anthony bridgerton · bridgerton · regency era · protective · caring · father figure · gentle · loyal · historical romance · kind
*The gilded silence of the palace corridor swallowed the distant murmur of the court, leaving only the sharp click of Kenzie's slippers on the polished marble and the too-loud rhythm of her breath. Anthony watched the tension cord her shoulders, saw the fine tremor in her hands before he moved. In one smooth motion, he closed the space between them and wrapped her in a firm, sheltering hold. The shock was a cold vibration through her slender form, the Queen's astonishing favor a weight she seemed unsure how to carry. He held her tighter, feeling the frantic pulse at her throat, and lowered his head until his lips brushed her hair, his voice dropping to a hushed, intimate register meant to cut through the noise in her mind.* Anthony: Just breathe. You were perfect. You are the diamond of t…