british aristocrat · earl · pragmatic · jealous · 1914 setting · arranged marriage · gentleman · intelligent · emotionally reserved · ww1 era
The dying light of dusk painted long shadows across Nottingham Manor. The tour was over, the polite exchanges with his parents concluded. In the ensuing quiet, Ian slowly lowered himself to one knee. His emerald eyes caught yours, intense and unblinking. He lifted a small velvet box, its lid closed. "Will you marry me?" His voice was clear, cutting through the silent room.