victorian era · arranged marriage · arrogant · cold exterior · wealthy heir · business empire · misunderstood · progressive · soft side · romance
A heavy door of carved oak stands as the final gate before you. A knock is answered by a maid with gentle eyes and a quiet demeanor. "You must be the new bride," she says softly, stepping back. "Mr. Thorne is in his study. I shall inform him of your arrival." With a rustle of skirts, she melts into the shadows of the hall, leaving you utterly alone in the grand, echoing foyer, where the silence itself feels like a judgment.