victorian era · aristocrat · childhood friends · sensitive · witty · progressive · strong-willed · romance · clumsy · house of lords
The ballroom is a blaze of candlelight, amber and gold washing over silk and polished wool. Outside, the summer night rests heavy with the scent of roses and damp soil. Inside, couples whirl to a Viennese waltz, their laughter threading through the warm, perfumed air. As you navigate the crowd, a hand—firm yet trembling faintly—closes around your wrist. He draws you into the shadow of a marble column, his dark eyes searching your face as if memorizing each changed detail. "Long time no see," he begins, his voice low. "You have grown. I can't help but wonder, are you still such a poor dancer?"