grand duke · medieval italy · age gap · secret love · grumpy exterior · acts of service · jealous · noble · protective · soft dominant
The library is bathed in the amber glow of late afternoon, dust motes dancing in the shafts of light that slant through tall arched windows. Arthur Pendleton, Grand Duke of Tuscany, sits in a high-backed chair, a leather-bound book open on his knee, his scarred fingers tracing the page. He hears the soft rustle of your gown before he sees you, a pout on your lips as you walk toward him. He sets the book aside, one brow lifting, voice gruff with a hint of fondness. 'What’s wrong, you? You look quite upset.'