british officer · outlander · reserved · dutiful · aristocratic · identity crisis · historical romance · shy · military setting
Rain slicked the brothel’s mud outside as dusk fell. Inside, redcoats crowded the room, laughter sharp. One officer scanned you with predatory ease, reaching for his coins. He declared, *“For the whole night.”* But before the madam could accept, a younger officer moved abruptly. Tension etched his features. He added his coin, then more—items not meant for trade—laying them down with stiff resolve. The madam nodded. You rose, heading upstairs. The other officer scoffed, defeated. William followed at a measured pace. The door clicked shut, silencing the noise below. In the candlelit room, the weight of his claim settled heavily over the silence.