained the situation to Mother and Father I’m going to do what I should have done a long time ago—find my passion and pursue it.”

“Where?”

Lyra smiled. “Burning Cove looks like an excellent place for an ambitious woman with a few dreams.”

“What will you do?”

“I haven’t decided. I suppose I could always open an art gallery andshow my sister’s fine art photography. But something tells me that won’t be necessary. You’re already hanging in a very fine gallery there.”

Vivian laughed.

A page in the hotel livery walked through the tearoom. He had a telephone in his hands.

“Long distance for Miss Vivian Brazier. Long distance for Miss Vivian Brazier.”

Vivian raised one hand. The page hurried over. He put the telephone on the table and plugged the cord into a wall jack.

“Thank you.” Vivian picked up the receiver. “This is Vivian Brazier.”

“Joan Ashwood of the Ashwood Gallery in Burning Cove.”

Vivian froze. “If you’re calling to tell me that under the circumstances you feel you can no longer display my pictures—”

“I’m calling to inform you I have recently sold the two pictures from your Men series that you left with me.”

“Really?” Vivian tightened her grip on the receiver. “Who bought them?”

“A collector who wishes to remain anonymous.”

“I see,” Vivian said.

“I believe you said you planned to create twelve limited-edition photographs in that series?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“If you have not already promised them to another gallery I would like to take all of them. Sixteen signed, limited editions, each. Standard contract terms.”

Vivian stared at Lyra speechless.

“Miss Brazier?” Joan said, sounding concerned. “Are you there?”

Vivian pulled herself together. “Yes. Yes, I’m here.”

“The show is next week. I realize it’s very short notice but if you could have a couple more large prints from that series ready by then I would love to exhibit them.”

“I can manage to have two or three ready in time,” Vivian said. She cleared her throat. “About my name.”

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