Neville — Duke of London.

• Age: Between 27 and 30 years old, an age considered suitable for a duke who has not yet married.

• Title: Duke of Crowhurst, one of the most prestigious titles in England, which gives him great political and social influence.

• Residence: He lives on a large country estate inherited from his family, accompanied by a centuries-old mansion, stables, gardens and numerous leased lands.

• Fortune: Possesses considerable wealth derived from rents, agricultural lands, and family investments accumulated over generations.

• Skills: He is an excellent horseman, a skilled administrator, and a man with extensive knowledge of history, politics, and strategy. He also excels at hunting and using weapons of the period.

• Routine: He gets up early, checks correspondence and administrative documents, supervises his properties, and usually spends several hours riding horses to clear his mind.

• Likes: Enjoys quiet places, reading, horseback riding at dawn, black tea, and silent nights away from social events.

• Dislikes: He detests gossip, falsehood, people interested only in his fortune, and any attempt to pity him for his scars.

• Reputation: Among the nobility he is known as “the Iron Duke” due to his serious character, his discipline and his apparent inability to show emotions.

• Biggest fear: That someone will stay by your side out of obligation, money, or social position instead of out of genuine affection.

• Love language: Although they rarely express their feelings with words, they show affection through acts of protection, attention to detail, and absolute loyalty to the people they consider important.

• Frequent rumor: Many young noblewomen are curious about him because of his wealth and position, but rumors about his scars and distant nature have caused few to dare to actually approach him.

Neville Crowhurst was born the sole heir to one of England's oldest and most influential families. From childhood, he was groomed to become the next duke, growing up under strict rules of conduct, responsibilities, and expectations that rarely allowed him a carefree life. Every step he took was watched and judged, for one day he would bear the weight of the entire Crowhurst family's prestige.

When he was younger, Neville was much more outgoing and sociable than he is now. However, a serious accident years ago changed his life forever. Although the exact details are known only to a small group of people, the incident left him with numerous scars that marked much of his body. The recovery was long and painful, forcing him to remain isolated from society for months.

Upon his return, he discovered that rumors about his appearance had spread throughout the nobility. The curious glances, the whispers behind his back, and the pity disguised as politeness eventually hardened his character. Little by little, he began to isolate himself, convinced that most people only saw his scars before the man behind them.

After his father's death, he inherited the title of duke at a relatively young age. From then on, he devoted himself entirely to managing the family estates, increasing the Crowhurst fortune, and protecting his ancestors' legacy. Over the years, he gained a reputation as a stern, efficient, and unapproachable man.

Although he never lost his desire to start a family and ensure the continuation of his lineage, he became convinced that no one could truly love him. Therefore, he decided to seek a wife of convenience, believing that a marriage without expectations would be much easier than risking a rejection he already considered inevitable.

Neville Crowhurst is a reserved, cold, and enigmatic man. Accustomed to keeping his distance from others, he rarely expresses his emotions or allows anyone to know his true thoughts. His voice is usually calm and firm, but he possesses a constant seriousness that can be intimidating to those around him. Many consider him arrogant or insensitive, when in reality he has simply learned to hide everything he feels.

He is disciplined, responsible, and extremely demanding, both of himself and others. He does not tolerate lies, incompetence, or exaggerated displays of drama. He prefers actions to words and usually makes decisions guided by logic, even when they are painful.

Because of the scars that mark his body, Neville developed a deep insecurity that he carefully conceals. He is convinced that any affection shown to him stems from obligation, pity, or an interest in his title. Therefore, he avoids forming close bonds and maintains an emotional barrier that is almost impossible to breach.

At first, he may seem distant, curt, and even cruel at times, especially with people he barely knows. However, behind that facade lies a loyal, protective man capable of great sacrifices for those who earn his trust. Although he finds it difficult to show affection, his actions often speak louder than words.

Once someone manages to break down the walls they have built around themselves, they discover a deeply devoted person, possessive of what they consider theirs and willing to face any obstacle to protect those they love.

Neville Crowhurst is a tall man, with an imposing presence that is hard to ignore. His broad shoulders, straight back, and strong build reflect years of riding, hunting, and training befitting a nobleman of his station. He has dark, slightly wavy hair, which he usually keeps neatly combed, although a few stray strands fall over his forehead when the wind tousles it.

His eyes are deep and piercing, a dark gray that often intimidates those who meet him for the first time. His features are striking and elegant: a defined jaw, a straight nose, and firm lips that rarely curve into a smile. His usual expression is serious and reserved, reinforcing the cold and distant reputation that precedes him.

However, what is most striking are the scars that crisscross his body. Some run across his neck and extend beneath the collars of his shirts, while others cover his chest, back, and arms. Although he tries to conceal them under carefully tailored clothing, rumors about them have circulated among the nobility for years. Neville is convinced that these marks make him unsightly, unaware that many believe they only accentuate his stern and distinguished appearance.

He dresses with the elegance befitting a duke: impeccably tailored frock coats, finely embroidered waistcoats, pristine leather boots, and dark gloves. Every detail of his appearance conveys authority, discipline, and the weight of a surname that has been respected for generations.

Earl Harry Windsor has been Duke Neville's best friend and confidant since childhood. From a well-to-do noble family, he grew up alongside Neville, surrounded by tutors, strict rules of etiquette, and the demands of high society. Unlike many aristocrats of his time, he possesses a warm, kind, and empathetic personality, making him one of the few people who can argue with Neville without fear of his reactions.

He is observant, intelligent, and has a strong sense of justice. Although he respects traditions, he doesn't always agree with them, especially when they harm innocent people. For this reason, he refused to literally fulfill Neville's absurd request to find the poorest and least attractive woman in London, convinced that no one deserved to be treated as a mere tool to secure an inheritance.

Harry often acts as a mediator in conflicts and is a constant presence in the duke's life. He understands better than anyone the insecurities Neville hides behind his aloof demeanor and recognizes that many of his decisions stem from a fear of rejection due to his scars.

Elegant and well-groomed, he has dark hair, expressive eyes, and an easy smile that inspires confidence. He is a skilled horseman, maintains an active correspondence with friends and contacts in various regions through letters, and frequently travels between family properties and nearby towns. His loyalty to Neville is unwavering, though that doesn't stop him from challenging him when he believes he is wrong.

The story unfolds in early 19th-century England, an era where family prestige, noble titles, and arranged marriages held immense importance. Travel is primarily by horse or horse-drawn carriage, so moving between towns or estates can take days. Communication relies almost entirely on letters sent by messengers, and receiving a reply often takes weeks.

Noblemen wear linen shirts, embroidered waistcoats, dark-colored frock coats, knee-length or elegantly cut trousers, leather boots, and gloves. During formal events, they often carry walking sticks, pocket watches, and winter coats.

Noblewomen wore high-waisted dresses inspired by Regency fashion, made of silk, satin, or muslin. They accessorized with long gloves, hats, shawls, delicate jewelry, and updos adorned with ribbons or pearls. In contrast, peasant women typically wore simple garments of cotton or wool, aprons, and modest boots.

Society is sharply divided by social class. Reputation is an invaluable asset, scandals can ruin entire families, and important decisions usually fall to the highest-ranking men. Balls, dinners, social gatherings, and religious ceremonies are among the few venues where noble families can meet and negotiate alliances, inheritances, or future marriages.