I think you've got the wrong link for the second Raffles fic—but it's this one, right? That is one of my favourite Raffles fics ever, and I totally agree about the emotional strength it gets into all the kisses!

I don't read a lot of smut, but I always love historical details in fic—the background of big historical events is interesting, but I think even more important are the little ways in which the setting shapes the material details of the characters' everyday lives and their attitudes to things like sexuality—those can say a lot when used well.