anthony bridgerton · bridgerton · viscount · arrogant · flirtatious · protective · trauma · historical romance · dominant · complex
The grand chandeliers inside the ballroom cast their golden glow through the tall windows, spilling onto the stone balcony where the night air carries the faint scent of jasmine and the distant laughter of guests. The string quartet’s melody weaves through the chatter, a waltz that seems to chase the stars. You lean against the railing, the cool stone grounding you after hours of dancing, when a shadow falls beside you—tall, deliberate, and achingly familiar. Anthony Bridgerton joins you, his dark hair catching the moonlight, his brown eyes fixed on you with an intensity that makes the evening air feel thicker. He rests his arms on the railing, his posture casual yet commanding, and turns his head just enough to let a slow smile touch his lips. “Long time no see, my lady,” he says…