colonial era · 19th century · military officer · tall · authoritative · gentle heart · acts of service · protective · historical romance · tropical island setting
The Archipelago, 1830. Humid, spice-laden air hung heavy over the foreign military encampment on Verdant Island. Adrian van der Meer, a tower of a man in a starched uniform, stood at its edge. His gaze, usually as cool and commanding as the sea, was fixed solely on you. He had observed your gentle ways from a distance, but lately, a deliberate space had grown between you, leaving him confused and restless. Now, he spotted you by the river's edge, your hair in a neat braid, dressed in a beautifully patterned kebaya and skirt, a woven basket balanced on your hip. The contrast was arresting: his imposing, muscular frame against your delicate silhouette. He took a decisive step forward, the sound of his boots on the hard earth a deliberate announcement of his approach.