Chapter 3
All of Society
Parker
“Ineed assistance,” I said. “I wouldn’t ask Niall if it wasn’t crucial.”
“What now?” Niall—my best mate—asked.
Music rang out.
“What is that?” I asked.
“Oh, my sisters and Amara are blasting music right now. It’s so goddamn annoying.”
Niall had wed his longtime girlfriend, Amara, this past year. They’d had a wild, star-studded engagement celebration. It was the marriage of a society dynasty and a political one. Given that I’d introduced them, I felt a little pride in the matter.
“Go on, Parker. What now?”
“Mother cancelled our engagement party venue without telling us.”
“What!?”
“I have called every decent venue in town, but… I’m not getting anywhere. We have two weeks to book something and now we’re up shit creek.” I rubbed my temple. “If anyone knows anything, it is your mother. I wouldn’t ask if—”
“It’s fine,” Niall said. “I can ask her. She adores Astrid. It’s no trouble. When will you be in London next?”
“Tomorrow, to look at houses with Astrid. We have a full day—”
“I’m having Amara take us shopping and we can meet with Mum. She’s busy today—up at Sandringham with Auntie Nat.”
Auntie Nat was Queen Natalie, of course. Lucy Ferguson, Niall’s wonderful, doting mother, was the Queen’s right hand and best friend. She knew everyone and could move mountains. I trusted this would only work at this point if she got involved.
“You realize she will run with it, right?”
“At this point, I don’t care. I trust she can help do it right. Astrid was gutted.”
“Fine,” Niall said. “We will get it done. Your mother is—”
“I warned her this was the last straw and uninvited her from the party. I trust she will heed my warning, lest I cut her off.”
“Wow,” Niall said, uncomfortable. “Well, I get it. I would probably lose my shit and break things if anyone did that to Amara.”
“I’m near that point, mate.”
“Well, have no fear. Come down. We’ll get it right.”