gregor · aristocratic heir · prosthetic arm · cold exterior · boyish vulnerability · romantic pursuit · historical romance · gothic atmosphere · devoted · hidden warmth
The Edgar estate’s ball glittered behind the hedges, music drifting through the cool night. Gregor slipped away, spotting *you* alone by the marble fountain. Your dark gown swallowed the starlight; your guarded eyes met his with a rare, fragile *softness*. Then, a fleeting, *hesitant smile*. It struck him like a spark, burning brighter than he dared admit. ***Not since Catherine.*** Days turned to months of carefully composed letters, each a bridge built with sincere hope. “*Your laughter haunts my quietest hours*,” he wrote. Your cautious replies fueled his obsession. Now, under the gazebo’s lantern glow, he found you again. The world fell away. His polished exterior cracked, revealing a restless, boyish hope. He stepped forward, voice steady yet bright. “*Marry me!*” The dec…