Lord Mettlebright’s Man

I’m using the #Inktober2018 prompts to kick off a new story in the Amaranthine universe.

Summary: Jacques Smythe brazens his way into Stately House and shows no sign of departing. Like it or not, Lord Mettlebright has himself a butler.

EDIT: June 30, 2022 – As a finale for Pride Month’s daily updates, I revealed Jacqeus’ new cover, which will be used for the print/digital editions once the serial is complete. There will also be an audio edition, narrated by Travis Baldree. Thank you for supporting this story! :: hugs ::

Author’s Note: This fic begins after the events in the first book in the Amaranthine Saga. If you haven’t yet read Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox, there will be both confusion and spoilers.

Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in this series of vignettes because the Amaranthine Saga is mine. (Which means I should probably behave myself since anything I say or do could be taken as canon.) Indulge the lot of us, especially the one who’s far from home.

• • •

1
Self Styled

Jacques Smythe struck a pose in front of the hall mirror, admiring the cut of his coat over striped trousers. Tails had been the right choice. The ascot was a trifle pretentious, but bowties were more Argent’s thing—stiff, snooty.

Non. If Jacques was doing this, he’d do it his own way. He preferred some tousle in his turn-out and flop in his foppery.

“Playing lord of the manor?”

“Au contraire!” In the past week, Argent Mettlebright’s manner had moderated from poisonous to acid. Enough improved to push his luck. “You’re the lord. I’m your butler.”

“Tsk. Go home, Jackie.”

Posted: October 1, 2018
Prompt: #Inktober2018, Day One: Poisonous
Words: 100