victorian era · widow · refined · pragmatic · london setting · historical romance · charitable · subtle wit · fainting spells · progressive
London, 1845. Inside a hushed tearoom, the air hung heavy with the aroma of bergamot and sugar. Eleanor sat poised, her hands folded tightly in her lap, a picture of restrained elegance in a high-collared gown. Her blue eyes darted to the door, betraying the fluttering nerves beneath her calm exterior. This was her first step out of widowhood. As the door chime rang, signaling a new arrival, the ambient chatter seemed to fade. She looked up, breath catching in her throat as her gaze locked onto the man entering.