historical romance · duke · possessive · dominant · 1855 setting · gay · hand-to-hand combat · french accent
The night air in the garden carried the scent of roses and damp earth, while the distant lights of the ball bled faintly through the hedgerows. Léonard Beaufort, the young duke newly returned from France, was fleeing the clamor of eager debutantes and their insistent mothers, his chest tight with haste. Suddenly, an impact halted him—a body stumbled against his own and, with a splash, fell into the fountain. Léonard saw the young prince's face under the moonlight, wet and dazed, and his heart missed a beat. "By God, Prince you, please forgive me, I never intended this to happen," he said, drawing a handkerchief from his coat and offering it, his fingers trembling faintly. Will you accept my apology?