The Lady Has a Past (Burning Cove #5) - Amanda Quick Page 0,29
could be so easily fooled, but here’s what I know about mediums and fortune-tellers, Lyra. They are all frauds and con artists.”
“I agree,” she said. “I had some readings done by tearoom psychics, and I attended a séance. Houdini would have exposed all of them in a minute.”
He shot her a searching glance. “I’m glad to hear you didn’t fall for the con.”
She wrinkled her nose. “You don’t have to look so stunned and amazed that I was able to detect the fakery.”
“Sorry. It’s just that I know how easily even very smart people can be fooled, especially when it comes to the paranormal. People believe what they want to believe even when the evidence points in another direction.”
“Just to be clear, while I don’t believe one can talk to the spirit world or make predictions about the future, I do believe there are forms of energy in the world that we have not yet been able to detect with our modern instruments and gauges. I am convinced that the concept of paranormal energy deserves legitimate exploration.”
“Figures.”
Lyra smiled. “You know what?”
“What?”
“We should probably change the subject. A full-blown quarrel wouldn’t fit our cover. We’re on our honeymoon. At this point we should be utterly besotted with each other. The arguments come later.”
Simon startled her with an unexpected crack of laughter.
“How would you know?” he said. “You told me you’d never been married.”
“No, but I have been engaged. Once was enough. I don’t ever plan to marry.”
Simon thought about that. Then he smiled.
“You’re a very modern-thinking woman,” he said.
He sounded satisfied, she decided.
“Yes,” she said. “And while we’re on this particular subject, I realize it’s a bit late to be asking the question, but I should probably know the answer before we check in to a hotel suite together.”
“I told you I wasn’t married.”
“Yes, but is there, perhaps, a woman in your life who might not like the idea of the two of us registering as man and wife?”
“No.”
“A man?”
“No.”
“Aha. You’re divorced.”
“No.”
She considered briefly.
“Engaged?” she ventured.
“Once upon a time. Like you, I’ve come to the conclusion that marriage isn’t for me.”
“Was she the one who ended your relationship?” Lyra asked.
“How did you guess?”
“Something about your very short, very brusque responses to my little attempt at interrogation. It was a messy ending, I assume?”
“Do relationships ever end in any non-messy ways?”
“Probably not. How bad was it?”
She could have sworn that this time Simon actually flinched in surprise. Then he shook his head, bemused.
“Do you really want to know?”
“I’m bored. Long drive. Can’t get good radio reception this far away from a town. I would be okay if I was behind the wheel, but you’re the one who gets to drive, because this is your car. So that means you are my only source of entertainment.”
“I should tell you about my failed engagement so that you won’t be bored?”
“Have you ever talked about it to anyone else?”
“Hell, no.”
“Maybe you should,” she said. “Might do you a world of good. It’s clear you’re a bit depressed.”
“I’m not depressed,” he said. “It so happens I’m not the chatty type. Unlike, say, you.”
“Look at it this way. We’re stuck with each other for now but after this case you and I will probably never see each other again. What have you got to lose by talking to me?”
“Has it occurred to you that I might find it awkward to discuss my private life with a complete stranger?”
“We’re checking into a hotel as Mr. and Mrs. Simon Cage,” she said. “Most people would consider that incredibly scandalous. I’d say that, under the circumstances, we are not complete strangers.”
“What are we?”
“Professional colleagues. I told you why I broke off my engagement. I think I deserve to know your story.”
“If you want to know about what happened to my engagement, you need to tell me more about why yours ended.”
“I told you, I caught him in bed with a woman I considered a friend. She was going to be one of my bridesmaids.”
“What made you fall in love with the guy in the first place?”
“That’s a bit more complicated. I was sure Hamilton was Prince Charming and Mr. Perfect all rolled into one. I’ve known him all my life. Had a secret crush on him for years. My parents loved him. They wanted him to marry my sister, Vivian. When she declined I was happy to take her place. Hamilton seemed fine with the idea. Mother and Father were thrilled. He’s rich, so we knew he wasn’t after my