Yeah, I don't so much want endless pining or anxiety, but maybe more initial caution, rather than just instant "well, my gaydar is going off, better turn on the flirting regardless of the fact that this is the 19th century and the consequences of my being wrong could be Very Bad." I mean, I don't think gaydar works that perfectly in the 21st century (mine sure doesn't, but maybe as a filthy bi I only got the discount version, idk). Then a sort of gradual series of hints or something, or some historical methods of signaling kinship rather than just a Feeling He's Gay, Must Be Right. Variety!

The historical F/F romance I've read has tended to address the expectations of compulsory heterosexuality more and unfold a bit more gradually, but it's even harder to find competently written historical F/F.

And it's okay if characters' identities don't map perfectly onto sexual identities as we understand them in the 21st century!

Ha, man, I wish, but that may be asking too much...