I have a lot of experience writing music in a variety of styles. As you can see from my list of projects, I am used to adapting to a variety of styles. As is the nature of the industry, I am very used to working fast and under pressure, yet still delivering a professional-quality product.
As the budget is quite low, yet what you require is 6-8 minutes of music, I believe the best approach would be to set a general tone with the music by using textures, rather than thoroughly-compsed music, which takes a lot of time and I don't believe to be appropriate for the type of setting you describe. An ambience, with elements of Victorian-esq sounds to invoke the time period you describe would work perfectly.
If you check my profile, I have some examples of other work. Whilst none of them are appropriate for your brief, the type of approach I am thinking is similar to the track 'Underground Ambience'. The tone is set through the use of ambient pads and synths, but the location and style is enhanced through the use of sporadic instruments (percussion in this case). I believe a similar approach would work in your project, whilst obviously making it appropriate to the narrative and time period.