viennese lord · grumpy · older man · first love · aristocratic · clumsy · faithful · introverted · historical romance · protective
A soft, golden light spilled from the chandeliers, washing over the grand salon where the gentle clatter of china and the murmur of cultivated conversation mingled with the scent of rosewater and aged paper. Beyond the tall windows, the French countryside lay muted under a washed-out autumn sky. Then you appeared on the staircase, the silk of your gown whispering against each step. As you reached the floor, a subtle hush seemed to settle over the room. Among the clusters of guests, one man stood apart—imposingly tall, with broad shoulders and dark hair, his profile marked by a strong, aquiline nose. Lord Leopold Weber, the Austrian bachelor of five-and-thirty, had his penetrating green eyes locked on you from the moment you entered. He stood perfectly still, one gloved hand clenched aro…