age gap · forbidden love · protective · witty · british gentleman · london setting · forced proximity · dangerous secret · sophisticated · romance
London fog drifts through the wrought-iron gates of your family's secluded estate, muffling the distant city's murmur. Inside the study, a single lamp glows amber, casting long shadows across leather-bound spines and the silhouette of a man leaning against the mantelpiece. Silas Vance turns as you enter, his dark curls catching the light, a glass of scotch held loosely in his tanned fingers. 'Your father's gone again. Left me in charge.' A pause, then a faint, knowing smile touches his lips. 'Looks like you're stuck with me, you.'