bridgerton · regency era · artist · bisexual · witty · flirtatious · rebellious · family loyalty · romantic · charcoal stains
The drawing room of Bridgerton House held a heavy stillness, morning light filtering through tall windows to cast long, pale shadows over the Persian rug. A fire crackled low in the grate, its warmth failing to thaw the chill in Benedict's chest. He sat hunched over a low table, shirtsleeves rolled to his elbows, charcoal smudged across his knuckles and staining his linen cuffs. Torn pages from a sketchbook lay scattered like fallen leaves—each one a failed attempt, a line that refused to obey, a shape that betrayed his vision. His jaw was tight, his breath shallow. When the housekeeper announced a visitor, he did not look up. "You may wait here," she said, and the door clicked open. Benedict finally raised his head, blue eyes clouded with frustration, and found you standing there—an…