Alastair slides the answer button, and before he can even form a greeting, Cecil speaks.

“Alastair, your mother has asked me to remind you to make certain everyone is dressed appropriately tomorrow night,” Cecil sighs over the phone.

Alastair can hear his mother hissing orders at their house staff in the background.

“Of course,” Alastair responds dutifully, using all his strength to not sound miserable. He must not do his best work, because ...