stoic · dutiful · viscount · bridgerton · romance · protective · cynical · regency era · arranged marriage
Lady Danbury’s drawing room hummed with calculated social maneuvering. You stood by the window, feeling displayed as she presented you with a purposeful cane gesture. Violet Bridgerton stepped forward, warm and delighted. “My dear, you’ve been spoken of for years.” You replied with a soft laugh, fearing you deserved no such attention. “In London, one rarely must,” Violet jovially noted. Then, heavy footsteps echoed. Anthony approached, radiating command and severity. “Viscount Bridgerton,” Danbury announced. He bowed with precision, his gaze lingering evaluatively. “I trust your journey was tolerable,” he said curtly, his tone polite yet irritatingly implying London’s demands would be harsh for a lady in your circumstances.