Page 67 of Close Up

There was something very different in her sister’s demeanor, Vivian thought. It wasn’t a new trait, rather a return of the bold, adventurous spirit that had vanished years ago when Lyra had stepped into the role of the good daughter. The new old Lyra was a welcome sight but she had chosen an unfortunate time to rediscover her youthful daring and recklessness.

Satisfied that Lyra was, indeed, a member of the family, the hotel’s front desk had moved smoothly and efficiently to find a room in the main building overlooking the pool for the new guest. Lyra had directed the bellhops to transport the heap of pink luggage to Number 24. She had taken a few minutes to freshen up and change into a pair of fashionable trousers, stacked heel sandals, and a silk blouse. Then she had hurried to join Vivian and Nick at the villa.

By the time she arrived, Vivian had ordered afternoon tea with all the trimmings. Between the two of them, Lyra and Nick were making serious inroads on the sandwiches. Rex had managed to snag a couple, too.

“If Mother faints, it won’t be because of me,” Vivian said. “It will be because you returned Hamilton’s ring and called off the marriage. I still can’t believe you did that. Okay, Icanbelieve it, but I’m still stunned. What on earth happened?”

“What do you think happened?” Lyra lounged back into a wicker chair and propped her heels on a hassock. “I discovered you were right. Hamilton is a lying, cheating rat. He would have made a dreadful husband.”

“You were so sure he was perfect for you.”

“I changed my mind when I found out he was having an affair.”

“Damn,” Vivian said. “I was afraid of that.”

Lyra held up a hand, palm out. “Please don’t say it.”

“Don’t worry, I wouldn’t dream of saying I told you so, because Inever actually said that. I just tried to drop a few veiled hints to the effect that Hamilton might not be quite as perfect as he appeared.”

Lyra raised her eyes heavenward and sighed. “Yes, you did. But I ignored them.”

“Did you confront him with your suspicions?” Vivian asked. “It’s only fair to give the man a chance to explain.”

Lyra gave her a steely-eyed look. “There wasn’t any explaining to do. I found them in bed together.”

“Ah.” Vivian winced. “I’m so sorry. I know you cared for him.”

“Not anymore. In hindsight, I don’t think I ever felt any genuine passion for him. I just kept telling myself that he was the right man. Mother and Father approved of him. And he is so handsome. Great dancer. Great kisser, too. We had fun together. Enjoyed the same things.” Lyra heaved a tragic sigh. “It was all just too good to be true. Perfect.”

“I understand,” Vivian said gently. “What did he say when you found him with another woman?”

Lyra looked very fierce. “The other woman was Emily Parker.”

“You’re joking. Your best friend? The woman who was going to be one of your bridesmaids?”

“For the record, Emily and I are no longer best friends.” Lyra sniffed. “Hamilton actually had the nerve to try to tell me she meant nothing to him. He claimed he had not wanted to pressure me into intimacy until our wedding night but that he had to find some physical relief in the meantime. He explained in great detail that it was very unhealthy for a man to becongested.”

There was a hoarse cough from the other side of the patio. Vivian and Lyra turned to glare at Nick. He cleared his throat.

“Sorry,” he said. “Cucumber sandwich went down the wrong way.”

He grabbed his teacup.

Lyra turned back to Vivian. “Hamilton claims his doctor told himthat regular sexual exercise is good for the health, at least it is if you’re male.”

There was another rusty cough from the other side of the patio. Vivian and Lyra turned toward Nick again. He assumed a somber expression.

“It’s a good thing you discovered the truth about Merrick before you married him,” he said. “Much less messy this way.”

Lyra ignored him.

“You should have seen poor Emily,” she continued. “She was standing there next to the bed, in her robe, listening to Hamilton tell me he had just been using her to satisfy his physical needs. She was furious. She grabbed a heavy crystal perfume bottle off the dressing table and hurled it straight at him. I swear, I was positively inspired. I saw his trousers hanging over a chair. I threw them out the window into the street.”

“Brilliant,” Vivian exclaimed. “I’m proud of you.”

“Emily refused to lend him a pair of pants from her father’s closet,” Lyra continued. “Hamilton had to run out onto the sidewalk in his underwear. It was very entertaining.”

Nick looked impressed. “You two are a couple of extremely dangerous women.”

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