Writing my first novel... (Preface) - Please critique

Preface

London, England- 1851

There was a warm glow being cast about the offices of The Examiner. The cold, March wind howled outside as if angry at not being allowed into such an inviting ambience. In the corner office, sitting alone at a rosewood desk was a man attempting to finish his writing, but was constantly distracted with the mirror in front of him. As he looked at his reflection, he sighed, and then turned his attention back to completing his latest article on the Crystal Palace Exhibition. 

 Wickedly grinning, he placed the ink pen down while admiring the latest story and knowing full well it would be front page news.  He had been following the news item of the year since Prince Albert and his fellow members of the Royal Society began organizing the event. From contributing on the constant debate over the Crystal Palace building erected in Hyde Park, to keeping his fans up to date on the multitude of products and latest inventions from various countries that were to be displayed.  The Examiner boosted circulation and profited from the column and its author, William Acker, had become quite the man about London. Once again, he lost all train of thought and cherished his attractive features.  He loved to stare at what he considered to be noble attributes such as his dark, black hair, his aquiline nose, and brown piercing eyes.  He thought to himself how devilishly handsome he looked and could not wait to see all the women swooning over him at the cocktail party being held in a few hours.   

After placing his copy in the bin for the printers, he took one last look at himself in his favorite black, double-breasted frock coat before heading out to the social celebration of the evening. It happened to be his dearest outfit since not only did it show his muscular physique so well, but it also happened to be named after Prince Albert by certain circles of London Society. That fact alone made him feel like nobility.

A voice spoke chillingly close. "Shakespeare was correct when he wrote; I do hate a proud man as I do hate the engendering of toads."

Standing there frozen for what seemed like an eternity; William slowly turned around and was immediately seized from behind. Someone, then placed the bend of their arm around his throat, and then clasped their right wrist with their left hand to form a powerful lever. This effectively strangled William for some time rendering him incapable of moving or even calling for assistance. Ironically, as he stood there glaring, he noticed the freight on his face, and not his normal comforting reflection. His eyes franticly looked about his office and his thoughts chaotically raced to understand what was happening, when, suddenly, the gas lamp when out and he was cloaked in darkness.