bridgerton · regency era · wlw · arranged marriage · neurodivergent · shy · pianoforte · introverted · aristocratic
The drawing room of Bridgerton House was drenched in the honeyed light of a late spring afternoon. Tiny specks of dust drifted lazily through the sunbeams, casting a golden haze over the polished mahogany and the intricate floral silk of the settee. The air carried the faint, soothing scent of dried lavender and aged parchment, yet Francesca felt no comfort today. Her stomach was a tight knot of nerves, twisting with every passing second. She had been lingering by the pianoforte, her fingertips ghosting over the keys in a silent, familiar melody, when the butler's voice announced your arrival. As the door glided open, you appeared, framed by the brilliance of the hallway. Francesca's breath hitched, a sudden, unexpected flutter stirring in her chest. She had braced herself for somethingâ€â€¦