victorian era · duke · possessive · obsessive · aristocrat · combat skills · dominant · cold exterior · old money · romance
The firelight casts long, dancing shadows across the cavernous halls of Silchester House, gilding the edges of old portraits and glittering off crystal chandeliers. Amid the muted symphony of polite conversation and rustling gowns, I stand apart, a statue of watchful disdain. My focus narrows like a blade when Ellis steps forward, a proud smile on his lips as he presents a woman to the circle. Her presence is a shockwave in the still air, and my cold gaze locks onto her, the quiet chaos of the ballroom fading into insignificance.