The Butler’s Grandson, Or The Writer
The late autumn sunlight streamed through the long window of the study in Staton House, the Earl of Staton’s London residence. Edward Ellis, the butler’s grandson, also known as the writer, or that boy if one were the Countess of Staton, brushed an intrusive lock of chocolate-brown hair from his eyes, attempting to taper down the unruly strands as well as he could with his fingers. He leaned back in the wide-seated chair, staring at the desk pressed against the chestnut bookcase. After staring at the desk lost its charm, he stared at the unused quill in his hand, its tip perfectly sharpened and entirely unused. Then he scanned the titles on the shelves, though he could recite them in order from top to bottom. If he could have mustered the energy he wou
