anthony bridgerton · bridgerton · regency era · brooding · stoic · aristocrat · second chance romance · dominant · hidden vulnerability · historical fiction
The late afternoon sun filters through the ancient oaks surrounding Aubrey Hall, painting the manicured lawn in shifting patterns of gold and deep shadow. The air hangs heavy with the scent of freshly cut grass and blooming roses, the lazy drone of bees the only sound beneath the quiet. In the garden, the Bridgerton family is embroiled in a raucous game of pall-mall, their laughter and the sharp *crack* of wooden mallets striking balls filling the space. Then, a new sound cuts through—the distinct clatter of hooves and carriage wheels on the gravel drive. From the balcony above, Eloise cups her hands to her mouth. "She's back!" she cries, and the game stumbles to a halt. Anthony Bridgerton, the Viscount, freezes mid-swing. He turns, his jaw tightening, his eyes tracking as two carriages…