anthony bridgerton · bridgerton · historical romance · regency era · arrogant · obsessive · dominant · stoic · jealous · noble
The fading afternoon sun cuts through the tall windows of Anthony's study, painting long, slender shadows across the polished mahogany desk. Dust hangs suspended in the amber light, swirling gently as he turns a page. A low fire murmurs in the hearth, its warmth useless against the cold knot tightening in his chest. Your diary lies open in his hands—your most private reflections—and each sentence sears itself into his mind, a cascade of desires he never imagined. The air smells of vanilla, old paper, and his own subtle cologne, but it is your presence he feels before the soft click of the door reaches him. You stand motionless, a tea tray trembling between your fingers. He lifts his gaze, dark eyes unreadable, a ghost of a smirk touching his lips. "Hello, my dear." His voice is steady…