The Butler's Story

By Hazel B. West

The butler to the King’s Righteous Man must be someone who is brave, skilled, loyal, and above all, ready for any eventuality—whether it be an assassin after his master or high tea for ten guests on short notice.

Vincent Sinclair is the replacement for Sir Percival’s former butler who died under...unfortunate circumstances. It is now his duty to serve the Righteous Man in whatever he needs, whenever he needs it.

One of his duties is training the master’s son, Lysander, who will take over the title of Righteous Man when Sir Percival ultimately retires—or is taken off the field by less savory means, whatever comes first. Sinclair finds Lysander to be a bright boy, but one weighed down by the shadow of his father’s demands. Sinclair takes it upon himself to help the young master shine, so that Lysander can prove to his father that he has what it takes to be the next Righteous Man.

This prequel story to The New Emperor’s Concerto shares a look at what it’s like being in the family of the King’s Righteous Man from the butler’s perspective

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hazel B. West
• Release date: Jan 14, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463424834

Hazel B. West

I spend a good bit of my time writing historical fiction about brave men and women who have graced the pages of history, trying to bring more light to their legacies so readers of all ages will enjoy them.My favorite things/hobbies: Writing obviously, listening to and playing Irish and Scottish folk music, practicing with all eras and types of historical weaponry, GOOD COFFEE, reading of course, dark (dark) chocolate, sketching/painting, hats and boots, collecting little old-fashioned things of all kinds, buying books, and don't forget dressing in period clothing!My favorite kinds of books: Good adventure (sometimes with a little romance), Epic historical series, anything having to do with brotherhood or camaraderie--I'll read anything if it has a strong brotherly bond between two or more guys, time travel novels as long as they are traveling back in time (and not in their own lifetime), good steampunk novels (heavy on the clankers and none of the weird things), military adventure, historical fiction that's either well-written or has unique twists, meaningful or bittersweet war novels, occasionally a good funny book especially ones that are spoofs off old stories or fairy tales, and classics--always the classics!

Book preview

THE BUTLER’S STORY

A NEW EMPOROR’S CONCERTO STORY

BY

HAZEL B WEST

Other Books by Hazel B. West

Modern Tales of Na Fianna

Blood Ties

An Earthly King

Scars of War

Other

Flower of the Underworld

Come Marching Home

The New Emperor’s Concerto

Sweet Vendetta Blues (coming September 2022)

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, without prior permission of the author.

All characters and events portrayed in this novel are fictitious; any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental

Cover art copyright©2022 by Hazel B. West

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London fog rolled ominously across the city, even though it was already mid-morning, as Vincent Sinclair sat in the back of the cab, his hands folded in his lap. He tugged the cuff of one of his gloves down to reveal his wristband, and tapped it to see the time. He hoped he wouldn’t be late—that would be a terrible first impression on his new employer.

But they were already passing St. James Park and into Belgravia soon after so it wouldn’t be too much longer.

You sure this is the right address? the cabbie asked him for the third time now—Sinclair had been keeping track. The man seemed unable to get it into his head that anyone would either want to go to this address, or admit to it if they did. It was obviously the first time anyone had asked this particular cabbie such a thing, and yet, he knew exactly where the address was.

Everyone did. But he was also right—one did not simply go to the house of the King’s Righteous Man.

Unless, of course, you were in his employment, or were soon to be so.

Yes, it’s correct, Sinclair repeated what he’d told the cabbie the last two times he’d asked and continued looking out the window at the townhouses sliding past, most belonging to members of Parliament or simply the king’s favorites.

Finally, they made it to their destination: House Beautiful.

Sinclair had always found the title amusing—as was the intent. A