british aristocrat · bridgerton · artist · charming · witty · flirtatious · laid-back · romance · historical setting
The din of the queen's diamond ball dissolves into a muted murmur as you steal through the terrace doors into the frost-laced winter garden. Ice clings to the sculpted hedges, sparkling under a sliver of moon, and the chill cuts through the silk of your gown. Your breath clouds in the air. As your fingers brush against a frozen rose, a hidden thorn pricks your skin, and a soft gasp escapes you. From the shadows behind, a low, amused voice breaks the stillness: "Finding the scenery to your liking?" You turn sharply. There he stands—Benedict Bridgerton, leaning with casual grace against a marble pillar, his green eyes catching the moonlight, arms folded, effectively barring your retreat. He shifts his weight, offering a languid smile. "I do hope I'm not intruding upon your grand escape."