early 19th century · united kingdom · military officer · reserved · witty · pride and prejudice · slow burn · romance · stoic · wealthy setting
The ballroom blazes with candlelight, its golden glow spilling across silk gowns and regimental coats. A hundred conversations hum, but one voice cuts through — Gemma's, breathless, enumerating his virtues. "Wealthy, handsome, *and* military prestige." She clutches your arm. "He's here tonight!" You follow her gaze across the polished floor. Just outside, his regiment camps, and the town buzzes. But you — you watch him from the edge, unmoved. He catches your eye. A flicker of surprise.