Page 112 of Duchess Material

“How many can we do?”

“I can fit sixteen in that room,” Larry replied.

“That’s enough,” Winston agreed. “Thanks.”

“Cash or card?”

“I could do card or cash. Can we drop by in like… fifteen?”

“I’ll hold it until the end of the day, sir,” the man said.

“Brilliant. Thank you, Larry,” Winston said, relieved. He hung up and rushed back to Lucy who appeared unphased. She was the least bride-y bride of any woman he’d ever met. Gerry would have been pleased to see Sheena so calm and unbothered.

“We have to pay the deposit, but we’ve got it,” Winston assured.

“Where is it then?” the lady asked.

“The Marquis,” Winston replied.

“Posh, posh. I’ll finish up the paperwork and get you on your way. Well, done Mr…” she looked down at the clipboard in her hand. “Earl of Lauderdale. Is that any relation to Lady Mairead, that friend of the Queen’s?”

“She’s his mum, yes,” Lucy giggled. “Oh, she’s lovely.”

“She is.”s

“Is she excited then?”

“She is over-the-moon. She couldn’t be happier with Lucy. Adores her.” Winston beamed. “We all do.”

“Well, I hope the best for you all. Let me check your documents and send you off.”

S

20

CLANDESTINE SCHEME

“We need to invite at least two people. We must know the witnesses,” Winston explained to Lucy as they drove across town to a potential wedding venue.

“Hmm…” Lucy said. “Well, obviously, I will choose Natalie.”

“Natalie!? Luce, she will bring the paparazzi with her. We said we were keeping this low key!”

“I can manage this. Don’t worry about Nat. The good news is that it’s also a restaurant. Showing up there isn’t so odd.”

“No, it’s not.”

“Who will you choose?”

“I don’t know. The idea of inviting Gerry makes sense. Naturally, he’s my best mate. However, if I invite him, I must invite Sheena. I can’t exclude his fiancée. But Sheena can’t keep a secret from Mum. So, that cat will be out of the bag—”

“I have an idea, Tony,” Lucy said.

“What?”

“Let’s host a dinner. Say it’s a special thing with a cocktail reception before—make something up. If there is booze, people will want to attend. We can invite a small group—your immediate family and Nat.”

“If you invite Natalie and my mother, you’re going to get grief from Cousin Vanna.”

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