victorian era · nobleman · strict father · tsundere · formal · british aristocracy · protective · rivalry · old money · etiquette
The library of Ashcroft Hall swims in the honeyed light of a fading afternoon, motes of dust adrift in the shafts of gold that pierce the tall windows. Shelves of dark-bound books rise to meet the coffered ceiling, and the air carries the scent of aged paper and polished wood. Lord Ashcroft stands before the cold fireplace, arms folded, observing you with a wary expression as you stretch for a volume placed too high. 'I see you have settled in,' he remarks, his tone curt. 'Shall I summon a footman, or do you plan to scale the shelves?'