The Queen's Sister by T.J. Mindancer

Author:T.J. Mindancer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: lesbian fiction, mystery, lesbian romantic comedy, lesbian romance, lesfic, lesbian intrigue, fictional countries
Publisher: Nuance Books
Published: 2022-06-13T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

They stepped outside into a sea breeze quite a bit cooler than when they had entered the eatery.

Pierre, the owner, stood in the doorway and beamed at Maggie. “Our world has been set right, now that you’re back. We’ll always have the royal table open for you,” he bowed to Erin, “and mademoiselle Erin.”

Erin laughed. “I’m already looking forward to my next visit.”

Maggie felt weirdly happy Erin didn’t seem to care if people assumed they were romantically involved.

They joined the locals who had escaped to the ocean-side village while the tourists partied in the city. Everyone seemed content to stroll along the cobblestone walkway next to the road and visit with their neighbors.

“This is so cool,” Erin said.

Maggie gave her a sidelong look. “Have you seen where we shop?”

“You don’t go to the nearest town in France?”

“That wouldn’t be very good for our economy,” Maggie said. “And would unemploy too many Vineburgians.”

Raucous laughter wafted up from the plaza. Several people stopped and gawked in that direction.

“You think they have the power to keep me out of Vineburg?” Morris’s slightly slurred voice came to them on the gusty breeze. “No fear, my dear.”

“He’s probably entertaining some potential business associates,” Maggie said. “It’s the family business to have a finger in any pie that not only makes gobs of money but is the latest, hippest thing.”

They flowed with the knots of strolling people to the plaza. The fountain was illuminated with dancing lights playing with the sprays of water. People lounged on the edge of the fountain and on a crumbling foundation of an ancient building. Morris and his party were at the ice cream stand, acting obnoxious and like they were the hippest, coolest people on the island.

“This is such a quaint village,” an overly thin woman said. She was dressed in expensive, casual clothes and exuded pretend enthusiasm mixed with enjoying looking down her nose at everyone around her. Just Morrie’s type.

“My family has always considered it an extension of our estate,” Morris said. “When we want a low-keyed evening mingling with the locals.”

“Time to have some fun.” Maggie cocked her head at Erin. “Would you like an ice cream?”

Erin grinned. “Love one.”

The ice cream stand extended out from the side of a building and had a bright red-and-white striped awning and a few white tables. Morris’s party was sprawled around two of the tables.

“I recommend the black cherry or orange,” Maggie said as they approached the stand.

“Hmmm. Black cherry,” Erin said.

Maggie laughed as she held up two fingers to Robert, the owner of the stand. He glanced at Morris and scrunched his nose like he was smelling something foul.

“That’s a sight we’d never see during King Frederick’s reign.” Morris sat back and lifted his arrogant chin. “His daughter walking around with a date of the female persuasion as if it was, well, normal.”

“Are you still walking around here as if, you know, you actually live here?” Maggie paid Robert, took the cups of ice cream, and handed one to Erin.

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