Category Archives: historical

EXCERPT: Rose Family Chronicles 2: Footman

Rose Family Chronicles: FootmanReleased May 2, 2017

This title is in transition as of June 2018.

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© Copyright 2017 Jet Mykles, all rights reserved

HE WAS HERE!

Darien had hoped but not expected to see Mr. Faith at one of the many holiday parties up and down Main Street. He’d heard from his friends what the Eventide was like, but he was delighted by the fact that they’d spoken true. Dozens of open doors, barrels of spirits, prettily made-up women and dashing men all in holiday finery. He’d been propositioned more than once by both sexes but had turned everyone down, looking, hoping to see one man. His prospects had looked grim, and he’d decided on just one more party, one of the theater parties to see if the Rose family was in attendance. He knew they were in town tonight. Many partygoers had enthused when the Rose carriage had arrived a few hours past, each host and hostess hoping for noble guests to grace their establishment. Not that there weren’t a dozen or so barons and at least two viscounts currently in residence, but every party wanted their ruling family in attendance.

Darien couldn’t blame them. From what he’d seen, both in Rosenton and beyond, the Roses were far more attractive and gracious than most other nobility he’d encountered. But the important bit of information Darien had heard was that much of the hall’s staff had also come to town. He’d overheard word of Mr. Faith’s presence in Miss Barker’s parlor, and that had given him the itch to wander. For two hours he’d searched and nearly given up. But his search had finally born fruit, and he found himself en route through gaily dressed, nearly—or entirely—drunken people to the man himself. Continue reading EXCERPT: Rose Family Chronicles 2: Footman

EXCERPT: Rose Family Chronicles 1: Valet

Rose Family Chronicles 1: Valet

This title is in transition as of June 2018.

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© Copyright 2016 Jet Mykles, all rights reserved

 

“Tyler, please come with me to my office.”

Tyler exchanged glances with James across the table. The younger footman raised a questioning brow, but Tyler could only shrug.

“Yes, sir.” He removed the apron that protected his clothing, then handed it and a feather duster to James before he followed Mr. Faith from the dining room.

A narrow set of stairs near the door led them down to the servants’ hall just outside the kitchen. Wet heat and the din of washing dishes closed around him, a sensation that had become familiar in the scant time he had been at Rose Hall. In nearly a month, he had settled into the routine happily. It was good work that dominated his day. A myriad of tasks left him little free time. More footmen had been hired, and they were all needed to keep the house running smoothly. He especially enjoyed helping Mr. Faith in the wine cellar and the pantry and had been sent into town a few times with the driver to fetch supplies. His one day off in the week, he walked to Claire to see his family. Occasionally he had time to make use of the permission given through Mr. Faith to borrow from the hall’s extensive library. He had no complaints.

Mr. Faith held the office door for him, then closed it after they were inside. Tyler stood before the desk as Mr. Faith rounded it to sit.

“Please, sit.”

He did.

“Would you be open to a position as the earl’s valet?”

“I beg your pardon?” Continue reading EXCERPT: Rose Family Chronicles 1: Valet

EXCERPT – Pirate’s Boy (updated)

This is a preview of a short story that was published in the Sacred Bands issue of the Forbidden Love journal from Under the Moon.

Available from Under the Moon.

Available from Amazon

Artwork by Anne Cain

(updated excerpt from earlier post. Changed after editing)

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© 2007 Jet Mykles, all rights reserved
“Damn it,” Joshua muttered, spinning at the sound of running footsteps at his back. He brought his weapon on guard and faced the next man who wanted to try and take down the pirate captain. This time he kept only cleared deck and bodies to his back, taking on the two that came at him, parrying ably with the cutlass, enough to keep one at bay and flick the tip of his rapier across the face of the other. Continue reading EXCERPT – Pirate’s Boy (updated)