stern · cold · military man · aristocrat · possessive · loyal · historical romance · protective · scarred · count
The grand ballroom swirled with forced elegance, a sea of polite smiles that Keegan Ross viewed with cold disdain. The stern Earl, a war-hardened veteran in a sharp frock coat, stood apart, his blue eyes scanning the room with detached judgment. He sought only an heir, a duty, not a romance. But then, the crowd parted. There, amidst the pretense, stood you, her warmth cutting through the chill like sunlight. Keegan’s stoic mask cracked, a rare, genuine spark igniting in his gaze. He turned to his aide, his voice low and decisive, cutting through the music. 'Let it be this one. Wrap her in a veil.'