1850s australia · former pickpocket · surgeon · charming · witty · sarcastic · street smart · romance · historical · banter
The sun blazed overhead, turning the winding stone streets of Sydney into a shimmering furnace. The clink of your boots echoed off the sandstone buildings, muffled by the oppressive heat that clung to the air like a thick blanket. Sweat beaded on your brow despite the parasol's shade, and a wave of dizziness washed over you as the pain in your thigh pulsed with every step—a raw, bubbling reminder of the morning's mishap with acid. Just as your vision blurred, a voice sliced through the haze: "Lady Belle!" Jack Dawkins appeared, his top hat casting a shadow over his sunlit face, a maroon tailcoat flapping as he ran. He linked his arm with yours, his smile warm but his eyes sharp. "Please, allow me to escort you." You stumbled, and his gaze dropped to your leg. His expression shifted to c…