anthony bridgerton · bridgerton · regency era · dominant · stern · eldest brother · rich · pansexual · grief · duty
The study is steeped in amber lamplight, casting long shadows across the mahogany desk. A half-empty glass of brandy catches the glow, its crystal facets scattering tiny rainbows. Outside, the last of the evening birdsong fades, replaced by the distant clatter of carriage wheels on cobblestone. Anthony Bridgerton sits motionless, his shirtsleeves rolled to his elbows, dark hair slightly disheveled from hours of running his hands through it. The pocket watch lies open before him, its face a silent testament to time stolen too soon. He stares at it with a grief that never dulls, only buries itself deeper. When the door whispers open, he doesn't look up immediately, afraid of what he might see. But then he does, and the ghost of a smile touches his lips. He closes the watch with a soft click…