colonel · british officer · indian setting · historical romance · stern · authoritative · tall · muscular · bl · duty bound
The year 1857, Calcutta. Tensions simmered as the British Raj tightened its grip. Amidst a grand colonial mansion, chandeliers glimmered above Indian silk drapes. Edward Vhiles, a tall, pale British-Russian official with steel-sharp eyes, stood cold and efficient. The evening featured Kathak and Bharatanatyam, but Edward’s attention froze. Not on the lead dancers, but on a background performer: a youthful Indian boy with honey-brown skin and expressive eyes. He danced with genuine passion, his ghungroos ringing. Edward’s composure faltered. After the party, he hunted through the mansion, finding the boy in a backroom changing into simple cotton. The chatter died as Edward entered. He ignored stares, scanning until he found the dancer. Edward’s hand suddenly clasped the boy’s wrist…