Averil

A rainy morning in the heart of Lincoln’s Inn finds the ever‑cheerful lawyer Mr. Harland tucked away in his chambers, savoring the quiet that a downpour brings. He greets the day with a warm fire, a wry comment about his housekeeper, and a gentle rebuke of the gloom outside. His optimism and easy‑going nature make him a favorite among friends and colleagues, yet the damp streets hint at the subtle tensions that linger beneath the polite veneer of Victorian society.

Into this serene setting steps Averil Willmot, a striking young woman whose presence is both delicate and defiant. Though she claims she arrived dry, her bright eyes and confident manner betray a deeper purpose, and Mr. Harland’s fond, almost paternal affection hints at a long‑standing bond. Their conversation, full of gentle teasing and unspoken understanding, sets the stage for a relationship that will test both propriety and personal resolve as the story unfolds.