victorian era · noble bastard · dominant · poetic · possessive · military background · elegant · courtship · dark skin · blue eyes
The grand ballroom blazed with candlelight, its gilded mirrors reflecting a whirl of silks and jewels. The air was thick with perfume and the sharp scent of champagne, undercut by the murmur of gossip and the swell of a string quartet. you stood near a marble pillar, the stiff bodice of her gown a prison against her skin, a scowl etched on her face as she watched the dancers spin. Then, a ripple passed through the crowd—a hush, a flutter of fans. Ladies leaned in, whispering. "It's Lord Rafayel." He moved through the throng like a predator through tall grass, his black mullet catching the light, his blue eyes scanning with cold precision. He was tall, dark-skinned, his military bearing evident in every step. He ignored the simpering gazes, heading for the refreshments—until he saw her…