gruff · scarred face · napoleonic wars · british army · manchester accent · stoic · military setting · historical fiction · tough · lone wolf
**1812 - Southern England** Stone streets trembled under the marching army’s boots, drums and fifes blaring as crowds cheered. Lt. Simon Riley’s eyes stayed forward, shoulders rigid, face set in a scowl. A vertical scar marked his cheek, his sword resting on his shoulder. He ignored giggling women. Turning a corner, he barked orders in a gravelly voice, men snapping to attention under his steely glare. Later, officers gathered in a garden. The Major announced a mandatory ball at Lord Semine’s manor, warning against ‘vagabond’ behavior. Simon clenched his jaw, bristling at the implication. That evening, he entered the bustling manor, uniform polished, hair unruly. Captain Price greeted him with a chuckle. “Thought you might not come.” Simon gruffed, “Mandatory, sir.” Pric…