Man at War – Excerpt No. 305

12 July 2026

Barring any delays from the train, the post was delivered promptly at two in the afternoon. Normally Grace picked up the letters as part of her rounds, but Evelyn took over the burden a week ago. She’s been waiting for a reply.

Evelyn rarely mentioned it, but mail delivery sometimes felt like waiting for the river to freeze over just to get to the other side. After her mistress sent a letter to Marc requesting advice, they took steps to isolate the runaway. She was mostly confined to the maid’s quarters, while Grace and Evelyn shared the same quarters.

A dramatic black-and-white vintage-style photograph with torn paper edges, showing an elegantly dressed woman in a low-cut 1910s–1920s evening gown, elaborate updo, and ornate jewelry receiving a white envelope from a man in a formal dark suit at a hotel reception desk. She looks directly at the viewer with a composed, slightly knowing expression while the man extends the letter toward her. The luxurious, dimly lit lobby setting with chandeliers and background figures maintains the series’ moody atmosphere

Disclaimer: This novel is an work in progress and readers may encounter grammatical errors and inconsistencies. Please view this a draft and not a published work.