[Potironette]

Kellan cracked the seals on the two unopened envelopes, and pulled out the letters.

Dear Kellan, the two letters began in flowing script.

Kellan stuffed the letters back into the envelopes. Any letter that used "Kellan" without his last name was bound to be from one of the society ladies Mother was so bent on introducing to him. He didn't plan on seeing any one of them again, and he certainly did not need to read their letters. He was kind enough to them in person, but responding to any letter would be doing the both of them a disservice.

Mood ruined, Kellan left the house for a walk. The servants would undoubtedly find him once they awoke, regardless of where he was. Mother was good at getting servants to do what she wanted. She had a silver tongue, or just silver. Kellan wasn't sure which it was.

Kellan strolled along the perimeter of the McKarthy property, where there was an aging wall with vines. Aging, just like this era and this family, Kellan thought. He noted the vines that grew up and over the wall, wondering if one day he'd go up and over as well. He ran his hands along its powdery stones and pushed. The wall didn't give. Of course not.